Is it a sin or sinful to smoke marijuana?

[LegoGE1947]

Nicotine hardly can be compared to feel good drugs like alcohol and vicodin. It’s not mind altering. It’s not illegal to smoke a bunch of cigarettes and then drive.

Nicotine actually is mind altering I t alters your mind to think “I need a cigarette!”

 

[jkiernan56]

Nicotine actually is mind altering I t alters your mind to think “I need a cigarette!”

I have actually heard that nicotene addiction is worse than a heroin addiction … the grip of the drug of nicotine is so strong

 

[LegoGE1947]

Exactly. Why would anyone want to start? I enjoyed my first glass of champagne. I can’t imagine enjoying a first cig.

I didn’t enjoy my first glass of champagne. It was my last because it smelled and tasted like someone died! As a bagger in a supermarket I used to often have liquor bottles slip out of my hands and break on the floor. That wasn’t too pretty either!

 

[Benedict108]

Why don’t we look into the harmful side effects of eating cheeseburgers, smoking cigarettes, or drinking alcohol, all of which are legal and kill a ridiculous amount more people every year than marijuana does.

My contention was to answer the debate about the harmfulness of marijuana. Abuse of anything is damaging and can be harmful and sinful. View Aquinas’ Summa and review parts dealing with Habits and you will see that. I really don’t care to write it out, as it is too lengthy. In the Chapter dealing with Habits it also covers the nature of sin and how sin can be against God, yourself, or your neighbor. I would strongly recommed its reading

Nevertheless, the writing of the Catechism of Catholic Church has been discussed and its detailing of drugs made clear, but I will add the preceding paragraph to my quote:

2290 The virtue of temperance disposes us to avoid every kind of excess: the abuse of food, alcohol, tobacco, or medicine. Those incur grave guilt who, by drunkenness or a love of speed, endanger their own and others’ safety on the road, at sea, or in the air.

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.

Retrieved from: vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P80.HTM

Pax.

 

[jkiernan56]

My contention was to answer the debate about the harmfulness of marijuana. Abuse of anything is damaging and can be harmful and sinful. View Aquinas’ Summa and review parts dealing with Habits and you will see that. I really don’t care to write it out, as it is too lengthy. In the Chapter dealing with Habits it also covers the nature of sin and how sin can be against God, yourself, or your neighbor. I would strongly recommed its reading

Nevertheless, the writing of the Catechism of Catholic Church has been discussed and its detailing of drugs made clear, but I will add the preceding paragraph to my quote:

Pax.

I do love St. Thomas Aquinas and will look into the Summa on Habits. I have a habit of drinking coffee every morning … I really do enjoy not only the taste … but the rush in caffein … it wakes me up … helps my mind to be more alert and acute … now I would argue that caffein (even though it IS a drug) is not within the framework of the CCC when it refers to drugs … as common sense would come to bear here … does the CCC have a list of drugs that has been deemed “serious” … while other ones are classifed as “recreational” or “therapeutic”? I honestly think alcohol is used recreationally and also for its therapeutic effects on body and mind. Where does the Catechism … or even writings of Holy men and women through the ages … have come right out and pointed a finger directly at marijuana?

there is no intention here to minimize the Catechism on those things you quoted … but any one with common sense would realize it does not explicitly categorize or classify drugs as to the seriousness of their use … into groupings … these drugs are serious … these drugs are not serious … you get the point …

Now on another note … I would really really appreciate a Biblical scholar to affirm or deny what I have read about the historicity of marijuana … ie … cannabis … Would someone please confirm or deny whether or not the Holy Annointing Oil used in the Old Testament … did or did not consist of canna bosem … a Hebrew translation for cannabis … here is some information with link below:

Anthropologist Sula Benet claimed historical evidence and etymological comparison show that the Holy anointing oil used by the Hebrews contained cannabis extracts, “kaneh bosm,” and that it is also listed as an incense tree in the original Hebrew and Aramaic texts of the Old Testament. The early Christians used cannabis oil for medicinal purposes and as part of the baptismal process to confirm the forgiveness of sins and “right of passage” into the Kingdom of Heaven. The Unction, Seal, laying on of hands, the Counselor, and the Holy spirit are all often synonymous of the Holy anointing oil.

