Is smoking marijuana a sin?

[Kevin_Walker]

fix:

Laws against pot do not violate the natural law. Abortion, violates the natural law, yet is legal. That law is unjust and not binding.

The Church teaches all civil laws bind us, unless they are unjust.

So I guess an Unjust Civil law is just a matter of opinion, a matter of whose ox is getting gored?

 

[fix]

Kevin Walker:

So I guess an Unjust Civil law is just a matter of opinion, a matter of whose ox is getting gored?

Only if one is a moral relativist and rejects the authority of the Church.

 

[cleofet]

1samuel:

I think that disobedience to civil law makes it a sin. If anything is used in excess it becomes a sin. However, from the “damaging the temple” standpoint, sitting at a crowded intersection breathing exhaust is probably equally damaging as a moderate consumption. And it would take an awful lot to make you lose control. alcohol is by far worse and it’s legal. (?)

I agree with you on these points. Excessive alcohol kills a lot of innocent people (drunk driving). But part of the question was is it the question was is it a mortal or venial sin?

 

[Kevin_Walker]

fix:

Only if one is a moral relativist and rejects the authority of the Church.

Only on matters of local politics and its own internal management; I view the Vatican infallible only on matters of religious doctrine.

Civil Law =/=Morality

 

[fix]

Kevin Walker:

Only on matters of politics and its internal management; I view the Vatican infallible only on matters of religious doctrine.

Faith and morals, that is what we are to believe and how we are to act. She teaches us we must obey all legitimate civil laws under penalty of sin.

 

[Michael_C]

There’s no such thing as getting a little stoned. Smoking Pot gets you high. It’s a sin.

 

[1samuel]

cleofet:

I agree with you on these points. Excessive alcohol kills a lot of innocent people (drunk driving). But part of the question was is it the question was is it a mortal or venial sin?

does it meet the three requirements to be mortal?

 

[1samuel]

fix:

Cigarettes and beer are legal.

in some states, a limited quantity of pot is too. Is it then sinful in the states where it isn’t?

 

[1samuel]

Michael C:

There’s no such thing as getting a little stoned. Smoking Pot gets you high. It’s a sin.

like any chemical amusement aid, dose regulates level of intoxication.

 

[fix]

1samuel:

in some states, a limited quantity of pot is too. Is it then sinful in the states where it isn’t?

If it is legal, then like alcohol if not used to excess, It would be legal I would imagine. The question here deals with obedience to legitimate authority. What if there was a street corner with no stop sign, then one day one is put up? Can one disobey it because it was not there yesterday?

 

[1samuel]

fix:

Why would an illegal substance like marijuana not be in that category? It is against the civil law and this is a sin.

Again, I said “IF”. And in some states it is legal. I dont want you to get the wrong impression, I am not a user of any drug. I dont drink, not even coffee. I think the world would be far better off without any of it. But I have. I put it away when I became a father 15 years ago but I cant see where one (pot) is wrong, where moderate use of alcohol is fine. If one is totally condemned, so should both. I have never heard of a car accident where pot smoke was a factor, but people are killed everyday by drunks.

 

[Almeria]

It is possible to get high being in the room (or nearby) a person smoking pot. I was at a U2 concert years ago, and I felt distinctly different at the end of the concert being downwind of several individuals smoking pot.

Maybe those claiming it is not a sin are not aware of this. I’d like to give them the benefit of the doubt here. I can’t imagine that they’d think getting another individual high against their will isn’t sinful.

 

[fix]

1samuel:

Again, I said “IF”. And in some states it is legal. I dont want you to get the wrong impression, I am not a user of any drug. I dont drink, not even coffee. I think the world would be far better off without any of it. But I have. I put it away when I became a father 15 years ago but I cant see where one (pot) is wrong, where moderate use of alcohol is fine. If one is totally condemned, so should both. I have never heard of a car accident where pot smoke was a factor, but people are killed everyday by drunks.

Again, the reason it is sinful, venial or mortal depends, is because to do so would violate the civil law. Intentionally violating the civil law is a sin. Speeding is a sin. Not paying your taxes is a sin. There are many examples. Now, laws can change, but they still are laws while in effect.

