Drinking alcohol and smoking pot – what are your thoughts?

[april32010]

CCC 2291 addresses hard drugs. The Church has no position on smoking marijuana, it depends on the effects. But why risk sin? It is better in my opinion to avoid marijuana and enjoy a beer.

2291 The use of drugs inflicts very grave damage on human health and life. Their use, except on strictly therapeutic grounds, is a grave offense. Clandestine production of and trafficking in drugs are scandalous practices. They constitute direct co-operation in evil, since they encourage people to practices gravely contrary to the moral law.

 

[Christian_Unity]

april32010:
How many of us have taken pharmaceutical drugs in our lifetime? It seems if we say smoking or digesting marijuana is sin, something doesn’t seem right, especially since 18 states and DC have medical marijuana cards available. It is also legal to smoke pot for recreational use in Washington and Colorado. I also know Catholic clergy and laity seems to drink more than Protestant counterparts since many Protestants discern what the Bible teaches in regards to alcohol incorrectly. Some Protestants try to interpret Jesus’ first recorded miracle of changing water to wine as non-alcoholic wine… to impose legalism to their church circles.

 

[Christian_Unity]

Why would anyone want to use Pot ? From Mayoclinic.com, mayoclinic.com/health/drug-addiction/DS00183/DSECTION=symptoms

A separate mayo article states that for 10% of recreational users the drug becomes addictive. I guess I’ll be expected to pay for this 10% in my Obama Care health bill as it is a citizens “right” to get high, abuse their body and have someone else pay the bill.

We are called to holiness, to imitate God in all ways. This is not imitating God. It is not acting the call to holiness.

mayoclinicproceedings.org/article/S0025-6196(11)00021-8/fulltext#sec11

Do you believe the Catholic Church should prohibit drinking alcohol too? As one Catholic member posted, there is more destruction associated with alcohol than pot. I’m not sure what you are saying about Obama Care health bill. The last I checked, my health insurance premiums were paid directly to my private health insurance carrier and not to the government.

Overall, alcohol causes much greater damages through accidents, violence, and health problems than marijuana. The social an health costs of alcohol use are exponential. It is a myth that alcohol does not also “dim reason”, and it can certainly be very damaging to the body and soul. But I think this kind of reasoning is the same used to oppose other hallucinogens that occur naturally in plants.

 

[Porknpie]

Do you believe the Catholic Church should prohibit drinking alcohol too?

No… this would not be scriptural. Alchohol in moderation is fine. Actually has positive health affects so says medical science. It’s when drinking become drunkeness that it becomes a problem, both health wise and morally. Like so many things in life, moderation is the key.

As one Catholic member posted, there is more destruction associated with alcohol than pot.

I don’t doubt this…alchohol is consumed far more too and abused. I’ve been around enough potheads in my college days to know that it can impair ones judgement, especially when abused with alchohol.

I’m not sure what you are saying about Obama Care health bill. The last I checked, my health insurance premiums were paid directly to my private health insurance carrier and not to the government.

Your private insurance premiums are impacted by the costs associated with alchoholism. They are higher, covering the non-insured (certainly covering emergency room visits & hospital stays, surgeries involving car accidents) and insured. Obama’s Health Care bill which covers everyone, will force me to pay for other’s health care issues, alchoholism included. Health care premiums do not discriminate between people who are alchoholics and those who are not (someone correct me if I have this wrong…if there is an insurance company that discriminates). Some health care premiums discriminate between smokers and non-smokers. This is good. Those that smoke should pay a higher premium. There are legitimate discrimination differences with auto insurance. Speeders pay more. Those in accidents pay more. Why? They are a greater risk for another accident. This is fair and reasonable.

I’m not sure if Obama Care will discriminate between pot smokers and those that do not. I assume that there will be no discrimination and that their health problems & costs will be a burden on everyone else. This is true of course unless we want to add the Bill Clinton question: do you inhale or not?

 

[TimeEntrance]

Overall, alcohol causes much greater damages through accidents, violence, and health problems than marijuana. The social an health costs of alcohol use are exponential. ** It is a myth that alcohol does not also “dim reason”**, and it can certainly be very damaging to the body and soul. But I think this kind of reasoning is the same used to oppose other hallucinogens that occur naturally in plants.

Alcohol retards people if anything. I would bet far more incidents of great ideas or artistic ideas have come from people while high on marijuana than intoxicated on alcohol.

Never tried LSD and have no desire to. But Karry Mullis from my understanding… came up with the the PCR technique widely used in genetic fingerprinting while he was high on LSD.

