SMOKING, DRINKING IN CHURCH

Consumption of alcoholic drinks, as well as smoking of cigarettes have been controversial issues in Christianity as there are varied thoughts and beliefs as to whether Christians should take alcoholic drinks in any measure whatsoever or if there is any official canonical prohibition regarding smoking for Christians. ODINAKA URUAKPA brings the views of clerics on this.

Despite the teachings on the spiritual and health implications of alcoholic drinks and cigarette smoking, people still believe that it is right for them to take alcoholic drinks, as well as smoke cigarettes basing their argument on the occasion where Jesus turned water to wine at the wedding in Cana and the fact that there is no biblical prohibition regarding smoking of cigarettes or anything for that matter. Alcoholic beverage, as defined by Wikipedia is a drink that contains a substantial amount of the psychoactive drug ethanol; a depressant which in low doses, causes euphoria, reduced anxiety and sociability and in higher doses, causes intoxication (drunkenness), stupor and unconsciousness. Cigarette, on the other hand, is a small roll of paper that is filled with cut tobacco, meant to be smoked. Tobacco smoking was allegedly introduced to Europe from the New World in the 16th century, therefore, the existing religions did not address it in their foundational teachings; however, modern practitioners have been known to offer interpretations of their faith with regard to smoking. By the turn of the 19th century, smoking was considered an immoral habit by certain Christian preachers and social reformers alongside alcoholism, gambling, cards, dancing and theatre going. Though there is no official canonical prohibition regarding the use of tobacco, the more traditional among the Orthodox Churches forbid their clergy or monks to smoke, and the laity also is strongly encouraged to give up smoking as well as alcoholic habits as the body is considered to be the temple of the Holy Spirit. In Orthodox cultures, various derogatory terms such as ‘incense of Satan’ were developed to describe smoking. Denominations such as the Roman Catholic do not condemn cigarette smoking or consumption of alcohol, indeed some priest indulge in smoking and alcohol consumption but they consider excessive smoking and alcoholism to be sinful. They favour the virtue of temperance which disposes Christians to avoid every kind of excess which includes the abuse of food, alcohol, tobacco, or medicine.

Though, most countries have laws regulating production, sale and consumption of these products, due to moral and health implications, alcohol and cigarettes continue to play important social roles in many cultures of the world. Some countries due to their religious affiliations or sentiments, as the case maybe, ban activities relating to alcohol and tobacco production entirely in their society. However, these products are legal in most parts of the world as the global alcoholic beverage industry is said to exceed $1 trillion in 2014 alone. Even with warnings of its health hazards, the tobacco industry continues to strive as many purchase cigarettes, helping to support an industry that some would claim brings people into addiction. Unlike tobacco smoking, the scripture has much to say regarding consumption of alcohol. Some of the passages that deal with alcohol include Leviticus 10:9; Numbers 6:3; Deuteronomy 29:6; Judges 13:4, 7, 14; Proverbs 20:1; 31:4; Isaiah 5:11, 22; 24:9; 28:7; 29:9; 56:12 among others. However, the scripture does not necessarily forbid a Christian from drinking beer, wine, or any other drink containing alcohol. In fact, the scripture also discusses alcohol in positive terms. Ecclesiastes 9:7 instructs, ‘Drink your wine with a merry heart.’ Psalm 104:14-15 states that God gives wine that makes glad the heart of men. Amos 9:14 sees drinking wine from your own vineyard as a sign of God’s blessing.


The last part of Isaiah 55:1 also encourages wine drinking. It is also claimed that alcohol, consumed in small quantities, is neither harmful nor addictive. In fact, some doctors advocate drinking small amount of red wine for its health benefits, especially for the heart. For many, consumption of small quantities of alcohol and tobacco is a matter of Christian freedom. However, due to the biblical concerns regarding alcohol and smoking and their effects healthwise, most Christian leaders preach that it is best for Christians to abstain from drinking and smoking. According to Pastor Lazarus Muoka, General Overseer, The Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Revival Ministry,

Lagos, Christians are forbidden to consume alcohol or tobacco, if they expect to be in good communion with God. He added that drunkenness which results from ex-the sight of God. “The scripture forbids all that want to have communion with God to have anything to do with alcoholic drinks or cigarette smoking. Drunkenness which is the effect of excessive alcohol intake is sinful and the scripture states categorically that all that indulge in it shall not inherit the Kingdom of God. Gal. 5: 19 and 21 states, ‘Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, envy, murder, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of which I tell you before, as I have also told you in times past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.’ A Christian who takes alcohol has no business with the Kingdom of God. Drunkenness is carnality which is an evidence of being dominated by the flesh. And a carnal minded person is a hater of holiness and righteousness and thus, an enemy of God. Obviously, smoking is harmful to the body since it involves inhaling smoke into the lungs. Smoking is also highly addictive, so it can quickly control you. This is bad because the Bible tells us not to be mastered by anything. 1 Cor. 6:12, states, ‘All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything.’ Rom. 8: 6-7 states, for to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.’ To take alcohol which is the father of drunkenness is a rebellious act to all purpose and intent. A person who takes alcoholic drink in any percentage or smokes is not a member of Christ, neither a Christian nor is he in a state of salvation, which is why the Bible states that though, the person lives, but is dead”, he claimed. Muoka further claimed that God commanded His people to abstain from alcoholic and every other thing that can lead to their destruction.