 

[fix]

Marijuana
Question from Rickiann on 02-01-2002: In theology we are studying morality and bio-ethics. During our double periods we are given a certain situation. This week my group got a situation in which a teen couple was selling marijuana as a way to make money for college. Is smoking marijuana against the 5th commandment? Some of us said yes, and others (you have been known to do drugs) said no. Who is right? Answer by Fr.Stephen F. Torraco on 02-01-2002: It is indeed against the 5th Commandment. It is also against the 4th Commandment, according to which we are obliged to obey the civil law that is in harmony with the natural law.

 

[fix]

fix:

If it is legal, then like alcohol if not used to excess, It would be legal I would imagine. The question here deals with obedience to legitimate authority. What if there was a street corner with no stop sign, then one day one is put up? Can one disobey it because it was not there yesterday?

I meant to say it would not be sinful if not illegal and not used to excess.

 

[1samuel]

fix:

Again, the reason it is sinful, venial or mortal depends, is because to do so would violate the civil law. Intentionally violating the civil law is a sin. Speeding is a sin. Not paying your taxes is a sin. There are many examples. Now, laws can change, but they still are laws while in effect.

If i continue to avoid all of it I’ll be safe.

 

[Kevin_Walker]

fix:

Faith and morals, that is what we are to believe and how we are to act. She teaches us we must obey all legitimate civil laws under penalty of sin.

Hi fix,

Not to overly digress from the topic, but I have pondered this situation ever since forced busing began in Boston in 1974; and I cannot see the link between faith & morals and statute law (or civil law). To me they are imiscable as oil & water.

In 1974 Cardinal Medeiros said that parents were wrong not to allow their children to be forced bused into some of the most dangerous neighborhoods in New England, and the victims of forced busing feel towards Cardinal Medeiros the way sex abuse victims feel toward Cardinal Law - not very good!

Faith, morals, religion are a separate category altogether from civil law, and the blind obediance towards any authority is a sin in my opinion.

Even if they legalized marijuana, smoking it to distort your conscienous would still be immoral in my eyes (like getting drunk on purpose).

 

[Steve_Andersen]

There are three separate pot threads

I wonder why all this sudden interest?

It seems that for some issues multiple threads appear at once

Coincidence?

A response to a news article?

 

[1samuel]

Even if they legalized marijuana, smoking it to distort your conscienous would still be immoral in my eyes (like getting drunk on purpose). if any mental distortion is wrong, why is every feast in scripture discribed as; kill the fatted calf and break out the wine? why was it such a crisis that they ran out of wine at Cana, and why didnt our Lord turn water into grape juice if he opposed? nothin brings a party to life like a few glasses of cheer, right? If the church forbid such behavior, why didnt they say; any mind altering substance for recreation is forbidden. instead they say “abuse” is a sin. where is the line between “use” and “abuse”? They dont give one so are we to decide our limitations? Everyone is different. Everyone has a different reaction to such things. Take tobacco for example, they say its ok to use, just not to the point it harms our body. So somewhere between the guy who enjoys a cuban cigar once a year, and the two pack a day smoker, there is a line. Who decides where that line is?

 

[1samuel]

Steve Andersen:

There are three separate pot threads

I wonder why all this sudden interest?

It seems that for some issues multiple threads appear at once

Coincidence?

A response to a news article?/QUOTE
I like it cause its a grey area. there is no definite answer. its illegal so its a sin, but if it ever passes the vote for legalization, where will it be then? God created it. it takes NO modification by man to use it. I’d love to know what His intention for it was. Just a temptation? there is nothing in scripture, but then, the plant was not a desert plant. it was used in china at the time. does it lead to stronger drugs? to some one headed that way anyway. its not addictive. its not a hallucinogenic. pioneers used it to make rope. indians used the other end of the plant as a symbol of peace in their peace pipes. What did our heavenly Father intend it for? He knew no doubt, where it would end up. But isn’t it an interesting debate?