It sounds like you may fit into several of the categories that the author Michael McFadden refers to in his book, Dissecting Antismokers Brains, http://www.antibrains.com/. He describes nine categories for antismokers. In your case, I'll settle for his introductory description for just two of them.
THE NEUROTICS: "A person who has markedly and significantly more than the average psychological difficulty in dealing contentedly and productively with one or more commonly encountered aspects of life."
THE CONTROLLERS: "We've all known people who feel a need to exert more than the normal level of control over the people near them and the world around them...."
You certainly seem to be concerned with making the world a better place. That sounds a bit patronizing to me. "We smokers" want to retain our right to choice and are protecting our civil liberties...something you wouldn't understand. We were considerate of people who disliked smoke until it became apparent that those with Fascist attitudes would never be satisfied until everyone was forced to behave in a manner that suited their sense of right.
In regard to your statement that "It is a sin and I cannot endorse nor condone such a thing.", I can't resist adding one more category to my above profile for your attitude. THE MORALISTS: "When the Puritan righteous among us get their hands on the levers of the state, the property and liberty of all of us are likely soon to be at risk" - Robert H. Nelson (Reason 06/96)
Save us all from your kind of truths! Our liberty is at stake!
______________________________
Garnet Dawn - The Smoker's Club, Inc. - Midwest Regional Director
The United Pro Choice Smokers Rights Newsletter - http://www.smokersclubinc.com
Illinois Smokers Group - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/illinoissmokers/
mailto:garnetdawn@comcast.net - Respect Freedom of Choice!
DEAD ON!!
For some reason, you seem to continue to want to make personal attacks against me. As for your little stab at psychoanalysis of someone whom you have neither met and have only communicated with on one small topic, it's just beyond ludicrous. I find all of this name-calling and trying to fit me into some goofball's book quite humorous actually. You do seem to take yourself a bit too seriously I am afraid.
When I think of all the really important things that matter in this world, I am somewhat perplexed at people that would actually take on such a feckless thing as their cause. Fine if you want to smoke - go for it. Just please, please, please don't do it in my face - okay???
Also, I see I hit a nerve with the sin remark. Don't take it so personal, kiddo. And sorry about the church you left. Don't blame God for human beings' failings. I'm sure you have failings yourself. Did I ever tell you that I am NOT a sinner? Of course I am. I do consider smoking a sin - only in that it pollutes the body. But I consider overeating a sin and drunkenness a sin. Have I done either of the last two? Yes. I am not self-righteous. I am a humble, grateful person that knows I need a Savior. You do, too.
I didn't go on here to make you mad. I just want you to see that most people who do not like smoking "do not like smoke." You guys want to make it personal, like we don't like YOU. It's not smokers. It's smoke. Unfortunately, where there are smokers, there is smoke.
I have talked to many people who have told me they truly enjoy their smoking. I have talked to others who have told me they hate it but can't stop. The bottom line is that there are people who probably enjoy overeating and being a lazy couch potatoe too or maybe even sleeping all darn day, but that doesn't make it good or something you want to endorse. If you are a parent, are you going to encourage your children to smoke? If not, why not? The answer is obvious.
You seem to have invested a lot of time in your group and your efforts to protect your smoking rights. I consider that far more controlling, because that says that your rights to enjoyment outweigh the rights of another who suffers when in the presence of smoke. My rights to enjoy golf do not outweigh my neighbor's right to not have me club a ball through his front window.