Is smoking Marijuana sinful?

[cathdoki]

The Catechism of the Catholic Church is a wonderful document that can provide many answers to moral questions. Even specific ones:

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.

The first sentence: The use of drugs inflicts very grave damage on human health and life.

Note that the sentence doesn’t state illegal drugs, recreational drugs, designer drugs, home-brew drugs, street drugs, legal drugs. Drugs.

The second sentence: Their use, except on strictly therapeutic grounds, is a grave offense.

This doesn’t mean “I need therapy (wink, wink)”. If the therapeutic grounds are misrepresented then then one has broken the Eighth Commandment (bearing false witness) as well as civil law (if applicable). Strictly therapeutic grounds

The third sentence: Clandestine production of and trafficking in drugs are scandalous practices.

The third sentence sates “drugs”. Again, not illegal, street, etc., drugs. Drugs That means one cannot produce AND distribute their own clandestine (secret, without legitimate authority) “aspirin” or aspirin. scandalous practices

The fourth sentence: They constitute direct co-operation in evil, since they encourage people to practices gravely contrary to the moral law.

The fourth sentence should not need explanation. If one is deceived that it’s OK or don’t-know-what-to think to have direct co-operation in evil and encourage practices gravely contrary to the moral law, then discuss the subject (including what evil, gravely and moral law mean) with an ordained priest or bishop. Or, look up the subjects in the Catechism, the subjects are there!

I’m not going to argue your point, but on another thread, when a “theology” degred person disagreed with the CCC she was able to prove that it is not doctrine and can be changed anytime. It’s kind of funny.

 

[pcg2]

Ah, his argument is flawed. Quite seriously. By the same token, abortion is not sinful since it’s legal.

Abortion is sinful because it’s murder. Abortion is the killing of an innocent human being. It can be proved to be unlawful and evil from a natural law viewpoint, from a secular viewpoint, from a legal viewpoint, from a philosophical viewpoint, and from a theological viewpoint. From what I have read so far on this thread, the same cannot be said of smoking marijuana in moderation.

Wow. I came onto this thread thinking that smoking marijuana was sinful and that it should remain illegal, and I wanted some arguments to go against a friend of mine who thinks it should be legalized. Now it seems as if my opinion might have actually been changed!

 

[bingbang]

Abortion is sinful because it’s murder. Abortion is the killing of an innocent human being. It can be proved to be unlawful and evil from a natural law viewpoint, from a secular viewpoint, from a legal viewpoint, from a philosophical viewpoint, and from a theological viewpoint. From what I have read so far on this thread, the same cannot be said of smoking marijuana in moderation.

Wow. I came onto this thread thinking that smoking marijuana was sinful and that it should remain illegal, and I wanted some arguments to go against a friend of mine who thinks it should be legalized. Now it seems as if my opinion might have actually been changed!

There are a lot of reasons to legalize marijuana. First of all organized crime and drug dealers would take a big hit and the government would be getting that money from taxes, not drug dealers and bad people. Secondly if people started smoking weed instead of drinking or smoking cigarettes there would be a lot less deaths. In general there isn’t much of a reason for weed not to be legalized.

 

[GodLovesTheSpek]

Heading into “anything goes” territory…

Let’s see:

Permit evil to reduce crime
Permit evil to raise taxes (that which is Caesar’s)
Permit evil to reduce deaths

No thanks.

 

[bingbang]

Heading into “anything goes” territory…

Let’s see:

Permit evil to reduce crime
Permit evil to raise taxes (that which is Caesar’s)
Permit evil to reduce deaths

No thanks.

How is it evil if it does those things? What is evil about it?

 

[GodLovesTheSpek]

Abortion is sinful because it’s murder. Abortion is the killing of an innocent human being. It can be proved to be unlawful and evil from a natural law viewpoint, from a secular viewpoint, from a legal viewpoint, from a philosophical viewpoint, and from a theological viewpoint. From what I have read so far on this thread, the same cannot be said of smoking marijuana in moderation.

Wow. I came onto this thread thinking that smoking marijuana was sinful and that it should remain illegal, and I wanted some arguments to go against a friend of mine who thinks it should be legalized. Now it seems as if my opinion might have actually been changed!

Then look for the arguments against: It is illegal, it is against the Fifth Commandment for the numerous reasons listed. It is possible to participate in the sins of another. If your friend heads into a path of evil because of you, not only will he be accountable to God for his actions, you will also. Why? Because you have been revealed the Truth and misrepresented it.

Do you acknowledge The Catholic Church and accept what it teaches? Why lead a friend into something against your stated faith and God? Who would lead a friend against God.

Purely Earthly arguments are flawed, Satan knows that. That’s how Deceived people “rationalize their sins”. It’s easy to look for justification for Lies. Everything “appears” to be OK – until Final Judgment.

 

[GodLovesTheSpek]

How is it evil if it does those things? What is evil about it?

Using Evil for a perceived good, is a Lie.

The reasons why marijuana is evil have been presented, both legally and morally.

Some people, because of pride, greed, because they choose to decide for themselves, refuse to acknowledge Truth. The best anyone can do here is present Truth. You have been given a very great blessing, access to Truth. Some people, for reasons known only to Him, appear to have no access to Truth. I can’t make you change your mind. If someone has rejected Truth and embraced Evil it is their Free Will choice (perhaps aided by the Lies of The Deceived who come to this forum to promote Evil).

