Religious Beliefs
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS) makes up a significant part of the religious landscape in the United States and other places it is represented. As with other religious groups, the members of the LDS church are expected to adhere to certain beliefs, practices, and rules in order to stay in good standing with their church. One of those practices is that LDS members do not consume coffee and tea. This has been the case since the faith’s founding in the early 1800s.
The reason why LDS members are not allowed to drink coffee or tea is because of the adherence to the Word of Wisdom, which is one of the faith’s teachings. According to this teaching, consuming hot drinks — or, more specifically, tea and “coffee” (which includes all caffeinated drinks) — is prohibited. Although the exact motives for this teaching have been debated by scholars, general consensus is that it was meant to ensure that members focus on their spiritual health by avoiding caffeine addiction and that it should be viewed as part of a preventative measure.
Furthermore, LDS members tend to take this particular teaching very seriously, as it is viewed as an important part of their faith. In order to be in good standing with the church and maintain full temple privileges, members are expected to adhere to the Word of Wisdom, which prohibits the consumption of coffee and tea. This is why many members of the church go to great lengths in order to avoid consuming these beverages, often forgoing social activities that involve them or politely declining to partake in them. As such, it is quite easy to spot a the LDS member in a room and distinguish them from other people who are consuming coffee and tea.
It is also important to note that while LDS members are advised not to drink coffee or tea, they are still able to drink other beverages that contain caffeine, such as soda, energy drinks, and chocolate milk. The church’s stance is that these beverages are not prohibited by the Word of Wisdom but are discouraged if they are consumed in excess. This is because they are often addictive and can lead to physical and mental exhaustion, which can have serious consequences in both a person’s spiritual and everyday life.
Physical Health Concerns
In addition to the spiritual beliefs, drinking coffee and tea is also discouraged by some for its physical effects. Coffee and tea contain caffeine, which is a psychoactive substance that can lead to a number of physical issues such as dehydration, insomnia, headaches, and increased heart rate. For this reason, many people with health concerns choose to abstain from drinking these beverages altogether. Additionally, there is evidence to suggest that regular consumption of either of these drinks can lead to more serious health issues such as high blood pressure, irritability, and cardiovascular disease.
In addition to these physical health concerns, there are also other potential issues associated with consuming coffee or tea. Some research has suggested that high levels of caffeine ingestion can lead to mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. Furthermore, coffee and tea contain other potentially harmful chemicals, many of which are not beneficial to the human body. Therefore, it is understandable why some people, including those of the LDS faith, might choose to abstain from drinking coffee and tea.
Environmental Factors
Beyond the physical and spiritual implications, there are also environmental factors to consider in regards to coffee and tea consumption. Coffee and tea production require a significant amount of fuel and resources, leading to environmental damage and a potential strain on the global economy. There is evidence to suggest that the production of coffee and tea is associated with deforestation, water pollution, soil degradation, and the exploitation of farmers in developing countries.
Coffee and tea production also tends to involve the use of pesticides, chemical fertilizers, and other pollutants, all of which can harm local ecosystems and increase global greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, there is evidence to suggest that the production of coffee and tea is associated with the displacement of indigenous peoples and loss of biodiversity, making it less likely that sustainable farming practices can be adopted.
For all of these reasons, some individuals, particularly those who are environmentally conscious, may choose to avoid consuming coffee and tea. While it is ultimately up to the individual person to decide what is best for their lifestyle, these environmental factors may give some people more reason to consider abstaining from these drinks.
Economic Factors
In addition to health and environmental concerns, there are also economic factors to consider when it comes to whether or not to drink coffee and tea. Coffee and tea are considered luxury items and as such, they tend to be quite expensive. Furthermore, due to the large scale of their production and the fact that they can be sourced from many different parts of the world, the prices of these drinks can fluctuate quite significantly. This makes them potentially difficult to budget for, as even a small change in the price of either can have a significant impact on a person’s budget.
In addition, because of their costly nature, many individuals may find that consuming coffee and tea is a luxury they cannot afford. This can lead some people to refrain from these drinks in order to save money, particularly in times of financial hardship. Thus, economic factors can play a major role in whether or not someone chooses to consume coffee and tea.
Conclusion
For those of the LDS faith, the decision not to drink coffee and tea is often based on religious beliefs. However, there are many other factors to consider, such as physical health concerns, environmental impacts, and economic realities. Understanding these various factors can help individuals decide what is best for them and can enable them to make informed decisions about whether or not to consume coffee and tea.
