Smoking in Front of the Church After Mass

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Smoking is one of those weird things. Some people get addicted after only moderate smoking. Others smoke large amounts or smoke frequently and never become addicted. Same for alcohol and alcoholism. You just can’t tell from the outside looking in. In either case, if someone is smoking too much, whether through gluttony or addiction, he/she should discuss it with his/her confessor.
That’s the thing though. When you’re addicted you typically DO smoke “too much.”
 
I don’t think I’ve ever seen smokers blocking the door of my parish, but I hate having to walk through the stuff. That being said, I too think smoking is absolutly disgusting. The smoke actually affects my eyes and I think I might be allergic to it. I’m so glad you can’t smoke anywhere any more. The other thing that bothers me about is the addictive nature. My mother literally can’t go anywhere or do anything because she can’t stand the thought of not being able to smoke. She used to be alot of fun. She used to go to movies, concerts, on trips, and out to eat. Now she hardly goes anywhere. What was really sad is that she’s always wanted to go to England and her friend won two free plane tickets and four nights in a hotel in London. She invited my mother on a two week trip that she would have loved, but she backed out. She said it was the money, but I’m sure it was because of the flight. She would have to go eight hours without smoking both ways.
 
I don’t think I’ve ever seen smokers blocking the door of my parish, but I hate having to walk through the stuff. That being said, I too think smoking is absolutly disgusting. The smoke actually affects my eyes and I think I might be allergic to it. I’m so glad you can’t smoke anywhere any more. The other thing that bothers me about is the addictive nature. My mother literally can’t go anywhere or do anything because she can’t stand the thought of not being able to smoke. She used to be alot of fun. She used to go to movies, concerts, on trips, and out to eat. Now she hardly goes anywhere. What was really sad is that she’s always wanted to go to England and her friend won two free plane tickets and four nights in a hotel in London. She invited my mother on a two week trip that she would have loved, but she backed out. She said it was the money, but I’m sure it was because of the flight. She would have to go eight hours without smoking both ways.
I chewed gum the whole way. I’m grieved for your mother.
 
I do happen to think smoking is discussing but it’s more than that. I grew up in a church where smoking was considered unChristian. If you smoked you had to keep that under wraps. You definitely did not smoke in front of a church!

Is there such a belief in the Catholic Church?
Nope. For Catholics, smoking, drinking, dancing, playing cards, etc are not sins. Consequences of those actions when taking to extremes are, but the simple act itself is not.

Smoking after Mass may not be the most PC thing, but it is no more sinful than drinking coffee and eating donuts after Mass.
 
People who say smoking is not a sin perhaps haven’t thought about it well enough.

Sure, smoking A cigarette is not a sin. Smoking a few in the course of several weeks may not be a sin either.

However, being A SMOKER implies that one is addicted. And we all know unhealthy addictions are a sin of gluttony and disrespect to the body that God lent us - that God still OWNS.

If we make the logical conclusion that people who light up on a Sunday morning immediately after walking out of mass are smokers, then yes, what they are doing is a sin.

With that being said, we should still not judge anyone or claim to know that they are indeed sinning, because as much as we can make logical conclusions that a person is smoking outside of Church bc of addiction, we cannot know for sure. And it is not our business to know. We just smile, say goodbye, and go on about our day. Let God do the judging. 👍
The problem with this line of thinking is that we easily fall into the thought patterns that everyone who isn’t in perfect health is sinful. Substances like tobacco do not affect everyone the same way. One may become addicted after a bit of social smoking, others can smoke on and off for years and never be addicted. In the same way, someone who might eat a bit extra or gain a few pounds as they age is not a glutton. As I said before, no one would say that going straight to the parish hall after Mass and having some coffee is sinful.

Just because something is not popular or not particularly healthy doesn’t automatically make it sinful. And any action has to meet the criteria of gravely wrong, known to be so, and freely taken in order to be mortally sinful.
 
lol, I stepped outside to have a smoke and meet an SSPX priest after Mass at a chapel I visited. I was delighted to see him light one up. So I joined him. A few of us had our own little pow wow going 🙂

But no, I wouldn’t light up in the middle of a crowd out front, especially if children were present.
Is this an SSPX thing? 😛

The person I saw smoking recently is an SSPXer, although this was in front of a diocesan parish.

Traditional all the way, huh? Ha ha.
 
Nope. For Catholics, smoking, drinking, dancing, playing cards, etc are not sins. Consequences of those actions when taking to extremes are, but the simple act itself is not.

Smoking after Mass may not be the most PC thing, but it is no more sinful than drinking coffee and eating donuts after Mass.
umm… I dunno about that.
 
