For as long as I can remember, there has been a long standing debate over whether or not cafinated drinks like Coke and Pepsi violate the Word of Wisdom. The LDS Church sought to correct a public misconception that Mormons cannot drink caffeinated soda after that myth was mentioned on MSNBC's television show called "The Rock Center" in which they did a report on the LDS Church titled "Mormon in America":
The Church's Mormon Newsroom blog had this to say about these kinds of drinks:
Despite what was reported, the Church revelation spelling out health practices (Doctrine and Covenants 89) does not mention the use of caffeine. The Church’s health guidelines prohibit alcoholic drinks, smoking or chewing of tobacco, and “hot drinks” — taught by Church leaders to refer specifically to tea and coffee.
This statement will hopefully correct the misconception (both inside and outside LDS Church) that Mormon's cannot drink Pepsi and Coke. Despite the clarification, the debate among Mormons will never end. Reading the comments from various news sites show that many Mormons still think we should not be allowed to drink it even if it doesn't violate the Word of Wisdom because its unhealthy even if its not banned under the Word of Wisdom.
Personally, I have always believed that drinking these kinds of sodas doesn't violate the Word of Wisdom based on the history behind the revelation, the language of the revelation and what it specifically banned. While drinking these drinks may be unhealthy (not because of the caffeine, but because of the amount of sugar in each drink) its up to each individual to make a personal choice to drink these drinks or not.
What do you think? Does Pepsi and Coke violate the Word of Wisdom or not? Post your thoughts in the comment section. I'll read the comments with a Cherry coke in hand.
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