May I smoke here??!

[Michael Phelps]

Originally Posted by Amos

"A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adored by little statesmen and philosophers and divines."

That's what Emerson said about the fairness doctrine.

So, what you are saying is that "consistency is over rated"?

[2020Vision]

Originally Posted by Michael Phelps

So, what you are saying is that "consistency is over rated"?

You just seem hung up on it. And I like you. Enjoy your posts, though we are more often than not in agreement.

[Michael Phelps]

Originally Posted by 2020Vision

You just seem hung up on it. And I like you. Enjoy your posts, though we are more often than not in agreement.

I'm driving to a point here, are you a pastor? Do you preach or teach in your local assembly?

[2020Vision]

Originally Posted by Michael Phelps

I'm driving to a point here, are you a pastor? Do you preach or teach in your local assembly?

No and Yes. You??

[Michael Phelps]

Originally Posted by 2020Vision

No and Yes. You??

So, have you ever preached against smoking?

If so, do you make it a heaven or hell issue?

And, if you do, what scriptures do you use to support that?

[2020Vision]

Originally Posted by Michael Phelps

So, have you ever preached against smoking?

If so, do you make it a heaven or hell issue?

And, if you do, what scriptures do you use to support that?

Most converts with common sense and that have just received the Holy Ghost, instinctly know that cigarette just doesn't fit their new home. Converts don't ask for scripture and verse for something like cigarettes, only people wishing to debate for the sake of debate do. If they ask, or when they've asked you KNOW which verse I use: our body is a temple of the Holy Ghost. To defile it with cigarette smoking is useless and pointless. Hell issue? Well, just find another church. We don't do that. We have some converts that it takes a couple months for them to break the habit, but God helps them and I've been delighted to watch God work in their life.

Heaven or hell.... wow... it always comes down to that. Can't we just please the Lord?

Now your turn. Tell us what you believe. Is smoking wrong or not???

[Michael Phelps]

Originally Posted by 2020Vision

Most converts with common sense and that have just received the Holy Ghost, instinctly know that cigarette just doesn't fit their new home. Converts don't ask for scripture and verse for something like cigarettes, only people wishing to debate for the sake of debate do. If they ask, or when they've asked you KNOW which verse I use: our body is a temple of the Holy Ghost. To defile it with cigarette smoking is useless and pointless. Hell issue? Well, just find another church. We don't do that. We have some converts that it takes a couple months for them to break the habit, but God helps them and I've been delighted to watch God work in their life.

Heaven or hell.... wow... it always comes down to that. Can't we just please the Lord?

Now your turn. Tell us what you believe. Is smoking wrong or not???

I agree that there are many things we should do because we love God, but that wasn't the question I asked - that you conveniently failed to answer.

Ok, I'm going to lay out my case here, because I have to get back to work.

I've heard plenty of preachers preach that smoking will send you to hell, and they used the "defiling the temple" scripture.

However, consider these facts:

Left unabated, obesity will surpass smoking as the leading cause of preventable death in America

Obesity has been linked to: Hypertension, Coronary Heart Disease, Adult Onset Diabetes, Stroke, Gall Bladder Disease, Osteoarthritis, Sleep Apnea, Respiratory Problems, Endometrial, Breast, Prostate and Colon Cancers, Dyslipidemia, steatohepatitis, insulin resistance, breathlessness, Asthma, Hyperuricaemia, reproductive hormone abnormalities, polycystic ovarian syndrome, impaired fertility and lower back pain

Have you ever heard a preacher preach that being obese will send someone to hell? I haven't.

How many preachers are going to start preaching against fast food, since it's been linked to heart disease, liver disease, and much more?

I am absolutely against smoking, but I am not going to preach that someone will go to hell for smoking, when I can't preach that they'll go to hell for being obese.

[Elizabeth]

Originally Posted by 2020Vision

Most converts with common sense and that have just received the Holy Ghost, instinctly know that cigarette just doesn't fit their new home. Converts don't ask for scripture and verse for something like cigarettes, only people wishing to debate for the sake of debate do. If they ask, or when they've asked you KNOW which verse I use: our body is a temple of the Holy Ghost. To defile it with cigarette smoking is useless and pointless. Hell issue? Well, just find another church. We don't do that. We have some converts that it takes a couple months for them to break the habit, but God helps them and I've been delighted to watch God work in their life.

Heaven or hell.... wow... it always comes down to that. Can't we just please the Lord?

Now your turn. Tell us what you believe. Is smoking wrong or not???

Wow. so what is it like living in a perfect world?? Where converts just instinctly know-that must be really nice.

[Amos]

Originally Posted by Michael Phelps

So, what you are saying is that "consistency is over rated"?

The way it is arbitrarily defined by anybody with an axe to grind, yes.