Should Christians Smoke Pipes? 

You give this Catholic pipe smoking Irishman so much joy and peace of heart...I rest easy knowing there's men with common sense and God above all in their lives like You Sir. 🙏

“If you’re a pipe smoker and you’re a Christian, keep it lit.” If The Pipe Cottage needed a tagline, that should be it-“Keep It Lit”-your pipe, and your lamp. Thanks for your work here, and may God bless you and your family on your conversion.

One of my favorite verses in the Bible is “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?" I think there are a lot of self-righteous Christians out there who would do well to contemplate the meaning of those words.

I’m just now getting into pipe smoking and I love it. I became Catholic in June of 2022 and I ended up hanging around Catholic men who smoke pipes and cigars. The men’s group I ended up becoming apart of are very generous and kind and allowed me to smoke out of their personal pipes, and now I’ve decided I’m buying my own pipe.

Amen brother! Charles Spurgeon went through the same issues in his day with his cigar smoking. His quote “I intend to smoke a good cigar to the glory of God before I go to bed tonight”. So, in my opinion, in everything I do, I will do to the glory of God, be it my work, my cigar smoking and even my pipe smoking. To God be all the glory!

In 2020 during COVID, me researching about Tolkien and his life, his work and his use of tobacco led me into discovering Catholicism and eventually being baptized into The Church.

In the faith, tobacco, alcohol, food & etc. consumption are only sinful when the behaviors/habits become glutinous. Drinking okay. Drunkenness is not okay.

Your points about why people ought to smoke a pipe is the reason I picked up a pipe a few days ago, never smoked a day in my life prior, so far I'm enjoying it! I've taken two opportunities to sit down and smoke, and I look forward to when something in my life needs me to weigh options before I make a rash decision, I'll sit down, smoke my pipe, pray, and slow the heck down!

Amen Brother! Preach it! People should be more worried about fast food and over consumption of sugar.

You are a joy for the Catholic Church. Welcome Brother!

Alan I just wanted to say this video was so uplifting, ever since you’ve started bringing God into the channel it has been so uplifting. I’m a young pipe smoker who started because my Dad recommended it as opposed to cigarettes, and boy has it been a blessing to have a life redirected from chain smoking! Your a blessing in the pipe community, stay true and stay you brother. Keep teaching your family the true ways.

Sugar is probably more dangerous than pipe smoking!

👍 Thanks for sharing your perspective, I really appreciate it. I don't agree with everything you said, but it made me think about the issues and helped solidify my own perspective.

I recently found my grandfather's pipe (a Charatan from the 70's, I think) and was curious about pipe smoking. This led me to your channel. Subbed!

I absolutely agree, I'm an industrial quality analyst by trade. It's astounding how much Scripture has to do with quality, it's Godly love applied to work. I'm the first person I've found that's developing a self-consciously Christian approach to QC. It's always stood out to me how we Christians will get in a tizzy about something like pipe tobacco, and go to work and think like heathens and screw over our customers with our decisions. Or we make fun of single people in the church for the foolish things they think and do, instead of training them and encouraging them. It's why I refuse to argue with anyone about baptism, it's completely unimportant compared to millions of other things we need to talk about first.

My pipes are relaxing to smoke and keep me mellow in most all situations...😊

Congratulations from the UK on a brilliant video! I've just oreded my first corn cob!

As a life long involved Catholic. I started cigars 10 years ago at age 55. 1 a day. Never smoked a cigarette. Usually start off with a rosary followed by RU-vid catholic videos. Glad i found these videos after seeing him on Matt Fraad.

Good Morning brother! I definitely agree... just enjoy your quite time with some coffee, a pipe and contemplating the things of God. Have a blessed day!!!

Amen Brother, well said. So beautiful and full of Truth that I was moved to tears.

I agree. I'm currently fighting an addiction to dip, or smokeless tobacco. But I'm a far cry from thinking I'm better than anyone, and I certainly can't tell if the average person is living correctly. That's between them and God

The peace of mind that smoking a pipe brings has giving me a calmer life... I smoke my Vauen while reading the Bible, and that is the most peace from this world as I have ever get. A good morning smoke and prayer go great together..

