Pastor Abel Damina, the founder of Abel Damina Ministries and Power City International, has stirred up controversy with his recent sermon, where he stated that smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol are not sins. His comments, made during a New Year’s Eve sermon on Tuesday, have sparked widespread debate among Christians and the general public.
“I’ve told you alcohol is not a sin. I’ve told you cigars are not a sin. If you like, put it on a newspaper headline, I said it,” Pastor Damina boldly declared to his congregation.
However, he quickly added a note of caution, emphasizing that while these actions may not be sinful, they can have harmful consequences. “Am I saying you should smoke? You should have sense from your father’s house to know that cigar will cut short your life,” he said. “Am I saying you should drink alcohol? You should know that if you drink alcohol, you will lie down inside a gutter. Your shirt and trousers will disappear. You should have the sense to know that.”
A Theological Debate on Sin
Pastor Damina used his sermon to challenge conventional beliefs about sin, morality, and the interpretation of biblical teachings. He argued that the concept of sin has often been misunderstood, pointing to the story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden as an example.
“Adam and Eve ate nothing,” Damina said, questioning the traditional narrative that attributes their sin to eating fruit from the forbidden tree. “Adam and Eve didn’t eat anything. Were you there? You were not there. So how do we know whether they ate something or not? Jesus was there. Was Jesus there in the Garden of Eden? Yes. Can Jesus explain to us what happened? Yes.”
Citing Mark 7:18-21, Pastor Damina explained that sin is not determined by what a person consumes but by the state of their heart. “If they (Adam and Eve) ate, it’ll go to their stomach. It’ll digest and go to toilet. They’ll be free,” he said. “There’s nothing a man eats that enters his heart. It’ll go to the digestive system, and it’ll go out somehow. It is what comes out of a man that defiles a man, not what goes in. What makes you a sinner is what you’re thinking, not what you’re eating.”
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Mixed Reactions to Damina’s Statements
Pastor Damina’s remarks have ignited mixed reactions on social media and among the Christian community. While some supporters praised him for challenging long-held dogmas and providing a fresh perspective on scripture, others criticized his views as controversial and potentially misleading.
“This is a bold move, and it makes sense biblically,” wrote one social media user. “Sin is about the condition of the heart, not superficial actions.”
However, critics were not convinced. “A pastor should not downplay the dangers of smoking and drinking like this,” another commenter said. “Even if it’s not sin, it’s still harmful to health and society.”
A Call for Reflection
Pastor Damina concluded his sermon by urging his followers to focus on their thoughts and inner morality rather than outward appearances or practices. “What makes you a sinner is what you’re thinking, not what you’re eating,” he reiterated.
As debates continue to rage on, Pastor Damina’s sermon has sparked important conversations about the nature of sin and personal responsibility in both faith and daily life. Whether viewed as progressive or provocative, his message has undoubtedly struck a chord in the religious community.