Clergy Pipe Smokers.

[frtimmyd]

Guess I should wave my hand in the air for this one. I'm an Anglican priest and have been a pipe smoker for about 5 years. My Briar Mentor is also a pipe smoker and I've been very grateful for his advice over the years (his best advice, "Don't be afraid of Latakia. It's kindof like Greek. Real scary to look at but loads of fun once you get used to it.")
I actually have been known to recommend pipes to other pastors I meet just because it's such a contemplative activity. Great sermons are constructed amidst wafts of great smelling smoke. ::

 

[yadan]

"You are quite correct in that the occupying Romans (Greeks earlier and Babylonians/Medes/Persians yet earlier)enslaved the Jews. I was speaking with regard to the adding of laws and traditions to the Mosaic Law by religious leaders which increased their burden (enslaved them spiritually)."
I can wholeheartedly agree with that. The P'rushim, and their spiritual descendents - the rabbis - have put forth 'rulings' - and set traditions - which are often gross misinterpretations of the commandments and are even in violation of them.

 

[ssjones]

I grew up in the Church of God (non Pentecostal), my grandfather was the minister. He was of the old "Fire & brimstone" preacher. We weren't allowed to drink, dance, smoke but apparently over-eating was somehow overlooked. Marrying someone who wasn't a born again Christian was seen as a sin, but I married a Catholic girl anyway. My Grandfather was at our wedding, but never really spoke to me again. After our first child, I converted and now I'm a hybrid. I remember the first time I saw a Priest drink or light a cigarette and never got comfortable with that until about 5 years in. Our priest smokes cigars, but I can't sway him to the pipe.

 

[zonomo]

But leadership has a higher standard. These men voluntarily give up things that they might personally accept. They also work long hours for no pay, doing things that most would not do.

Amen to that, its as it should be, not to mention thats its biblical mandate. (James 3:1)

 

[zonomo]

now I'm a hybrid

:rofl:

 

[kanaia]

I know many priests that indulge. Mostly Jesuits where I live.

 

[juvat270]

I remember the first time I saw a Priest drink or light a cigarette and never got comfortable with that until about 5 years in. Our priest smokes cigars, but I can't sway him to the pipe.

Gene Simmons of the band KISS once said that, one of the things he remembers most from his childhood was when he first moved to America (he was born in Israel) he saw a billboard of Santa Claus smoking a cigarette (advertising Kent brand cigarettes). He thought to himself, "Why is that Rabbi smoking?" (He had no idea at the time who Santa Claus was).

 

[jbbaldwin]

We weren't allowed to drink, dance, smoke but apparently over-eating was somehow overlooked. Marrying someone who wasn't a born again Christian was seen as a sin, but I married a Catholic girl anyway.

Al, we should get together and share a bowl and some stories. I was raised Baptist and had the same proscriptions against drinking and dancing as you mention, and we had some hair-raising sermons, always followed by more food than anybody could eat. I also converted and married a Catholic girl (and have turned into a Latin-rite Gregorian-chant-singing fool) - still causes some discomfort at family gatherings, as you probably could guess.
We lived in tobacco country - lots of folks grew burley, and practically everybody consumed it in some way.
Thanks for recalling that to my mind.

 

[rondyr]

I'm not a minister, but I am a pretty strict Baptist, and I echo what some others have rightly said - it is not a sin to smoke, be it cigarettes, cigars, or a pipe. It is not a sin to drink wine or beer. It IS a sin if it controls your life. It IS a sin if it is more important to you than God is. Yes, we are told that the Spirit of God dwells within us, and many believe that means not to pollute our bodies (they say that as they chomp down on a $1.00 McDouble cheeseburger, I might add), but I do not believe that He would have put it on earth if He did not want us to enjoy these things. The key to enjoying anything in life is moderation.

 

[zonomo]

sooooooo, as long as we're talking about this, what about Pot? I have never tried it and would have never considered it before since it was an illegal drug. In WA state, it's now legal. The law is muddy because you can't buy it or sell it but you can use it in your home in small dosages. Not sure where one is supposed to acquire it. I also know that from a Federal standpoint (for the time being), its considered illegal. What's one to do here? Not exactly black and white so I'd have to apply principals. Thoughts?

