"The indulgence of... tea, coffee, tobacco, or liquor, is intemperance, and is at war with the laws of life and health. By using these forbidden articles a condition of things is created in the system which the Creator never designed. This indulgence in any of the members of the human family is sin !" (Evangelism, p. 266, written in 1899).

"Tea and coffee drinking is a sin , an injurious indulgence, which like other evils, injures the soul ." (Counsels on Diet and Foods, p. 425, written in 1896).

We will not find the drinking of tea mentioned anywhere in Scripture. Neither will we discover any proclamation in the Bible that drinking tea is a sin ! Never does the Bible tell us to repent of the "sin" of drinking tea!

As ludicrous as it seems today, Ellen White specifically stated that tea, as a beverage, "loosens tongues" and contributes to gossip: "When these tea and coffee users meet together for social entertainment, the effects of their pernicious habit are manifest. All partake freely of the favorite beverages, and as the stimulating influence is felt, their tongues are loosened, and they begin the wicked work of talking against others. " (Counsels on Diet and Foods, p. 423, written in 1890).

Tea and its Effect on Health

Even from a health standpoint Ellen White had a negative view of drinking tea. For example, she stated that tea is a narcotic: "... People may be taught... and be educated to refuse all narcotics, tea , coffee, fermented wines, and stimulants of all kinds, and to discard the flesh of dead animals." (Counsels on Diet and Foods, p. 281, written in 1896).

She also stated that physicians were not to prescribe tea for their patients for it is ''harmful" and "poisonous to the system." "You will not prescribe flesh, tea, or coffee for your patients, but will give talks in the parlor showing the necessity of a simple diet. You will cut away injurious things from your bill of fare." (Ibid , p. 294, written in 1902). "If tea is offered, refuse it,... explain that it is harmful..." (Counsels on Diet and Foods, p. 402, written in 1901). "Tea is poisonous to the system." (Ibid, p. 421, written in 1868).

As a matter of fact, Ellen White firmly believed drinking tea caused diseases : " Diseases of every stripe and type have been brought upon human beings by the use of tea and coffee and the narcotics, opium and tobacco." (Ibid , p. 421, written in 1887).

Now compare what Ellen White has told you, supposedly under the direct inspiration of God, with what modern science has discovered regarding tea. Scientists report that drinking green and/or black tea can:

Reduce the risk of stroke and heart attack.
Protect against several types of cancer.
Provide equal or greater antioxidant power than many fruits and vegetables.
And, since tea is one of the few natural sources of fluoride, help prevent cavities.

The myth that Ellen White's so-called "health message" was inspired by God is simply without foundation. Not only did her "health message" contradict God's Word, it also contradicted the laws of science.

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