Is it OK to chew gum in church? (any denomination).?

Question

My wife who is Lutheran and I, who am Catholic, went to a Catholic service. She chewed gum throughout and said it was no big deal. I was apalled and couldn't beleieve any religion would find it respectful.

Answer 1

its no big deal as long as its not being popped or blowing bubbles

Answer 2

I grew up in a cult, and they were fine with gum until the gym we rented for holding services was redone into an auditorium with carpet on the floor.

Then, they told everybody not to chew gum anymore because they didn't want it to stick to the carpet.

But it was more of a carpet thing, not a religious thing.

I guess it depends on your church's floor covering, really. Like, gum wouldn't go well with prostrating yourself on a prayer rug because it could just fall right out and get stuck. In Catholicism, you wouldn't want it to get stuck to the kneelers--yuck! I don't know about the God aspect, but I would be mighty displeased if I got somebody else's used gum stuck to my knee.

But I don't think there's anything inherently disrespectful about chewing gum. Ancient Greeks did it, Native Americans did it, moved-in-later Americans chew it.

Fun for all.

Answer 3

If you went to her Lutheran service and chewed gum... or smoked... or talked to yourself... or threw those little pencils in the pews at the preacher... all of those things would be considered disrespectful, yeah. You can chew gum after the service. Now, if it was one of those megachurches that have their own movie theater, zip code, and helicopter landing pad--I don't think anyone would notice or care.

Answer 4

Chewing gum in church is disrespectful because it shows the person is bored and needs to do something to pass the time.
Your wife should stay away from Catholic services.

Answer 5

It isn't polite to chew gum in church, or in many public settings. If she is worried about her breath, she could carry breath mints. If it's for other reasons, cough drops or lozenges are okay (occasionally). It isn't the religion that's against gum-chewing, but the people who attend. I doubt that God is concerned about gum chewing when faced with things of much weightier concern!

Answer 6

what? chewing gum doesn't have to do anything with religion. Chewing gum like a cow in front of a lot of people is definitely disrespectful, but i believe there is no God that forbids its people to chew gum.

Answer 7

Hahaha. I guess if you find it offensive, you shouldn't do it. But to most people, it is completely normal. Sometimes your breath stinks and you need some gum. I guess you can avoid blowing bubbles big enough to stick to your eyebrows, or just making loud popping noises which could be distracting, but other than that, no one ever notices.

Answer 8

sarcastic answer, if the minister asks you to chew gum because your prayers are mistaken for a burnt offering due to bad breath, it's probably OK

religious answer: anything that takes mind off of guru or 'god' is not acceptable and if it distracts you from obeying every command than it's a sin

Answer 9

The main thing is to be modest - don't draw undue attention to yourself.

Don't chew loudly or blow bubbles.

Dispose of the gum properly instead of sticking it under the pew.

Answer 10

Its not a requirement that you can't chew gum. The most important thing is why you are there and receiving the message.

Answer 11

I'd say your okay in a small classroom setting, but if you're taking the sacrament or something like that, i'd say you should not chew gum, but that's just my opinion