“God commanded Aaron, and by extension all His (God) children saying, ‘Do not drink wine nor strong drink, thou, nor thy sons with thee, when ye go into the tabernacle of the congregation, lest ye die: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations: 10 And that ye may put difference between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean; (Leviticus 10: 9-10).’This warning is to be passed to all generation of God’s people. The danger of death, to which we are continually exposed by this law, is enough to engage all to be sober. In addition, abstaining from alcohol and tobacco helps Christians to discern the presence of evil and flee from it. Indeed, it is an aberration that one would render himself a fool, thus an enemy of God for the taste or excitement allegedly gotten from alcohols and cigarette”, he stated. Professor Kunle Macaulay, Director of Studies, United Bible University, Ojodu, Ogun State, says that to understand the issue of alcohol drinking and cigarette smoking by Christians, the matter has to be treated from two perspectives; namely the spiritual angle and the angle of reasonableness. “To treat this issue justifiably, we need to check the spiritual side of it



The Bible states that you must be reasonable when you drink. The Bible also talks about drinking too much i. e. when you drink too much and lose your sense; the Bible notes that it is dangerous to drink to the level that you would lose your sense. The Bible does not say ‘don’t drink’, but it states if you drink, drink reasonably; don’t over drink, don’t get drunk. When you get drunk, you lose your sanity; you lose your sense of reasoning. So, that is it about the Bible and alcohol. When we speak of the other aspect i. e. reasonableness, if you look at it and ask, ‘why do I even have to drink at all? Why do I have to smoke?’ If it is going to cost me my health, why do I have to touch cigarette or alcohol? Then you can see that it is neither reasonable to drink nor smoke. So in this instance, the best thing is for one not to touch these things. This is the way it should be when it comes to such matters. We are talking about teaching the truth now. Also, people will tell you, ‘the Bible instructs that you must not drink; if you get drunk, you are not useful, you are a useless man. The Bible does not teach that. So, we are expected to teach the truth; the real truth that is contained in the Bible”, he claimed. On the total condemnation of people who drink or smoke, Macaulay said, “Even fruits are not left out. If you squeeze out the juice from any fruit and you preserve it for some time, it will ferment and you can get drunk from drinking such. Fermentation can have drunken effect. For me, it is wrong to condemn those people who drink or smoke. As a Christian leader, you need to counsel these people because they are human. There are people who cannot control themselves, and no one has the right to condemn others. When people are weak and cannot help themselves in some situations, then we should be there to help. The Bible states that those who are strong will help those who are weak. In Christianity, you have no right to condemn anybody. All you have to do is to note what the Bible states concerning human situation and then, correct whatever wrong there is. That is what we call theology; you apply the word of God to human situations. To sum my explanation on this issue, it involves what the Bible states and what human beings say regarding alcohol and tobacco. The Bible does not condemn drinking, it doesn’t condemn smoking either, rather, it cautions people on over-drinking. Coming to man, a reasonable man would wonder why he wants to touch alcohol or cigarette at all, if they are going to affect his health; so, he won’t touch any. Those who are addicted only need to be counselled. Even in alcoholic drinks or cigarette advertisements, people are advised to drink responsibly and they are also informed that smokers are liable to die young.”

For Archbishop Ojo Joseph, Christians are not supposed to consume alcoholic drinks in any degree as he added that total abstinence from alcohol and cigarettes is a better option for them. “Though, the Bible did not mention complete abstinence when it comes to Christians consuming alcoholic drinks or neither does it say anything concerning smoking, we as humans should know the right thing. It is better to preach complete abstinence than to encourage Christians to take alcohol at all. Another thing is that if you encourage them to take this drink in moderation, you won’t be there when they decide to overdo it. For me, I will rather keep advising people to preach abstinence than moderation because you can’t determine what people can do when given the licence to drink. For those who smoke, they should know that tobacco damages vital body organs such as the lungs”, he noted. On the argument that Jesus turning water to wine is an indication that Christians can take alcoholic drinks to some degree, Ojo said: “What Jesus produced with the water was not alcoholic, but sweet wine. In the gospel of John chapter 2, we are told that the wine Jesus Christ produced was sweet, sweeter than the one the guests had