Clergy Pipe Smokers.

[ravkesef]

I'm a retired rabbi, and during my active career, my congregation knew that I was an avid pipe smoker. I remember on one occasion the kindergarten class was asked to draw a picture of me. It showed a bearded personage seated in an easy chair, with a pipe in hand, wisps of smoke curling out of the bowl. Pipe smoking used to be de rigeur amongst rabbis, though I suspect the numbers have declined considerably.

 

[oldtoby]

@ Trailboss, +1

 

[davidintexas]

Those ladies?(women)in the picture wouldn't have to worry about my lips ever getting within a couple hundred miles of theirs. Man, you can almost feel the venom coming out of their faces. :twisted:

 

[yeperdo]

I'm a Lutheran minister did mission work in West Africa for 8 years always had my pipe with me to enjoy. For me it's pretty simple love The Lord your God with all your heart mind and soul. Love your neighbor as yourself. People can judge all they want about my pipe smoking or drinking I don't really care. My recommendation for folks who do like to Judge others should start off looking in a mirror. Enjoy the gift of life and serve and love others. If you do it with a pipe in your mouth and a drink in your hand well yell out thank you Jesus! Your Blessed!

Peace!

 

[sfsteves]

davidintexas observed:

Those ladies?(women)in the picture wouldn't have

to worry about my lips ever getting within a couple

hundred miles of theirs. Man, you can almost feel

the venom coming out of their faces.

Exactly what I was thinking ...

 

[seagullplayer]

I am an ordained Pastor in a non-denominational Church.

 

[hobie1dog]

Ohhhh! A thread with religion in it. I must unplug my keyboa

:rofl:
www.GodisImaginary.com watch the short videos on the main page then read all 50 proofs on the RH side.
But Carlin has it all figured out:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPOfurmrjxo

 

[warren]

If he didn't then, I'm sure he has by now.

 

[tobyducote]

Very nicely said TrailBoss...as for myself...a Catholic, I have known plenty of priests who smoke cigars and pipes, and they have all enjoyed alcohol...I believe and we are taught that as long as it's done in moderation and isn't used or abused to the point of addiction or impairment, then it is acceptable....but for what it's worth, pretty much anything that is done to extreme that causes impairment, either mentally, physically, or socially is an unhealthy action

 

[quincy]

Wow! I had no idea when I started this that there were A. so many pipe smoking clergy and b. so many of them on this forum! Man, I love this place!

 

[ssjones]

Sadly, we've had more than one RC priest in this relatively small town with alcohol struggles.

 

[seagullplayer]

I will say that I gave up alcohol and chewing years ago, in part because I felt I could no long

keep it in moderation.
Alcohol was cold turkey and not an issue. Its been nearly 20 years now.
But I struggled with chew for some time. I believe that tells me I really did have an issue with

control. I believe it has been more than ten years now.

 

[ssjones]

Good for you seagullplayer. We knowingly abetted our priest with booze at Christmas, drinks at restaurants, etc. Fortunately, he recovered and being a cigar smoker, I can gift with those (I can't convince him to try the pipe).

 

[bluesmoke]

"Every morning and evening they burn to the Lord burnt offerings and fragrant incense..." 2 Chronicles 13:11.
Sounds to me like they were smoking pipes.

 

[moosecop]

I grew up baptist..independent baptist in Wisconsin.. I would be shunned now for smoking a pipe..2 jokes we use to tell....

1. Why dont Baptists have S** standing up... becuase they dont want to have anyone think there dancing.....
2.. i dont smoke, I dont drink, I dont swear... dam it, I left my cigarettes at the bar.....

 

[bphilli75]

I'm sorry if someone else already mentioned it, but there is a forum at www.christianpipesmokers.net that you might enjoy.
I have had a deep interest in comparative religions for most of my life. I would love to share long conversations on the topic with a pipe and a mug.
The hypocrisy of selective legalism is an unfortunate little sore that festers all too often among some religious folks.

 

[youngsterpuffer]

Any room for a buddhist in here? In my belief, we believe any addiction causes suffering. And of course with cigarettes, that is true. We are encouraged to take joy in life but do not become attached. That is why I smoke a pipe. It brings me joy, but if I was to have to give it up one day I would not miss it. This is just my train of thought. I very much enjoy smoking my pipes, and there is no sin in buddhism, just karma. As long as you do not hurt any creature, and live a life devoted to helping others as much as possible, you will retain good karma. And let's face it, that is the basis of all religion. Do good to others and you will be rewarded. So I don't see pipe smoking as an addiction that hurts other people. I see it as a time to sit down and relax, with it's meditative practices, and to be honest, I use that time to sit and think about my life and what direction I will take it, and how I can make it benefit others to the best of my ability

 

[winton]

I have really enjoyed this thread. We have included lots of different faiths and belief systems. It helps us share what is really important to us with others of like mind. And most importantly, it has not descended into a flame war. Kevin and the mods have not had to police us. It has lasted for months.
Winton

 

[conlejm]

I agree with Winton, an interesting and respectful thread.
I am sure the clergy on the thread can speak with authority on this subject better than I, but Jesus said in Mat 15:11 "it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person". . It's not what you eat or drink or smoke that makes you bad or sinful, but what is in your heart. Of course addiction is something that needs to be treated, but the occasional pipe or cigar or glass of alcoholic beverage should not be deemed evil or sinful behavior. But probably not enjoyed in the presence of someone who struggles with such things out of respect to them. My opinion only.
God bless us, everyone!

 

[calebtheindian]

I was raised and am Baptist. I'm not entirely sure what specific Baptist or just Baptist but anyways... I know that the same argument for pot, but tobacco is a plant. A plant that God put on the earth for men to use. An enjoyment. Somebody said on the topic over about the west coast that its pretty anti-smoking here, so it's not just church people at least in Oregon. But anyways, cigarettes aren't necessarily bad if you don't have the addiction, but they sure do give the fast track to it. To me, I feel that they are an embodiment of mans habit to morph what was given to us into something it really shouldn't have been. I can definitely understand the value of convenience. Pull it out and light it up. But with the additives, it becomes a nicotine fix many times. My parents have this problem but I stand strong in my belief that just plain smoking, especially a pipe, is not bad. Moderation moderation.