According to Aryeh Kaplan, cannabis was an ingredient in the Holy anointing oil mentioned in various sacred Hebrew texts. The herb of interest is most commonly known as kaneh-bosem (קְנֵה-בֹשֶׂם; the singular form of which would be kaneh-bo) which is mentioned several times in the Old Testament as a bartering material, incense, and an ingredient in Holy anointing oil used by the high priest of the temple.

**The Septuagint (300AD) translates kaneh-bosem as calamus, and this translation has been propagated unchanged to most later translations of the Torah (1500BC+). However, Polish anthropologist Sula Benet published etymological arguments that the Aramaic word for hemp can be read as kannabos and appears to be a cognate to the modern word ‘cannabis’,[15] with the root kan meaning reed or hemp and bosm meaning fragrant. Both cannabis and calamus are fragrant, reedlike plants containing psychotropic compounds. **While Benet’s conclusion regarding the psychoactive use of cannabis is not universally accepted among Jewish scholars, there is general agreement that cannabis is used in talmudic sources to refer to hemp fibers, as hemp was a vital commodity before linen replaced it.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiritual_use_of_cannabis

The main thing I want to know is whether or not kaneh-bosem was an ingredient in the Holy Annointing Oil … in the Old Testament.

 

[Benedict108]

As far the composition goes, I honestly don’t know. You would have to ask someone with a better historical background than myself:blush:

Recreation and Amusement

1. For the preservation of bodily health and vigor we need more than food or clothing; we also need periods of rest and recreation. Pleasures and enjoyments are in some degree as needful for us as the air we breathe or the food we eat. Some people think that piety must be gloomy and religion stiff and repelling. Christ did not think so. At the very opening of His ministry to man we find Him with His Blessed Mother and His disciples sanctifying by His presence the marriage feast of Cana - not merely tolerating, but by a miracle promoting and approving harmless mirth and conviviality.

1. Morality of Amusement- It is hard to lay down specific rules in regard to the various forms of recreation and amusement, such as theaters, movies, dances, socials, games, sports. "But on one thing we can be specific. If we find that nay game or diversion is the cause or occasion of sin for us, we should drop it. If, after any amusement, we feel less like looking into the face of God, or our own mother, we should keep way from it thereafter. The principal purpose of amusement is give rest and recreation to fit us for the burdens of life. If we find that a certain recreation interferes with our duties, our responsibilites, our self-respect, we should let it alone.

Negative Duties Towards the Body

If we have a positive duty to use our body acord to the intention of our Creator, it follows that all actions which are injurious to health, or which involve abuse or mutiliation of the members of the body or destruction of life itself by suicide are morally forbidden…

**Taken from:**Catholic Morality. A Course in Religion For High Schools and Academics Book III, By Fr. John Laux, M.A.

Marijuana is considered prohibited except for medical use. It is indeed destructive.

If you are still unsure of this you can reference Daily Roman Missal Published by by Midwest Theological Forum, INC., 6th Ed., Imprimatur: His Eminence Francis Cardinal George, O.M.I., Archbishop of Chicago; Chairman of the Committe on the Liturgy

It was concordat cum oringanil: Published by the Authority of the Bishop’s Committee on the Liturgy, USCCB

On page 2246, under Guide for A Good Confession (Examination of Conscience) It clearly states: “Did I get drunk or use prohibited drugs?”

I think it makes it pretty clear. MJ is prohibited, except for medical purposes. I defined the terms of recreation above by Fr. Laux’s book on morality.

Nevertheless, I still don’t know the composition of the oil…LOL:blush:

Pax tecum.

 

[jkiernan56]

As far the composition goes, I honestly don’t know. You would have to ask someone with a better historical background than myself:blush:

Marijuana is considered prohibited except for medical use. It is indeed destructive.

If you are still unsure of this you can reference Daily Roman Missal Published by by Midwest Theological Forum, INC., 6th Ed., Imprimatur: His Eminence Francis Cardinal George, O.M.I., Archbishop of Chicago; Chairman of the Committe on the Liturgy

It was concordat cum oringanil: Published by the Authority of the Bishop’s Committee on the Liturgy, USCCB

On page 2246, under Guide for A Good Confession (Examination of Conscience) It clearly states: “Did I get drunk or use prohibited drugs?”

