Is smoking marijuana a sin?

[fix]

Kevin Walker:

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).

No one is asking for blind obedience, only that we accept the civil law must be obeyed, unless it contradicts the natural law.

 

[Kevin_Walker]

fix:

No one is asking for blind obedience, only that we accept the civil law must be obeyed, unless it contradicts the natural law.

So I guess that is what justified our vehement protests against forced busing in 1974-1984 Boston!

Forced busing is still going on today, but due to white flight, there is no one left to protest.

 

[Michael_C]

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?

What I find very interesting is that I get different answers from different preists.

 

[fix]

Kevin Walker:

So I guess that is what justified our vehement protests against forced busing in 1974-1984 Boston!

Forced busing is still going on today, but due to white flight, there is no one left to protest.

I really do not know. Did the judge’s ruling violate the 10 commandments? Did the Church say that one was free to disobey this particular law because it contradicted the moral law?

What I am so surprised at is that Catholics seem to be unaware that they are bound to obey all just civil laws. It seems as though we think that we are the final judge as to what we may obey or not. My question is which just laws may we disobey?

Where did we get the idea that intentionally violating the civil law was not sinful?

 

[fix]

Michael C:

What I find very interesting is that I get different answers from different preists.

Me too. Is it a case of poor priestly formation, or a rejection of the teaching authority of the Church by particular priests?

 

[Michael_C]

fix:

Me too. Is it a case of poor priestly formation, or a rejection of the teaching authority of the Church by particular priests?

Has anyone posted a thread in the “Ask an Apologist” forum?

 

[Wildgraywolf]

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 totally, completely 100%

Let us not forget that unlike alcohol or tobacco; marijuana also has valid, beneficial medical uses.

Anything we abuse becomes a sin regardless of civil law. Alcohol affects a person’s personality & physiology almost immediately. Over the span of decades, how many deaths or broken families have resulted in the abuse/misuse of alcohol; and yet it is legal. Also consider that abortion is legal under civil law and yet we can all recognize it as the sin of murder.

So, just because something is legal; does not make it moral and just because something is illegal doesn’t make it immoral, yet we are bound to obey civil laws. That doesn’t mean we are to do so blindly; that means we have to evaluate civil laws according to our Christian standards.

I do not perceive marijuana as immoral or sinful, but we are bound to obey the civil law that governs its legal status and doesn’t violate Christian moral standards.

 

[Wildgraywolf]

fix:

I really do not know. Did the judge’s ruling violate the 10 commandments? Did the Church say that one was free to disobey this particular law because it contradicted the moral law?

What I am so surprised at is that Catholics seem to be unaware that they are bound to obey all just civil laws. It seems as though we think that we are the final judge as to what we may obey or not. My question is which just laws may we disobey?

Where did we get the idea that intentionally violating the civil law was not sinful?

As you pointed out I think it depends on whether or not the law is just. The question is; who in the church has the authority to determine a just law from an unjust law or a moral law from an immoral law?

 

[Kevin_Walker]

fix:

I really do not know. Did the judge’s ruling violate the 10 commandments? Did the Church say that one was free to disobey this particular law because it contradicted the moral law?

What I am so surprised at is that Catholics seem to be unaware that they are bound to obey all just civil laws. It seems as though we think that we are the final judge as to what we may obey or not. My question is which just laws may we disobey?

Where did we get the idea that intentionally violating the civil law was not sinful?

I think it has to do with the concept of democracy. Without the mandate of the people, no law is just.

 

[1samuel]

To be honest, they have tried to find a medical purpose for it for 5000 years. any medical claim will say “may aid in the recovery” that is the extent of “valid”. 2700 B.C. the chinese thought it cured everything. but when widespread abuse swept the country, they saw a once disiplined country turning into a bunch of lazy slackers so they broomed it. then India fell for the same trap. they were trying to get rid of it for 2000 years.then it made it as far as africa. it always gets in as a fibre to make fabric for clothes, and turned into an epidemic. Europe had it grown here in Virginia and shipped to avoid the plague. hemp was an export second only to cotton. the invention of the cotton gin put it out of business in 1630. in the 1800’s it came back in through the mexican border. when it got to New Orleans it took and spread like a disease. it was out of control by the 1930’s so in’ 37 the banned it. Do you see a pattern? first LURE then deceit, then distruction. a perfect tool for Satan. This is a weed. A weed pops up where its not wanted, cause problems, and you cant ever get rid of them.

It dont compare to booze. it dont kill brain cells and damage the liver. it instantly accelerates the heart rate for a lifted feeling. it is very harsh on the respitory system. one joint is equal to a half pack of smokes where tar is concerned. its effect are mental. its calming effect with a false sense of hightened awareness leads you to think it “helps” you. when in fact your actually less aware, lazy, tend to procrastinate. arrogant some times boastfull. All these contridict our faith. (sin)

its a felony. if it ever becomes legal in your state, its still a felony. state cant override feds. Getting caught could destroy your livelyhood, your family life, and your job. To disregard the law, is a sin.

