—Review—
Between 1972 and 2020, five articles discussing the Christian view of chewing betel nut were published in the Watchtower publications. It was shown that this was filthy habit and could even be detrimental to one’s health. But I cannot find any statement in the Watchtower publications that chewing betel nut was a disfellowshipping offense before it was specifically stated in 2019, in the book for elders, “Shepherd The Flock Of God.”
Betel nut is not mentioned in the Bible, and therefore, it is obvious that making the chewing of betel nut a disfellowshipping offense is a human commandment without any support in the Bible.
The Watchtower Index from 1930 to 1985 has two references to The Watchtower dealing with the Christian view of chewing betel nut. The articles show that this is a filthy practice that may be detrimental to one’s health. Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 7:1 are quoted: “Let us cleanse ourselves of every defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in God’s fear.” This scriptural application to betel nut is most fitting. But chewing betel nut is not listed as a disfellowshipping offense.
The Index from 1986 to 2020 has three references discussing the Christian view of this substance. But neither in these articles do we read that chewing betel nut is a disfellowshipping offense. The book for elders, “Pay Attention to Yourself and to all Your Flock” (1991), page 96, lists “Misuse of tobacco and addictive drugs.” But betel nut is not mentioned. A list of disfellowshipping offenses distributed to the bodies of elders in May 2005 mentions tobacco but not the chewing of betel nut as a disfellowshipping offense. The book for elders “Shepherd The Flock of God” (2010), pages 64 and 65, mentions the misuse of tobacco and “the misuse of addictive drugs,” but betel nut is not mentioned.
It would seem that the first time the chewing of betel nut is mentioned as a disfellowshipping offense is in the book for elders, “Shepherd The Flock Of God”, published in 2019. The Watchtower 1972, page 596, says:
Another matter causing concern in many parts of the earth is the use and production of materials that result in harmful addiction. In India, the Philippines and the Malaysian areas, for example, an ancient and popular practice is the chewing of betel nut, also known as areca nut, the seed of a palm tree. Pieces of betel nut are rolled in a leaf smeared with quicklime and chewed. The betel nut colors the person’s saliva a blood-red color and blackens the teeth, generally causing their deterioration. Many habitual betel-nut chewers become toothless at as early an age as twenty-five. According to the Encyclopedia Americana (1956, Vol. 20, p. 573), betel-nut chewing produces “an effect similar to the chewing of tobacco.” In India, in fact, tobacco is sometimes included in the betel-nut “chew,” the admixture being known as pan.
The Bombay Evening News of April 4, 1972, tells us that Extra Pharmacopia, a publication of the Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, classifies betel nut as a “drug.” An Indian court therefore ruled that betel nut could not be classified as “food.”
The book, “Shepherd The Flock Of God”, 12.15 (4) says:
Misuse of Tobacco or Marijuana and Abuse of Medical, Illicit, or Addictive Drugs: Elders should use good judgment in weighing the circumstances and extent of the wrongdoing so as to determine whether a judicial committee should be formed. For example, one or two elders may handle matters by means of counsel if a Christian abused an addictive drug or smoked cigarettes on one or two occasions and the matter is not widely known. The coordinator of the body of elders should be informed. However, a judicial committee is required for a practice of abusing addictive drugs, including betel nut, marijuana, and tobacco. (2 Cor. 7:1; w06 7/15 pp. 30-31; lvs pp. 110-117) lf a medical doctor authorizes and/or prescribes marijuana for a medical problem, a Christian may choose to make use of this form of treatment. Although no judicial action would be taken, if an issue arises in the congregation, the elders will need to determine whether the individual can be viewed as exemplary. The proper use of addictive drugs under medical supervision, such as for pain management, would not require judicial review. When questions arise, consult the Service Department.
The quotation above is the first instance, of which I am aware, where the chewing betel nut is classified as a disfellowshipping offense. That betel nut is mentioned together with tobacco may not be strange because there are some similarities. But the mentioning of marijuana together with betel nut and tobacco really is strange. This is because the use of marijuana may lead to a situation that can be compared to intoxication by alcohol. But neither the chewing of betel nut nor the use of tobacco lead to intoxication in any form.
As I show in my study of addictive drugs, addiction itself is not a disfellowshipping offense, according to the Bible. But intoxication by drugs may be compared with intoxication by alcohol which is listed in scripture as a disfellowshipping offense. Therefore, a person who is permeated by habitual intoxication by drugs may be disfellowshipped from the Christian congregation. But a person who is addicted to drugs should not be disfellowshipped if the Bible is followed.
CONCLUSION
Betel nut is not mentioned in the Bible, and therefore, it is obvious that making the chewing of betel nut a disfellowshipping offense is a human commandment without any support in the Bible.
