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zorrox
Guest
Is smoking a sin? venial or mortal? if venial, how much would be considered a mortal sin?
I think that St Piergiorgio Frassati smoked a pipe.
I think that St Piergiorgio Frassati smoked a pipe.
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Scottgun
Guest
Smoking is no sin in and of itself. Excessive smoking could be, much like excessive anything could be.
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Mom_of_5
Guest
If smoking is a sin, mortal or venial, practically all of my male (a few female) relatives and even most of the priests I knew in my youth would be burning in hell or the very least, spending a lot of time in purgatory.
However, if money is used for smoking when it is needed to buy food, clothing etc. for family, it would certainly be wrong. The price of smoking today, $5.00 +/- per pack x 30 days =$150.00 a month for a pack- a -day smoker. That is a lot of money to burn when it could cause horrific health problems, let alone be enough to feed several hungry children for the month. Guilt trip?? Yup! I was a smoker when the habit cost $1.00 per pack. I applied the same theory to my habit and QUIT!! I feel many years younger, look much younger and feel sorry for those who have not yet kicked the habit! Good luck!!!
Love and peace,
Mom of 5
However, if money is used for smoking when it is needed to buy food, clothing etc. for family, it would certainly be wrong. The price of smoking today, $5.00 +/- per pack x 30 days =$150.00 a month for a pack- a -day smoker. That is a lot of money to burn when it could cause horrific health problems, let alone be enough to feed several hungry children for the month. Guilt trip?? Yup! I was a smoker when the habit cost $1.00 per pack. I applied the same theory to my habit and QUIT!! I feel many years younger, look much younger and feel sorry for those who have not yet kicked the habit! Good luck!!!
Love and peace,
Mom of 5
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Aleii
Guest
A lot more is known today about smoking in todays day than was known years ago. Many people started smoking when they thought it was “ok”, only to later learn the truth, and now have an extremely difficult time quitting.
Smoking is extremely bad for the body. It predisposes the body to a large amount of health conditions and can well be argued to be more detrimental than slight-mod obesity. It damages lungs and the cardiovascular system especially. My very first patient was someone who just found out she had lung cancer and had a couple months more to live. The biggest risk factor for lung cancer is smoking, which this woman had done.
The hospital that I worked at allowed smoking years ago, but only outside. Administration would get complaints from patients, because nurses and doctors would come back from smoke breaks to care for them, and the residual smoke on their clothes would bother the patients. Some would have flare ups of breathing problems because of that.
At the minimum, please ask anyone who smokes to do it outside and away from children, elderly, ill, and those with breathing conditions. I can’t stress enough how awful this habit is for the body.
The cost, too, is staggering. Years ago an older friend of mine told me that she calculated the financial cost of her and her husband smoking for the last 2 years, and they could have bought a car with it. This couple struggled with money but always had food on the table for their kids.
Its not easy. Quitting is extremely hard, and many find smoking helps calm them down after an emotionally draining day. My father started smoking during the Vietnam war because they were handed out like candy. He became addicted and it was difficult for him to quit but he did for his family. He never once smoked in front of his kids. I have much respect for him.
The Bible says that we should honor our body, as it is a gift from God. Therefore, I’d lean towards smoking being a sin, since it is very harmful to the smoker’s body, and to others.
Smoking is extremely bad for the body. It predisposes the body to a large amount of health conditions and can well be argued to be more detrimental than slight-mod obesity. It damages lungs and the cardiovascular system especially. My very first patient was someone who just found out she had lung cancer and had a couple months more to live. The biggest risk factor for lung cancer is smoking, which this woman had done.
The hospital that I worked at allowed smoking years ago, but only outside. Administration would get complaints from patients, because nurses and doctors would come back from smoke breaks to care for them, and the residual smoke on their clothes would bother the patients. Some would have flare ups of breathing problems because of that.
At the minimum, please ask anyone who smokes to do it outside and away from children, elderly, ill, and those with breathing conditions. I can’t stress enough how awful this habit is for the body.
There’s a difference between moderation for things like eating and “moderation for smoking”. Food for example, is not inherently bad for the body but excess eating is. On the other hand, smoking, in any amount, is bad for the body. Smokers who are admitted as patients in the hospital are not allowed to go out and have smoke breaks. They are given nicotine patches and information on how to quit.
