I have a question, out of pure curiosity!?

Question

Hi

I not really religious or anything so if I am totally on the wrong track here correct me. I went to a funeral today and I saw this priest smoking down atleast 2 to 3 cigarettes withthin an hour. I believe this day and age everyone know that ciagrettes can cause cancer. Let's say the priest happens to get lung cancer which would means he slowly killed himself . I have heard a 1000 times that commiting suicide is mortal sin in the eyes of God. My questions is, by him knowing ciagrettes can cause a deadly illness and he still somkes anyway is that a form of suicide. I would say YES! it"s just a really slow form as I have already stated. Would like any other input please.

Answer 1

I wouldn't consider it suicide. Suicide is not just doing something that kills you, it's an act intended to kill yourself.

While he may very well know that smoking can kill, he wasn't smoking for the purpose of killing himself (most likely). Almost every action has some probability of death associated with it, as does inaction. The difference between smoking and driving a car is a matter of degree not substance.

Answer 2

For one thing, the Bible teaches us nothing that goes into our bodies makes us unclean but what comes from the heart. Our bodies are already currpted and dying.

Second thing. What doesnt cause cancer? Not everyone who smokes gets cancer, not all cancers are smoking related and under this theory, driving would also be a sin since more men women and children die every DAY from car accidents than people do from smoking related illnesses in a year.

There is hardly anything we breathe drink or eat that has no potential harm. The Priest wont deffinitely die from smoking, he has much more chance of dying in a car accident, as we all do. Now, pull the trigger on a loaded gun to intentially kill yourself is suicide. We ARE going to do and the cause WILL be from something we did or someone else did. Not everyone is a suicidal murderer.

Answer 3

Someone else mentioned overeating.

I do understand your logic, but if you use this sort of definition for "suicide," then I think the majority of people are doing SOMETHING in their lives that could contribute to an earlier death over the long run (such as eating too many sweets, or not exercising enough, or working too hard, or playing too many video games, or talking on the cell phone when they drive, or ...) meaning you could accuse just about anyone of committing eventual suicide and thus "mortal sin."

Perhaps the priest is not making the wisest decision regarding his health, and God would want him to kick the habit. And it would be nice if he could set a good example for the younger folks.

But that's more of a personal issue between the priest and God, not a "salvation" matter. I would not equate it to a purposeful suicide.

Answer 4

I think its great that you are not religious or anything like that. We all know that religion just gets in the way of us in our personal relationship with Jesus Christ and the Father. So good for you on that count.

Let me see if I understand your question, and perhaps, just maybe I can help you.

You say that you saw a man smoking cigarettes and felt that he was killing himself. I think you are right and that he should quit. But is this a sin punishable to death in the lake of fire? No. Say a prayer for him to help him quit.

You also say the that 1000 people have told you that committing suicide is a mortal sin. There you go again, bringing in the theologies and dogmas of religion back into the mix.

God has told us through the prophet Moses by way of the 10 Commandments that we are not to murder. Committing suicide is murdering yourself. Premeditate. That means you planed to take a life or your life.

Lets all just go tho the Word and not to people for answers to the way we should live. It makes it much easier I think.

Hope I was able to help you or to get you to start thinking like a real Christian.

Good success in your walk with God.

Answer 5

Yes, it is suicide by choice. Nobody needs to be addicted to anything and could get off any of them if they choose to do it. So just because you are addicted to something does not make it right to do and not a sin. It is a sin but Catholic priests believe themselves to be gods that cannot do any wrong. Hence, the forgiveness of sin that only God has the power to do. Jesus was accused of blasphemy when He forgave sin as that is something that only God can do, yet, the priest says he is god so he has that power. Don't be fooled by all the hype that goes on. Read your bible and see what it has to say and go by that, not by what any man tells you. For more info, check out the site below and do the studies.

Answer 6

Yes, it is slow suicide. Not only that, he is making a bad example for you to look up to. Pray for him.....but you said you're not religious. Well I believe that Jesus came to give us life and a good life at that....smoking is not included. God gave the the strength for me to quit 7 months ago and I will never go back. I will pray for the both of you. God does exist and he loves us all. If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins. So you and him (the priest) can actually do this on your own with God. I do it every night....for things I know that I did wrong and for things I may not have realized I did wrong. Also, all sins are equal. Sin is sin. Be blessed.

Answer 7

I think it's a good point. I would say yes too, it is a form of suicide, Unintentional suicide maybe, because I guess in the end he can place the blame on the ciggarettes not directly on himself for his death, though I'm quite sure that the ciggarettes weren't forcing themselves into his mouth, and the warning is clearly written on the label.

And to the people who said "it's not suicide, it's an addiction"... That's two completely different points, you don't say a child molester isn't a child molester just because he's addicted to sex with children. He has a problem yes, but that doesn't change the fact that it is what it is.

Answer 8

Without stirring up drama. Yes Suicicide is a mortal sin, so is about a million other things. All being equal. Sin isn't really rated as being better or worse than another. Sin basically means to miss the mark of God's perfection. Scaling sin is a humanistic trait. From God's POV all sin is equally disdainable. There is however only ONE unforgivable sin. (Mark 3:29, Luke 12:10) Blasphemy of the holy spirit. To completely turn from righteousness, truth, conscience, etc. Is to completely turn from anything that could lead you back to God (christian POV)

Answer 9

No, smoking is not a sin. There is only one sin that can not be forgiven, it is not suicide, its is rejection of the conviction of the Holy Spirit. When someone "feels" the need to repent or not do something wrong, that is the convicting power of the Holy spirit. It is that "feeling" that opens one up to God. Rejection of that will send you to hell. That is the only thing that will send anyone to hell. It was not a good idea for the priest to smoke, and he may get cancer, but it is no sin.

Answer 10

No, unfortunately, smoking is a form of murder by thecigarette companies. Nicotine is one of themostadictive substances on the planet. Tobacco companies have known this for more than 50 years, yet still sell the stuff. The priest is adicted, and probably wants to quit, but can't, since he can't take the chance that he will need to be calm when he is fighting through withdrawal.

Answer 11

As an ex-smoker, (and I am a christian) I quit because of 1Cor 3:16, our bodies are the temples of God, and God is going to destroy those that profane His temple, verse 17. Yes, smoking is suicide, and you can not be forgiven for it before you do it because God will have nothing to do with sin, and not after because by then it is to late to ask, Ecc 9:5.