Is it a sin or sinful to smoke marijuana?

[CWBetts]

I have never said marijuana use was an intrinsic evil. But breaking the law ANY LAW is sin. We are not abke to disregard laws, and as of right now, it is against the law in a majority of the world to use marijuana. I am the one who is manging my head aginst the law becuse some refuse to submit to legitimate authority.

 

[jkiernan56]

the softest substance, water

wears away the hardest stone

Very good point. You have a lot more patience than i do … lol

 

[CWBetts]

I try not to quote myself, but I found these quotes from the CCC, concerning moral authority and unjust laws VERY VERY interesting.

READ CAREFULLY:

“1902 Authority does not derive it’s moral legitimacy from itself. It must not behave in a despotic manner, but must act for the common good as a “moral force based on freedom and a sense of responsibility.”:21”

“A human law has the character of law to the extent that it accords with right reason, and thus derives from the eternal law. Insofar as it falls short of right reason, it is said to be an unjust law and thus has not so much the nature of the law as of a kind of violence.22”

(bolding and italics are mine) (I don’t know why my letters are blue)

I think it is clear what the Church has to say. It doesn’t say anything about being only bound to laws that directly contradict Church teaching, but to laws that contradict COMMEN SENSE, as in “morality by geography.” Happy warpspeedpetey? I am.

The Church always makes sense, even when it’s members may not. Thank you Jesus, for the holy guidance and wisdom of the Catholic Church.

---

Rome has spoken … case closed!!

Now all you have to do is show how laws for the benefit of public health and safety are unjust

 

[Ana]

I have never said marijuana use was an intrinsic evil. But breaking the law ANY LAW is sin. We are not abke to disregard laws, and as of right now, it is against the law in a majority of the world to use marijuana. I am the one who is manging my head aginst the law becuse some refuse to submit to legitimate authority.

To me the question lies in your use of the word “legitimate.” We do not have an obligation to follow a law that contradicts our reason and common sense says the CCC.

That’s not me saying this … but the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

 

[Ana]

Now all you have to do is show how laws for the benefit of public health and safety are unjust

If they really are, it wouldn’t be hard because the facts would speak for themselves, just like marijuana. It belies the use of reason to consider marijuan criminal while excusing alcohol. It also belies the use of reason to say something is moral depending on something as variable as location.

You yourself said, in an earlier post, that you would not consider smoking marijuana a sin, except in a place where it is illegal.

The fact that these unjust laws are imposed on people make the law just as the catechism says, “a form of violence.”

If you don’t agree with the CCC, I guess you can continue with your position. But I have finally found the answer … The Catholic Church!

 

[CWBetts]

To me the question lies in your use of the word “legitimate.” We do not have an obligation to follow a law that contradicts our reason and common sense says the CCC.

That’s not me saying this … but the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

No, its actually you twisting the CCC to make it sound like you violate any lay that you don’t like. A pedophile could youse this type of reasoning to justify marrying a 9 year old

 

[Ana]

Now all you have to do is show how laws for the benefit of public health and safety are unjust

You’re being stubborn now.

C’mon, admit it. It’s the law that is a sin, NOT the people who smoke.

 

[CWBetts]

You’re being stubborn now.

C’mon, admit it. It’s the law that is a sin, NOT the people who smoke.

Absiolutely not. Anti-drug laws are to protect public health and safety. Keeping drugs illegal is for the common good (or did you just skip over those words?), and therfore just laws, and we are bound to obey them.

 

[Ana]

“1902 Authority does not derive it’s moral legitimacy from itself. It must not behave in a despotic manner, but must act for the common good as a “moral force based on freedom and a sense of responsibility.”:21”

“A human law has the character of law to the extent that it accords with right reason, and thus derives from the eternal law. Insofar as it falls short of right reason, it is said to be an unjust law and thus has not so much the nature of the law as of a kind of violence.22”

Insofar it falls short of right reason … it is said to be an UNJUST law.

For something to be illegal in one state, and not in the next … falls short of right reason. For something that is not immoral to be made illegal, falls short of right reason.

Insofar it falls short of right reason it is said to be an UNJUST LAW.

UNJUST means without justice. How can you defend something that is contrary to the virtue of justice? God is JUST.

We are not arguing pedophelia. We are arguing marijuana.
To compare child molester’s with pot smokers is exactly the kind of violence these laws invite.

 

[Ana]

Absiolutely not. Anti-drug laws are to protect public health and safety. Keeping drugs illegal is for the common good (or did you just skip over those words?), and therfore just laws, and we are bound to obey them.

Then you must embrace the position that alcohol should be made illegal as well. There are much more severe consequenses towards the “common good.”

Those who smoke in moderation have the same impact on the “common good” as those who drink responsibly.

This is because the marijuana laws fall short of right reason.

 

[Ana]

Ana:
Cocaine and heroin laws do not **fall short of right reason, **so they would not be an unjust law.

 

[CWBetts]

Then you must embrace the position that alcohol should be made illegal as well. There are much more severe consequenses towards the “common good.”

Those who smoke in moderation have the same impact on the “common good” as those who drink responsibly.

This is because the marijuana laws fall short of right reason.

I am glad you are so all knowing. You are grasping at straws to convince yourself that you are not sinning in the eyes of God. What a wonderful witness for Christ a pot-smoker must be. I am done with this thread. You have all been blinded to the truth.

