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Hi, I’m trying to organize my thoughts on a tricky subject for me right now–a little background–I have had a very difficult time with the church lately. All I can see is the childish and cultish aspects of it. While I am not in a position to distance myself from the church physically, I tried to distance myself from it’s influence in my personal life. During a particularly bad week, I had my first cup of coffee. It wasn’t that great. But I kept drinking it, and soon noticed a difference in my day. I have been keeping up with the demands of my program more, have been enjoying myself more and making more friends. I am also learning a lot more and find myself less distracted. However, I am totally honest with my wife about this and all things, so I told her and it has been a huge trial for her despite the fact that she knows I have no testimony of a restored gospel. I thought she would eventually accept it, but it has gotten worse. My bishop, my dad, and a close friend have all told me to suck it up and stop drinking it. It will be a painful loss, but it is what I probably will do. Just curious if any of you have had experiences with this. I never liked coffee, but I was addicted to caffeine before joining the church. I do currently drink caffeinated drinks (I prefer Dr. Pepper) but not coffee. However, I don’t believe coffee is necessarily a “hot drink” referred to in the WoW (in other words I believe Brigham Young was wrong about that). If you’re asking about caffeine withdrawal, yes I experienced it and it’s just like what I’ve heard other people describe – headaches, irritability, depression, and sleepiness for a few days. The only thing I know to about is wait it out. I don’t drink coffee but I think it smells good. I do drink fresh (vs bottled) iced green tea 2 or 3 times a week and I drink it because I think it’s good for me. Many years ago I probably had a mild dependency on caffeine which I didn’t enjoy – and ironically which I developed on my mission. I’ve heard people argue that coffee can be considered healthy also, although I haven’t done any personal research on the topic. In a TR recommend interview if someone asked me if coffee is against the word of wisdom I would tell them they should decide themselves.
I have told my wife that if I were alone in antartica I would drink coffee with no guilt. However, I live amongst other people. The Mormons I know would think VERY bad of me for even taking a sip. The non-Mormons might also be watching. They know that I am Mormon and that Mormons don’t drink coffee. I prefer to keep them thinking that I follow the tenets of my faith (although in my own way). I tell my children that even though it is banned for Mormons – it is not overly harmful and is enjoyed by many many good people.
I do not drink coffee for appearance sake and I feel no shame in that.
There can be a very real fear that a non-believing spouse will start to go off the deep end in coming home drunk, having affairs, or abandoning the family. I have spent 5 years assuring DW what behavior she can count on from me and what she cannot. Essentially I do not pay tithing and enjoy R-rated movies. All the others stuff is consistent (garment wearing, church attending, calling holding [within reason], WoW, Chastity, etc.). She is now in a better and more secure place.
Agree with much of what Roy said. Drinking coffee can be seen as the first step towards apostasy. My belief is that there is probably a somewhat high number of coffee drinking temple recommend holders. I’ve met several people, including family members, who drink coffee and hide it. I also know several who drink decaffeinated coffee and believe that complies with the WofW. My wife isn’t thrilled about me drinking green tea but after several months of observing she realizes I’m not breaking any other major commandments. This isn’t the question of the OP but I also enjoy a well made R rated movie and I happen to know my SP watches R rated movies and drives too fast.
Yes. No. I wouldn’t regardless, since I hate the smell and know WAY too many people who are addicted and can’t quit no matter how hard they try. No, although I like Postum and Inka a lot. I could be a coffee drinker if it wasn’t programmed in my DNA to NOT drink it. Quote:I also know several who drink decaffeinated coffee and believe that complies with the WofW.
A sister in my mission did, with the president’s knowledge, so I kind of figure that must be OK. But I don’t drink coffee. I do like coffee ice cream. Coffee’s not my cup of tea.
I have tried it a few times, different types and I like those that taste like hot chocolate, out of the same dispenser at the gas station as the hot chocolate, but I feel no big compulsion to drink it very often. I don’t feel very guilty but won’t do it with others around. Coffee by itself doesn’t appeal to me much at all. I have an acquaintance who considers it a “convenient sin” and though he stopped believing years ago still attends for cultural reasons. I think it allows him to maintain a distance and keeps him off his bishop’s calling list. I don’t drink coffee, tea or soda for a bunch of reasons, but I love coffee ice cream every so often. No. I only drank coffee a few times before I was a member of the church. I was at winter camp for scouts and it snowed that year. It was very cold, I drank coffee to keep warm. Not a fan of the flavor. I suppose it’s an acquired taste, that or I have unique taste buds that just flat out reject the flavor. If I eat a coffee flavored jelly belly it’s tongue scraping time (if a popcorn flavored one sneaks through my defenses :sick: :sick: :sick: ).Coffee supposedly has health benefits. I tend to look past the dietary benefits because nutrients can be obtained from other sources, but benefits related to preventing neurodegenerative diseases are of interest.
Only Mormon’s can make coffee & tea sound like a “gateway” drug by using terms like addicted. I’ve observed people in my department at work who drank coffee in the morning. About 70-80% had
1 or 2 cups in the morning & didn’t drink it again all day.
The others would drink it into the afternoon like some of us drink soda.
I see very few negative effects.
I eat too much ice cream. (I’m addicted.) I like tiramisu. (I understand it uses espresso as a flavor).
My wife will use “nodoz” from time to time. No one asks me about that in the temple recommend
interview. If we used a prescription drug to give us energy or pick us up in the morning, it’s ok.
JS said to a reporter once,
Quote:I teach them correct principles & they govern themselves.
I think the real issue with WoW is that it’s a personal symbol of either belonging or not belonging to the church. Drinking coffee is saying to yourself (and possibly others) “I’m not one of them.” So it’s a way to distance yourself, or at least it has that effect. Personally, I don’t think coffee is that big a deal otherwise. Lives have not been ruined by it. Nobody’s been killed by a caffeinated driver (or at least where that contributed to the death).
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