Smoking a Sin??

[The_Barrister]

From the pages of Cigar Afficianado:

"Pius X, who was the pope from 1903 to 1914, called a bishop onto the carpet to reprimand him for his scandalous misbehavior with wine, women and song, and to correct his wrongs patiently.

The pope offered the errant bishop a cigar from the papal humidor on his desk. The bishop declined the offer with the protestation, “I do not have that vice, Your Holiness,” to which His Holiness replied, “If cigars were a vice, I would not offer you one, for you have quite enough vices already.”

After his death, Pope Pius X was canonized a saint and is now known as St.Pius X. According to Catholic belief, a saint is a holy person who is now in heaven. Although Pope Pius X may not have become St. Pius X because he smoked cigars, smoking cigars apparently did not keep him from being a holy man who is now in heaven. Indeed, cigars may have helped him be holy.

Let us salute not only Fr. H but also St. Pius X, whom we may regard as the patron saint of us cigar aficionados. "

 

[Mandi]

The Barrister:

Although Pope Pius X may not have become St. Pius X because he smoked cigars, smoking cigars apparently did not keep him from being a holy man who is now in heaven. Indeed, cigars may have helped him be holy"

Indeed I am very sure that smoking cigars help St. Pius X, because not only did he smoke them but it is recorded that he smoked out of charity. When he had visitors he always offered a cigar to put the visitor at ease.

St. Pius X pray for us that we will always exemplify the true meaning of charity

 

[iguana27]

I thought this was interesting. The Pope JP2 issued an indulgence for abstinence from smoking or drinking in 2000.

From Incarnationis Mysterium

---

vatican.va/jubilee_2000/docs/documents/hf_jp-ii_doc_30111998_bolla-jubilee_en.html
The plenary indulgence of the Jubilee can also be gained through actions which express in a practical and generous way the penitential spirit which is, as it were, the heart of the Jubilee. This would include abstaining for at least one whole day from unnecessary consumption (e.g., from smoking or alcohol, or fasting or practising abstinence according to the general rules of the Church and the norms laid down by the Bishops’ Conferences) and donating a proportionate sum of money to the poor; supporting by a significant contribution works of a religious or social nature (especially for the benefit of abandoned children, young people in trouble, the elderly in need, foreigners in various countries seeking better living conditions); devoting a suitable portion of personal free time to activities benefitting the community, or other similar forms of personal sacrifice.

I think it is an interesting way to look at quitting. You can “offer it up” as a sacrifice. And gain an indulgence. Bonus! You smell better and your temporal punishment for your sins is removed.

It seems to me that there is still a lot of question on whether smoking is a sin. I really appreciate all the perspectives.

 

[Jason_Hurd]

I’d just like to say that I’m not a smoker, I’ve never even tried tobacco in any of its forms, and I’m about as virulently anti-smoking as you can be. Having said that, though, I’d also like to say that I think to equate smoking with sin is going a little(maybe a lot)too far. If the CCC really considers it a grave matter, then I know quite a few priests and otherwise godly people who are in grave danger, including John Paul II! Yes siree. Didn’t know he was a smoker? Well, he is, and this just goes to prove that we’re all human, and we need to look more at fixing ourselves than at fixing others. Calling smoking a sin makes about as much sense as labelling sugar sinful because it can lead to diabetes, or alcohol sinful because you can get cirrhosis, and so on. Everything in moderation is a good rule to follow.

 

[iguana27]

What does the Pope smoke? How did you find this out? Does he still smoke?

 

[flatliner]

agname:

Catholic Catechism:
Smoking has NO beneficial effect on the human body. It serves no beneficial purpose except for speeding up the Darwinism process.

There is actually a health benifit to smoking that frequently goes unmentioned. It increases acetalcholine (sp?) levels and thus slows the process of alheizmers.

 

[Gertrude]

I think that the issue of smoking being a sin, whether it’s stinky and unhealthy for all or not (“blab-blab-blab!”:yup: :nope: ), brings up the question of whether or not being addicted to any substance is a willful action or an illness we can’t control. Being addicted to a substance is a lack of self-control–it is not like cancer. Here are a few things that we do know: “A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.” Prov 25.28 “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do . . . But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, SELF-CONTROL (emphasis mine); against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” Gal 5.16-17, 22-24. By these, and many other, passages of Scripture we can see that the Spirit of God gives us the upper hand over the flesh and we are to fight against those things that would control us and destroy our bodies and souls, whatever they may be. Smoking definately both controls our actions and destroys our bodies and should be put down because it is harmful to life and THAT, I believe, makes it contrary to God’s will for us. When we add the fact that second hand smoke causes illness and death in others, we can see clearly the truth of our personal actions in smoking and the command to love our neighbor and do him good are at total odds. Lack of self-control is called sin by St. Paul. So my answer would be, “Ja, I think it is.”

