Smoking a Sin??

[Robin]

Arrowood:

The term “grave” refers to the fact that the evil done would be serious enough to qualify as mortal sin. However, for a sin to be a mortal sin it also must be performed with sufficient knowledge and consent.

I had the knowledge, several years before I managed to quit; that smoking was not good for me. I tried to quit many, many, times. Trying several methods and drugstore remedies. Nothing worked. When I got close to my 60’s , I begin to Hate smoking. But still I couldn’t stop. It was no longer a matter of Consent at all! Cigarettes made me sick - smoking nearly 2 packs (or more sometimes) a day! I asked Jesus nightly in my prayers to help me. I asked the Blessed Virgin to bring me a small miracle to stop. I couldn’t stop this nearly 50 year habit on my own.

Then I finally realized that this fury that I was fighting was trying to Kill me. I personified this killer as a type of demon out to destroy my health, body and life. Or I realized what I was really up against.

It was about 6 months after coming to this realization that I walked into the doctors office feeling terrible and left on a stretcher on the way to the hospital in an ambulance. My truck parked in front of the doctors office - my cigarettes lying on the seat next to my empty seatbelt.

5 days later, I had a quadruple bi-pass.The only thing I remember
of the surgery is a vision - hallucination, drug-induced dream --Whatever - I seen Jesus shaking His fist at a humungus double-sized ugly naked satan - and shouting “You Cannot Have Him!!”.

I woke up, my wife beside me- and made a silly joke that made her laugh out loud. That was nearly 4 years ago. For the first 4 months I had nightly Nightmares of Smoking. Sometimes I could smell them, taste them, and wake up asking my wife (so real were they) did I really smoke a cigarette last night? I even heard a voice once that said “Go ahead. Have another cigarette. You already smoked a pack tonight…” The evil I dreaded had become Personified and Real in my nightmares! And that was my salvation, I believe, from cigarettes. I finally realized what It was. Satan - or one of his demons- who wanted me to light up again. To start all over again. And I knew I could say no. and No, and No again and again. And stick with it when I never could before. It was Easy. I never, ever, had that terrible, impossible to ignore Urge worse than Sex to find a cigarette and light up again . I had a new power I never had before. The power to resist that call. And I still do. I loved cigarettes. Most of my life. But they had become like Cocaine to a drug-addict, or Alcohol to an alcoholic. But Jesus and His Mother gave me the grace to say No, and be able to mean it.

When I woke up from that surgery I was free of the Smoke demon. I haven’t lit a cigarette yet! Praise the Lord!

 

[Faithful_2_Rome]

I love Corapi…but a cop aint above the law, and a priest aint above the Catechism. So until moderation is changed to no use at all in the CCC…

…My stogie stays lit…hey…cigar smokers dont even inhale…and smoke MUCH LESS than cigarette folks do… if my town ever makes it illegal to smoke in public, I plan to defy that inane law every chance I get. Who here would actually follow a law if tomorrow they said prohibition on alcohol is in effect again? Not me…and I wouldnt think twice about taking communion on sunday after buying the “dreaded and evil micro brewed beer” illegally on saturday. These smoking laws are stupid and the Govt has no right into my life…protect our damn towers and borders, and dont worry if a restaurant wants to have a smoking section!

 

[robertaf]

Good Evening Church
I started out reading, hoping to read all the posts on this topic.
I finally quit.

I smoked for over 40 years. I quit 11 years ago. This past January, I learned I had lung cancer. In March, I had 1/3 of my right lung removed, followed by 7 weeks of radiatioin therapy.
I learned that about 90 percent of lung cancer patients are either smokers or former smokers.

I have always had a good prayer life. However, when I first found out I had cancer, I had a very hard time praying about it. I tried and I tried. For quite sometime I was in too much pain to go to Mass. Finally, one time during a radiation treatment, I seemed to get unshakable knowledge I had to repent. I did a good examination of concience, with the help of my guardian angel and the Holy Spirit and realized I was guilty of the sin of Pride and Arrogance. I knew how dangerous smoking was to my body, I actually believed that nothing would happen to me. I also tried a number of times to quit. Often, I lied to God, telling Him how badly I wanted to quit. I really didn’t. I loved to smoke. I lied.

I did finally quit. I have no idea, other than God how I did it.
I thought it was the hardest thing I have ever done in my life.

Believe me, it was a walk in the park, compared to losing part of your lung to cancer and being burned by radiation.

