Cigarettes, cigars, and pipes don’t bother me online. I have no reason to hate smokers.

And:

~ The Christian Church uses incense smoke to talk to God. The bible rules suggest that this is a good thing. I hold no hate for Christians.   

~ The Catholic Church uses smoke at church function election times, and incense. I hold no hate for Catholic elders and their related smoking habits.

~ Smoke is used in Aboriginal customs. I have just got to see Australia someday! I am sure that I will totally love that place. I won’t hate Australia!

~ Native American religions use smoke.  I hold a lot of respect for all original religious customs on this continent. I have respect for the customs, not hatred.

~ Taoists use joss sticks.  There’s no reason to hate that.

~ Many people today follow Native American smudging practices. Smudgers are nice people. I do not hate smudgers.

~ Many people today follow Middle Eastern incense practices. I don’t hate incense lovers.

~ African people have all kinds of smoke ritual traditions. I don’t hate Africans or African Americans. Africa is also on my must visit list.

~ Shaman’s in Trinidad use tobacco to help heal people. This is a good thing. I don’t hate any Shaman’s for trying to help people; or the people being helped.

 ~ I do not hate all other religions on the planet that use smoke. Nor all people who use smoke because this is what the religion has taught them to do.

~ I don’t hate the global Senior Citizen population who smoked without thought all of their lives. I don’t hate the children who try smoking. The ages in the middle probably shouldn't smoke, but that's not my decision to make for their lives. I don't hate them either.

~ I do not hate marijuana smokers who are trying to use that herb as a pain killer.

~ I do not hate my family spirits and lost friends who smoked while they were alive.

~ I do not hate friends that are smoking now.

~ I do not hate those who are not just like me.

But, I do hate media campaigns designed to discriminate and cause hatred toward any one group of people. And, mayonnaise – I hold no love for mayonnaise.

Happy thoughts to all! Catherine

This was a blessing to my soul. I work with so many smokers as an energy worker and Reiki Master -- I have always felt that someone has to minister to the smokers so it might as well be me -- and I also find it objectionable that that the media has caused a great deal of hatred and discrimination toward this group of people (and others). I have a great compassion for those who were told many years ago by their doctors to "smoke to relieve stress, and smoke more if that didn't work." My own precious Mom was one of those. I have also learned over the years that many adult ADD's use smoking to stay focused. Thanks for sharing your views.

Blessings, Love, and Light,

Chariss

I AM A SMOKER !! I HAVE TRIED QUITING AND HAVE KEPT PICKING THEM UP !!! IT FEELS EMBARRASING TO SMOKE BECAUSE I BELIEVE IN A BETTER WORLD BUT I KNOW SMOKING AROUND PEOPLE WHO DONT SMOKE IS DISRESPECTFUL BECAUSE THEY SHOULDNT HAVE TO BREATH IN MY ADDICTION !!  I ALSO BELIEVE CATHERINE THAT WEED CAN BE AN HERBAL SOLUTION TO ALOT OF PROBLEMS. I KNOW ALOT OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE WENT THRU CHEMOTHERPY AND THEY EITHER BOUGHT IT OFF THE STREETS OR IT WAS PRESCRIBED BUT IT WAS A BETTER SOLUTION THAN ALL THE PILLS !!!

... and I love Kellie too!!!