Pastor Abel Damina, founder of Abel Damina Ministries and Power City International, has sparked widespread debate with his recent assertion that smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol are not inherently sinful acts.
During his New Year’s Eve sermon on Tuesday, the clergyman addressed what he described as misconceptions surrounding morality in Christianity.
“I’ve told you, alcohol is not a sin. I’ve told you, cigar is not a sin. If you like, put it on the newspaper headline, I said it,” Damina declared emphatically.
However, the pastor clarified that his stance should not be misconstrued as an endorsement of such behaviors. He cautioned his audience to exercise wisdom and understand the potential consequences of their actions.
“Am I saying you should smoke? No. You should have sense from your father’s house to know that smoking will cut short your life. Am I saying you should drink alcohol? No. If you drink alcohol, you may end up in a gutter with your clothes missing,” he warned.
Pastor Damina also used biblical references to support his views, challenging traditional interpretations of sin. He questioned the narrative surrounding Adam and Eve’s disobedience in the Garden of Eden, arguing that their sin was not about consuming forbidden fruit but about the condition of the heart.
“Adam and Eve didn’t eat anything. Were you there? No. So how do we know if they ate or not? Jesus was there, and He can explain what happened,” Damina said.
Citing Mark 7:18-21, he emphasized that sin arises not from what people consume but from what comes out of their hearts.
“There’s nothing a man eats that enters his heart. It goes into the digestive system and exits the body. It is what comes out of a man—their thoughts, words, and actions—that defiles them,” Damina explained.
The pastor’s remarks have reignited discussions about personal conduct, morality, and interpretation of biblical teachings in modern Christianity. While some see his views as thought-provoking, others consider them controversial and contradictory to traditional Christian doctrine.
Regardless, Pastor Damina continues to challenge conventional beliefs, encouraging his followers to critically examine religious teachings and focus on their spiritual growth.
