At Ask Me Help Desk you can ask questions in any topic and have them
answered for free by our experts. To ask questions or participate in
answering them you must register for a free account. By registering you
will be able to:
Get free answers from experts in any of our 300+
topics.
This is sort of a similar question to the one I asked about wine and spirits. I know that there are some churches that prohibit smoking and dancing (not necessarily both at the same time lol). So my question is, as before, where do these beliefs come from? Dancing is mentioned lots of times in the Bible as being a way to celebrate, worship, etc, and I know from personal experience that Jews, especially the most Orthodox, are huge on dancing. And as far as I know, smoking is not mentioned in the Bible. Or is it? And back to Ultra Orthodox Jews... they follow the Talmud and Torah to the letter, and yet they are known to be notorious chain smokers. So it's definitely not forbidden among them at all.
Thanks again for all the responses, I appreciate it! So the smoking law is just for health reasons? But is that how it started? Because I know that the Puritans never smoked either, and they probably didn't know about the health concerns. I had always thought that the smoking and dancing started among the Puritans, and was forbidden because they didn't want to do anything pleasurable or fun. And then certain denominations who broke from the Puritans kept those beliefs even though there is no biblical basis for it. Does that sound like a valid theory?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jesushelper
I wonder if they had smoking in those days? Maybe they did not and that is why it is not even mentioned?
Yes I was wondering that too. I don't recall it ever being mentioned in the Torah, or in other parts of the Bible or the New Testament. Like not just a warning about it, but I don't recall it even being mentioned as something people did. It's interesting to me, because for example, the First Nations peoples here in Canada have regarded smoking and tobacco as sacred for thousands of years. But perhaps tobacco only grows in North America?
I've read that they do believe in the "speaking in tongues"
Even Catholics recognize this "Gift of the Holy Spirit", fyi, y'all. I know that it surprises some to learn this.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Catechism of the Catholic Church
"There are furthermore special graces, also called charisms after the Greek term used by St. Paul and meaning "favor," "gratuitous gift," "benefit." Whatever their character - sometimes it is extraordinary, such as the gift of miracles or of tongues - charisms are oriented toward sanctifying grace and are intended for the common good of the Church. They are at the service of charity which builds up the Church.
Orange, you sure do know how to ask them. LOL. It would be interesting to research smoking in the Bible. I don't think it mentions it specifically but as some suggested is covered under not harming your body. Paul (in the NT)does state that not all things are sinful but not all things are profitable. I suppose that may fall under that scripture. I just think it is plain disgusting but who am I to judge unless I have to walk through a cloud of that smoke. As far as dancing, I have heard of some churches down south that prohibit it. Matter of fact, a friend of mine in North Carolina had his wedding performed elsewhere bc his church doesn't agree with dancing. I am not sure of the facts but when I get the exact thing I will edit this.
The 2 churches I belonged both agree with dancing but most don't necessarily do it on a real showy way. If the spirit moves someone than so be it.
****Edit: My friend had to have his reception at a different church bc his church does not agree with dancing.
... I know that there are some churches that prohibit smoking and dancing (not necessarily both at the same time lol). So my question is, as before, where do these beliefs come from? ...
c'mon. everyone knows the answer to this.
a modern day religious ban against dancing is widely attributed to the nationally recognized Rev. Shaw Moore. A bible-thumping, fundamentallist pastor in the midwest, he believed dancing can lead to grave mortal sins.
at least that was until kevin bacon came into town and got "footloose"
And since we're on the subject of Kevin Bacon, whoever hasn't seen The Oracle of Bacon should definitely check it out! It's an extremely cool site, especially if you are into computers, mathematics and/or movies starring Kevin Bacon!