 

[Ana]

I am glad you are so all knowing. You are grasping at straws to convince yourself that you are not sinning in the eyes of God. What a wonderful witness for Christ a pot-smoker must be. I am done with this thread. You have all been blinded to the truth.

That would be called a hostile retreat, with a little bit of projection thrown in.

God bless you, friend.

 

[warpspeedpetey]

I have never said marijuana use was an intrinsic evil. But breaking the law ANY LAW is sin. We are not abke to disregard laws, and as of right now, it is against the law in a majority of the world to use marijuana. I am the one who is manging my head aginst the law becuse some refuse to submit to legitimate authority.

thats still morality by geography, doesnt make smoking pot sinful. morality is not relative.

and how does making marijuana illegal, while making the vastly more harmful alcohol legal, constitute legitimate authority?

would seem that such an arrangement smacks of illegitimacy

 

[warpspeedpetey]

I am glad you are so all knowing.

we are talking about something we have a lot of experience with, you aren’t. i can imagine how we may seem all knowing from that perspective,

after all doctors seemed like magicians to amazonian tribesmen

You are grasping at straws to convince yourself that you are not sinning in the eyes of God.

we aren’t the ones grasping at straws, remember there aint no AA for stoners, just alcoholics. we have all the evidence on our side. your side doesnt have any.

What a wonderful witness for Christ a pot-smoker must be.

what a wonderful witness to Christ a social drinker must be, see when i say that it sounds as ridiculous as it is

I am done with this thread

promises, promises. you said that many, many posts ago, and still, you are here.

You have all been blinded to the truth.

if by truth, you mean your personal opinion of the matter, based on no significant experience, then yeah, were stoner cold blind.

if by truth you mean objective truth based on evidence and logical thought and common sense, then i would say we see the light.

have you considered the possibility that the experts might be right?

 

[fbl9]

I am glad you are so all knowing. You are grasping at straws to convince yourself that you are not sinning in the eyes of God. What a wonderful witness for Christ a pot-smoker must be. I am done with this thread. You have all been blinded to the truth.

St.Paul said we(christians) are to live upright lives as not to give the enemies of Christ something to detract with…basically smoking a bit of pot could fall into this catagory…i noticed no one touched my earlier post where i said to the effect “how could some one else take one’s (a moderate smoker) testamony of Christ in their life seriously”
in this age people have been conditioned to the idea that a devot christian is one that does no wrong,wears a smile 24/7,and is kind in every word and deed.
btw i still smoke a bit myself.and that is all i want is a bit just enough to relax(mellow)

 

[RobHom]

thats still morality by geography, doesnt make smoking pot sinful. morality is not relative.

That my friend depends on how you look at it…as in “perspective-wise”. Consider the “head” that “cops” a “nickle bag or a lid” at an exorbitant price…just to get a buzz, and forgets he’s got a family to feed… Or the “head” who cops a “nickle bag or a lid” and is too busy getting high to worry about paying rent or bills that are legal obligations? Therein lies the sin… You have to look beyond the well-off single person without a care or responsibility in the world…who can do whatever…

But for all the jokes in the world, like "When was the last time you saw a “head” get in a fight with another “head”? And “when was the last time you saw a “head” get a speeding ticket”? Whoa, dude, don’t bogart that joint!! The reality of it all is this… if its a sin, its a sin because they who make it a point to spend their money on substances that diminish inhibitions and ambitions are guilty of harming themselves and others by their actions. No, the harm doesn’t have to be physical, it can be social, or economic,.

and how does making marijuana illegal, while making the vastly more harmful alcohol legal, constitute legitimate authority?

Beyond the fact that one who only has one or two drinks occasionally does not create a health crisis, the simple fact is that the Federal government imposed “Prohibition” on the entire country, which failed, and they woke up to the fact that they were losing billions of dollars in tax revenues. thefreemanonline.org/columns/thoughts-on-freedom-alcohol-prohibition-and-the-revenuers/

Simply put… grass is too easy to grow, and it would really be difficult to tax or rather collect the taxes. Distilling liquor in your backyard or garage is no easy ride in the park…

would seem that such an arrangement smacks of illegitimacy

Yes, to those with a brain, but politicians don’t necessarily have brains, and are less concerned about “morals” than they are about “tax revenues”. If they were really concerned about public health, safety and welfare, there would be no tobacco products sold, or anything with alcohol in it.

Its all about the “money”, aka “tax revenues”. Morals has nothing to do with it.

BTW…if some of my comments seem dated…they probably are. I’m 58, a child of the 60’s…been there, done it.

 

[Coder]

The effects of marijuana are mild in comparison to alcohol.

Hi, repeatedly in my posts I have emphasized that I am referring to one or two drinks. The effect of one or two drinks consumed over a time (not guzzled) is mild compared to the altered state caused by marijuana.

 

[Dee_Dee_King]

can one smoke pot without becoming inebriated? if so, then smoking pot might not be gravely sinful. if on the other hand, pot smoking always leads to intoxication, then it’s always sinful to smoke pot. that being said, the line between responsible use and irresponsible use of a substance is fuzzy.

one beer or glass a wine certainly has an effect on a empty stomach. doesn’t make you inebriated though.

 

[Coder]

stoners dont yell at or beat there kids, thats well known among alcoholics,

Hi, agreed but I am referring to moderate alcohol. One can behave in a very civilized manner after sipping two glasses of Cabernet Sauvignon.

I saw a study that said the brain can be damaged by marijuana. It may have referred to the hippocampus and amygdala.

Ultimately, I recommend discernment and prayer.