I think it makes it pretty clear. MJ is prohibited, except for medical purposes. I defined the terms of recreation above by Fr. Laux’s book on morality.

Nevertheless, I still don’t know the composition of the oil…LOL:blush:

Pax tecum.

Thank you for that information. I really do appreciate your responses. Scripture says that “correct a fool, and he will rebuke you for it; correct a wise man, and he will love you for it.” I really do appreciate your good intentions … so far I have not been convinced or convicted by the ideas your presented. In fact, if anything, it has helped me possibly even more to be at ease in conscience … I especially loved the part:

"But on one thing we can be specific. If we find that any game or diversion is the cause or occasion of sin for us, we should drop it. If, after any amusement, we feel less like looking into the face of God, or our own mother, we should keep way from it thereafter. The principal purpose of amusement is give rest and recreation to fit us for the burdens of life. If we find that a certain recreation interferes with our duties, our responsibilites, our self-respect, we should let it alone."

The use of marijuana has done the exact opposite of what you describe for me. In fact, it moves me to deeper prayer, love of the scriptures, the sacraments, reading of the lives of the saints, teachings of the Church, love of theology and especially the Trinity … also more heartfelt confession and sorrowfulness for sin, prayer an intercession for others … and the list goes on… lets just say that it does not drive me away from God … it drives me more towards God, towards a desire for Holiness, Goodness, Kindness, Patience …

I agree with you that if the fruits produced something quite different, especially movement of our heart, mind, will away from God … it is NOT from the Lord. But if you do see fruits of the Holy Spirit … it does make one pause.

Please ask some of your religious brothers and/or sisters if they can look into the composition of the Holy Annointing Oil used in the Old Testament … I would greatly appreciate it.

I would like to discuss with you the wedding of Cana … the humanity of Christ … whether the moderate and responsible use of alcohol is something Christ condones … and why that might not also be true of kanah-bosem (cannabis).

By the way, you should know that I have had a very powerful, profound experience of God’s Grace in my life … and it was NOT an experience from the use of any drug … nor was I even using it at the time … Grace is no longer a concept, but a very deep personal experience … At the time, my spiritual director was a Carmelite Priest.

Cheers? Bottoms Up??? LOL

 

[vera_dicere]

Marijuana is a “gate way” drug, meaning chances are it will lead you to something worse. It’s also a bad idea and should be avoided like the plauge if you have any personal or family history of mental illnesses, esp. schitzonphrenia - as smoking this drug can cause all manner of flare ups.

This drug also causes damage to the brain. It also has a high rate of throat, mouth and lung cancers then tabaccoo smoking.

The question then becomes, why would you want to smoke something that is damaging to your brain and to your body? Would God want you to harm yoruself in this manner? Booze isn’t great, but it takes a lot more to cause issue with liver and brain but dope can do damage right away.

Plus, you are inviting into your life a mental instability that could lead you to commit mortal sins. I met a patient once who strangled his toddler when he was stonned on dope because he thought she was the devil. He’d also committed acts of rape and self-torture. While this won’t happen to everyone, you are removing a good deal of self control and common sense into your life when you smoke something that’s entire purpose is to change your perception.

As a Catholic I say don’t do it because it takes you from your own control and God’s control and could lead you to commit serious sins.

As a nurse I say STAY THE HELL AWAY FROM THAT RUBBISH IT WILL ONLY END BADLY!!!

 

[Benedict108]

Thank you for that information. I really do appreciate your responses. Scripture says that “correct a fool, and he will rebuke you for it; correct a wise man, and he will love you for it.” I really do appreciate your good intentions … so far I have not been convinced or convicted by the ideas your presented. In fact, if anything, it has helped me possibly even more to be at ease in conscience … I especially loved the part:

"But on one thing we can be specific. If we find that any game or diversion is the cause or occasion of sin for us, we should drop it. If, after any amusement, we feel less like looking into the face of God, or our own mother, we should keep way from it thereafter. The principal purpose of amusement is give rest and recreation to fit us for the burdens of life. If we find that a certain recreation interferes with our duties, our responsibilites, our self-respect, we should let it alone."