We dont cooperate with Satans ploys,
We dont harm our bodies,
We dont disobey civil law.

there are 3 reasons not to do it. and here is a bonus reason.
no one knows the day or the hour our Savior will return. what if you just got done doin one hitters on the bong and and the sky opens and legions of angels start pouring out?

 

[Steve_Andersen]

One of the beauties of the Church is that it helps us distinguish between legitimate authority and authoritarianism

Frankly an unenforceable law the pries into your personal business seems a little heavy handed. It is arbitrary and capacious and arguably not “Just”

Claiming that something to be a sin in the USA but OK in Holland stretches credibility.

Moral laws are supposed to be eternal
They don’t change on the vote of a legislature

In fact being coerced into moral behavior under fear of civil penalty sort of defeats the purpose of free will and doing good out of love of God

If there is a sin here it is endangering your livelihood and your ability to provide for your family by challenging the prohibitionists silly laws.

 

[fix]

The difference between drug addiction and alcoholism was emphasized in these terms by the Holy Father John Paul 11: “It is true that there is a distinct difference between the use of drugs and the use of alcohol: while a moderate use of the latter as a drink does not offend moral principles, only its abuse can be condemned; instead, the use of drugs is always unlawful because it implies an unjustified and unreasonable renunciation of thinking, desiring and acting as a free person” (, 19, VII, 1992, n. 1).

 

[CreosMary]

Digitonomy:

I think that smoking marijuana in and of itself is a sin on a par with smoking tobacco.

If you happen to live in an area where doing so is illegal, then other sinful aspects may apply to the act.

Yes it is a sin, and you cannot compare it to tobacco.
THC in cannabis damages brain cells, is highly addictive and causes (new Science) pyschosis and schizophrenia. It can lead to other more addictive and lethal drugs and also to Occult dabbling.
To say it is on a par with Tobacco is an ineducated and ignorant statement.
I work with drug addicts and i have yet to know someone who has done a burglary to buy ciggarettes but I know plenty who have done to buy cannabis and other drugs. I have never seen Tobacco turning someone into a Space cadet but I have seen cannabis do it.
By the way I was turfed out of a confessional not long after my conversion because I confessed I smoked Tobacco, Father roared at me that it was not a sin and to get out. Father is a non-smoker!

 

[1samuel]

CreosMary:

Yes it is a sin, and you cannot compare it to tobacco.
THC in cannabis damages brain cells, is highly addictive and causes (new Science) pyschosis and schizophrenia.
It can lead to other more addictive and lethal drugs and also to Occult dabbling.
To say it is on a par with Tobacco is an ineducated and ignorant statement.
I work with drug addicts and i have yet to know someone who has done a burglary to buy ciggarettes but I know plenty who have done to buy cannabis and other drugs. I have never seen Tobacco turning someone into a Space cadet but I have seen cannabis do it.
By the way I was turfed out of a confessional not long after my conversion because I confessed I smoked Tobacco, Father roared at me that it was not a sin and to get out. Father is a non-smoker!

Alcohol kills brain cells and damages the liver but its OK?
I smoked for twenty years and quit without a single withdrawl so I dont buy the “highly addictive”. I am not schizo. I have never been compelled to try drugs, and I never dabbled in the occult. My brother broke into a gas station and stole all the cigarettes once, And I too work with drug users. (I’m in a blue grass band). That is if Pot is a drug! I dont consider it any more a drug than alcohol. They each have the same purpose. And there is a line between use and abuse. Problem is, many cannot determine the line, and it creates problems on a larger scale. History proves that. It also proves prohibition dont work. Each individual has to be in control and that is where the true problem lies. You still cant stereotype all of us because you, or someone you know lost that control.

 

[1samuel]

fix:

The difference between drug addiction and alcoholism was emphasized in these terms by the Holy Father John Paul 11: “It is true that there is a distinct difference between the use of drugs and the use of alcohol: while a moderate use of the latter as a drink does not offend moral principles, only its abuse can be condemned; instead, the use of drugs is always unlawful because it implies an unjustified and unreasonable renunciation of thinking, desiring and acting as a free person” (, 19, VII, 1992, n. 1).

define “drugs”

 

[fix]

1samuel:

define “drugs”

Pontifical Council for the Family

Should ‘soft’ drugs be legalized?

January 17, 1997

cin.org/vatcong/softdrug.html

 

[Tietjen]

Do you believe that smoking marijuana (for non-medical reasons) is a sin? I ask because a recent thread that asks this question seems to have a lot of people who don’t believe it is a sin. Frankly, this surprises me, so I wanted to take a poll. VOTE!

