To the LDS, and some Adventists for that matter?

Question

Or any other religion that doesn't drink coffee or tea. Then why is it okay to eat chocolate?

And if you can't have any drugs cause you could possibly get addicted, then technically you can't eat, run, and have sex neither? all these are proven addictive

CevnLDS, chocolate has caffeine, now, myself as a former SDA have known SDA who don't even drink caffeinated soda pop, so it is hypocritical to not drink coffee yet eat chocolate.

I am not surprised of those results of those tests. Most likely only a few if any at all of the patients with chronic pain had a premorbid addiction, the addicts obviously did.

I also have had much painkillers pumped through my body, such as morphine, oxycontin, and hydrocodones, but I didn't experience any physiological withdrawals. How is it surprising that substances affect people differently? and different amounts also, some people have been sent to the hospital with more then four times the limit experts say will kill someone, but they live through it.
studies of dependence and tolerance of substances and how and why people vary do need to be continued.
As I am an atheist, I view faith as trust, so it would be a trust issue, you (have faith) put trust in doctrines
BTW some tea is good for you.

Answer 1

In 1998 and 2001, a university studied morphine addiction and withdrawal, by double-blind replication utilizing two cohorts. One cohort was an identified group of drug addicts, known to the legal and MH/SA service providers in the community. The other cohort was a group of inpatient clients presenting with chronic pain, either due to cancer or neurological dysfunction.

The hypothesis was that addiction is not physiological or psychological.in nature. The intent of the hypothesis was to prove that addictive substances can be metabolized in discrete manners in each group, but that the cohort baseline would significantly differ.

The results were surprising. In the 'addict' group, morphine was identified as being more addictive than in the 'hospital' group, based on assessment tools, self-report and physiological measures. Even more intriguing was the finding that some members of the 'hospital' group had zero withdrawal sequelae when taken off morphine, indicating an absense of physiological dependence

What suppressed that dependence? Time for another study, someone can earn their PhD if they could factor out confounding variables and answer that one.

This research refutes the concept of 'total addiction' to a substance, as the hospital group folks had no indicators of physiological dependence.

Now, to your question....

The Hx perspective is that most intoxicating beverages were served warm up until the late 18th century. So 'hot drinks' referred to by both religions were predominately liquorous beverages.

Another perspective...the assumption is that chocolate is addictive. This is the usual 'substance' is bad argument, denying that the addictive personality has influence upon how a substance is used/abused. Taken further, activities can become addictive, as you mentioned...but it is not the activity itself that is the causation of an addictive pathology. Otherwise NO ONE would run, drink coffee, engage in sex, etc because it would be premorbid in every case.

The spiritual perspective is this....one upon a time, a seeker of truth approached a Sage and was told that he had to travel to the top of a mountain with a cup, take a measure of ice, let it melt into the cup, and then return. The Sage promised that the water in the cup would make the seeker more holy. So the seeker did as he was bidden by the Sage, and after a lengthy, arduous journey, struggled home with the precious water. Task complete, he asked the Sage "so what's the deal with the water?" The Sage responded, "The water is as worthless as latrine water...what is important is that it represents a symbol of your willingness to follow direction and subsume your own ego."

In like manner, the relinquishing of tea and coffee, besides having scientifically proven medical benefits, also supports the premise of "just how important is it to follow God's commandments in all things."

If you're being genuine and not facetious, you may find that this issue is not centered around addiction/addictive pathologies...but around faith.

Sex can be seen as holy ground by some, while others see it as a way to earn green energy, while others see it as a way to manipulate emotional involvements, while others see it as a way to share disease, while others see it as a way to create a physical being for a soul to come to earth...

The message doesn't depend on the listener...or does it?

Answer 2

When the revelation was given, "hot drinks" were coffee and tea. It was also a suggestion as a way for the members to be healthy, and avoid the health problems that these substances cause.
However, over the years it became an unofficial commandment.
Chocolate does not contain the large amounts of caffeine that coffee and tea do.
Are you referring to illegal drugs, or medicine? If you are referring to medicine, you are wrong. We go to the doctor and get a prescription or go to the drug store and buy our OTC medication like everyone else.

Tobacco was used as a medicinal herb for cattle, not for people to smoke. My father smoked. I have seen the health problems that it causes first hand. Even if I wasn't LDS, I would never smoke. I also had a neighbor who smoked. He had lung cancer; he was lucky because they caught early as result of obtaining a physical exam.

As for sex, how in the world do you think LDS have children? Sex is fine, as long as it is within the boundaries that the Lord has established.
That would be silly if we couldn't eat. We would die. Do you really think the lord would tell his children to abstain from eating?

Running is exercise and exercise is good for your body and your mind.

The most important thing here is moderation in all things.

The danger lies in the addiction. You become a slave to your addiction, and have health problems.

Answer 3

I'm Seventh-day Adventist. Many don't drink tea, coffee or eat chocolate. We aren't disfellowshipped if we do. Some see chocolate as "moderation in all things". Some don't want the bug parts, rat hairs, etc. that are in chocolate. I prefer carob.