The use of marijuana has done the exact opposite of what you describe for me. In fact, it moves me to deeper prayer, love of the scriptures, lives of the saints, teachings of the Church, love of theology and especially the Trinity … also more heartfelt confession and sorrowfulness for sin, prayer an intercession for others … and the list goes on… lets just say that it does not drive me away from God … it drives me more towards God, towards a desire for Holiness, Goodness, Kindness, Patience …

I agree with you that if the fruits of the Holy Spirit produced something quite different, especially movement of our heart, mind, will away from God … it is NOT from the Lord. Now if the opposite is also true … hmmmm?

Cheers? Bottoms Up??? LOL

I appreciate the kind words , but still I feel the words from the USCCB in the examination of conscience seem to be saying something a bit different, but you have your own opinion which I have to respect. I will end off with a quote from St. Josemaria Escriva:

Confusion. I knew you were unsure of the rightness of your judgement. And, so that you might understand me, I wrote you: "The devil have a very ugly face, and since he’s so smart won’t risk our seeing his horns. He never makes a direct attack. That’s why he so often comes in the disguise of nobleness and even of spirituality!
**Excerpt from:**The Way, Paragraph 385

I put this as point of reflection. This is something I am forced to contemplate daily and am contemplating now as I write. I believe these questions need to go to someone a more knowledgable than myself, for if I continued I would begin to impart opinion rather than fact and I certainly do not want to lead anyone the wrong way. I would recommend this issue to a priest who has a strong background in moral theology and apologetics.

God bless all of you.

 

[jkiernan56]

I appreciate the kind words , but still I feel the words from the USCCB in the examination of conscience seem to be saying something a bit different, but you have your own opinion which I have to respect. I will end off with a quote from St. Josemaria Escriva:

I put this as point of reflection. This is something I am forced to contemplate daily and am contemplating now as I write. I believe these questions need to go to someone a more knowledgable than myself, for if I continued I would begin to impart opinion rather than fact and I certainly do not want to lead anyone the wrong way. I would recommend this issue to a priest who has a strong background in moral theology and apologetics.

God bless all of you.

Dear Fr. Benedict or Brother Benedict,

Since you quote the words of St. Escriva, you most likely belong to Opus Dei -

With all due respect, and i really do respect the men of the cloth, especially those living holy lives in service to the Church, I would like to take you step by step through your thinking process and the layout of the land … the order of presentation of ideas that you have put before me … that in your understanding you conclude that marijuana is clearly a prohibted substance, but I will show you where the fallacy is in your presentation. Please follow me closely … this may take a few postings … to go step by step .

First your understanding of the USCCB and then my understanding. I will show you that the USCCB does not say what you think it says.

…

 

[Benedict108]

Dear Fr. Benedict or Brother Benedict,

Since you quote the words of St. Escriva, you most likely belong to Opus Dei -

With all due respect, and i really do respect the men of the cloth, especially those living holy lives in service to the Church, I would like to take you step by step through your thinking process and the layout of the land … the order of presentation of ideas that you have put before me … that in your understanding you conclude that marijuana is clearly a prohibted substance, but I will show you where the fallacy is in your presentation. Please follow me closely … this may take a few postings … to go step by step .

First your understanding of the USCCB and then my understanding. I will show you that the USCCB does not say what you think it says.

…

No, I am no priest or brother. I do not belong to Opus Dei, but I have great respect for them. I am just a lay person. That is a further reason why I have stepped back. I can only speak of what I know and am sure of. That was why I made the comment to refer it to the whole issue to the clergy, as it would be presumptuous of me to impart my opinion as fact and I certainly do not want to lead anyone down the wrong path, but as I said before I respect your opinion

 

[jkiernan56]

First, you presented an excerpt from Catholic Morality. A Course in Religion For High Schools and Academics Book III, By Fr. John Laux, M.A.

The excepts are broken into two sections:

1. Recreation and Amusement
2. Negative Duties Towards the Body

In the first section, it mentions the wedding feast at Cana. Here is the actual text you presented: “At the very opening of His ministry to man we find Him with His Blessed Mother and His disciples sanctifying by His presence the marriage feast of Cana - not merely tolerating, but by a miracle promoting and approving harmless mirth and conviviality.”

