My wife told me off the other week for taking a pinch in church. I couldn’t (and still can’t) really see her point. The whole thing reminded me of Pope Urban putting a ban on snuff taking in church as sneezing was considered too close to sexual esctasy. My point is: if the pinch is done in a quick, discreet manner and I don’t sneeze loudly afterwards what harm is there? I suppose her concern is that a church is an important place (if you’re a Christian) a Holy place & Gods house so taking a pinch of snuff - which is essentially taking a drug - might be inappropriate in a church or maybe the fact that I use snuff embarasses her a little (I suspect it might be the latter as she isn’t even religious) What is an appropriate/inappropriate place to take snuff? I know there are rules of etiquet for taking snuff but are there any rules about where it is acceptable? I suppose a person should use their discretion but it seemed ok to me! Has anyone else here been reprimanded for taking a pinch of snuff in the wrong place?

Tell her you have a personal relationship with god and she said it was OK.

Ha!

Jesus was definately a man ;o) Sorry to drop this random question in Stitch but has anyone ever told you that you look alot like the actor Richard Dreyfuss? I’ve just seen your profile picture and the likeness is uncanny (I think so anyway!)

Of course he was! Yes, I’ve heard there is a resemblance. I think RD is ten years older than I, and looks it.

HOLY CRAP, I was just watching What about Bob? on TBS the other day and you do look exactly like him!!! Wow thats crazy.

I think part of the reason he looks it is apparently he’s an alcoholic…not too good for the complexion

That and a cocaine abuse.

I think taking a pinch of snuff in church is about the same as drinking a beer in church or sipping the flask.

I guess it depends on where your from and your denomination. That wouldn’t be thought of here. If the priest took snuff while in church, he would be thrown out of the church.

no matter where you stand on snuffing in church it’s still better then smoking a cigar in church.

Well I do it!

My flip comment aside, I personally would not do it - a hour or two without a whiff isn’t a terrible sacrifice to keep the peace at home. It could be a real problem if you spilled your snuffbox all over the pew. Could be in the doghouse for weeks. Try Oliver Twist tobacco bits. They are very satisfying and you’ll be a lot safer.

Me too! ;o) The church I go to is nice & relaxed so I don’t think the Minister would care too much but for the sake of ‘keeping the peace at home’ (as you put it Stitch) I probably won’t do it. Personally I don’t see that its any different from chewing gum in church or sucking on a travel sweet…drinking a beer? I don’t think thats quite the same.

I go to catholic churches and some of them in my area have bars attached to them in the church hall, I’ve seen at least one catholic priest pulling a pint and it does tend to change the atmosphere a bit. Although I’ve never had a pinch in church I think I could just about get away with it in mine

i do not visit churches but have to stay in buddhist temples for some time sometimes. i cannot smoke in there but i sure would do snuff. still it probably would not be a good idea being caught doing that. personally i am just not able to take religion serious, but to those who do it apparently is offensive to take snuff or anything in a “holy place”.

A holy place deserves respect whether or not a person belongs to that faith. Personally I am a Christian but if I found myself in a Synagogue, Mosque or a Buddhist Temple I would still show respect for the place. Its simply common courtesy. My local church provides coffee & tea after every service which is consumed within the church, I got married before I was a Christian but we had our marrige blessed (to keep the Christians in the family sweet) in the same church and we were drinking champagne inside. I now attend the same church as often as I can as a Christian (I converted in January this year) If the Minister is happy with alcohol being consumed within his church (only on special occasions you understand) I doubt he would frown too much on a little snuff being taken (as long as I do it discreetly) but I do agree with the view that a high level of respect should be maintained when inside a church so I have decided to refrain from snuff-taking for the service. Its not a hardship to go an hour without snuff.

Are you actually a clergyman Paul?

well, i just wanted to make a difference between showing respect for religion (which i do not) and between showing respect for peoples feelings (which i normally try to do).

Best of luck with it. I think you are probably as well not to use it when on duty. There’s a difference between us parishoners possibly getting away with it and the guy up front doing it, maybe there shouldn’t be a difference but there is. But I would say that only applies during a service, I don’t see why you couldn’t have a pinch with your tea afterwards - tobacco, like wine, is a gift from God, its only our abuse of it that creates a sin out of it.