I repented, confessed and am now back in Gods Grace.
My healing prayers include the Blessed Mother, St Martin de Porres, St Jude, Padre Pio and Mother Teresa. I also ask Pope John XXIII, Father Steven Barham ( a very holy Priest who finally lost his life to cancer) and my little miscarried baby Michael to pray with and for me.

Go ahead and play the sin game like I did. You only have this body because God gave it to you. If you smoke, please get into prayer. If you don’t, do as I do and pray for all the smokers.

Also, please pray for me. At this point, I appear to be a surviver. The thing is, lung cancer comes back in 50% of the cases.

smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/17/17_1_14.gif

 

[twf]

As I’ve said earlier in this post…I see no way someone can justify an addiction to smoking as unsinful. Perhaps smoking in and of itself is not…but an addiction is.
Mandi, what is your response to the fact (I have heard it as well) that our brother here just brought up?..90% of those with lung cancer smoked (or smoke).

 

[robertaf]

Good Morning Church
Good Morning twf

I am a gal, but this is a common mistake.
Here is some more information I have learned. The American Cancer Society is the greatest when it comes to providing information. They have a nice library at the Cancer Center at our Hospital.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in men and women.

Lung cancer is not usually caught early enough to be surgically removed. Praise God, mine was. My symptoms showed up after I caught 3 colds in a row. However, if you are still smoking, a cigarette cough can be overlooked. It is one of the symptoms.

Even when lung cancer is caught early as mine was, I was actually in stage II for any of you who know anything about cancer, and removed surgically followed by radiation, there is a 50% chance of it coming back. I am in a clinical study for one of the experimental drugs which (God willing it works) would prevent the cells from going astray and becoming cancer cells.

I strongly recommend that anyone of you who smokes or ever has smoked to be screened. Mine was caught on a chest xray. Ask your doctor for either xrays or ct scan of your chest.

I thought I was safe because I quit so many years ago. I smoked for a very long time, though.

For those of you that don’t smoke and have never lived with this addiction, please please understand how hard it is to quit. Don’t nag your loved ones and friends but pray for them to quit.

When I finally quit, after many many failed tries, it was my choice and me alone going through the fight. No one can do it for you. The family can only be and show patience through the symptoms of withdrawl.

My prayers are with you.

 

[SPOKENWORD]

If we are the temple of the living God and Jesus Christ dwells in us. Why do we then smoke out Jesus Christ. We are doing ourselfs harm and the Holy Spirit.

 

[meep]

Forgive me if this has already been said in various ways, but…

My dad enjoys an occasional cigar. He has never and will never smoke cigarettes. The extremely low nicotine content in cigars, and the fact that he smokes a good cigar on occasion for recreation, suggest to me that it is no more sinful than an occasional glass of wine.

The difference between cigarettes and cigars is like the difference between hard alcohol and beer… even the former, if used with significant caution and moderation may not be sinful, but in most of the cases I’ve observed, it is harmful and frequently an addiction. So the sin isn’t in the alcohol (or tobacco) inherently, but in the abuse thereof.

 

[Mandi]

robertaf:

Also, please pray for me. At this point, I appear to be a surviver. The thing is, lung cancer comes back in 50% of the cases.

I certainly will pray for you and I would never in anyway make light of your situation and sufferings they are very real and true. The thought of death is probably the most terrifying thing that we as mere mortals can face. But it is not the worst thing. The worst is to die in the state of mortal sin. This is what we have to pray against. Death comes like a thief in the night and many, many have not prepared themselves to meet their maker and die suddenly everyday. Cancer has two sides, on one side you are faced with the fact that death is a very near possiblity on the other side not only have you just received a warning (which you should be grateful for) but you have also been given the opportunity to do some very substancial suffering, which could be offered up to God in so many ways, for your own past sins, for the sins and conversion of those you love, the souls in purgatory, the list is endless. Sacrifice and suffering are very, very pleasing to Our Lord. In fact we are told if we do not do it we will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

Cancer (although scary) should be looked at from the eyes of God, he is calling you home, maybe not exactly now, but you are definiately getting a warning. Which is far better then the 48 year old I know who just had a heartattack last Thursday and died instantly.

By the way I sit with my father everyday who has cancer (I still expect him to be around for awhile, but that will be up to God) And to be for sure he is taking full advantage of is situation.

St. Joseph, pray for us and protect us from a SUDDEN and UNPROVIDED death!