P.S. We buried my mother-in-law two years ago at age 57. She died of lung cancer–she put a patch on the day before she died, saying she was quitting for good. We buried my father-in-law last month at age 58. He died of a rare liver cancer and a spot on his lung but he hadn’t smoked in over twenty years . . . we wonder if the two were related . . .

 

[Smack_Daddy]

Jason Hurd:

I’d just like to say that I’m not a smoker, I’ve never even tried tobacco in any of its forms, and I’m about as virulently anti-smoking as you can be. Having said that, though, I’d also like to say that I think to equate smoking with sin is going a little(maybe a lot)too far. If the CCC really considers it a grave matter, then I know quite a few priests and otherwise godly people who are in grave danger, including John Paul II! Yes siree. Didn’t know he was a smoker? Well, he is, and this just goes to prove that we’re all human, and we need to look more at fixing ourselves than at fixing others. Calling smoking a sin makes about as much sense as labelling sugar sinful because it can lead to diabetes, or alcohol sinful because you can get cirrhosis, and so on. Everything in moderation is a good rule to follow.

At last…some common sense! To call smoking a MORTAL sin is absurd. :banghead:

 

[DominvsVobiscvm]

Everything in moderation is a good rule to follow.

Everything but charity!

 

[Derffred]

I can’t really say if smoking is a “sin” or not. In my view it falls in the realm of body piercings or tattoos. I pray for people to stop smoking just as I pray that people that are considering tattoos will decide not to. Of course there are thousands of other ways people don’t do what’s best for them, smoking being just one of them.

 

[twf]

The Catechism does say that moderate use of tobacco is ok; however, does not the Catechism also condemn addictions as sinful? With all due respect, how many of you smokers can honestly say that you are not addicted? I do not see how even a smoke a day is not an addiction (it’s possible…but I would think for the majority of those out there).
If you can go for weeks on end with a smoke, then, in my opinion, you’re fine…using tobacco moderately; but if you are dependent upon them, then that’s a different case.
As well, those who keep on appealing to Pope St. Pius X and such, should keep in mind that the most of the harmful effects of tobacco smoking were not yet known to science; thus, it would not be sin as it would be done out of ignorance (an addiction to smoking).

 

[Mandi]

tw:

As well, those who keep on appealing to Pope St. Pius X and such, should keep in mind that the most of the harmful effects of tobacco smoking were not yet known to science; thus, it would not be sin as it would be done out of ignorance (an addiction to smoking).

This is silly thinking, God is past, present and future. He knows what’s happening now and what will happen 100 years from now. God has not changed - man has changed. Smoking is NOT relevant to The Faith - if it had been, we would have been made aware of it long before the 21st century!!!

Smoking is a sin of the politically correct not a sin of God’s
Catholic’s get catholic and take a page from St. Pius X - Charity above all. For myself I can’t understand why anyone in their right mind would want to be a smoker - they are societies lepers. So if you want to start practicing charity hand a smoker an asstray!

 

[STJOMO]

Of course, tobacco is addictive; were it not, I’d have chucked it years ago and said, “Good riddance!” Then, I’d have said a heartfelt prayer of thanksgiving.

 

[MiKeEd]

I’m not sure if this has already been said, but I think I should clarify something important…

Fr. Corapi said that he believes the use of tobacco is a mortal sin now, but not prior to roughly 40 years ago, because recent health studies have shown the effects of tobacco use to be nothing but negative on the user’s body. The medical knowledge just wasn’t there 40 years ago.

IMHO anything that harms the Temple of the Holy Spirit is dishonoring to God.

And one more thing, thank God that Fr. John Corapi is using his talents and abilities for good now. He is such a tremendously powerful and knowledgeable speaker on the teachings of the Catholic Church.

 

[Scott_Waddell]

twf:

The Catechism does say that moderate use of tobacco is ok; however, does not the Catechism also condemn addictions as sinful? With all due respect, how many of you smokers can honestly say that you are not addicted? I do not see how even a smoke a day is not an addiction (it’s possible…but I would think for the majority of those out there).
If you can go for weeks on end with a smoke, then, in my opinion, you’re fine…using tobacco moderately; but if you are dependent upon them, then that’s a different case.
As well, those who keep on appealing to Pope St. Pius X and such, should keep in mind that the most of the harmful effects of tobacco smoking were not yet known to science; thus, it would not be sin as it would be done out of ignorance (an addiction to smoking).

Well, yes they didn’t know the effects of long-term smoking. Scientifically, that is. But notice no Church documents saying that smoking is intrinsicly wrong since the info came out. And I can honestly say, I was never addicted to smoking.

P.S. the only evidence on second-hand smoke having a harmful effect was thrown out by a judge, yet people continue to run with it.

Scott

 

[Scott_Waddell]

MiKeEd:

I’m not sure if this has already been said, but I think I should clarify something important…

Fr. Corapi said that he believes the use of tobacco is a mortal sin now, but not prior to roughly 40 years ago, because recent health studies have shown the effects of tobacco use to be nothing but negative on the user’s body. The medical knowledge just wasn’t there 40 years ago.

