How do we distinguish "drugs" from alcohol?

[stringbeanduck]

At one time, not too long ago, I worked for a Health system and my job was to go into classrooms, upper grade school and High school giving talks regarding drugs.

What I found about Marjuana is that inhaling one “joint” is equal to that of five ordinary cigarettes. The amount of tar is that much greater in Marijuana.

I hear that quite a bit too. There’s a lot of evidence that goes each way though, so it’s hard to seperate fact from myth. Any smoke in the lung is bound to have some dangers in it.

 

[stringbeanduck]

Nicotine? I think given the overwhelming evidence for the many harms of smoking or chewing tobacco, anyone who smoked now would almost certainly be sinning. It’s a question of their level of knowledge, their level of addiction (since such may reduce culpability) and their level of smoking, as to whether they are sinning gravely or not.

I think being addicted to smoking would likely be using it in excess and thus sinning since that person can’t/won’t exerise temperence. Please know that there is a difference though, between commercial “tobacco” products and those that are organic and made with out additives.

 

[Michael_David]

Well, forced retirement for the moment (unemployment).

How do you mean, as far as “knowing sin”? I’ve never known of an instance where that isn’t one of the necessary parts of **mortal **sin.

Yes, you and me both… (unemployed)… I call it ‘semi-retired’ though as there are odd-jobs around, but not many full-time ones.

And yes, again! To know it is a sin, is a necessary part of it being mortal… and even to a lesser degree: venial.

IF it applies to “drugs and alcohol” it then should apply to other things… like local ‘pollution’. Even going so far as to burning ‘incense’ in the house without adequate ventilation (although that “outside” ventilation is also not fully healthy).

It is the ‘criteria’ used to ‘realize’ sin that through ‘knowledge’ seems to be applied to certain things while leaving others as “good” although they too are as bad or worse then that which is termed as sinful… in my humble observations.

Add to this, that Priests and Nuns go into these sinful situations as part of their missions… to minister to God’s Children. However, the Church has stated that “the means does not justify the ends”. Meaning: is one authorized to be in a sinful state in order to bring out “good” or ministering to the sinner? Of course, this criteria applies to all of us, from the bottom to the top… so how can this be?

 

[pickguard1]

Here’s to moderate smoking and drinking

 

[pickguard1]

I would make a brief argument that if one were to analyze the effects of almost anything we take into our bodies one could find evidence that it is, at some level (beyond moderation) harmful. “Moderation” is different for different things, and for different people, (as well being different for a single person in different situations). For example: Water-generally speaking, is a good, and is necessary for life. Too much water (hazing rituals at fraternities, etc.) and you can die (drowning). Some substances have no easily measurable “safe” level of moderation, such as arsenic and cyanide. Others have variable levels depending on the person - alcohol, pain medication, bacon, beef, chile peppers, and I could go on forever.

I think the main point that should be made (when referring to consuming anything) is that one must be knowingly and willfully attempting to do irreparable harm to one’s body for the action to be a sin. Does someone who smokes occasionally - even frequently fit into this category? Maybe. Maybe not. As someone posted earlier, the use of tobacco per se is not sinful. Just like the use of alcohol per se is not sinful. Nor red meat, nor carrots, nor cocaine, nor opium, nor aspirin. It is purely a matter of intent/consent, informed by knowledge. Since the effects of different things are often different for different people (I apologize for the repetetiveness), it stands to reason that for many, if not most things, “knowledge” of what moderation is highly personal.

Also, another fact that was not mentioned (unless I missed it) is that alcohol and tobacco are legal. Marijuana, cocaine and opiates are illegal (in most cases, or must be prescribed). We are taught by the Church to obey legitimate authority so long as the law is not opposed to God’s Law. So, for me, as long as those other things are not legal, the use of them “in moderation” is moot unless I want to be sinning against authority.

Just a thought…

I guess my argument wasn’t so brief after all…

 

[CHRISTINE77]

People are just bowing to what our society condemns or doesn’t condemn at this time.

When smoking was popular, only a very few people considered it a sin (Mormons and JWs, and SeventhDay Adventists, maybe some evangelicals). Now that it is discouraged throughout our society, people are saying it is sinful. Pretty soon it will become illegal.

Cocaine was once an ingredient in Coca Cola. Now it is illegal.

Marijuana is considered a sacrament in the Rastafarian religion. It is illegal.

Alcohol in moderation is fine, but it can turn men into beasts when not used in moderation. Most domestic violence and car accidents are caused by alcohol being used excessively. However, in our society there are no laws against the use of alcohol.

I don’t think people should confuse illegality with sinfullness.

 

[pickguard1]

originally posted by CHRISTINE77;

However, in our society there are no laws against the use of alcohol.

No, there are laws. Namely, you must be of a certain age, you are prohibited from doing certain things while under it’s influence (driving, operating boats, planes etc.) Certain places are desgnated by the legal authority as “alcohol free” such as parks, schools, government buildings, etc.

I don’t think people should confuse illegality with sinfullness.

Correct, something which is illegal is not per se sinful (being a Catholic in China is illegal (unless you belong to the state sponsored church) but it is definitley NOT a sin to be Catholic. But…

The point I made was that it IS sinful to disobey legitimate authority. Whether the sin is venial or mortal depends on the gravity of the matter. (i.e. going 35 mph in a 25 mph zone might be venial, whereas going 120 mph in a 25 mph zone could be mortal, such as in a school zone, with many children crossing the street.) Jesus said - render unto Caesar what is to Caesar and to God what is to God. This doesn’t just mean pay taxes if the coin has the face of a president on it. It acknowledges that there is a civil authority and its (morally just) laws are to be followed.

Therfore, since the use of just about any consumable is morally neutral the civil authority has license to regulate its use.

If, for example, marijuana became legal for recreational use, I believe it would then fall under the same category as food, alcohol, tobacco, etc, and would have to be used with Temperance.