 

[rondyr]

Zonomo, "Potheads" will often use the argument that I used, that God put these things on the earth for our use and enjoyment. That being said, I can't really disagree with my own argument, but I do not care for weed and do not smoke it. I smoked it a few times back when I was a teenager and I just didn't care for it - I hated the way that it made me feel, and it would kill my entire sense of taste for days after smoking it.
The problem with weed is that smoking it, just like drinking alcohol, and then driving a vehicle or a forklift or an airplane is a disaster waiting to happen. Just like I don't want to be on the road driving near someone who is drunk, I don't want to be on the road with someone who is high. What an adult man or woman does in the privacy of his or her own home, as long as it does no harm to anyone, is their business.

 

[zonomo]

reduced me to a paranoid moron with the attention span of a goldfish, and left me with a headache and a barely above average I.Q. the entire next day or so

that's pretty funny. For the record, I am not interested in it per se but I have thought about my moral choices given that its not somewhat legal. I'm more pondering for pondering sake. I personally don't care what people do but know I will answer to God someday for the choices I've made. I go to A LOT of concerts and it seems to be passed around quite often. I expect that to increase.

 

[4dotsasieni]

"My own experiences with it were terrible, as it basically ... left me with a headache...."
Interesting -- I tried it many years ago on two separate occasions, and all I got out of it was a terrible headache that lasted all day. No high, no munchies, only the headache. I suppose this is good, as I'm obviously not a candidate to become an addict. As for moral considerations, to quote the old pagan/wiccan admonition, "an' ye do no harm, do what ye will."

 

[zonomo]

This is interesting. I've always been told that it's God's gift to mankind. But on the other hand, it was mostly the potheads that told me that. :roll:

 

[gmwolford]

I mostly keep my pipesmoking to myself; I am a youth minister and Sunday school teacher so I feel it prudent to not "advertise" my choice to use tobacco (I use moist snuff as well). Being a Baptist all my life, Freewill and now United, I have seen many preachers and teachers openly use tobacco in most all forms with no stigma attached. As I said, working with kids (7-20) I choose to not openly use tobacco around them but I do not deny it if asked or seen.
My thoughts in pot and alcohol are simple: I don't want anything that clouds my thinking or imparez my judgement which could allow me to fall into sin I would otherwise avoid. And yes, I have not used prescription pain medicine for that reason, opting for alternate treatment and/or toughing it out. Secondly, I don't believe it would be prudent as a youth leader to use or advocate the use of these things.

 

[gray4lines]

Well, from the legal standpoint... we are commanded to obey authorities (except when they lead us into sin). If God is who He says He is, then He certainly has control over who is in power in gov't and sets the laws.
Is it possible to smoke weed and not have it control you? I'm not saying you're a doped out wacko after one hit, but who smokes weed for the taste? I see it as drinking to get, drunk. You smoke pot to get high.
Some would argue that mind-altering drugs are akin to "sorcery" mentioned in the bible, which is frowned upon.
Also, God is a God of order. Worshippers of God never ran around like psychos cutting themselves or indulged in psychadelics in order to "get into the spirit." They did sing amd dance and worship, without regard to what it looked like to others, but it was never "chaos."

So, does smoking pot more closely resemble worshippers of God or "others" ? Again, Im not saying pot makes you totally tweak out, but it doesnt have a place in worshipping God. That's what Christians live for.
All my opinions and thoughts, take em or leave em.

 

[bigboi]

Great thread. I used to be a youth minister and now a deacon in my local non-denominational church. We hold to pipes like most of you have posted already.

 

[hunter185]

I grew up in a small town of about 60 people. The minister of our church was a pipe smoker and he must have had a fairly extensive collection, because it seemed like he had a different pipe after every service. The sweet smell of old pipe smoke was a permanent fixture of the church. This was back in the day when locking your door was considered offensive to the community so of course the church was never locked. I was well underage at the time but used to sneak in there to check out his pipes and linger in that aroma. Definitely an inspiration.

 

[zonomo]

I see it as drinking to get, drunk. You smoke pot to get high.

Thanks Gray - this is these best argument I've heard yet.

 

[vince]

Hello to everyone. I'm an Anglican Vicar who has just found your site. I've smoked a pipe on and off for around 40 or so years with lots to learn. I've already found some interesting threads, so I shall be back.