Quote:
Originally Posted by TRFrance
Question for you. Do you believe smoking is a sin?
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No, I don't. And this is an area "near and dear to my heart", you might say. I was a smoker when I was first introduced to Jesus. Some well meaning person told me that if I loved Jesus I wouldn't smoke. Which caused me a lot of unnecessary distress, and I credit this as one of the main things that lead me off on a wrong tangent (of following rules, rather than following Jesus).
At some point (because I was following the rules, not Jesus), I rebelled and started smoking again. After about 8 months, I quit again. (Monday will actually be the 3 year anniversary). However, I still quit for the wrong reasons, i.e. ultimately I thought it would send me to hell.
For the record, though I no longer think it a sin, or something that will send me to hell, and though I still have the
desire to smoke quite frequently, I do not start again. Because I
do recognize that it's not good for my health, and I have enough health issues without adding to them of my own accord.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rico
I was thinking about this last night and realized something. It's one thing to say, "I believe someone who smokes cigarettes is in danger of going to Hell." It's another entirely to say, "Everyone who smokes is going to Hell." One is an opinion, the other is pronouncing judgment.
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It's still not my first choice, but It is is a thousand times better than the alternative. What is something I might like better? "I feel like God has shown me that because smoking is addictive, and causes unnecessary harm to my body, that it would be wrong for me to do."
I think this pretty much covers the bases in a non-accusatory manner. You are making it about yourself and God, and you are leaving the whole hell thing out of it.
I think people concentrate on hell so much in order to strengthen their arguements. It's the ultimate "my dad can beat up your dad". I think the focus should be on an individuals relationship with God, and learning to listen to his voice. I personally feel that when you bring the whole hell thing in, you are just building on an individuals fear of God. Of course, I am personally, and extremely biased in this area, due to my own experiences.