I have no issues with those who smoke before or after Mass. Just don’t leave the sanctuary during Mass to do so as I would hope most smokers can go 1 hour without a cigarette I’d hope.
 
🙂
We smokers are fair game for whoever decides to pick on us at the time. We’re a little less popular than heroin addicts, and only slightly more popular than the average skunk.
Don’t kid yourself – I prefer a skunk any day.🙂
 
That’s the thing though. When you’re addicted you typically DO smoke “too much.”
Would you really say that a pack-a-day habit is too much? Unless you are trying to quit, a pack is the standard minimum. You are not a heavy smoker unless you have at least 2 packs every day! Anything less than that is usually seen as moderate consumption.
 
Would you really say that a pack-a-day habit is too much? Unless you are trying to quit, a pack is the standard minimum. You are not a heavy smoker unless you have at least 2 packs every day! Anything less than that is usually seen as moderate consumption.
You don’t think smoking a pack of cigarettes a day is extremely hazardous to your health to the point where it’d be a sin?

Wow, I think a pack a day is a lot. :hypno:
 
You don’t think smoking a pack of cigarettes a day is extremely hazardous to your health to the point where it’d be a sin?

Wow, I think a pack a day is a lot. :hypno:
No, not really, and I do not currently smoke (being a destitute university student). However, having an oral fixation and not exactly finding the scent of tobacco adversive (and I love the images that a pipe or cigar can convey), I feel that the benefits of smoking really can outweigh the risks. Comparatively few people make a big deal about moderate drinking, so why should it be any different for moderate smoking? And remember that there have been saints (e.g. Padre Pio and Bld. John XXIII) who smoked! I think that it contributed to their image in a sense.
 
No, not really, and I do not currently smoke (being a destitute university student). However, having an oral fixation and not exactly finding the scent of tobacco adversive (and I love the images that a pipe or cigar can convey), I feel that the benefits of smoking really can outweigh the risks. Comparatively few people make a big deal about moderate drinking, so why should it be any different for moderate smoking? And remember that there have been saints (e.g. Padre Pio and Bld. John XXIII) who smoked! I think that it contributed to their image in a sense.
?!?!?!?!
 
No, not really, and I do not currently smoke (being a destitute university student). However, having an oral fixation and not exactly finding the scent of tobacco adversive (and I love the images that a pipe or cigar can convey), I feel that the benefits of smoking really can outweigh the risks. Comparatively few people make a big deal about moderate drinking, so why should it be any different for moderate smoking? And remember that there have been saints (e.g. Padre Pio and Bld. John XXIII) who smoked! I think that it contributed to their image in a sense.
I’m a little confused as well. What are the benefits that out weight the risks of smoking? And smoking contributed to Padre Pio’s image?? Do you mean in a positive sense??
 
Is this an SSPX thing? 😛

The person I saw smoking recently is an SSPXer, although this was in front of a diocesan parish.

Traditional all the way, huh? Ha ha.
:eek: hmm, diocesan huh ? Did you get a name or plate # ? This must be reported !

😛

J/k
 
I haven’t really seen it myself, but it wouldn’t really bug me too much. As long as they weren’t blocking the doors. Although I did see a sister smoking when I was a little kid, and that threw me for a loop!! Heehee!
 
Some people consider Bingo a gambling activity and think Catholic Churches should not participate in it. I don’t know what the parishes around me would do if Bingo was no longer accepted in the Church, its the biggest fundraiser for all of them.
i wish we had more bingo in our parish maybe now that we have a different pries we can bring up the idea to him.
 
This is from a non smoker who at one point, smoked heavily.
NO I never got the idea to smoke from those who smoked in front of Church
YES I agree it is not very respectful but did not Jesus say, “Judge not lest ye be judged.”

How do you know that person who is smoking wishes they could quit. And is sitting there in front of Church praying for God to give them the strength to not light another cigarette?
When I was converting from smoker to non smoker I can tell you I spent allot of time in Church praying that God would lift the temptation from me.
I LIKED SMOKING! AND NOW I KNOW HOW BAD I STUNK! But I did it anyway. I quit for only health benefit.

YES I have seen Priests smoke. SO? These men are adults, and if you give up what most would call a normal life, vow to be celibate, etc etc. And if you want a cigarette …roll with it. After all, he could have just hear a bone chilling confession and cannot tell anyone he has to internalize this… FOREVER!
NO The Priest smoking did not make me want to smoke.

If you smoke, there are more respectful places than in front of a Church. But, instead of being a critic. Offer prayers. Because as much as I liked smoking, I knew the risks I was taking with my health. I always knew I needed to quit. And I wished I could. So instead of offering more guilt, offer to pick up the chains of bondage of a neighbor, friend etc. And help them.
 
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