Camping trip. Morally acceptable to go or not?

[CTuck]

Here’s the situation: my friends are going camping and asked if I wanted to go. I told them that if they’re going to bring anything illegal they have to tell me beforehand so I could get advice on whether or not it is morally acceptable for me to go along. I’m fairly certain I shouldn’t, for obvious reasons, but what are the moral implications of going anyway. If I did go, it would be for the sake of camping. I’ve also made it very clear that I won’t get high or drunk with them. Basically, is it a sin to put yourself in the midst of sin, but not for the sake of sinning? If I go to work, my boss smokes pot in the kitchen. If I go camping with my friends, they’ll smoke pot in the woods. The line could be drawn between my necessity to work and the my desire to go camping. Thoughts are welcome.

 

[PerfectTiming]

Hmm this is tricky. I think first you need to see exactly what the intentions are. If the intention is to go get high, even if you’re not taking part do you really want to be a part of it at all? Personally I wouldn’t go just because I don’t see the fun in hanging out with a bunch of stoned people. Could you not see if they would consider holding off on getting high for your sake?

 

[DexUK]

I think it depends on your ability to withstand temptation as well as whether you might be able to present a good alternative example or ‘fraternal correction’ (that is to say a gentle admonishment that a friend will give another without causing a rupture in the friendship).

If they’re going to smoke pot in such a way as you can’t escape it, then I’d probably not advise going. If you can’t stop them and you have the opportunity to do something else at the time, then I’d probably not deny myself the legitimate pleasures of the trip.

As for sin, there is the concept of ‘near occasion of sin’ in that it is sinful to deliberately allow yourself to be in a situation where you are tempted to do something wrong, but in this case it seems your willpower is sufficient to overcome that temptation, so simply by being in the vicinity I don’t think you’re sinning, especially if you’ve made clear your disapproval. Who knows, they may desist out of respect for your views?

Remember, ultimately you’re not responsible for the deliberate acts of other people when they’re unbidden by you and specifically when your disapproval of those acts is known. I presume that your presence does not lend any material assistance to their wrong acts taking place, of course.

 

[GEddie]

For what it’s worth, no less than MX$2:

You should tell them that you will not participate if pot will be used, and ask if they could go without it for the length of the excursion.

I know there are 10,000 arguments to be made for and against the use of pot, and you have probably heard 10,002 of them, so I won’t bore you with them; however, this is an opportunity to be a testimony to them. A good friend who does not use pot and is firm in that choice might be just what they need in their life.

And although this may not be an “occasion of sin” for you, going into the woods with a group of drugged people is not, IMNAAHO, a good idea in any case.

God Bless and ICXC NIKA!

 

[Joe_Kelley]

I suggest that you get legal advice on your status if they are caught with drugs and you are present.

 

[KCT]

I doubt I’d have a good time if that’s what people were doing, so that would influence my decision!

 

[stringbeanduck]

Hang around people who share similar qualities you do. If you don’t like smoking pot, then don’t go and hangout those people. Besides, IMO opinion you probably wouldn’t enjoy hanging around them while thats going on.

 

[TheDoctor]

…I’m fairly certain I shouldn’t, for obvious reasons, but what are the moral implications of going anyway…

Hi Ctuck. Regardless of what advice we offer, this will ultimately come down to between you and your conscience and it seems the major items is trust - can you *trust *your friends to not bring anything else illegal or smoke only when you are not there? Can you trust them not to store their pot in your stuff? Can you trust them to man-up if they are discovered by law enforcement? Seems like you have already made your decision…

 

[PaulinVA]

Aside from the morality of this, I would be concerned about something bad happening and you getting heaped in with them when any arrests were made.

If they normally drink and smoke pot, if they’re out in the woods you can bet that’s what’s they’ll be doing. Sounds dangerous.

 

[smichhertz]

Hang around people who share similar qualities you do. If you don’t like smoking pot, then don’t go and hangout those people. Besides, IMO opinion you probably wouldn’t enjoy hanging around them while thats going on.

I think this is very good advice. Why hang around people that obviously don’t share the same values you do? It’s just going to create a lot of tension and unhappiness. I’m not saying don’t be friends with them, but just distance yourself a little bit and focus on finding friends you can hang out with on a regular basis where you don’t even have to worry about stuff like this.

You are in my prayers. All the best!

 

[Joe_Kelley]

I doubt I’d have a good time if that’s what people were doing, so that would influence my decision!

I recall an old adage to the effect that there is no fun in being the only sober person in a room full of drunks.