My first point:
I voted yes, it is a mortal sin. I believe this because where I am it is against the law. Romans 13:1-7 says we are to submit to those that God has placed over us in authority. So, long as those laws don’t go against God, I will submit. So, maybe the real question isn’t about whether smoking marijuana is a sin, but rather is it a sin to break the laws of men God has granted authority to.
My second point:
Again I believe it to be a mortal sin because the body is the temple of God. Just as I wouldn’t go into a church and spray-paint the walls, why would I willfully put something in my body (the temple) that would cause it problems. Some would argue that it doesn’t cause problems but I would disagree. In my youth, I did all kinds of things that I am not proud of to include drugs (marijuana being one of them) and I know first hand how it dulls the mind. Some enjoy a dull mind but I doubt seriously that God appreciates what those people are doing to the body (temple) that He lent them while their here on earth.
Before someone asks me if I then believe that drinking alcohol is wrong, I’ll answer that as well. No, I don’t believe that having a drink from time to time is a sin. Why? First, because the act of drinking alcohol is not a sin, but rather drunkiness itself is the sin. Do I get drunk? No, that would be a sin. I stop drinking before I reach that point just as I stop eating when I get full because gluttony is a sin as well. On the other hand, if I lived in the U.S. during the prohibotion era would I have drank alcohol? No, during that era it would have been a sin (See my first point above). There’s my two :twocents: and now I’ll step off the soapbox.

 

[jegow]

Smoking marijuana is not the same as having a couple cigarettes even though they are, in relation, consumed the same way. The CCC says in #2290 that, “The virtue of temperance disposes us to avoid every kind of excess: the abuse of food, alcohol, tobacco, or medicine.” The fact that tobacco is listed is shows that it can be done in moderation without being sinful but not in excess while marijuana is not in the above list. I believe that it is so because of what marijuana does to the person who smokes it. The effect of marijuana is similar to that of a person who gets drunk; the reasoning ability of the person is voluntarily handed over thus making the person have a similar disposition as someone who is drunk - which is a mortal sin. The person is no longer in control so to speak and they are more apt to commit other sins that they would not normally commit if not under the influence of marijuana or alcohol.

Marijuana also damages the connection of the synaptic gaps in the brain, giving the person the stoned - delayed action feeling, causing judgments and all other functions to be impaired; damage in the brain that could become permanent. From what I remember hearing is that sometimes it takes only one time of smoking it for permanent brain damage and for others it may take years of smoking. Either way - not a good thing.

Because of marijuana’s effect it would appear to be grave matter. I have realized that there are not many Church documents that specifically say much about marijuana (I wish there were). It is my opinion that based off of what the drug does it is the best way of approach that seeing it is sinful to use.

 

[1samuel]

Pontifical Council for the Family

Should ‘soft’ drugs be legalized?

January 17, 1997

cin.org/vatcong/softdrug.html

Good article. I wish they would specifically list marijuana as one of the drugs mentioned. There really is no doubt that legalization would kill some problems, but it would create 3 to everyone it kills.
One thing it said ( basically what I was driving at) was it effects everyone different. And that I had no dependancy. I never enjoyed getting stoned, just a lift. It amazes me how many people do try to go through life wasted. underachievement is a growing problem in this country already. Can you imagine if drug use was given the green light? Some of the folks I use to party with 20 years ago are still in the same spot they were then. Stopped to see them a few years back and it was like they never left.

I agree its a sin. Mortal? I dont know. Guess it has the ingredients. I dont think it should be legal. Society cant handle it. I never wanted an escape from reality, but far too many do.

 

[Steve_Andersen]

1samuel:

Good article. … There really is no doubt that legalization would kill some problems, but it would create 3 to everyone it kills…

Do you really think so?

I mean seriously? Forgive me but I have a hard time understanding that.

Hard or soft, the demand for drugs isn’t going away despite years and years and years and years…of a “War on Drugs”

(Did I mention that it has been going on for years…….and years?)

All criminalization seems to do is drive up the price

The money involved is so large that is corrupts nations and destroys communities

The only way the average tax payer is affected by drugs is when they are ripped off by a junkie trying to feed their habit OR in the taxes they pay trying to stop it

And it doesn’t have to be that way
The problem is that most drugs are relatively cheep and easy to make
If they weren’t illegal they would sell for pennies on the street

junkies could feed their head by scrounging for change like winos do

Drug dealers aren’t drug dealers due to any love of drugs…they’re in that business because that is where the money is

We should legalize them. Put a big skull and cross bones label on it saying “warning dangerous, addictive drug”
We could even slap a few pennies tax on it to pay for treatment programs

Then we could take school kids on trips to skid row show them the junkies; “See kids, you can do what you want but here are the results"

It would be far, far, far, far, FAR cheaper than the current system and, with the money gone from it, far less destructive to society

How many cops or judges get bribed or murdered over tobacco or alcohol?

This seems like such a complete, if you pardon the phrase, no brainer. I don’t know why a civilized naiton would even think of having a debate about it.

You would think that we would have learned our lesson in 1919-1933. Condemned to repeat the past I suppose.

As for sinfulness; letting whole nations fall into anarchy complete with terrorized peasants lorded over by narko-gangsters just to satisfy our own smug opinions about too much personal pleasure possibly crossing the line into abuse is pure hubris. It just seems a poor way to love your neighbor.

Sorry…didn’t mean to rant…just one of my pet peeves……as you were….carry on