Interesting character. He apparently was a surfer too.

amazon.com/Dancing-Naked-Mind-Field-Mullis/dp/0679774009/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1353773120&sr=1-1

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51968BDXQAL.BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA300_SH20_OU01.jpg

Here is a multidimensional playland of ideas from the world’s most eccentric Nobel-Prize winning scientist. Kary Mullis is legendary for his invention of PCR, which redefined the world of DNA, genetics, and forensic science. He is also a surfer, a veteran of Berkeley in the sixties, and perhaps the only Nobel laureate to describe a possible encounter with aliens. A scientist of boundless curiosity, he refuses to accept any proposition based on secondhand or hearsay evidence, and always looks for the “money trail” when scientists make announcements.

Mullis writes with passion and humor about a wide range of topics: from global warming to the O. J. Simpson trial, from poisonous spiders to HIV, from scientific method to astrology. Dancing Naked in the Mind Field challenges us to question the authority of scientific dogma even as it reveals the workings of an uncannily original scientific mind.

 

[Bezant]

I’m only 18, but when I went to the Bahamas (where 18 is the legal age) my favorite was Barefoot Moscatto, because I liked the sweet taste.

Never tried it. Sounds like a good recommendation for someone who has just started drinking, but I think I’d prefer something a little drier.

If you like sweet drinks, I’d suggest a sangria (red wine with sliced fruits) or Malibu (coconut rum) and orange juice.

 

[Bezant]

The wife and I tried chocolate wine once. Worse thing I ever tasted.

If there’s chocolate steak, then I suppose it makes sense there’s chocolate wine. But I’m not too certain if wine and chocolate should go together at the same time.

 

[BListon]

Never tried it. Sounds like a good recommendation for someone who has just started drinking, but I think I’d prefer something a little drier.

If you like sweet drinks, I’d suggest a sangria (red wine with sliced fruits) or Malibu (coconut rum) and orange juice.

Mmm… both the Sangria and Malibu sound good, I’m going on a cruise to Cozumel with the family this upcoming spring, I’ll have to give them both a try. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[Porknpie]

Do you believe the Catholic Church should prohibit drinking alcohol too? As one Catholic member posted, there is more destruction associated with alcohol than pot. I’m not sure what you are saying about Obama Care health bill. The last I checked, my health insurance premiums were paid directly to my private health insurance carrier and not to the government.

Christian, you avoid my point. Do you believe smoking pot, imitates God who is holy? We are called to holiness. Is it an act consistent with Gods call?

Originally Posted by Porknpie
Why would anyone want to use Pot ? From Mayoclinic.com, mayoclinic.com/health/dru…CTION=symptoms
A separate mayo article states that for 10% of recreational users the drug becomes addictive. I guess I’ll be expected to pay for this 10% in my Obama Care health bill as it is a citizens “right” to get high, abuse their body and have someone else pay the bill.

We are called to holiness, to imitate God in all ways. This is not imitating God. It is not acting the call to holiness.

mayoclinicproceedings.org…fulltext#sec11

 

[SteveVH]

I haven’t read through every post here and so I’m not sure if this issue has been discussed but, being one who lives in Colorado, one major problem that I see is that at almost exactly the same time marijuana became legal, twinkies saw their last day. There has to be something cosmic about that.

 

[Christian_Unity]

Christian, you avoid my point. Do you believe smoking pot, imitates God who is holy? We are called to holiness. Is it an act consistent with Gods call?

Personally, I prefer to drink than smoke pot. Can Christians smoke legal pot to the glory of God? Sure. I’m not going to condemn Christians who partake in medical marijuana in lieu of pharmaceutical drugs. Pot is organic in which most pharmaceutical drugs are synthetic (man-made). God caused the pot to grow by sending the rain and sunshine. You might be surprised that both Republican and Democrat politicians are in support of legalizing marijuana.

 

[Porknpie]

Personally, I prefer to drink than smoke pot. Can Christians smoke legal pot to the glory of God? Sure.

Christian, from the Mayo clinic link, tell everyone which symptoms below are reflective to our call to holiness and give glory to God?

Poor memory.
Increased blood pressure and heart rate.
Red eyes
Decreased coordination.
Difficulty concentrating.
Slowed reaction time.
Paranoid thinking.

I’m not going to condemn Christians who partake in medical marijuana in lieu of pharmaceutical drugs.