 

[robertaf]

Hi Church

Hi Mandi

In 1982, I had a very profound experience with the Holy Trinity. One of the things that came out of it was that I lost all fear of death. The experience brought me so close to the Lord, closer than I ever knew possible. My love for the Sacraments and especially Jesus in the Holy Eucharist is very deep. God allowed me to witness an awesome Eucharistic miracle some years later. I posted on it in Spirituality: Miracles do Happen. God is so good!

I did fear surgery. I had had a broken rib, back when I was a Flight Attendant. I didn’t take my pain meds like I was suppose to and I experienced horrible pain. I realized the doctor couldn’t get to my lung without dealing with my ribs. That scared me really bad. I had also heard that lung surgery is the most painful of all surgery. That did not thrill me, either.

I had a guy at work go to peices when he found out about my lung cancer. He is a young man, in his 20s. He was terrified for me. He is a rather new Christian and not really living it at the moment. I asked him what the worst thing that could happen to me was. He said I would die, of course. I said yes, I would go to my Lord. So the worst thing that could happen is the best thing that can happen.

I will not live in fear but in hope.

I will keep your dad in prayer, too. Thank you for your prayers, I truly value them.

By the way, a wonderful priest friend, a very very holy man, died not long ago with cancer. He is not and probably will never be officially canonized a Saint in the church. However, along with the Blessed Mother, St Martin de Porres, St Jude, Padre Pio, Mother Teresa, Pope John XXIII, I ask Father Steven Barham to pray for me. I ask him along with my little miscarried son, Michael to pray for me.

smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/17/17_1_14.gif smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/25/25_14_204.gif

 

[boppysbud]

Faithful 2. I smoke cigars myself and I understand the difference (huge) between puffing on the occasional stogie and slavery to cigarretes (20 to 40 a day and even more).

But I have to dissagree with you about public smoking bans, (you do know they are remarkably effective in Cal, no-one smokes indoors period). We are not the only people to exist. There are many people with Asthma and COPD, inconsiderate (Im going to smoke anywhere I like! Go to hell if you fon’t like it) public smoking did kill my 24 year old nephew.

I feel no need to smoke my occasional cigar anywhere I want to. I can wait until I get home or in my own vehicle to light up, or I can ask those around me if they mind fully able to take “yes I do mind, I have asthma” as an answer.:yup:

 

[Mandi]

robertaf:

In 1982, I had a very profound experience with the Holy Trinity. One of the things that came out of it was that I lost all fear of death. The experience brought me so close to the Lord, closer than I ever knew possible. My love for the Sacraments and especially Jesus in the Holy Eucharist is very deep. God allowed me to witness an awesome Eucharistic miracle some years later. I posted on it in Spirituality: Miracles do Happen. God is so good!

This is a Beautiful thing!

Jesus expects us to embrace our cross, in fact He sends us crosses for the very reason of bringing us closer to Him. There is nothing on this earth as beautiful as what you have experienced. You are truly blessed!

There is only one thing for sure in this life, if we are born we will eventually die. It has been my great desire to be blessed with the gift of cancer - of course I’m not stupid I would prefer this gift to come closer to 80 than 50, but that is not for me to decide. Divine Providence will make that decision but when it comes (when and however) I pray that I will have enough courage to embrace it wholly (& Holy).

Thank you for sharing your story, it will encourage others who share a similar plight to embrace it.

May God bless you and Our Lady guide and protect you!

 

[BobCatholic]

I believe that smoking is a sin, but for different reasons:

Smoking in front of non-smokers is equivalent to attacking them. I don’t need a scientific analysis here, I smell cigarette smoke, I cough, I feel bad, my bronchitis acts up. That’s enough for me to know this is NOT a good thing for me!

If one wants to hurt themselves, that’s one thing, it is the smoking in front of others, forcing non-smokers to breathe the noxious fumes, that’s another one.

I had one cigarette addict tell me that the bus exhaust frumes are worse, and I told her “Well, are your cigarettes gonna get me home?” Response: silence.

It is selfish to smoke in front of non-smokers. Period.

I have my reasons for NOT smoking and I don’t want someone overruling my decisions in this area.

 

[Mandi]

twf:

Mandi, what is your response to the fact (I have heard it as well) that our brother here just brought up?..90% of those with lung cancer smoked (or smoke).

I have just posted my thoughts on dying of cancer to “robertaf” if you read them you will see that I do not feel dying of cancer to be a bad thing. However I just wanted to point out one little thing since you have asked.

Not everyone who gets behind the wheel of a car today will die - but some will.
Just as not everyone who smokes will die of lung cancer - but some will.

