May I smoke here??!

[rgcraig]

Originally Posted by Michael Phelps

You might be surprised if I told you who it was.

However, I go back to my original premise. I haven't seen one person on this thread who said, "Oh, smoking is a great thing, and should not be preached against!"

What I have seen is, "How come we make smoking a mortal sin, but put our stamp of approval on gluttony?"

The Bible speaks often about gluttony, and in one case connects the "drunkard and the glutton" in the same category.

But, how many sermons have you heard at General Conference about gluttony? How many Bible studies in your local assembly have you taught about gluttony?

That's where my frustration lies.

And, I get even more frustrated when these questions are asked, and someone says "They don't believe in anything any more, it's a non-Apostolic forum".

Lord, me too!

The accusation that we lump all preachers in the same bucket when discussing one issue, BUT it's okay to throw the whole forum into the cesspool of non-Apostolic posters category - - - gets old.

[Cindy]

Originally Posted by Neck

I one time got so depressed.

I stopped off at a KFC.

Grabbed a 10 piece bucket, mashed potatoes

10 rolls and then grabbed a 2 liter bottle of Mountain Dew.

i drove down to Grant Park in South Milwaukee.

I ate the entire bucket and everything else in 30 minutes.

I drank the entire bottle of mountain dew.

I felt like a junky on crack..

Then my wife calls me and asked me.

Did you have a big lunch?

I then stated not big, (See it was a very large lunch).

She told me I made the kids there favorite...

No!!!!!!!!

I just ate a Chicken coupe full of chickens.....

Tell me what is the difference between that and any other comfort food or drug????

I am glad that I have lost all the weight...

I still fight the urges every day....

I will be praying for you Neck, I know a few people that live this way.

[jtork]

Originally Posted by StMark

Many of our forefathers at that food and never had obesity or the health problems we are having.

It's NOT the food! It's our idleness. They ate that food but they worked it off. We eat the same food and sit on our butts and get fatter and fatter.

Sloth comes to mind - another sin - we are all doomed

[edjen01]

just because something is preached as a sin....doesn't make it one. I think I understand the original post....and believe the problem isn't with smoking....its with the idea that everything MUST be defined as "sin" or "not-a-sin". Why? Why can't somethings just be "bad for you"....why do they need the label of "sin" attached to them? Have we(believers) become so void of thought & reason that we need someone to preach to us that ingesting smoke into our bodies will hurt us? Read the package!!

[Neck]

Originally Posted by StMark

That fact that eating food is a survival issue, what they eat and how much the amount they eat is between them and their God.

Again, Idleness, not working that food off is what makes people fat and unhealthy.

To make the excuse that drinking thunderbird and vodka is fine because someone had too many servings of mash potatos is silly

There are many studies that show a glass of wine a day is a good thing.

It thins your blood naturally.

That is why the Italians have less heart problems even when they are over weight.

[Michael Phelps]

Originally Posted by Cindy

It's just a friendly discussion Michael! It's healthy! I don't overeat, but I do not always eat healthy. But I can say as a long time smoker, you cannot smoke and not harm your body, and other people around you. People that overeat don't usually harm others. Unless they allow their families to do the same. Should preachers preach against it? Yes, but seriously how many people do you think want to hear it preached against? And if a preacher isn't a living example of it, it's hard for him/her to preach it. I do understand the argument of smoking, drinking, vs gluttony.

I totally agree with you Cindy!

The scripture I've most heard used to preach against smoking is "Whosoever defileth the temple, him shall God destroy".

Well, if we are going to use that one, let's include all the things that can do damage to your body, from Sweet and Low to artificial ingredients!

[jtork]

Originally Posted by stmark

that fact that eating food is a survival issue, what they eat and how much the amount they eat is between them and their god.

Again, idleness, not working that food off is what makes people fat and unhealthy.

To make the excuse that drinking thunderbird and vodka is fine because someone had too many servings of mash potatos is silly

i guess i missed where someone said drinking thunderbird and vodka was fine

[Michael Phelps]

Originally Posted by StMark

That fact that eating food is a survival issue, what they eat and how much the amount they eat is between them and their God.

Again, Idleness, not working that food off is what makes people fat and unhealthy.

To make the excuse that drinking thunderbird and vodka is fine because someone had too many servings of mash potatos is silly

Who made that excuse, Mark?

[Parkbench]

Years ago, our leader suggested those attending Gen. Conf. would benefit by not having marital you know what. Kind of like an athelete abstaining before competion. I almost took up smoking in place of............but smoking was preached against. I simply quit going to Gen. Conf.

[Amos]

Originally Posted by rgcraig

Lord, me too!

The accusation that we lump all preachers in the same bucket when discussing one issue, BUT it's okay to throw the whole forum into the cesspool of non-Apostolic posters category - - - gets old.

Renda, you know I love you, but there has been a serious shift here.

You don't notice it if you have not been away a while.

That is fine--I am not on some kind of crusade to change it, just commenting on the reality that I see.

There is a spirit of intolerance for conservatism that has pervaded the place, a hostility that is tangible.

You won't feel it so much if it isn't directed at you.

I am not offended, upset, or in a tizzy.

But I do call em like I see em.