As a chocolate lover, I read with interest. I have always enjoyed chocolate. I was treated to some of the best chocolate in the world when I was in Switzerland on a brief trip in high school.  I officially became a chocolate lover after indulging on an over-sized chocolate dessert at a nice restaurant one evening. I remember the feeling of well being that followed that meal. I was not sure at the time that it was the chocolate producing those feelings of elation, but ever since I have loved chocolate. Many chocolate lovers prefer the darks to the lights—the darks having more cocoa and less milk and sugar. Apparently the darks are higher in the mood enhancing substances as well. 

Though I am not yet a connoisseur, I hope to achieve that status some day. I do come from a proud line of chocolate lovers. My mother always kept a stash of chocolate hidden somewhere in the house. Her mother was no different. To my knowledge, I am the first male in my family to acquire the taste for good chocolate.

After reading the article, I was struck with concern—that people who represent the brand of Christianity that has been an integral part of my past (and to some degree, still is) will discover this article. For if they do, I fear that a series of events would transpire something like the following:

First, a group of concerned Christian leaders would begin discussing the danger of chocolate. Some would do research and find “proof” that chocolate is a sin. One man would describe with concern the uncontrolled cravings of his wife at home for chocolate at 2:00 a.m. Another man would cite the money wasted every year on chocolate by Christians who are not paying their tithes. Others would find examples of chocolate being used in ancient pagan rituals. The Chocolate Prohibitionist Committee (CPC) would convene and an official statement would be signed by all those on the committee and sent to churches and colleges across the country.

“We humble servants of the most high God, believe that is our duty to warn all those who love God and are concerned with living a life above reproach. There is a growing epidemic in this country related to the over indulgence of chocolate. It is no doubt the goal of Satan to inoculate God’s people with this destructive substance. It is at the very heart of worldliness and rebellion in this culture. It is now known to produce feelings of euphoria similar to those feelings drug and alcohol abusers associate with being under the influence. It is also known to be an addictive substance for those who consume regularly. We believe that taking a position of total abstinence and separation would in many ways decrease rebellion among young people, increase giving in the churches, etc. . . .”

The response would be two-fold from the Christian community. A few churches and individuals would join the CPC’s stance and choose total separation from this destructive substance. Of course, most thinking people would not notice the quibblings of these obscure objectors. If they did, they would just write these people off as being part of a strange cult.

Sigh. . .  This may sound like an exaggeration; however, I have had my Christian liberty trampled on so many times that it would hardly surprise me to see this scenario unfold. Mixed feelings of anger and embarrassment plague me as I consider that this mentality is so much a part of Christian culture as well as my past.

Don’t get me wrong, I am thankful for my Christian heritage. I am thankful that God has helped me distinguish between biblical Christianity and Pharisaic practices. I know many who have seen the light of truth and have come out. I am thankful that God is bigger than me and that He accepts me in Christ in spite of my own prejudices. In fact, the more I reflect on my own life, I wonder why God is so merciful to me. With this in mind, I want to extend this same mercy to those who will disagree with me. I want to speak the truth in love to all who will listen. At times, I, uh, well . . ., darn! I’m having a bad case of writers block. . . . I think I will invade the kitchen cabinet (or one of those other secret places where I keep my stash) and indulge in a piece of chocolate.