S
StevenFrancis
Guest
Here’s the thing about the whole pot deal. Even though it may not have terrible long term effects, (jury still out), and even though it’s “natural”, the intent behind it’s use is always to get high. It’s slightly different from alcohol in that regard. Alcohol is not sinful, unless one is taking it out of it’s celebratory accentuation context, and deliberately getting drunk. Wine and ale are particularly spoken of fondly, and have been used forever by good Christians in celebrations of feasts, and to pair with food etc… Yes, many people set out to get drunk, and don’t really care all that much what they’re drinking. When they have that intention, then there are morality issues, and the concept of “sin” rasises it’s ugly head, as you are intentionally seeking an alteration of reality to the point where you are not receptive to God, and giving yourself over to scandal.
Now, I suppose, it’s theoretically possible, that one might ingest a small enough amount of marijuana, and do so in a celebratory atmosphere, in a legal context, and without the intent of getting blitzed. But really, being just honest about the people in my own life, it’s not very common. In fact, I find it to be non-existent among my peers. Most, nay, ALL persons I know, who use marijuana, are setting out to just plain get high. It’s not a mild enhancement for a celebratory event used in appreciation of God’s good gifts and joys. It’s intent, for the users I know is to get stoned. Period. I’ve never heard somebody say, “Oh, let’s have a toast of a 1/2 a hit on this pipe, and blow it out real quick in celebration of Bob’s promotion”.
I know that pot smokers are by and large mellow, and happy and so on and so forth, but this really kind of misses the point. Even in a legal environment. I’m also acutely aware that they don’t consider themselves to be committing moral error in using it.
I don’t drink anymore, because when I did, I found that I had a problem drinking with an attitude of temperance, moderation and in the mind of God. I also found that it could lead ME to behaviors which brought on scandal. However, my grandmother drank a glass of wine with every dinner I ever saw her eat. I never saw her in a state of drunkeness, or involved in scandal. There is nothing wrong with drinking a glass of wine or beer. Maybe even two, but since I was morally irresponsible with it, I don’t do it anymore. I don’t think less of those who still do, and it doesn’t bother me, until drunkeness ensues. There are few things less pleasurable to be around than someone who is drunk. I am saddened thinking of the number of times I was that away around countless friends and relatives who had a mind of tolerance and moderation, and how I must have brought scandal to so many events and gatherings. I don’t bring this up because I think pot smokers are as unhinged as drunks. I frankly doubt it. But marijuana doesn’t seem to have a licit use, so abstinence, it seems should be the normative treatment of marijuana. It may have legitimate medical uses. I even believe this. God doesn’t make things which are useless. And yes, it can also be used for purposes of rope and clothing, but so can a lot of other things.
When I am around someone who is stoned, I also have started to grow weary, and get the same sort of vibe I do around those who are drunk. Especially since the two, most often, seem to go hand in hand now among my peer group. And then, if you bring it up, you have to hear about how great pot is as the main topic of conversation. I’ve found it to be quite the pushbutton for a topic for those who are presently under it’s influence. I know people who think it should be positively cumpulsory.
Many have disingenuous and scandalous intent, even in the exploration of it’s so called medicinal purposes. It may very well have some licit medicinal purposes. But I doubt that everybody in the state of California needs a prescription of THC.
For anyone who hasn’t been completely brainwashed by the pro-pot culture already, I do want to at least post the CCC’s points about drug use. (yes, marijuana IS in fact a drug. And a drug of abuse at that). Let us let the Church speak here:
[2290](javascript
penWindow(‘cr/2290.htm’)
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.
So there’s that…
Peace to all,
Steven
Now, I suppose, it’s theoretically possible, that one might ingest a small enough amount of marijuana, and do so in a celebratory atmosphere, in a legal context, and without the intent of getting blitzed. But really, being just honest about the people in my own life, it’s not very common. In fact, I find it to be non-existent among my peers. Most, nay, ALL persons I know, who use marijuana, are setting out to just plain get high. It’s not a mild enhancement for a celebratory event used in appreciation of God’s good gifts and joys. It’s intent, for the users I know is to get stoned. Period. I’ve never heard somebody say, “Oh, let’s have a toast of a 1/2 a hit on this pipe, and blow it out real quick in celebration of Bob’s promotion”.
I know that pot smokers are by and large mellow, and happy and so on and so forth, but this really kind of misses the point. Even in a legal environment. I’m also acutely aware that they don’t consider themselves to be committing moral error in using it.
I don’t drink anymore, because when I did, I found that I had a problem drinking with an attitude of temperance, moderation and in the mind of God. I also found that it could lead ME to behaviors which brought on scandal. However, my grandmother drank a glass of wine with every dinner I ever saw her eat. I never saw her in a state of drunkeness, or involved in scandal. There is nothing wrong with drinking a glass of wine or beer. Maybe even two, but since I was morally irresponsible with it, I don’t do it anymore. I don’t think less of those who still do, and it doesn’t bother me, until drunkeness ensues. There are few things less pleasurable to be around than someone who is drunk. I am saddened thinking of the number of times I was that away around countless friends and relatives who had a mind of tolerance and moderation, and how I must have brought scandal to so many events and gatherings. I don’t bring this up because I think pot smokers are as unhinged as drunks. I frankly doubt it. But marijuana doesn’t seem to have a licit use, so abstinence, it seems should be the normative treatment of marijuana. It may have legitimate medical uses. I even believe this. God doesn’t make things which are useless. And yes, it can also be used for purposes of rope and clothing, but so can a lot of other things.
When I am around someone who is stoned, I also have started to grow weary, and get the same sort of vibe I do around those who are drunk. Especially since the two, most often, seem to go hand in hand now among my peer group. And then, if you bring it up, you have to hear about how great pot is as the main topic of conversation. I’ve found it to be quite the pushbutton for a topic for those who are presently under it’s influence. I know people who think it should be positively cumpulsory.
Many have disingenuous and scandalous intent, even in the exploration of it’s so called medicinal purposes. It may very well have some licit medicinal purposes. But I doubt that everybody in the state of California needs a prescription of THC.
For anyone who hasn’t been completely brainwashed by the pro-pot culture already, I do want to at least post the CCC’s points about drug use. (yes, marijuana IS in fact a drug. And a drug of abuse at that). Let us let the Church speak here:
[2290](javascript
penWindow(‘cr/2290.htm’) 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.
So there’s that…
Peace to all,
Steven
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