The only statistic I can give you to back this up is the fact that I have personally never known anyone with lung cancer or to die of lung cancer, however I have been to many, many funerals and lots were smokers, some died very, very old and others not so old.

A very important note here is something called “Divine Providence” Those who are faithful will put their life in the hands of God and allow Him to direct them and will pick up whatever cross He chooses the send them and be grateful for His love.

Jesus suffered for us, can we not do the same for Him!

 

[robertaf]

Greetings Church

If it is God’s decision that I should die of cancer, so be it.
However, that is not the desire of my heart. I want to make that very clear. I have prayed all to often and still hope for a peaceful death.

The real desire of my heart is that I continue to serve the Lord, up until the moment He calls me home. I am a Charismatic Catholic and a firm believer in the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. For many years I served the Lord, operating in the gift of counsel, teaching and word of knowledge. I would sincerely love to have the gift of healing, if God would find it in His perfect will to give it to me.

I read about a girl today, 23 yrs old with lung cancer. She mentioned that her doctor told her of a 17 year old. I would love to be able to be used to pray over these young people making sure they know the Lord and pray for healing.

Yes, I have been a Charismatic for over 35 years. I know God does not always heal physically. Often He does. You never know until you pray. There are many folks out there who have no one at all to pray for them. That is my dream.

 

[twf]

Mandi: Yes, I read it. But that doesn’t mean we should strive for cancer! (I’m exagerating, I know you don’t mean that). There is no comparison…if you get behind the wheel, it is much less likely that you’ll die than if you smoke. As for smoking around others, haven’t you seen those adds of those people with lung cancer who’ve never spoken, but worked in environments where the 'air was blue"?

Even though God brings good out of sufferings, we still have a responsibility to take care of ourselves, and not just spiritually (yes, this first), but physically as well. We will be held accountable for everything God’s given us, and this includes our bodies.

 

[Mandi]

twf:

.if you get behind the wheel, it is much less likely that you’ll die than if you smoke.

Statistically I don’t believe this - Personally I can list AT LEAST …at least, and way probably more than 20 people I know or know of that have died in car accidents. I can not name ONE in my 42 years who have died of lung cancer. So my personal ratio speaks for itself.

As for smoking around others, haven’t you seen those adds of those people with lung cancer who’ve never spoken, but worked in environments where the 'air was blue"?

Aside from the fact advertising means that someone is trying to sell something to someone - even if it is only an idea. This has nothing to do with smoking being a sin.

It is quite apparent that I have been unble to convince you that smoking is “NOT” a sin. It is nothing but a trick of Satan’s, everyone is concentrating on leading a “smoke free” life, when what they should be concentrating on is living a “sin free” life.

I have run down a list of reasons why smoking is not a sin, (noting that #1 should be the ONLY reason anyone needs to prove that smoking is not a sin). Just to sum things up because I feel I have come to the point where I am just repeating myself. If there is an area that I have not debated please feel free to engage me.

1. God is Perfect, He is all knowing, never-ending, He knows past, present and future - if smoking were a sin we would have been told about it long before the 20th century. God DOES NOT make mistakes.
2. We have the example of Saints - Pope Pius X. Let’s try to get over ourselves and realize - He is a saint, we are not and he is not a Saint by accident.
3. Smoking does not kill - or else all who smoked would be dead and this is just not so.
4. “The body is the Temple of the Holy Spirit” While we are to treat our bodies properly, we are not to worship them. There are many things we do that cause the body more harm than cigarettes. e.g. nail polish remover
5. People are more concerned with their “the quality of life” than “the state of their soul” - which this in itself is a grevious sin.
6. Smoking indirectly can have a positive effect - through sufferings, charity, penance and the ability to “offer up”
7. Smoking is not mind altering, it can not lead us to the occassion of sin, like drugs and alchol, so therefore it is not in the same category.
8. Most fruits and vegetables contain more nicotine than cigarettes. It takes 1 1/2 to 3 days for the nicotine to leave the body. So smoking is NOT an addiction - it is a habit.

“He whose taste discerneth all things as they are, and not as they are said or accounted to be, is truly a wise man, and taught rather of God than of men”

 

[twf]

1. God is Perfect, He is all knowing, never-ending, He knows past, present and future - if smoking were a sin we would have been told about it long before the 20th century. God DOES NOT make mistakes.
   The scientific knowledge simply was not there. People were thus not culpable. As well, this is just an assumption on my part, but I would imagine that cigarettes contain more harmful chemicals than in the past. Smoking in and of itself is not harmful, but an addiction to anything is sinful, as we become dependent on something other than God.