Maybe I should be a priest

I snuff anywhere I can do it without getting caught.

bro. paul: i heartily agree with the “golden rule” and i always found the idea of being a priest very fascinating. as i stated, i have no love lost for religion whatsoever but devoting oneself to an ideal sounds a very good plan to me.

Nice edit bryan

Two old ladies were talking about what to do if you feel like a sniff while in church. The first lady says she sucks a lifesaver to which the second one replies: “but that means leaving the church and going down to the beach”.

Heres one for the english chaps though a big warning it’s really off colour so stop reading if you find blue jokes offensive. Two old ladies are sitting in church the first one leans over to the second old lady and whispers “hey look over there is that Fanny Green”. The second old lady stares over for a couple seconds squinting then she says to the first old lady “no honey thats just the stained glass tinting the light.”

My thread has been hijacked by old lady jokes!!

Alright Lazarus, no more old lady jokes! But it is along the lines of ‘Holy’. A distinguished young woman on a flight from Switzerland asked the Priest beside her, “Father, may I ask a favor?” “Of course. What may I do for you?” “Well, I bought an expensive woman’s electronic hair dryer for my mother’s birthday that is unopened and well over the Customs limits, and I’m afraid they’ll confiscate it. Is there any way you could carry it through Customs for me? Under your robes perhaps?” “I would love to help you, dear, but I must warn you: I will not lie.” “With your honest face, Father, no one will question you.” When they got to Customs, she let the priest go ahead of her. The official asked, “Father, do you have anything to declare?” “From the top of my head down to my waist, I have nothing to declare.” The official thought this answer strange, so asked, “And what do you have to declare from your waist to the floor?” “I have a marvelous instrument designed to be used on a woman, but which is, to date, unused.” Roaring with laughter, the official said, “Go ahead, Father.” Next!

that is one laid back custums agents

This has to be spoken quickly with an Irish accent: Two ducks are flying over Belfast One says to the other ‘Quack’ The other replies ‘I’m going as fast as I can!’ Bit off the point, but it made me laugh after a few beers.

A happy wife is a happy life.

The Orthodox POV seems to be anywhere in the building is ok EXCEPT FOR IN THE NAVE OR THE SANCTUARY. i.e.; No further than the narthex.

I attend a baptist church. I don’t take snuff in the sanctuary but I do take it right before and right after service. I usually head for the restroom. But if no ones around I’ll take a sniff in the hall.

I don’t snuff in church. Just in the vicinity thereof. I think the truly wise among us focus on avoiding things like chili and good curries prior to worship rather than worry about a bit of pulverized weed, although the two could make a fine tandem if needed. Ahem. I mean, Amen.

If snuff is not discrete enough for a given situation, one can always tuck in a portion of snus and be almost as comfortable. I far and away prefer snuff, but snus is sometimes a necessity given my work environment (with hits from my bullets when circumstances allow).

Well at my Methodist church, the church council recently voted to ban the use of e-cigs anywhere in the building. Not that I’d’ve used mine in the sanctuary, but I don’t see a problem elsewhere and voted against the proposal. And lost the vote. Nasal snuff hasn’t come into the scope of the council’s radar yet, but I have on occasion taken a pinch during the service, so will be more discreet when doing so in future just in case some busy-body at the back has an issue with it. Mind you, I may have allies, as I sorted out one old lady’s cold by offering her a reasonable pinch of L260 after service, the medicinal properties of which she was still raving about a month later. I guess when I do take a pinch it’s an indication that the sermon is failing to leave an impression…

I thought that tobacco and alcohol use in any way, shape or form went against the principles of methodism!

Deleted comment… user not banned.

@howdydave - nearly but not quite! In the old days, Methodism was definitely allied with the Temperance Movement, but the official position today in the UK at least is that alcoholic drinks are neither to be kept or consumed on Methodist Church premises. Outside of that you can do as you see fit, although many Methodists still choose abstinence. When I smoked, I don’t recall anyone telling me it was contrary to the principles of Methodism, but then again it may have been, back in the dim and distant…