Question for "some" southern Baptists?

Question

I understand the view of defiling the temple. This basically means drinking alcohol or smoking tobacco.

Alcoholism is sinful to a very high extent. Being a full time smoking is unheathful as well.

What about have a glass of wine and a cigar? Is this not moderation?
In the Bible it says to do the right things in moderation.

I walked into a Baptists church and saw many overweight people. Is someone telling them to be overweight? These people are not doing what they could for their bodies. So, why are they not considered defiling the temple and get thrown out of the church.

I knew one Baptist church that had a youth leader that went out of his wife. He wasn't kicked out because he didn't commit the "crime" of smoking or drinking.

In the Bible, it says to be faithful with the wife. Where is the Bible does it say you can't smoke?? The actual word "smoke". You won't be able to prove it.

Don't take me wrong. I have nothing against overweight people. God says to look on the heart.

Also, Jesus turned water into wine. He didn't drink welches grape juice.

But with some Baptists. I feel they are telling me that white cake is much better than chocolate cake. Healthful wise.

Answer 1

We pick and choose what we want to believe and use the Bible to justify various societal beliefs. Typically it is done by people who have never been educated in an open-minded scholarly environment.

Answer 2

Some cultures look at smoking as being harmful to your body. Since your body is a temple, you are being harmful to the temple. Smoking is harmful, no matter what religion you are, so think about quitting. I remember years ago seeing a Catholic priest presiding over bingo with a glass of beer and a cigar.
Things have changed over the years. Example, in the Catholic church after communion, the priest had to drink all the leftover wine. Seems there was something sinful about throwing it away. Now I firmly believe that throwing away perfectly good wine is sinful, but this would seem to harm their bodies as well. Wouldn't this be sinful?
I understand when you point out the hypocrisy of the church. But you have to understand that christians aren't perfect... just forgiven.

Answer 3

It's not just "some" baptists, but a variety of low churches.
I consider smoking to be a weakness, and an addiction. Also a comfort. People need compassion and acceptance as persons to help them quit, not condemnation for being human. Churches that act like that are usually cults.
Drunkeness is a sin, but drinking is not.

Lust and gluttony are of the Seven Deadly Sins, and smoking and drinking is not on the list. But they can be slippery slopes.

Answer 4

I grew up in a SBC and go to one now. They dont harp on drinking or smoking. Just taking care of the temple (body) ..over eating would be one of those things too. I have never heard of someone being kicked out of the church for drinking or smoking..sorry. :(


Brandy

Answer 5

the bible has nothing about smoking because, tobacco is native to the americas. it was unknown to the rest of the world until america was discovered (approximately 1500 years after Jesus died.).

many of the people in the Baptist church are hypocrites.

Answer 6

The bible when taken literally without proper discernment and sensitivity becomes an ugly misused weapon attacking the weak. I just ignore that crap,

Answer 7

1Corinthians 6:12
All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.

1Corinthians 10:23
All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.

Use these as your test. A little wine, perhaps, but don't get hammered (brought under the power of).

Ask yourself if what you're considering edifies Christ and His teachings.