Please keep the questions coming.
![]() |
I don’t know of any Old Order Mennonite that grow tobacco. I’m not saying that there aren’t any, but not in our area. Many of the Old Order Mennonite grew it, at one time, but since cigarettes, cigars, etc. have been found to be a health hazard, they don’t grow it anymore in our area. Do any smoke tobacco? Both religious wise and health wise tobacco is an evil and we should not use it. My Grandfather though started smoking a pipe before it was found bad. He use to smoke one all the time.
Now, we can tell when he is upset because he lights up his pipe. Most people do not smoke. Maybe some smoke like my grandfather, in the barn where most people can’t see him smoking. He forgets though that my Grandmother can smell it on him when he comes into the house. It is consider an evil regarding our religion as it is a waste of money like liquor. There are many places the money could be better used than in tobacco and liquor. Also, both can lead you to do things that you wouldn’t other wise.
Regarding the book “Fifty Shades of Gray” neither I or Marilyn have read that book so we can’t tell you about that book. I take care in reading books especially novels. I don’t want anything in my house that I would be embarrassed for someone to come into my home to read or see. No violence, nothing that should be kept in the bedroom. My feeling is if I wouldn’t allow Susan to read it – I won’t read it. Many times I have started reading a book and stopped because I did not think it was presentable.
I know that some Amish are stricter than we are. Some of them will not read books like Beverly Lewis and other authors because it is not a true story, it is not really a religious book in their eyes. Again, I don’t know what others have in their home. I can only tell about ours. Michael and Edward get a little upset with David and I because there are certain books in the world that we do not allow them to read or bring into our home. World wide there is no problem, but in our home they are.