why can members of the church of latter day saints (the mormons) drink coke, but not tea?

Question

according to snopes.com: "the truth is that although Mormons have been advised by church leaders to avoid caffeinated beverages, this suggestion has not been passed down as official church doctrine to which all members in good standing must adhere (unlike, say, the admonitions against coffee, tea, tobacco and alcohol, which are church doctrine). Mormons can swill Coca-Cola, eschew it and all other caffeinated beverages, or indulge in the occasional Coke and still be considered churchgoers in good standing." http://www.snopes.com/cokelore/mormon.asp

further, why may they drink, "mormon (!) tea", another stimulant beverage, but not caffeinated ones (except, for some reason, coke)? "though not as potent as... relatives in China and India, the southwestern species contains enough ephedrine-related alkaloid ingredients to make it functional... ephedrine is a stimulant to the sympathetic nerves and has an effect on the body similar to adrenaline.". http://www.gcrg.org/bqr/7-3/mormon-tea.htm

Brewed coffee (8 oz)60-120 mg
Instant coffee (8 oz)70 mg
Decaf coffee (8 oz)1-5 mg
Tea - black (8 oz)45 mg
Tea - green (8 oz)20 mg
Tea - white (8 oz)15 mg
Coca Cola (12 oz can)34 mg

http://coffeetea.about.com/library/blcaffeine.htm

the snopes article originally cited refutes the myth that "the mormons own coke".

um... tea EXISTED at the time of the bible (and considerably before), it just hadn't made it to the middle east, so far as i know. funny how wine and beer were popular, and not expressly forbidden, though (see: noah gets drunk, jesus turns water to wine)...

Answer 1

The word of wisdom is the revelation to which you are referring. It only outlines the minimal standards of a healthy wholesome lifestyle that the least of the least can follow. While many people focus on the don'ts, it also includes do's such as eat meat sparingly, eat whole grains and cereals, etc. The revelation is meant to serve as a minimum standard for God's people to help them keep their temples clean. It is my personal belief that many members of the church are not truly living up to these basic standard not simply by drinking coke, but also by eating unhealthy foods and too much meat.

With regards to your question, hot drinks (tea/coffee) were specifically prohibited at the time that Joseph Smith received the revelation. The church has never made it official doctrine that drinking other caffeinated beverages is wrong, but church leaders have made their opinions very clear on the subject. They are against consuming any habit forming substance. See the link provided below for leaders' thoughts on the topic. As to Mormon tea, I have never heard of that. We do sometimes, however consume herbal teas that do not contain caffeine.

A person's spirituality fluctuates throughout life. As they grow closer to the Lord, people will have greater understanding of God's will and will most likely adhere more strictly to all of God's laws. Your criticism of church members in this regard is justified to a certain extent because there are members who do violate this law regularly. However, it is not our place to judge nor criticize, but rather to help others live to an even higher standard.

I personally do not drink soda at all. I drink juices, water and milk. There are other things that I choose not to do because I know them not to be healthy. For example, I do not eat fast food save on very rare occasions when there is nothing else available while traveling. I also eat little processed food and try to cook regularly in order to have healthier foods. As members of the church, we have been given the minimum, it is our responsibility to prayerfully seek to know how to apply this in our life.

I hope that this helps. Let me know if you have other questions.

Answer 2

well, i am not a mormon, but i married into a mormon family. its true they certainly dont take tea or coffee, but whenever i have seen coke on the table at family getogethers, its the caffeine free version. there is always a beer or a glass of wine for me, and my mum-in-law always offers all of her house guests tea or coffee. they are a wonderful family to me, and the only time religion comes up, is when i ask about it.

Answer 3

How about Mountain Dew? Or do they ever get a 32 oz Coke at McDonalds?

Answer 4

This is what I say:

Because in the scriptures it specifically names coffee and tea.

Yes, we have been advised not to drink caffine. I don't, some do. That is a personal choice.

Let others live their religion and you live yours, how about that.

Answer 5

funny, I don't remember JC ever telling anybody to stop drinking tea or coffee. It's never mentioned in the bible because neither drink existed.
It just goes to show, these cults can persuade anybody to do anything, if their intellectual capacity is low enough.

Answer 6

Maybe because it's an American based religious idea and they have to accept it otherwise they'd have too much pressure from within the organisation (s) ?

Answer 7

Because they recently bought a Coke factory.

Answer 8

I see your point, not that I see their point in not drinking tea or coffee.

Answer 9

many do this i know for a fact but do it insecret i have saw it myself and yes tea as well as coke has caffine in it as well . my opion based on fact?

Answer 10

cafeine in tea is higher , can affect the brain with measurable effects?