I'm an ordained Baptist minister who smokes a pipe, and occasionally a cigar, so, yes. Eating fast food is far worse for one's health than having a pipe. If you're keeping a good diet and staying in relatively good shape, the health dangers of a pipe is fairly negligible.

I have a problem with the people who say that I am wrong about the pipe, yet they are gluttonous, immodest, etc. I agree with you mostly on these things you have spoken. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I really appreciate it. As a Christian it is my duty to work out my on salvation and not on what others have said.

Brother, you are 'right on' target.God bless you.

“Find something more significant to worry about”. Yes….that. So true.

I think you covered this topic very nicely, Alan. Thanks.

The foliage looks beautiful in the background there. Autumn is a beautiful season that God has blessed us with.

I'm a Catholic convert from 2022. I have bought my first pipe in a small tobacco shop in Italy. It's a Savinelli. I have had four smokes out of it so far, and really love it. :)

I typically smoke my pipe on the weekends and the same goes for drinking, practicing discipline and temperance is a must when it comes to these things.

One of the ways the Lord helped me through quitting marijuana was a corn cob full of Captain Black. It is, in my experience, a delightfully sober activity. Anything can become a problem if a person makes it a problem. May God guide us all to fruitful repentance.

I don’t smoke pipes but found you on Matt fradd channel and this video was absolutely great.

Many Catholic priests smoked a pipe. In fact Kramers tobacco shop made their "Father Dempsey" blend after the specs from Father Dempsey. It's their top selling English blend. So enjoy!

Always a pleasure Alan. Sensible words indeed. People worry about trivial things and as you say, there are far more important issues in the World today that would and should merit more attention but it`s far easier to knock simple things, like Pipe Tobacco etc. Many thanks for all your efforts 👍

Newer subscriber here (from the Pints with Aquinas episode). Several years ago Matt Fradd did a small episode about smoking cigars and the amount of people especially fellow Catholics that left nasty comments and told everyone they unsubscribed over his tobacco use was astonishing….. you could tell these people haven’t the slightest knowledge about tobacco, aside from “it’s bad for you, because doctors say so”….

Thank you again for another one of your great videos. Please keep them coming.😊

I really enjoyed this. Being a Catholic pipe and cigar smoker. This hit home you touched on a subject that many people need to understand and quit being so judgmental. I have had an after dinner pipe or cigar pared with a drink with our priest. As he says in moderation there nothing wrong with a pour and a good tobacco. Once again thank you sir. Chacho

I concur my good brother, keep it lit.

Wonderful vid! Totally agree - so many people lump together all forms of smoking. I lament the fact that Dr. Berry, whom I respect so much for his excellent videos on keto and carnivore, also does the same darn thing, never making any distinction between pipe smoking and cigarette smoking. Thanks again, no need to reply.

I found you after your interview with Matt Fradd. As a 21 year convert from evangelical protestantism, now a TLM attendee and father of nine, welcome to you and your family! I didn't have maturity and masculinity, that you display when i started smoking a pipe, so my first pipe is in disrepair. As I look to getting a new pipe, what do you recommend for an inexpensive, starter? I appreciate all the information you share on Pints with Aquinas, but I don't think this question came up.

On board with most of what you've said, up until the problem with pot smokers. Why the hypocrisy both tobacco and Marijuana come from the same place, let's show love to our friends across the aisle.

It's been awhile. Nice to see you once again coming from the deep Appalachia!

I just obtained 4 pipes and a pipe stand from my father. I cannot wait to try them out after I clean them up a little bit. My father had them since the early 70s and got 2 of them from Sears. He said Sears used to have pipes for sale near the entrance to their stores. I don’t remember that but my how times have changed. God Bless Alan! The Lord’s Day is a beautiful day here in IL.

I used to travel around a bit, and I'd use cigar lounges as a way to meet influential men in new areas. You start by getting on real good terms with the guy that works the lounge, and then start saying hi to other people. Most cigar lounges will have a game on, so you can talk about the game, or you could ask what they do for work. I found that cigars help me concentrate and are a great way to social network. Plus once you spend a bit of time smoking cigars you'll start to develop an understanding of which ones are really good, so you can gift someone you're trying to get to know a cigar to get them to be more friendly with you. I am a Christian, but I don't see anything wrong with cigars or pipes. I never got into pipe smoking, but met plenty of guys at the cigar lounges over the years who smoke a pipe. Usually it's far less frequent than cigars though from my experience.