The cost, too, is staggering. Years ago an older friend of mine told me that she calculated the financial cost of her and her husband smoking for the last 2 years, and they could have bought a car with it. This couple struggled with money but always had food on the table for their kids.
Its not easy. Quitting is extremely hard, and many find smoking helps calm them down after an emotionally draining day. My father started smoking during the Vietnam war because they were handed out like candy. He became addicted and it was difficult for him to quit but he did for his family. He never once smoked in front of his kids. I have much respect for him.
The Bible says that we should honor our body, as it is a gift from God. Therefore, I’d lean towards smoking being a sin, since it is very harmful to the smoker’s body, and to others.
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thechrismyster
Guest
how times have changed, just last week my wife an i watched ‘the exorcist’ for the upteenth time, and i always laugh at the part when reagans doctor in the hospital comes from the exam area to the hallway to speak to the mother, and pulls out a cigarette and lights up a cigarette in the hallway. that was 1972, i guess.
i remember going into department stores in the 80s and people smoking all over the inside of the store… ashtrays in every aisle.
kids today don’t realize how MUCH the older generations actually did smoke.
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lotusblossom
Guest
Smoking is not a sin. I never even really cared, except that it is bad for your health (as are many things we do today). However, now being pregnant and having to walk through Chicago to work, I really am bothered by the smoke. I’m allergic to smoke, too, but usually it’s not a problem.
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Scottgun
Guest
I am afraid you are wrong on this point:
Hence there is nothing wrong with smoking in and of itself. It is the relative circumstances that potentially make it so.
The apologists in the Ask An Apologist forum have confirmed this: forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=89933&highlight=smoking
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pnewton
Guest
If someone were to say it is a sin, I would ask for a citation from the Catechism. Also, a disctinction needs to be made between habitual excessive smoking and the occasional smoke. I smoke an occasional cigar, but below the level to which any health risk has been documented.
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Aleii
Guest
So, the link you gave me says it is not a sin, but then goes on to say
I’m a little confused by that original response then stating that it is not a sin, since smoking has been proven to be a danger to the health of the smoker and the health of bystanders.
Can you honestly say that it is ok to smoke around others, especially children, the elderly or the ill? You see nothing inherently wrong with that?
forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=24386
I’m a little confused by that original response then stating that it is not a sin, since smoking has been proven to be a danger to the health of the smoker and the health of bystanders.
Can you honestly say that it is ok to smoke around others, especially children, the elderly or the ill? You see nothing inherently wrong with that?
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boppaid
Guest
Doesn’t it say in the Bible that it is a sin? In the same way that anything that is purposely harmful to the body God gave you is a sin? The only result of smoking is to cause harm to your body. There are no redeeming aspects to it at all.
Now, whether it is mortal or venial, I don’t know.
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boppaid
Guest
I agree w/ your post 100%. I don’t see any wiggle room here, either using the Bible or the Catechism. It’s sinful.
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Katie1723
Guest
I believe I read somewhere that Pope Benedict XVI smokes Marlboros.
Kathy
Kathy
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pnewton
Guest
If you do not see wiggle room it is because you did not read this right. The words “if” and “may” are used:
This is far from a blanket condemnation. As far as the Bible, I am still waiting for the scripture.
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boppaid
Guest
Going back to the quote: “Christians are called to do what is reasonably necessary to protect their health (cf. CCC 2288). If using a particular product has been proven to be a danger to health and a person disregards known health warnings and uses it anyway with sufficient knowledge and consent, it may be sinful for him to do so”
It does say “May”. So, first question…when would it be sinful and when would it not be? Secondly, the quote from the catechism COUPLED WITH scripture indicates to me that there is no wiggle room…it is a sin. Will you go to hell because of it? I doubt it. Byt he way, here is the scripture you were waiting for. Sorry…I thought I posted it.
I Corinthians 6:19-20-Apostle Paul wrote “Know you not that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you, which you have of God, and you are not your own? For you were bought with a price: Therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit which are God’s”.
Filling our temples with posin that will destroy them doesn’t seem to me a way to glorify them.
"Know you not that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple you are? I Corinthians 3:16-17. Again, inhaling poison to ruin your body certainly defiles it.
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Rom. 12:1-2).
If we are presenting our bodies as holy sacrifices to God, why defile them first?