Now, any one using common sense will know that underlying these words, that the author was talking about the Lord turning the water into real wine … which is a liquid drug … called alcohol … that has particular properties … and physical/psychological effects on those who consume it …

So far you have not shown me one thing about marijuana … yet. This example does not convict pot in a court so far with the evidence you have presented up to this point …

In the section titled “Morality of Amusement” it makes a very strong case that in my experience … it has the complete OPPOSITE effect of what you describe … and again … so far you have not presented any evidence that precludes marijuana is a harmful drug … detrimental as you indicated in an earlier post …

to be continued …

 

[Benedict108]

First, you presented an excerpt from Catholic Morality. A Course in Religion For High Schools and Academics Book III, By Fr. John Laux, M.A.

The excepts are broken into two sections:

1. Recreation and Amusement
2. Negative Duties Towards the Body

In the first section, it mentions the wedding feast at Cana. Here is the actual text you presented: “At the very opening of His ministry to man we find Him with His Blessed Mother and His disciples sanctifying by His presence the marriage feast of Cana - not merely tolerating, but by a miracle promoting and approving harmless mirth and conviviality.”

Now, any one using common sense will know that underlying these words, that the author was talking about the Lord turning the water into real wine … which is a liquid drug … called alcohol … that has particular properties … and physical/psychological effects on those who consume it …

So far you have not shown me one thing about marijuana … yet. This example does not convict pot in a court so far with the evidence you have presented up to this point …

In the section titled “Morality of Amusement” it makes a very strong case that in my experience … it has the complete OPPOSITE effect of what you describe … and again … so far you have not presented any evidence that precludes marijuana is a harmful drug … detrimental as you indicated in an earlier post …

to be continued …

My response:

1. “AIDS and IV Drug Use,” Don C. Jarlais and Samuel R. Friedman, Science 245 (1989) 578. A correlation between the use of volatile amyl and butyl nitrites (poppers) and the development of Kaposi’s sarcoma has also been demonstrated. Although not directly linked to AIDS, alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, and amphetamines have been demonstrated to be immunosuppressant, and their use may accelerate disease progression from HIV infection to AIDS.

1. In 1972, Pope Paul VI pointed out this urgent need: “It is indispensable to mobilize public opinion through clear and precise information on the nature and true and deadly consequences of drug abuse, about those misunderstandings which are circulating on its presumed harmlessness and on its beneficial influences” (Insegnamenti di Paolo VI 10 (1972] 1286). Pope John Paul II has also spoken of this contemporary scourge:

Neither alarmism nor over-simplification serve to confront drug abuse. Rather, what is effective is an effort to know the individual and understand his interior world; to lead him to the discovery, or rediscovery, of his own dignity as man; to help him to revive and nurture those personal resources that drugs have buried, by reactivating the mechanisms of the will and directing them toward certain and noble ideals (“The Evil of Drugs,” John Paul II, The Pope Speaks 29 (1984) 356-359: citation at 357.).

From:usccb.org/sdwp/international/ctoresp.shtml

 

[Benedict108]

I have to go now…wife is getting angry. I’ve been on the computer too long…LOL

 

[jkiernan56]

In the second section titled Negative Duties Towards The Body - it states …"If we have a positive duty to use our body acord to the intention of our Creator, it follows that all actions which are injurious to health, or which involve abuse or mutiliation of the members of the body or destruction of life itself by suicide are morally forbidden…

1. use body according to the intention of our Creator

This is a good one. Actually I think it was the Lord who created marijuana … and second … that His intention was that we smoke it … just as alcohol is intended for drinking

1. actions injurious to health (abuse or mutilation of the members), destruction of life

Is alcohol injurious to health or abuse of the body, or a destruction of life? No, not when it is used moderately and responsibily in relationship to all other duties in one’s life … temperately as it was mentioned … in proper proportion … place, time, intention … Now, I tell you that the same exact defense can be made for the moderate, responsible, temperate use of marijuana … that definitely has medical benefits … and is extremely therapeutic …

