Mormons Don't Like Coke ... Or Do They?

Up to this point, I have avoided any serious discussion of Mormon doctrine on this blog. I have also tried to avoid discussions that expose major rifts among Mormons. Yet, the matter of whether Coca-Cola is permitted among Mormons, while explosively controversial, is such an important topic that I cannot in good conscience leave it alone any longer. So, into the abyss....

The Mormon view of Coke is bipolar. On one hand, there are Mormons that view it as a hard drink that is strictly prohibited by Mormon doctrine. The logic is that the Word of Wisdom--a health code among Mormons--prohibits "hot drinks" and modern church leaders have explained that this means coffee and many types of tea. Using the power of inference, a large number of Mormons have come to believe that the reason these substances are prohibited is because of the caffeine in them. And, since Coke has caffeine, it is--in their minds--clearly out of bounds. A fair percentage of Mormons who fall in this camp are shocked and saddened when they find out that other Mormons drink Coke. "And I thought she was a good person," they think.

Other Mormons not only drink Coke but see it as a vital tool to help them pull off all that they need to do in life and, in fact, all that they do as members of the church. It is the major loophole in the word of wisdom; the stuff is pure bliss. Life is demanding but nothing that a Coke and a smile cannot fix.

In groups, Mormons frequently treat Coke as if it was coffee in a can--something clearly out of bounds and in no way appealing. Moreover, some Mormons who drink Coke refuse to do drink it in some contexts. I know of a Mormon who drinks Diet Coke as if it where essential to sustain her life when at home or among other Mormons but refuses to drink it when people outside the church are around. She doesn't want to send mixed messages to those outside the church about her commitment to the church and believes some outside of the church may not understand the rift among Coke drinking and non-Coke drinking Mormons. Additionally, it would be a moment for the scrapbook if one where to see Coke at a ward party. (That been said, you must understand that many Mormons have a very low standard of what moments are worthy of scrapbooking.) Furthermore, caffeinated coke is not sold on BYU campus--something, I think that makes some Mormons glad that the motto of BYU ("The World is Our Campus") is not literally true. This is particularly the case for many BYU professors who buy mini refrigerators for their offices and BYU students who use their dorm rooms to stockpile Coke.

Do Mormons drink Coke? The answer is both yes and no depending on what Mormon is at issue. To Mormons, Coke is both made from the syrup of Satan and is the lifeblood of the Relief Society.