What's wrong with green tea, mormons?

Question

Many of you have already stated that caffeine in coffee is NOT the problem. It's the other substances.
What about green tea though. It has been proven to be a very healthy drink.

I'm drinking green tea with ginseng and honey right now and it's definitely not hot. So, that argument won't work.

Green tea is NOT herbal tea.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tea

Answer 1

Ok, whoever told you that mormons ARE allowed to drink coffee, obviously didnt know their facts. President hinkley repeatedly states that coffee is strictly prohibited in the church, because it goes against the word of wisdom (their law that says dont smoke, dont drink, etc etc), and although this is not in the scriptures, if a prophet speaks it, it is considered doctrine. (Of course when the next prophet comes around, this "doctrine" now so called, will just become an OPINION). Also, if you are doubting this explination, just go into a mormon sacrament meeting and start serving it to people...that would explain VERY clearly in my opinion.

As far as green tea, their excuse is probably just as lame as their excuse for coffee, and i wont even get started on the magic underwear.

Answer 2

I don't know if very many people are aware of this, but doctors have started asking pregnant women and breast feeding moms to not drink green tea. It can have adverse effects on the fetus or infant. If it can have those effects on the baby, and still be "all natural" then what effects can it have on us??

Even though we don't know the full reasons for being asked to not drink it, that doesn't mean that there isn't a valid reason.

Here's a question: Why are you picking on us "mormons"? Why not another religion? Are you trying to prove something? Why can't you just leave it alone and let us live as we want to? Is it hurting YOU for us not to do these things? Why not just respect our beliefs and not worry about it?

Answer 3

I don't drink green tea, but my grandmother does. She also has a variety of health issues that I do not have. I don't have anything against using anything made with green tea, like some soaps on the market. Herbal tea is simply herbal tea. I prefer ginger tea myself, or peppermint or any of several other varieties. I think it is black, strong tea that was more common 100 to 350 years ago that was being included. Let's not quibble over herbal tea.

Answer 4

I am not sure why people say it is not the caffeine. It is a problem because caffeine is an addictive. Anything that causes the body to crave is not for human consumption. As for green tea, I have never heard that members of the church are not to drink any type of herbal teas.
I had a discussion on this very subject a few years ago in our elder's quorum presidency meting and the stake president stepped in. We asked him and he asked each one of us what we thought. One said he thought drinking coke and pepsi was a sin and the stake president said "then it is" another one said he thought it wasn't a sin and the stake president said, "then it isn't". The bottom line on this subject was that it is up to us to decide for ourselves when the church doesn't give an official opinion on it.
I haven't actually tried green tea myself but I do enjoy a variety of different teas that are of an herbal blend.
As to what is wrong with green tea, since the church has no official stand on it, it is up to the individual to decide.

Edit: Mezzo- you should be ashamed of yourself. As to no scriptural reference, try D&C section 89. And you know, if you were really raised "Mormon" that no prophet has ever changed anything that the Lord has given through revelation. The prophet does not give "opinion" on matters concerning the church. "And don't get me started on magic underwear"?
I am truly sorry for you that you have condemned yourself before God and I pray that he may show you mercy. We do not wear "magic" underwear and I know your only making that statement for the sensationalism you can get and so you can try to impress someone but I am not impressed.
Some of us do wear religious clothing under our regular street clothes but they are not "magic" as you claim. They are sacred to us and I will ask that you refrain from spouting garbage of somrthing which you obviously have little knowledge of.

Answer 5

Miranda's response was on target in so many ways. I'll also add that I choose to follow the Lord's wisdom in abstaining from certain foods and drinks, using my own wisdom in doing so. I also choose not to ingest any form of caffeine--except chocolate--which is not forbidden to consume.

I choose not to drink Pepsi, Coca-Cola, Mountain Dew, Dr. Pepper, and other caffeinated beverages because an early leader and prophet in the Church counseled it is best not to do so. I understand other Mormons (notice the capitalization of a proper noun here) do partake of Pepsis and Cokes, but that is their free agency to do so. They have the option to choose for themselves because God has ordained free agency unto all.

Instead of finding fault with the LDS religion, why don't you begin reading some of the scriptures that we believe are true, such as the WORD OF WISDOM found in Section 89, of the Doctrine and Covenants? That section will better explain to you, from the Lord's point of view, than any other argument formed.

Answer 6

Red wines have also been proven to have health benefits - but that doesn't change what I believe to be the word of God - God said no tea, I don't drink tea

Personally - it's because I can't stand the taste!

There are stories in the Bible when the Lord asked someone to do something just to prove their obedience and faith (i.e., placing their own child on an altar) - sometimes we do things because we're asked -

Am I suffering because of my obedience? no
Am I blindly following? Maybe
But what's the harm?

Answer 7

Well green tea still contains "genuine tea leaves." For one reason or another God has forbidden tea [drinks that are made from tea leaves] and has said that it is not good for man. Though not knowing the whole reason, I trust the Lord. We may not know all the reasons behind the commandments of God but we cannot go wrong when we obey them. God commanded Adam to sacrifice the firstlings of his flock. Adam obeyed the Lord, not asking why. Later on an angel of the Lord appeared and asked Adam, "Why do you sacrifice the firstlings of your flock." Adam said, "I know not, except that the Lord commanded me." THEN, and only then, was an explanation given for the commandment. The angel said that this thing was done in similitude of the sacrifice of the Only Begotten Son of God. The ordinance of sacrifice was to keep those who participated therein in remembrance of the great sacrifice which was to come. The same thing for the commandment of Abraham to offer his firstborn son, Isaac as a sacrifice. Abraham didn't question it, but obeyed the command of the Lord. It was accounted unto him for righteousness. I know that it will be accounted as righteousness unto us if we are willing to obey, though we do not fully understand the reason for the command.

Answer 8

We are just asked not to drink any tea made from the tea plant. That includes white, green, and black teas.

Answer 9

I have tried several types of tea that think they all taste bad!

Answer 10

My limited understanding was it was the caffeine.