In this discussion thread, we have talked extensively about the legality issue. For the sake of argument, lets please both assume that it is legally obtained and used … and not participating in the economics of evil … So like in an equation … with the given that marijuana is being used in a legal manner for the purpose of its medical, therapeutic effects … as espoused by the CCC, how is the responsible, moderate, temperate use of marijuana any different whatsoever from the responsible, moderate, temperate use of alchohol??? Yes, protracted exposure to smoke can have consequences to ones lungs … just as alcohol use can do damage to brain cells in the person who drinks … there is a morality that ok’s the moderate, temperate use of alcohol … even though if abused it might cause damage to one’s health … this exact same case can be made FOR the responsible, moderate, temperate use of marijuana …

so far you have not presented any evidence that the proper use of marijuana is what you have said it is … and in fact, I would go so far as to say you have misrepresented the real meaning of the text you quote from. You make inferences, but you do not have anything concrete to back you up.

to be continued …

 

[jkiernan56]

Now Fr. Benedict,

You quoted a good point of examination of conscience. Here is the actual text: "On page 2246, under Guide for A Good Confession (Examination of Conscience) It clearly states: “Did I get drunk or use prohibited drugs?”

Now you know that every good thing comes from the hand of the Lord. And you must also know that it is the misuse of what God has created that makes its misuse evil (goodness gone bad … or not according to the intention of the Creator).

Now in the text you quote above, it clearly spells out “getting drunk” … drunkeness is the inordinate use of alcohol in a irresponsible, immoderate, intemperate manner. The other part of the sentence talks about the use of prohibited drugs. Now that can be understood in two ways: 1) its legality 2) your ascertion that it is prohibited

As I explained earlier, I don’t think you made a very good case that marijuana is a prohibited drug. You read the text you quoted from and infer something quite different than what I think is really there in the text. You stretch what is said to apply to marijuana … although there is nothing that can back that up.

 

[LegoGE1947]

LOL!!! Eggnog would be nice, but I can’t have it…LOL! Conflicts with my medication. No alcohol for me, but I do remember the taste very faintly.

I’ll have some non-alcoholic egg nog please!

 

[jkiernan56]

My response:

1. “AIDS and IV Drug Use,” Don C. Jarlais and Samuel R. Friedman, Science 245 (1989) 578. A correlation between the use of volatile amyl and butyl nitrites (poppers) and the development of Kaposi’s sarcoma has also been demonstrated. Although not directly linked to AIDS, alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, and amphetamines have been demonstrated to be immunosuppressant, and their use may accelerate disease progression from HIV infection to AIDS.
2. In 1972, Pope Paul VI pointed out this urgent need: "It is indispensable to mobilize public opinion through clear and precise information on the nature and true and deadly consequences of drug abuse, about those misunderstandings which are circulating on its presumed harmlessness and on its beneficial influences" (Insegnamenti di Paolo VI 10 (1972] 1286). Pope John Paul II has also spoken of this contemporary scourge:
   Neither alarmism nor over-simplification serve to confront drug abuse. Rather, what is effective is an effort to know the individual and understand his interior world; to lead him to the discovery, or rediscovery, of his own dignity as man; to help him to revive and nurture those personal resources that drugs have buried, by reactivating the mechanisms of the will and directing them toward certain and noble ideals (“The Evil of Drugs,” John Paul II, The Pope Speaks 29 (1984) 356-359: citation at 357.).

From:usccb.org/sdwp/international/ctoresp.shtml

Now with all due respect to our beloved John Paul 2 … one of the greatest saints of ALL times in my opinion … along with Mother Teresa … if you closely follow the text again … you will see that its context is the scourage of the misuse of drugs … and even though alcohol is not mentioned in his text, it must also be included … since it too is a drug that has been a scourage on society. But the misuse of a drug and its aftermath … does not mean that we throw out the baby with the bath water … the abuse of something … does not mean we should go back to the days of Prohibition … but the Pope’s thoughts does address the scourage of the misuse of God’s creation … again I think you have over reached and stretched the words of Pope John Paul too far … any drug that is misused will have negative results … and ripple effects in that persons life … and in society … including marijuana … or any other drug for that matter … but when used properly according to God’s design? Are you telling me God did not have a design for marijuana?

 

[mystagogia]

What do you marijuana advocates think the benefit of marijuana is? If you think it may not be a sin, do you think it may be a good?

I cannot see how it can be a good unless one has a very serious medical condition; even then its good is mostly pallative.