Good morning Alan! Thank you for this video. I agree, there are far more important issues folks should be concerned with in this life. Prayers to you and your family! 🙏🏼🇺🇸

Boy we could have some conversations around this subject. I've gotten my fair share of or "Holy Criticism" being a pastor who smokes a pipe. Love your channel.

May God bless you for speaking truth.

I’m not 100% sure if you see every comment, but I wanted to thank you for this video, sir. In the world we live in today, so many people (including Christians) are quick to point fingers & try to bring you down for what brings you joy. I’ve had several try to judge me for the hobby, but it helps me with stress, relaxation, and relief from anxiety. The world needs less judgement and more Godly men who lift each other up. Blessings to you and your family 🙏🏻

What a sensible take on Pipes! And what an insight into the battle of sin in the human soul. Correct! we have bigger Friday crocodile to fry, than worry about the meaningless debate of leisure and recreation. Pride, arrogance etc etc you nailed it.

Hello from NY. Well said sir,I feel anything in overindulgence is not good for you but I see nothing wrong with enjoying a good pipe paired with a good bourbon. Love the content great job.

Something I thought about from your video was this response to those who proclaim that smoking pipe/cigars is desecrating the temple of the Holy Spirit. I would like to remind those folks that even in Solomon’s Temple and the Tabernacle before that had burning incense within the veil.

I’m reminded of Matthew 15; 11-20. God bless you and thanks for your thoughts. Pipe enjoying traditional Catholic.

Amen sir. Thank you for your work.

I love this so much. Thank you.

Pipe smoking is for everyone that deserve a break.

I agree with you whole heartedly. I’ve just recently found your content, so I will look to some of your suggestions past videos, but I’d be interested to hear more about converting to Catholicism?

Spot on brother.

I wjll regardless 💪 cigars too. Its a great contemplative pleasure and i often pray and ruminate on my next course of action while I do. Its been an invaluable experience so far.

Keep it lit. Amen to that. Pride and unthankful, foundations for most sin.

You have finally released a video I can get behind. Well done

you do talk a lot of sense, common sense and that is rare now :-)

I shall be smoking a pipe after RCIA tonight. The way that I tend to look at alcohol, tobacco, and nearly any other thing which is not inherently evil is that we must, as Christian men, simply be mindful that our use does not become abuse. We must ask ourselves this question - Do we WANT to smoke a pipe/cigar, or do we NEED to smoke a pipe/cigar? As long as we maintain the ability to say "no", to place our responsibilities and our duties as husbands, fathers, and children of God above our desires for the fleeting pleasures of this world then we have nothing to fear. May God bless you all, and keep it lit.

Very good video. I’m new to the hobby. Can you do a video on how to smoke, because I keep getting a sore tongue and roof. I reckon I’m going too fast. I guess I’m trying to keep it lit. Tonight I tried to smoke slowly and draw lightly, but I still got tongue and roof bite. If you’ve already done a video on this, can you direct me to it? Thanks.

As we say in the Orthodox Church, "when you fast, take care first of all to abstain from eating your siblings in Christ." Just got a pipe today, learned much from some of your videos, thank you for the edification.

I think moderation is the key. I do a cigar every 2 to 3 weeks. Pipe every so often. Barely touch alcohol. Discipline is the most important thing.

Im not Catholic, i don't align with any particular denomination. I read my Bible and I do my best to simply do what it says. As mentioned in some of your other videos, pipe smoking is great way to self reflect and to think. I love smoking my pipe while reading my Bible, I tend to digest more of what im reading and take more time to ponder on God's word when I do.

People criticizing better not be having any processed food, fast food, sugar, liquor, or Crisco!

I tried filters at first, but it removes too much flavor for me as well. You do still get the wonderful room note on the nose, but the flavors don't hit the tongue with the filter. If you're worried about the health aspect, just smoke less often. Stick to 3-5 bowls a week and take a week off here and there, or stop worrying and accept the risk.