I've never heard of the drug thing you mentioned. Maybe it's LDS? Conservative SDA's don't believe in doing prescription medications unless all else fails & then some still don't. Personally, I prefer herbal remedies. It's not a matter of addiction to us, but the fact that drugs are harmful - all have adverse side effects. We believe God gave the body the ability to heal itself if given the proper care. (I'm not talking about major thngs like spinal problems or juv. diabetes, but disesase that we bring on ourselves by unhealthy habits/environments which is the cause of much disease.)

It's all based upon:

"What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s." 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Answer 4

LDS do not drink coffee or tea, but it doesn't have anything to do with caffiene. It was not specified WHY we shouldn't drink them, just that we shouldn't. It also goes on to say that we shouldn't consume anything that is bad for us, so for some people chocolate may be bad for them, so they should avoid it. For others chocolate may not affect them in the same adverse way, but for them it may be french fries, or dairy products, or any number of other things. We are basically counseled to use our own judgement about most things, but some things are expressly forbidden, like tea, coffee, tobacco, alcohol. It doesn't say "don't take morphine, or other illegal drugs" but we know we aren't supposed to do that either, if taken as recreational use. I personally want all the pain killers I can get if I'm having surgery, or involved in some sort of painful experience at the hospital (ie childbirth), but as long as I don't abuse them, or take them when I can bear the pain, I don't see a problem with them - for me. For a recovering drug attict, it may be an entirely different story.

Answer 5

It's ALL about OBEDIENCE. When the prophet speaks we, not only the LDS, but the World are to listen and do as he says. Also, you speak of chocolate, sex and medication. If an individual abuses eating too much chocolate, then it's his choice. What's the consequences, possibly cavities. It's NOT a commandment not to eat chocolate. About sex, yes it's wrong to have sex outside a marriage, but I'm not going to point my finger and judge anyone that does it because I have no right to judge anyone. Sex is beautiful between two married people, male & female, who express their love and devotion to each other. Then there's medication, well if a physician prescribes medication for me or my family I'm going to follow his counselor. It's taking the medication or illegal drugs for pleasure that will harm your body, our temple. But, LDS, as a whole will not criticize anyone for their weaknesses. We ALL have our weaknesses, maybe overeating, sleeping too much, gossiping, stealing, cheating, gambling, etc. We are to work on our self and help our family to achieve the best we can be. Also, remember everyone should use WISDOM IN ALL THINGS. Worry about yourself, help your neighbor, be a good friend, support your leaders, be a good citizen, be the best mother/father you can be, etc.. And last and foremost, we ALL have FREE CHOICE. And with every decision comes a blessing or consequence.

Answer 6

We are advised not to partake of caffinated substances because it can cause a harmful addiction. It is different for various people what this level of tolerance is. Chocolate does not contain enough to put a person in a harmful situation. Activities like the ones you listed do not harm a person either. Running is a physical exercise that is benificial, and sexual relations are something sacred between a husband an wife. Like with anything, though, it is meant to be in moderation.

Answer 7

Chocolate was not mentioned in Section 89 of the Doctrine and Covenants, the commandment for all Saints to abstain from certain things and to follow certain precepts.

Yet, we are not to be commanded in all things, so said the Lord. If the caffeine in chocolate becomes addictive, as any other food substance or drug, it should be shunned. But that is solely up to the discretion of each individual.

What you've mentioned is not addictive to everyone--only to those too weak to control their appetites and passions. And to some, these Internet forums can become addictive. God's gift of free agency is for all mankind--to choose for ourselves along with any given consequence.

Answer 8

First of all we do those things in faith. We also know that coffee and some teas are bad for your health, over eating is also in the word of wisdom, running is good for you if not abused which is seldom done and sex with any one your not married to is very forbidden and always has been. Porn is also a sin. Sex between a man and a woman who are married is given by God as a way to express love and make children.

Answer 9

We are LDS and we are [gasp] coffee, tea, and occasional - (meaning one at a time once a week or so) beer drinkers. We really don't understand why the church puts such a huge taboo on such a common substance. Although perhaps it has been misinterpreted - as the actual statement in the Word of Wisdom on health is "Do not drink hot drinks." They could be talking about not drinking things so searing hot that it burns your esophagus. Hot chocolate is huge in Utah - I worked for a Cinnabon in Portland and the owners also owned Salt Lake City's and they said those LDS folks go through it like crazy! Doesn't make sense to me. I figure there are better things to worry about in life than that specific doctrine - such as being kind to others, working hard, giving what you have to others to help improve their lives...etc. etc. Basic Christian tenants that any Christian can agree on is what our family focuses on.

Answer 10

I'ts not only that these things are addictive... there are chemicals and harmful substances in them too.
They are not good for the body.

Running, eating(and by the way we are to be moderate in eating too) and bringing life into the world are good for the body.