Monday, July 21 2008
According to a report from Radio Netherlands Worldwide (www.radionetherlands.nl) the One True Universal Smokers' Church of God has been "converting" bar owners who are now using their establishments as sanctuaries to avoid the Dutch smoking ban that went into effect on July 1.
Cor Busch, owner of Café Lindeboom in Alkmaar, claims smoking relaxes him, which brings him closer to God.
"If I can make a lot of people members of the smokers' church and if they're interested, I will start holding masses in my bar on Sundays. Except I'll be handing out lighters instead of sacred hosts."
A priest of the smokers' church wears a jester's hat.
"A lot of people think it's a joke but it's not meant to be. St Nicholas wears a mitre, Jews wear a yarmulke and the Pope wears a crown. The jester's hat symbolises the sense of humour that many smokers have. Smokers are mostly sociable people."
Church pass
The café owner says he is not trying to get around the smoking ban, he only wants to express his faith.
"I genuinely believe in the Smokers' God, especially in the freedom God has given us. That includes the freedom to smoke. So I smoke in the name of God."
Dutch 'church' claims smoking ban immunity
