Smoking in Front of the Church After Mass

[JKirkLVNV]

Well yes, those can be seen as stumbling blocks too.

Oh it’s okay to drink, smoke and gamble? Let’s go crazy! Voila – stumbling block.

I’m being somewhat facetious but I was raised to avoid all those things. I do drink in moderation, but I wouldn’t expect a church to have a function with drinking or gambling, but like I said, that may be an Evangelical thing.

Oh, my word, some churches used to have “casino nights” or “Vegas nights!” I think we HAVE mostly gotten away from that, though, along with bingo.

 

[Corki]

Well yes, those can be seen as stumbling blocks too.

But there is nothing wrong with those things. The stumbling block doesn’t come from any thing immoral about those acts but from the Church not doing a good job in preaching why those are not immoral.

Oh it’s okay to drink, smoke and gamble?

Yep. Perfectly ok as long as you also exercise prudence and temperance.

Let’s go crazy!

No. Going “crazy” would be a lack of temperance.

Voila – stumbling block

.

Intemperance can be a stumbling block. But nothing in your original description indicates anyone was acting intemperantly.

I’m being somewhat facetious but I was raised to avoid all those things. I do drink in moderation, but I wouldn’t expect a church to have a function with drinking or gambling, but like I said, that may be an Evangelical thing

I wouldn’t expect drinking or gambling at an Evangelical function. But I can’t remember being part of a parish that didn’t have either Bingo or Casino nights and drinking is part of many Church functions as well as gatherings of Catholics.

 

[Debora123]

A lot of times, parishioners hang out in front of the church after Mass. It’s a time of fellowship and getting to know new people.

Occasionally, a parishioner may take out a cigarette and start smoking in front of the church.

I find that unseemly and not a good witness.

Is it the Evangelical Protestant in me that makes me cringe when I see that?

No, I feel the same way.

 

[Young_Thinker]

No, I feel the same way.

And you’re a Latina (just kidding!)?

 

[Debora123]

And you’re a Latina (just kidding!)?

 

[TrueLight]

There’s a small contingent of us who do smoke but we stay downwind of the nonsmoking “saints” as they exit from Mass. The group includes the pastor and the deacon. One day they got delayed in the church building. The rest of us lit up and were chatting away, as I remarked, well away from the church entrance.

A very large woman felt the need to admonish us sinners, stomped over to us, and gave us a gratuitous lecture on our nicotine-based sinfulness, concluding with, “Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit?” The anti-smoking contingent is like that: 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. But in any case, that morning, this hefty gal was really on fire and gave us what-for! I don’t think she would have done that if Father and Deacon were with us.

One of the puffers looked at her, and growled, “Yeah, well it looks like your temple has a few additions which are in violation of the building code!”

There’s really nothing in the Catechism that I could find about it, but it would seem, for those of us who are hooked, and have lost the freedom of choice as to whether we light up on any particular occasion, smoking is at most a venial sin.

What a hilarious account!

 

[TrueLight]

If it means anything TrueLight, I found your OP only inquisitive, not arrogant at all. Other people have asked the very same question on CAF. Its not like you’re the first person to ever wonder about smoking.

Thanks Patrice.

 

[Debora123]

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.

 

[zab]

Occasionally, a parishioner may take out a cigarette and start smoking in front of the church.

LOL, how times change. I remember back in late 50’s and all threw the 60’s after Sunday mass many folks would chit chat smoking in front of Church after mass and that included many priests too.

I look at it as a personal choice.

Yeah, things have really changed since that time. The past few decades I have only seen one or two people smoke cigarettes before or after Mass. But ever since smoking has been outlawed in restaurants and even the bars now, people are getting used to smoke free areas. The only time that I see smoking now around the church is occassionally before or after funerals.

 

[TheMc]

Thanks Patrice.

I agree with Patrice. I saw no malice.

 

[latingirl]

If you have to smoke, it’s best to wait till you get home to light up. Smoking in front of the church is disrespectful of the other parishioners and can leave cigarette butts on the property. Moreso there may be people who are trying to quit or those who can’t stand the smoke that might be bothered. This is just my own two cents.

 

[TrueLight]

I agree with Patrice. I saw no malice.

TheMC

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.
:

Question about that. Is addiction considered a sin or medical condition?

 

[Corki]

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.

Just playing devil’s advocate here.

If someone is actually addicted to smoking, that would mitigate against the sin. An addict doesn’t have full consent. Only someone who smokes excessively without being addicted is guilty of the sin of gluttony.

 

[Debora123]

Question about that. Is addiction considered a sin or medical condition?

I think it may be both, depending on the person’s intentions and whether or not they are trying to quit.

However, in order to be addicted to cigarettes in the first place, it probably requires smoking them quite frequently for a period of time. And that is a sin of gluttony because it is abuse of a substance that is harmful to your body.

 

[JKirkLVNV]

TheMC

Question about that. Is addiction considered a sin or medical condition?

Objectively, an addiction might be sinful, depending on what one is addicted TO.
Subjectively, culpability may be significantly diminished because an addiction is indicative of an inability to effectively exercise one’s free will, ie, an addiction is coercive.

 

[oneGODoneCHURCH]

Well, cigarette smoke is not a “scent” - it is an odor.

People should not smoke outside the doors where others must walk through it. I despise the smell of cigarette smoke and I do not want my clothes to stink of smoke, so please, if you are going to make yourself smell disgusting, do not make others walk through it who do not like it. Go to your car and light up, or your own home. That is your property where you can do what you like!

scent and odor are the same. I dont like the smell or a lot of perfumes and colonges so if you are going to ware them stay home so I don’t have to smell them. I think most of them smell awful and disgusting. And if you are going to make yourself smell like that stay home it your house and you can smell however you would like.

Do you see how stupid that sounds.

And By the way I am allergic to many perfumes and colonges I can not breath if around them. I would never dream of really telling people they could not were them.

 

[At_Trent]

A lot of times, parishioners hang out in front of the church after Mass. It’s a time of fellowship and getting to know new people.

Occasionally, a parishioner may take out a cigarette and start smoking in front of the church.

I find that unseemly and not a good witness.

Is it the Evangelical Protestant in me that makes me cringe when I see that?

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.

 

[Debora123]

Just playing devil’s advocate here.

If someone is actually addicted to smoking, that would mitigate against the sin. An addict doesn’t have full consent. Only someone who smokes excessively without being addicted is guilty of the sin of gluttony.

Oh yes yes. Here we go.

It takes excessive smoking to become addicted in the first place. And if addicts aren’t at least trying to stop or wanting to seek help, then I wouldn’t say that there is no sin involved whatsoever.

 

[Corki]

It takes excessive smoking to become addicted in the first place. And if addicts aren’t at least trying to stop or wanting to seek help, then I wouldn’t say that there is no sin involved whatsoever.

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.

 

[Corki]

scent and odor are the same. I dont like the smell or a lot of perfumes and colonges so if you are going to ware them stay home so I don’t have to smell them. I think most of them smell awful and disgusting. And if you are going to make yourself smell like that stay home it your house and you can smell however you would like.

Do you see how stupid that sounds.

And By the way I am allergic to many perfumes and colonges I can not breath if around them. I would never dream of really telling people they could not were them.

uh oh. Don’t start talking about perfume or, the next thing you know, it will be incense. And **that **discussion never ends well.