2.* We have the example of Saints - Pope Pius X. Let’s try to get over ourselves and realize - He is a saint, we are not and he is not a Saint by accident. *
Saints aren’t perfect. And as said before, Pius X was ignorant of our modern scientific knowledge of the effects of cigarettes.

1. Smoking does not kill - or else all who smoked would be dead and this is just not so.
   No. Just because it has the potential to kill, doesn’t mean it will kill everyone. But if so many are killed by it (remember, 90% of those who get lung cancer, smoked or do smoke), why take the chance?
2. “The body is the Temple of the Holy Spirit” While we are to treat our bodies properly, we are not to worship them. There are many things we do that cause the body more harm than cigarettes. e.g. nail polish remover
   How many people inhale nail polish remover several times a day, everyday?
3. People are more concerned with their “the quality of life” than “the state of their soul” - which this in itself is a grevious sin.
   How is smoking any different? It is a ‘quality of life’ issue…it is a very costly habit, and does nothing to improve the state of their soul.
4. Smoking indirectly can have a positive effect - through sufferings, charity, penance and the ability to “offer up”
   This sort of suffering is not edifying, and has nothing to do with the kinds of suffering Christ has called us to do. Inhaling smoke, tar, and a couple thousand other chemicals (literally) is not a penance in any traditional sense of the word.
5. Smoking is not mind altering, it can not lead us to the occassion of sin, like drugs and alchol, so therefore it is not in the same category.
   I can’t speak authoritatively on this, but didn’t someone mention earlier on that it does to some degree? Either way though, we’re talking about long term health problems, so a different category or not, it’s not a ‘good’ thing.
6. *Most fruits and vegetables contain more nicotine than cigarettes. It takes 1 1/2 to 3 days for the nicotine to leave the body. So smoking is NOT an addiction - it is a habit. *
   Most health professionals (if not all) would disagree with you. Eating vegetables is actually healthy. It’s the chemicals in cigarettes that do the harm (including the tar). It is an addiction. I don’t know where you got this number (more in fruit and vegetables), but the health agencies are not part of some big conspiracy. Any MD will attest to this (that is it an addiction), and I think many smokers will admitt as much anyway. (How many habits are this difficult to break? It just can’t be done, in many cases, without years of trying).

You’re personal experience is one thing, but that’s doesn’t refute tried and proven again and again medical evidence.

 

[Mandi]

1. God is Perfect, He is all knowing, never-ending, He knows past, present and future - if smoking were a sin we would have been told about it long before the 20th century. God DOES NOT make mistakes.
The scientific knowledge simply was not there. People were thus not culpable. As well, this is just an assumption on my part, but I would imagine that cigarettes contain more harmful chemicals than in the past. Smoking in and of itself is not harmful, but an addiction to anything is sinful, as we become dependent on something other than God.

I have dealt with all this and sorry - your answers don’t measure up - maybe some make think so - I do not.

I would however suggest that you re-evaluate where your faith in God stands - You just compared the knowledge of scientist to the knowledge of God. You put to much faith in man.

Reason can lead us to some truths about God. But there are many other truths about Him that our reason cannot grasp because it is limited and finite, while God is unlimited and infinite.

“Human reason is weak, and may be deceived; but true faith cannot be deceived. All reason and natural investigations ought to follow faith, and not precede or infringe upon it”

 

[Loboto-Me]

SarahSmile:

Smoking is a sin and damages your body, but most importantly, your body is a temple for the Holy Spirit and when we recieve Holy Communion we are the tabernacle for Jesus Christ… Why would we want to put Jesus in an unhealthy body?

I’m wondering, would that mean that those with cancer, diabetes, and other life threatening disease should think twice about taking Holy Communion? I don’t think this one was a valid arguement against smoking.

I’ve knows quite a few priests that smoke regularly. Also, I wish I knew which saint it was… but one of them was a smoker. Darn I wish I knew my religion more!! (I’m still learning) I haven’t read all of the posts yet, perhaps someone has already mentioned him.

 

[Mandi]

Loboto-Me:

I’m wondering, would that mean that those with cancer, diabetes, and other life threatening disease should think twice about taking Holy Communion? I don’t think this one was a valid arguement against smoking.

Thank you for stating the obvious!

What we don’t want - is to put Jesus in a sinful body!