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People provoketh me to anger continually to my face; Which say, Stand by thyself, come not near to me; for I am holier than thou. These are a smoke in my nose, a fire that burneth all the day. Isaiah 65:3a, 5

So, how many of you stand by yourself, telling smokers to not come near you? If you have an allergic reaction, you are excused. But, if you count smoking as a religious offense, consider again.

It was not but a few short years ago, especially in the south, that tobacco was many farmer's main crop and even preachers were known to smoke (and some still do) ... and it was accepted. It was the tobacco industry that added ingredients to keep one hooked and our government who looked the other way; the same government who has, now, picked out a select minority to tax and breed hate.

Those same people, whose service for the Lord was once honored, are not allowed to serve in titled positions of many churches today. What? Did God stop speaking to people because they smoke? Ok, did He stop speaking to you who drink coffee? Or, have you ever heard God speak in the first place?

The government's excuse for taxing smokers is that they run up more medical bills; not the tobacco industry, themselves. But, if that is the true concern, why are they not taxing the gay community for spreading the Aids virus and why are they funding abortion? In addition, studies have proven the effects of obesity are just as damaging to one's health as smoking. Equality for all? Hardly.

Though, many smokers have been guilty of one thing; being rude and inconsiderate with their smoking. But, do you know what? Not many like the smell of people who need bathed, dirty diapers, or vomit, either. So, why do we not penalize them while we are at it?

Regulations have gone from smoking in separate sections, to 'no smoking' in public areas, to 'no smoking' within buildings, to 'no smoking' except outdoors, to 'no smoking' except in weather designated areas, to 'no smoking' on premises ... even amidst acres of parking lot.

One televised campaign suggested people abuse their children by smoking. But, if you had noticed their statistics, one would have to 'hold a child captive to a smoke filled room', for an entire day, to intake the equivalent of 1/2 packs of cigarettes ... and have done so, for years. And the likelihood of that is so rare that it hardly merits expensive campaigns that could, one day, lead to children being removed from their homes if a parent smokes.

Perhaps, someone else did the math, too, and that is why they pulled the advertisement. But, there went the defence against claims of second hand smoke.

All our bodies have cancer cells in them, and are subject to being activated whenever our immunity system is low. Smoking does not cause cancer, it creates greater likelihood in one's immunity system being low. And how do I know? As I see newer studies posted, I read them.

Besides, (being that studies have shown cancer patients, who wear glasses, are more likely to die of cancer than those who do not) money might better be spent on a campaign for UV protection.

People believe whatever they are told to believe, hate whatever they do not understand, label sin, judge people by degrees, and look the other way to their own vices. Perhaps, brother against brother originates with one's need to feel superior. But, it is just as ugly and damaging as tar.

I happened to notice a lady, online, who had sung praises over a specific preacher until she discovered he smokes. Then, she had no more use for him; so she said.

What? God stops speaking through people the moment you realize they smoke? Get real. God stops speaking amidst unbelief.

Some quote Romans 12:1 for any imperfection of the body in which is deemed we could possibly control. Maybe they forgot 1 Timothy 4:8. Our physical body is not the part that is eternal. But, no matter how you consider it, some never get done looking down on others. And when we shoot our own wounded, we cross the line ourselves.

To not acknowledge that hurts have always existed 'in the name of the Lord' and that each 50 years our beliefs have changed (yet, we still believe 'whatever we are told to believe') is to not come to the realization that our learning needs to come at the feet of Jesus. And, therein is a dilemma in itself, how to get that across to people.

If ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, (Touch not; taste not; handle not; Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving.

To tar smokers is ungodly, to tax smokers is unconstitutional, hate breeds contempt, and God smokes so much that no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled. Revelation 15:8

Be not conformed to this world: but be ye
transformed by the renewing of your mind,
that ye may prove what is that good, and
acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Romans 12:2

~ * ~

Pure religion and undefiled before God and
the Father is this, To visit the fatherless
and widows in their affliction, and to
keep himself unspotted from the world.
James 1:27

Author's Note:
Promotion of smoking is unintended, but to
stand opposed to self-righteous indignation.