Hi ! I'm a French pipe smoker and I like a lot your refreshing videos. It's very pleasant listening to you. I'm also a Christian and I've been smoking pipe for deux years actually, but I started pipe 30 years ago. I don't think it's an issue either. The other things like pride, seflishness and arrogance you're talking about in this video are much more important than that false problem. It's only if suddenly I began to smoke cigarette, what I've never done in my life. By smoking pipe, I don't feel my behavior as for a pipe smoker is not consistent towards scripture or my relationship with God. Obviously I would be so with cigarette smoking. Intuitively. Sorry if my English is a bit too "French" but I hope I'm understandable enough. Thank you. God bless you.

Cheers from a younger and relatively new pipe smoker. Love lots of your videos, would be great to have a pipe with you. Thanks for your info and recommendations.

As long as you smoke Presbyterian Mixture, or Three Nuns. 😉

Any chance you could do a video explaining properly grown and organic tobacco where to find and buy?

One word to this content.....Amen. enough said.

I have a dog who enjoys sticks, my other dog enjoys her ball. At all times their focus is on the well-being of our baby boy. That's what a father's love is concerned with. One denomination says sticks are wrong and another says balls are wrong; my dogs only listen to their father though.

I’m A Christian And I Smoke Plain And Simple. Everyone Is So Tightly Wound On Things They Should Not Be. We As Christians Have So Much To Think About This Is Not One Of Them. Thank You Sir Luv You’re Channel.

Sad that you felt you had to speak on this. But do appreciate your take.

Hello Alan, I've got a question that I'm hoping doesn't elude your eyes. I'll be in the USA this coming weekend and want to buy myself a good bottle of bourbon. I'll be in Maryland, so not a specialist state. Which bottle should I buy (that is available in a general liquor store). I know you're quite the connoisseur. Any tips? Thanks!

Amen brother!

Tobacco is a sacred plant, always has been. Like anything sacred it has been perverted by man -> cigarette. Smoking a pipe or a cigar is the only proper way to enjoy tobacco. Pipe smoking makes you think and enjoy the little things. It makes you see and feel the good in God's creation.

I appreciate your point on letting the Catholic Church interpret scripture for me. I struggle interpreting the traffic laws as I drive across town. We as individuals are too foolish to understand the depth of God’s divine word. As Catholic Christians we worship at the altar, not the pulpit.

I do my best to love God as much as i'm given the grace to, by drawing as many to Catholicism and fine tobacco as possible. I love you sir and am so thankful that you're in the family!

A believer and an enjoyer of pipe tobacco.

I would love to talk with you about your journey of faith. Thank you for all you do

I know many Catholic priests that smoke pipes and cigars, there is definitely a meditative atmosphere while smoking a fine tobacco. I enjoy these meditative moments with my pipes to appreciate Gods beauty that he has bestowed upon us. God bless and Peace be with you all.

Amen to that brother!!!

I own 3 pipes and none are filtered. Never smoked a filtered pipe. Was both horrified and confused when I discovered they existed.

You, sir, are an asset to the faith!

Love this video!!!

My family is from Owensboro, Ky. Grew up surrounded by corn and tobacco and was raised in the Presbyterian church I was a born again Christian when I was 14. No one in either church has ever taught me anything of the sort ( maybe I'm lucky to have been around descent people ). You have it right Alan.....come on people!!!

Well said, sir. Well said.

I'm a Christian and I'm a pipe smoker and love my tobacco pipe, coffee and occasionally whisky whiting limits

Well said Alan I agree in what you are talking about.

How does one go about writing a letter to you? Where is your mailing address located?

I'm pretty sure I've never seen 'thou shalt not smoke pipe tabacca' written down anywhere. Good enough for me.

Well stated Alan!!!

"Smoking a pipe / cigar is bad for you!" As they suck down a 60oz big gulp and have a 25piece chicken nuggets with fries.

As a lifelong Catholic who has recently gotten into cigars and pipes, I was over joyed to hear you joining the Catholic Church! It is the one true faith, and when practiced correctly will lead to sanctification. Not that others who do not follow Catholicism will not become saints, but the Catholic Church gives you the guidance to become a saint, and to help lead others in the same direction. There are a few popes, who also become saints, who vouch for tabacco. It is not a vice!

Dr Harralson I love gospel music I play the banjo and the piano I’d love to hear you play some southern gospel music

Amen!

Book recommendation: Christian Pipe-Smoking: An Introduction to Holy Incense by Rev Uri Brito and Joffre Swait