Fr. Ripperger isn't Orthodox though.
Is smoking a sin?
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FiatVoluntasTua
Robin
Just wanted to share a perspective, like you Orthodox do in the Catholicism forum. And as far as I know, the majority of Orthodox churches do not view it as a sin, either.
But they do. It's not an issue to be decided in an Ecumenical council, however it is a point that is constantly repeated in sermons and in confession, according to what modern saints instruct.
Ah, this one is easy. Obviously, if you smoke compulsively, it's a sin. If you occasionally smoke for pleasure, I don't see the problem. I don't think Orthodoxy is about puritanism, or ever was. In some cases, it's a sin not to smoke, if you do it for excessively hygienic reasons, such as fearing 'potential' sickness, mistrusting life and idolizing the body. Such a person might need a smoke, to overcome his paranoia. We live in a world where "passive smoking" has become a "problem". Such is the mind of the modern western urbanite. When you think about it, what started as a public smoking ban a few years ago has now ended up in a situation where it is illegal to breathe without a mask. This means our body fluids have become politicized by the same politicians than tell you smoking is bad.
Healthism is a sin. Smoke responsibly.
Healthism is a sin. Smoke responsibly.
Emperor Constantine
Kingfisher
Apparently smoking was one of the big debates between the canonical Orthodox and the Old Believers in Russia, back in the day. It got to a point where the Nikonians were taking smoke breaks during the liturgy and the Old Believers thought smoking was absolutely sinful.
If anyone's been to Russia, I'm curious if this still happens.
If anyone's been to Russia, I'm curious if this still happens.
Is smoking a sin? This monk on Mt. Athos doesn’t think so.
No, smoking/tobacco use isn’t a sin. Why would it be? As a matter of fact it has numerous cognitive benefits and there is even some evidence it prevents Alzheimer’s. As with anything, it’s all about moderation. Clove cigarettes (Djarum Blacks) are very pleasing and relaxing and have a nice “Christmassy” sort of fragrance.
During the canonization proceedings for Pope St. Pius X (the great foe of Modernism) in the early 1950s, when the advocatus diaboli (devil’s advocate) objected to his holiness on grounds that he had been a smoker, the cardinals in attendance literally laughed out loud.
Now if you are going to smoke cigarettes, I would recommend switching to Natural American Spirit to avoid all the nasty additives and chemicals that are put in all mainstream cigarettes. Or better yet, roll your own.
No, smoking/tobacco use isn’t a sin. Why would it be? As a matter of fact it has numerous cognitive benefits and there is even some evidence it prevents Alzheimer’s. As with anything, it’s all about moderation. Clove cigarettes (Djarum Blacks) are very pleasing and relaxing and have a nice “Christmassy” sort of fragrance.
During the canonization proceedings for Pope St. Pius X (the great foe of Modernism) in the early 1950s, when the advocatus diaboli (devil’s advocate) objected to his holiness on grounds that he had been a smoker, the cardinals in attendance literally laughed out loud.
Now if you are going to smoke cigarettes, I would recommend switching to Natural American Spirit to avoid all the nasty additives and chemicals that are put in all mainstream cigarettes. Or better yet, roll your own.
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NoMoreTO
Hummingbird
You have to be careful not to be gluttonous in your smoking of cigarettes. I currently smoke about 3 -5 cigarettes in the evening. Too much and not good for my health, but I started back up in 2020 sadly.
When you become gluttonous, it becomes a venial sin. This might be something like smoking a half a pack in an evening, or just going back for more like a "fiend".
Better not to smoke of course, for your health, God gave you a body and you should take care of it.
When you become gluttonous, it becomes a venial sin. This might be something like smoking a half a pack in an evening, or just going back for more like a "fiend".
Better not to smoke of course, for your health, God gave you a body and you should take care of it.
Showing a pic of a random monk committing a sin is not proof that said thing is not a sin.Is smoking a sin? This monk on Mt. Athos doesn’t think so.
Christopher J
Robin
Our bodies are temples for the Holy Ghost. When we receive Jesus as savior, we literally become a temple for God to dwell. So if you inhale smoke, OK, but you are basically blowing that smoke on God's face. We are all sinners, and I am as bad as any, but it is always best to be honest and not try to rationalize it. If you're gonna smoke, cool, but we shouldn't glamorize or excuse it. It is at best a vice.
Well it kind of is.
Really?
It is at worst a vice. And why seest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye; and seest not the beam that is in thy own eye?