IMHO anything that harms the Temple of the Holy Spirit is dishonoring to God.

And one more thing, thank God that Fr. John Corapi is using his talents and abilities for good now. He is such a tremendously powerful and knowledgeable speaker on the teachings of the Catholic Church.

Yes, an opinion indeed. One that does not square with Church teaching:

2288 Life and physical health are precious gifts entrusted to us by God. We must take reasonable care of them, taking into account the needs of others and the common good.

2289 If morality requires respect for the life of the body, it does not make it an absolute value

. It rejects a neo-pagan notion that tends to promote the cult of the body, to sacrifice everything for it’s sake, to idolize physical perfection and success at sports. By its selective preference of the strong over the weak, such a conception can lead to the perversion of human relationships.

Scott

 

[MiKeEd]

Scott Waddell:

P.S. the only evidence on second-hand smoke having a harmful effect was thrown out by a judge, yet people continue to run with it.

Anyone who believes that breathing in second hand smoke (unfiltered cigarette smoke which studies have shown to be worse than the effects of smoking a cigarette in some cases) does not result in any harmful effects is either suffering from a lack of knowledge, is in denial, or is not too bright. Since when does a judge’s ruling mean that something is fact? I could list many cases where judges have ruled against basic truths. Come-on Now…

 

[twf]

Mandi:
*This is silly thinking, God is past, present and future. He knows what’s happening now and what will happen 100 years from now. God has not changed - man has changed. Smoking is NOT relevant to The Faith - if it had been, we would have been made aware of it long before the 21st century!!!

Smoking is a sin of the politically correct not a sin of God’s
Catholic’s get catholic and take a page from St. Pius X - Charity above all. For myself I can’t understand why anyone in their right mind would want to be a smoker - they are societies lepers. So if you want to start practicing charity hand a smoker an asstray!*

The Catechism does not say smoking in general is a good thing, it says tobacco used in MODERATION is fine. How can an addiction to something that is extremely harmful to your body not be sinful? (Unless out of ignorance). (Of course, if you are aware that you are addicted, and are trying to quit, you are not sinning…if you are relying on God). I never said to smoke once in a while was sinful…I’m asking how an addiction to a damaging substance is ok. Someone, please show me any Church teaching that supports the notion that harmful addictions are not sinful. I was under the impression that the Church teaches that they are.

Yes, we can all agree that smoking in moderation is OK…but no one has provided any reasons whatsoever to explain why a damaging addiction is as well.

It is not silly to think that an addiction to smoking is more sinful now than then, because now we are will be held more accountable because we have more knowledge. Sinning out of ignorance is not as bad as do such knowingly.

Scott: That’s great that you were never addicted.
*Well, yes they didn’t know the effects of long-term smoking. Scientifically, that is. But notice no Church documents saying that smoking is intrinsicly wrong since the info came out. And I can honestly say, I was never addicted to smoking. *
I never said that smoking is intrinsically wrong. See above.
The Church does not need to do such, because She has already taught us that harmful addictions are sinful; thus an addiction to smoking is sinful. I never said smoking in and of itself is sinful.

 

[Mandi]

MiKeEd:

IMHO anything that harms the Temple of the Holy Spirit is dishonoring to God.

If that be the case I suggest you buy yourself a plastic bubble and never leave your house if you don’t want to dishonour God, there are many things out there that do more damage to your lungs than smoking.

 

[Mandi]

Smoking is 95% habit 5% addiction. How do I know this I know this because I am an X smoker. Why did I quit smoking - 2 reasons 1st - too expensive 2nd - I was tired of being a social leper. But the truth of the matter is I LOVE smoking. Now because I considered that maybe I loved smoking just a little bit too much I would give it up every year for lent, to prove to God that I LOVED Him more than cigarettes. I have mentioned this before but fruits and vegetable contain MORE nicotine than cigarettes. When quitting smoking it takes 1 1/2 to 3 days for the nicotine to leave the body after that it is strictly habit. " I always smoke after I eat or before I go to bed or when I have my coffee", this is 10 times harder to get past than the nicotine. So the addiction is not to the nicotine it is to the habit. There are other things far more dangerous to the lungs than cigarette smoke, like I have mentioned before - inhaling the fumes from nail polish remover is the equivilant to smoking 125 cigarettes (maybe when the Church finds this out they could make doing your nails a sin ) And I have also read somewhere in this thread where smoking has actually been connected to something good.

Smoking is nothing more than Satan’s “smoke” screen. While people are patting themselves on the back for being the self righteous people that they are for not smoking, grievous sins are being committed everyday by the millions against the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Taking the Lords name in vain is probably one of the most common sins amoung everyone including (or should I say especially) Catholics - When in fact at the name of Jesus every knee should bend. It is my experience that most people do not even know anymore what is and is not a sin against God! … this is Satan’s way of diverting from the real issues and he is succeeding!!!