I guess that to me, that’s enough evidence. It may not be for you…that’s okay. But I cannot, in my conscience, believe that it’s not sinning.
It does say “May”. So, first question…when would it be sinful and when would it not be? Secondly, the quote from the catechism COUPLED WITH scripture indicates to me that there is no wiggle room…it is a sin. Will you go to hell because of it? I doubt it. Byt he way, here is the scripture you were waiting for. Sorry…I thought I posted it.
I Corinthians 6:19-20-Apostle Paul wrote “Know you not that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you, which you have of God, and you are not your own? For you were bought with a price: Therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit which are God’s”.
Filling our temples with posin that will destroy them doesn’t seem to me a way to glorify them.
"Know you not that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple you are? I Corinthians 3:16-17. Again, inhaling poison to ruin your body certainly defiles it.
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Rom. 12:1-2).
If we are presenting our bodies as holy sacrifices to God, why defile them first?
I guess that to me, that’s enough evidence. It may not be for you…that’s okay. But I cannot, in my conscience, believe that it’s not sinning.
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pnewton
Guest
I knew this one was coming, so I had the obvious answer:
It’s not poison, but incense.
Seriously, do you notice that smoking is not mentioned in the scripture? That makes using this passage as a blanket condemnation of all smoking an application of the scripture, subject to individual circumstance. Since it does not mention smoking, it is not an interpretation of this scripture to apply it to smoking.
There are definitely many factors that can make smoking defile the body more, like smoking to a dangerous level, smoking when one has lung cancer or other smoking related ailment, or other aggrevating health factor.
I think the catechism may give us the best way of putting it. It may be a sin. Just as eating salty food may be to one with high blood pressure, or getting second helpings to one who is overweight may be a sin.
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boppaid
Guest
Well, incense or not, it’s proven that it ruins our bodies. To me, anything else is rationalizing. (This is one of the reasons I quit.)
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pnewton
Guest
At what level is it a hazard? I tried to find information on occassional smoking and was unable to find any good data. Most deals with at least daily smoking, usually a pack a day or greater. Does anyone know of any good info on occasional smoking, say less than three or four packs a day or one cigar a day? A week?
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Pug
Guest
Not really, but I’ve been told risk is there. I was able to google this, which seems to indicate increased risk of early death for the type of smoker you ask about, but only for men.
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kim3260
Guest
As a former smoker, the act of smoking (I think) is not a sin. But what you are doing is selfish. Death and sickness rates are so much higher. Wasting good money on smokes is selfish. I’ve seen young women with a baby on their hip smoking a cigarette. This makes me sick, but I was no better leaving my children in the playpen by the window so I can check on him/her, while I selfishly put that garbage in my body.
What I’m trying to say, is smoking itself not a sin, but can lead to the near occasion of sin.
Sorry, former smokers are a pain
What I’m trying to say, is smoking itself not a sin, but can lead to the near occasion of sin.
Sorry, former smokers are a pain
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thechrismyster
Guest
so then most of you will agree that saturated fats, which are proven to cause heart disease, which is the NUMBER ONE killer in America, is in fact also sinful.
are you morally bound to read labels. no more twinkies or flaky puff pastries… that must too, be sinful, since the link between obesity and heart disease is also well documented. Thanksgiving is coming, pass on the butter, it is just as proven to kill as nicotine.
why is killing yourself with a fork different than killing yourself with tobacco?
a smoker has a lifelong risk of death of 25% from smoking. an average American has a 40% chance of dying of heart disease from lifestyle related choices. So the smoker has lower odds of dying from his habit as the overweight eater has of dying from their habit.
so those that condemn smoking… i’d like to come over and have a peek in your fridge.
are you morally bound to read labels. no more twinkies or flaky puff pastries… that must too, be sinful, since the link between obesity and heart disease is also well documented. Thanksgiving is coming, pass on the butter, it is just as proven to kill as nicotine.
why is killing yourself with a fork different than killing yourself with tobacco?
a smoker has a lifelong risk of death of 25% from smoking. an average American has a 40% chance of dying of heart disease from lifestyle related choices. So the smoker has lower odds of dying from his habit as the overweight eater has of dying from their habit.
so those that condemn smoking… i’d like to come over and have a peek in your fridge.
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