Smoking

[DojoGrant]

I'm just curious on this one - I've never seen any real concrete answer on this one - maybe there isn't one?

1) Is smoking inherently sinful? If so, I guess you can ignore the others below.

2) If it is not inherently sinful, is smoking in moderation sinful (ie, not addicted).

3) Is smoking out of addiction sinful?
3a) Is an addicted smoker morally obligated to try to quit?

Edited March 18, 2004 by DojoGrant

[BLAZEr]

Smoking is not a sin.

[BLAZEr]

Ok, let me clarify this a bit.

Smoking tobacco is not in and of itself a sin. It's like alcohol: as long as you are obeying the law, and partaking in moderation then you are not committing a sin.

If you are addicted to cigarettes and that is why you are not smoking in moderation, then yes, you should try to quit. Both for your health and your spiritual well-being. Smoking could become the most important thing in your life, even before God. That would certainly be a sin.

As far as the health issue goes, yes your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit. But it's not an actual temple. There are plenty of things you put in your body that don't build it up perfectly: sugars, fats, caffeine, etc. These things are not a sin, so long as they are done in moderation.