Only God who in his justice condemns or do you not know that? Perhaps Coptic can comment on the medical marijuana verses other pharma drug options.

Pot is organic in which most pharmaceutical drugs are synthetic (man-made).

So what.

God caused the pot to grow by sending the rain and sunshine.

So what X2

You might be surprised that both Republican and Democrat politicians are in support of legalizing marijuana.

So what X3. Nothing surprises me about some politicians.

 

[CopticChristian]

Do you think Rome would make a dogmatic declaration that Catholics cannot smoke legalized pot? Or can certain Catholics or Protestants smoke legalized pot according to their own conscience before God?

CU,

Christians are commanded to obey all laws by the Church. Marijuana is illegal based on federal statute so the law of the land is federal not state. Jail is a possibility for following your conscience. Conforming yourself to Christ to be transformed by Christ requires a constant effort to form your conscience that dictates right judgement so as to be a constant witness to the truth.

 

[Christian_Unity]

CU,

Christians are commanded to obey all laws by the Church. Marijuana is illegal based on federal statute so the law of the land is federal not state. Jail is a possibility for following your conscience. Conforming yourself to Christ to be transformed by Christ requires a constant effort to form your conscience that dictates right judgement so as to be a constant witness to the truth.

There are 18 states and DC which permits medical marijuana usage. It is not illegal per federal law. Why would medical marijuana usage be any different than taking pharmaceutical drugs prescribed by your doctor?

 

[CopticChristian]

Personally, I prefer to drink than smoke pot. Can Christians smoke legal pot to the glory of God? Sure. I’m not going to condemn Christians who partake in medical marijuana in lieu of pharmaceutical drugs. Pot is organic in which most pharmaceutical drugs are synthetic (man-made). God caused the pot to grow by sending the rain and sunshine. You might be surprised that both Republican and Democrat politicians are in support of legalizing marijuana.

CU,

You are wrong. Repent/change your mind does not mean to drug it. Paul says to transform your mind. Be not transformed to this world. Most pharmaceuticals were plants, Digoxin, opium and many others. They are all part of creation. Fish look like snakes, Scorpions look like rocks look to your heavenly Father for right thinking and right choosing.

 

[CopticChristian]

There are 18 states and DC which permits medical marijuana usage. It is not illegal per federal law. Why would medical marijuana usage be any different than taking pharmaceutical drugs prescribed by your doctor?

CU,

The Harrison act is responsible for drugs being illegal. Show me the federal law that has legalized marijuana and I will become Protestant tonight

 

[Christian_Unity]

CU,

The Harrison act is responsible for drugs being illegal. Show me the federal law that has legalized marijuana and I will become Protestant tonight

I think you are confusing recreational usage that just past in Washington and Colorado in our election. I know California, Washington, Oregon, and Hawaii have pot dispensers all throughout these western states. It’s pretty easy to get a medical marijuana card. My neighbor grows pot for medical marijuana usage in which the DEA checked out. I just saw a billboard the other day advertising how to obtain a medical marijuana card. I guess you are predestined to be Protestant since your yes needs to be kept according to Jesus.

 

[CopticChristian]

I think you are confusing recreational usage that just past in Washington and Colorado in our election. I know California, Washington, Oregon, and Hawaii have pot dispensers all throughout these western states. It’s pretty easy to get a medical marijuana card. My neighbor grows pot for medical marijuana usage in which the DEA checked out. I just saw a billboard the other day advertising how to obtain a medical marijuana card. I guess you are predestined to be Protestant since your yes needs to be kept according to Jesus.

CU,

I am always confused. Your confusion is that state law does not trump federal law for recreational or medical marijuana. This is fact. A DUI for medical marijuana is a DUI and if the state chooses to turn you over to the Feds then you can contemplate reality in jail if they choose to prosecute.

 

[Porknpie]

CU,

I am always confused. Your confusion is that state law does not trump federal law for recreational or medical marijuana. This is fact. A DUI for medical marijuana is a DUI and if the state chooses to turn you over to the Feds then you can contemplate reality in jail if they choose to prosecute.

Coptic, are there medical conditions where medical marijuana would have a superior medical benefit over an approved pharma drug, side effects, aside?

 

[Jala]

I guess I’ll be expected to pay for this 10% in my Obama Care health bill as it is a citizens “right” to get high, abuse their body and have someone else pay the bill.

As opposed to people’s “right” to smoke/chew tobacco, drink alcohol, and eat ****** fast food? Do you seriously think you’re not already paying for THOSE??

Jala