FiatVoluntasTua
Robin
Don‘t bother, plenty of Puritans on this forum. Let us just say it is a sin, for God‘s sake
Christopher J
Robin
Don‘t bother, plenty of Puritans on this forum. Let us just say it is a sin, for God‘s sake
Are you suggesting Christians should not seek to be pure? We all fall short but that doesn't mean we should just give up trying to be better.
Here ye and understand. Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man: but what cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.
Example of trying to be better might be, focus on conquering your porn/masturbation habit, which actually will make you “smoke” in Hell, before nitpicking about other people doing things that aren’t even sins and which you don’t do yourself anyway (like smoking cigars, drinking tea or coffee, chewing bubble gum, picking one’s nose, and so forth). Why seest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye; and seest not the beam that is in thy own eye? Or how sayest thou to thy brother: Let me cast the mote out of thy eye; and behold a beam is in thy own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam in thy own eye, and then shalt thou see to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.
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Christopher J
Robin
One verse does not answer my question at all, unless you believe that Christians can do, eat, watch, etc, anything, but as long as they say the right things, all is well. As I'm sure you don't really believe that, I ask again, are you suggesting Christians should not seek to be pure?
Christopher J
Robin
It is ridiculous the lengths some people will go to in order to justify their sins rather than be humble and honest.
FiatVoluntasTua
Robin
The definition of purity is essential. As a Catholic, moderation is important. And the Catecism is clear on this point. Additionally, I already posted a video on this that explains it well. And stop just establishing that something is a sin that is obviously not one in every instance.
Christopher J
Robin
Dude, you just edited IN three/fourths of this post. Super misleading. In the future just make a new post, ya know.
Anyway, way to compare ingesting mood-altering chemicals with nose-picking, and also not having any clue what it means to rightfully divide the word of God.
We all fall short but we should still be trying to get better rather than reaching to justify our vices. I've said my peace. Take care.
The Greek word “hamartia,” translated in English Bibles as “sin,” means “missing the mark” and not necessarily “breaking a rule.” The idea is that we aim for Christlikeness in every area of our lives, and we commit “hamartia” in the areas where we fall short of that ideal. Indulging in the occasional enjoyment of a glass of wine or cigarette is probably not a big deal, but anything you’re addicted to or consuming compulsively, be it alcohol or tobacco or video games or food, becomes the victory of the flesh over the spirit and hence, creates distance between your life and the life of Christ which we seek and are called to imitate. Justifying an addiction, rather than calling it what it is and addressing it as a sickness in need of healing, adds another layer of hamartia as we are also called to be honest with ourselves about our sins.
“God can save the sinner you are, but not the Saint you pretend to be.”
Metropolitan Anthony Bloom
“God can save the sinner you are, but not the Saint you pretend to be.”
Metropolitan Anthony Bloom
Goni
Woodpecker
It is very important to give a definition of what addiction is.
I have never been a smoker , but I do consider smoking the " lesser" of vices compared to alcoholism, gambling, adultery, gluttony, porn addiction, gaming addiction, laziness, lack of will to physically train etc.
Among Europeans, good alcohol is part of the tradition, from beer to thousands of years old wine to modern ones such as whiskey and scotch.
Surpassing the limits of alcohol drinking needs also to be defined.
I have never been a smoker , but I do consider smoking the " lesser" of vices compared to alcoholism, gambling, adultery, gluttony, porn addiction, gaming addiction, laziness, lack of will to physically train etc.
Among Europeans, good alcohol is part of the tradition, from beer to thousands of years old wine to modern ones such as whiskey and scotch.
Surpassing the limits of alcohol drinking needs also to be defined.
The sin is obviously in the excess. Smoking tobacco per se is not sinful. Neither is drinking. There are health benefits to smoking. The Church does not teach either are sinful to consume.
The anti-smoking psy-op has left us all anxious about smoking tobacco. These are the same people who tell us to drink soy, eat bugs, use porn, avoid red meat, etc. I believe that the toxic fumes from cars and buses etc are the real culprit behind lung cancers. Smoking is used as a convenient cover. We know that the cancer most associated with excessive smoking is bladder cancer, not lung cancer.
Perhaps the controllers are against smoking because it is inherently masculine, relaxing and pro-social. Men gather together to sit and talk while smoking, or at least that's how it used to be
The anti-smoking psy-op has left us all anxious about smoking tobacco. These are the same people who tell us to drink soy, eat bugs, use porn, avoid red meat, etc. I believe that the toxic fumes from cars and buses etc are the real culprit behind lung cancers. Smoking is used as a convenient cover. We know that the cancer most associated with excessive smoking is bladder cancer, not lung cancer.
Perhaps the controllers are against smoking because it is inherently masculine, relaxing and pro-social. Men gather together to sit and talk while smoking, or at least that's how it used to be