I’ll note that the Lord may come at any time, like a thief in the night the gospels say. Would you want to be stoned when that happens?

Yes Jesus did turn water into wine, in Matthew 11:19 he relates being called a glutton and a drunkard, and then who can forget the role of wine in the Eucharist? But where does he endorse incapacity or chemical inducement of euphoria?

Rather, his message consistently is: devote yourself to the kingdom of God, not worldly or material things. Such as chemicals.

 

[Benedict108]

1. Today the scourge of drug abuse is rife in cruel forms and impressive in size, larger than many expected.

Tragic episodes indicate that the overwhelming epidemic knows wider ramifications, fueled by an obscene market, which cuts across boundaries of nations and continents.

Thus continues to increase the danger to youth and adolescents. But the implications of poisonous underground river and its connections with the crime and the mob and many are likely to be one of the main factors of general decline.

Faced with an evil so rampant, I feel the need to express my profound sorrow and my acute concern.

Sorrow for the victims of falcidia, sometimes only partly to blame, however, deserve better fate, for the impoverishment that comes to the team by the loss of human sound and healthy energy, for the fatal event of ideals which, in turn, deserve the most Office ardent enthusiasm.

Concern for the youth, the most vulnerable and inevitably exposed to the most gloomy spirals, for the family, schools, groups, associations, have become unwitting targets of profiteers without any sense of dignity and honor. Concern about the present and the future of our civilization, which, if not further delay the necessary remedies, will run the risk of painful infection that weigh on the long generations.

1. In these circumstances it has become extremely urgent that my predecessor Paul VI additava a few years ago: "It is indispensable - he said in 1972 - to mobilize public opinion through a clear and precise information on the nature and consequences of real and deadly drugs against these misunderstandings, which are circulating about his alleged safety benefits and its influences "(Teachings of Paul VI, X [1972] 1286).

All bodies of the company are required to mobilize this intelligent and forward, in exercising their responsibilities and the scope of their powers, with specific initiatives. I am particularly the media, in obedience to the purposes and possibilities of their educational tools.

In this context I wish to highlight the large space that the delicate matter offers Catholics means of social communication. Nor can I fail to mention the role that falls to the Catholic school as an expression of his strong character education.

This is encouraging - even when not starting from scratch - a new mentality, which is essentially positive, inspired by the great values of life and man.

It’s a huge goal to be reached with the tenacious efforts of every day, with clarity of ideas and decision purposes.

1. What can be said of darkness side of drugs? Of the large tanks and thousands of rivulets through which flows the traffic nefando? Of the huge speculation and outrageous ties with organized crime?

Any serious regard to preventive requires wide-ranging measures to drain the sources and routes stop this flood of death.

The fight against drugs is a serious duty connected with the exercise of public responsibilities. We need, as suggested Paul VI, addressing the problem at its roots with an extensive action in the fields of prevention and treatment (Teachings of Paul VI, XIV [1976] 963).

In the sphere of cooperation between nations and supranational organizations such as the laws and regulations at national level, we need strict rules that discourage the infamous departing traffic, while other provisions for the recovery of those who remained entangled in the painful slavery. The distinction between criminal and victim must be distinct, to prevent the gross misunderstanding.

At this point let me repeat with renewed energy as I said last May 27 in meeting with the therapeutic community of San Crispino Viterbo: “Drugs are not won with drugs.”

Drugs are an evil, and evil is not suitable failure. The legalizations even partial, as well as being at least questionable in relation to type of the law, does not have the effects they had set. A common now offers confirmation.

Prevention, suppression, rehabilitation are the focal points of a program that was conceived and implemented in light of human dignity, supported by fairness of relations between peoples, collecting the confidence and support of the Church.

1. I spoke of a new mentality, largely positive. This is what must be a hard heart to all parts of the fabric of the Church and all people of good will, really worried and exquisitely sensitive to spiritual values.

To cultivate such values is the key to remove the soil gramigna drugs.

As I said in un’omelia to members of the Italian Center of solidarity: "The man has a dire need to know if it deserves born, live, fight, suffer and die, if it has value to undertake what was more than the material interests and quotas, if, in a word, there is a “because” that would justify its existence on earth "(Teachings of John Paul II, II / 2 [1979] 107).

to be continued…