Funny thing is, if a Protestant smokes or drinks a Catholic’s first reaction is *What kind of Christian are you?!?!*
There seems to be this unwritten code of conduct that smoking and drinking is incompatible with a good Christian testimony and everyone knows it.
I don’t have a problem with an occasional glass of wine for someone but if I suspect that people will be judging my Christianity based on whether I partake or not, I won’t.
I do not want to give them cause to stumble or question my commitment.
Now, if I have that figured out, any clergy of any denomination ought to have that one figured out.
What I’ve noticed is that there are precious few Evangelicals or Protestants who smoke, for the simple reason that they consider their body the temple of the Holy Spirit and feel an obligation to care for it. Not to mention being a good ambassador for Christ.
What world do you live in? That is not a Catholic's first reaction unless that particular Protestant has already made a big deal about not smoking or drinking and then indulging in secret.
Q: Where is the only place in the world that one Baptist will not recognize another?
A: In the liquor store...