We have an old guy in our congregation who is a chain smoker who leaves straight at the end to go outside for a quick cigarette. It would certainly help him to have an ashtray handy.
And it would help the non-Christian smokers we're trying to reach to feel less alienated.
I don't know if we need to be too worried about making smokers comfortable, I think that they are growing thick skins from being left out from most social meeting places. It would be a thoughtful thing to do and smokers would appreciate it.
As for the needle receptacles, rather than inflicting my opinions let me share what I have seen wiser christians do. I have been to a church that reaches out to street people, sex workers and drug addicts. In their bathroom they had blue lights so that not only did they not collect sharps they prevented the use of them.
Hi all. Thanks for your comments. Long time no blog. I think you could certainly have ash trays in an outside foyer area. Its just that churches mustn't reflect middle class values: that smoking is wrong. They must reflect God's values: that it is not what goes into a man that makes him unclean.
As to needle injecting - Pook. I'm really not sure. If we were in a large 'using' community I think Jodi's suggestion is really good. How does the blue light stop the use?
6 comments:
Unquestionably true.
We have an old guy in our congregation who is a chain smoker who leaves straight at the end to go outside for a quick cigarette. It would certainly help him to have an ashtray handy.
And it would help the non-Christian smokers we're trying to reach to feel less alienated.
Oh, and nice to see you posting again!
Should we also provide needle receptacles? (Serious question, not a rhetorical one expecting the answer 'no')
I don't know if we need to be too worried about making smokers comfortable, I think that they are growing thick skins from being left out from most social meeting places. It would be a thoughtful thing to do and smokers would appreciate it.
As for the needle receptacles, rather than inflicting my opinions let me share what I have seen wiser christians do. I have been to a church that reaches out to street people, sex workers and drug addicts. In their bathroom they had blue lights so that not only did they not collect sharps they prevented the use of them.
No. Smokers should carry their own cannister to butt out in.
I think a big 'Smokers welcome' sign out the front too - they are our 21st Century lepers
Hi all. Thanks for your comments. Long time no blog.
I think you could certainly have ash trays in an outside foyer area. Its just that churches mustn't reflect middle class values: that smoking is wrong. They must reflect God's values: that it is not what goes into a man that makes him unclean.
As to needle injecting - Pook. I'm really not sure. If we were in a large 'using' community I think Jodi's suggestion is really good. How does the blue light stop the use?
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