 

[sean_jackson]

Using Evil for a perceived good, is a Lie.

The reasons why marijuana is evil have been presented, both legally and morally.

Some people, because of pride, greed, because they choose to decide for themselves, refuse to acknowledge Truth. The best anyone can do here is present Truth. You have been given a very great blessing, access to Truth. Some people, for reasons known only to Him, appear to have no access to Truth. I can’t make you change your mind. If someone has rejected Truth and embraced Evil it is their Free Will choice (perhaps aided by the Lies of The Deceived who come to this forum to promote Evil).

So what you are saying is that if i smoke a joint in Amsterdam, I have committed a mortal sin.

 

[bingbang]

Using Evil for a perceived good, is a Lie.

The reasons why marijuana is evil have been presented, both legally and morally.

Some people, because of pride, greed, because they choose to decide for themselves, refuse to acknowledge Truth. The best anyone can do here is present Truth. You have been given a very great blessing, access to Truth. Some people, for reasons known only to Him, appear to have no access to Truth. I can’t make you change your mind. If someone has rejected Truth and embraced Evil it is their Free Will choice (perhaps aided by the Lies of The Deceived who come to this forum to promote Evil).

Please list the reasons why marijuana is evil morally. I have yet to find one legitimate one in this thread. For argument’s sake, lets say it is in an area where it is completely legal.

 

[nickybr38]

So what you are saying is that if i smoke a joint in Amsterdam, I have committed a mortal sin.

Yes, because even if a country has not declared it illegal the Church has declared it wrong.

I don’t understand why this is such a bone of contention. It’s not as if the Church is ordering us to go out and throw stones at those who have had an abortion. The Church is saying do not smoke marijuana… Wow, what a TERRIBLE thing to require of us!!! Sorry, sorry… ): I shouldn’t be sarcastic.

Let’s approach this differently. Why SHOULDN’T the Church say we can’t smoke marijuana? What benefits does smoking marijuana give us?

 

[sean_jackson]

Can you prove from church teachings that masturbation is a mortal sin?

Does the church make it just as clear with smoking marijuana. If not then why?

 

[Bob_Crowley]

In terms of morality marijuana is no different than alcohol. In excess, marijuana can be sinful, especially if it effects your life and how you treat others. In moderation it is perfectly acceptable. Other than the legality of it, there should be no reason why alcohol in moderation is ok and marijuana is not. Both have health risks and alcohol seems to be much worse on the body than marijuana.

And if you are worrying about the legality of weed and if it is sinful, is going over the speed or jaywalking sinful?

If you worry that you are supporting terrorism or organized crime, you can grow your own or find a grower that you know personally.

There isn’t really much more to it than that.

In other words, plant a pot smoker. Grow your own Dope.

 

[bingbang]

Yes, because even if a country has not declared it illegal the Church has declared it wrong.

I don’t understand why this is such a bone of contention. It’s not as if the Church is ordering us to go out and throw stones at those who have had an abortion. The Church is saying do not smoke marijuana… Wow, what a TERRIBLE thing to require of us!!! Sorry, sorry… ): I shouldn’t be sarcastic.

Let’s approach this differently. Why SHOULDN’T the Church say we can’t smoke marijuana? What benefits does smoking marijuana give us?

Where does the church say we shouldn’t smoke marijuana?

 

[bingbang]

Other than legality can someone please tell me how alcohol is different than marijuana morally?

 

[nickybr38]

Fine.

Let’s address this shall we.

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=15353

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 cooperation in evil, since they encourage people to practices gravely contrary to the moral law (CCC 2291).

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=473150&highlight=marijuana

Clearly the Church these sort of things ARE wrong. Period. I stand beside the apologists of this site who have far more experience then I.

Why should we be allowed to? Why shouldn’t it be wrong? In answering those questions, as I’ve said before, you will find the sin.

 

[sean_jackson]

I’m not questioning church authority. I am questioning our understanding of what the authority is really saying.

 

[marlap2]

I am going to guess that you have never smoked Marijuana before.

Anyway, there is no reason AT ALL why drinking a couple beers or a glass of scotch to relax should be any different than smoking a little bit of weed to relax. Just like alcohol, you can smoke a little bit of weed and only feel slight effects.

Other than the fact that it is illegal, there shouldn’t be an argument against it in small amounts. In fact it is undoubtedly safer than alcohol on both your body AND safer to others around you.

Weed is only sinful if you use it to excess. And to be honest if on a special occasion you get a good buzz going from weed or alcohol, I don’t really think that is sinful either (that isn’t based on church teaching or anything, just what is in my heart).

There are a couple of problems with this statement. And I speak as one who used to imbibe quite a long time ago and still have many people around me who are habitual smokers.

1. Just like alcohol you can smoke a little bit of weed… etc. There is no regulatory amount of THC in street purchased marijuana. You may end up having much more drugs in your body than you expected. You may have been going for “slight effects” and ended up with something quite different. As well, “Slight effects” after one joint was common in the 70’s and 80’s, but the type of marijuana that is home-grown in North America now has a much much higher THC level than then and unless you are a habitual smoker, you will be severely impaired. And if you are a smoker, you will recognize that. Give some to someone who has never smoked and you will see severe impairment with today’s marijuana.
2. It’s really interesting that people assume that marijuana has no serious effects. Have you ever quit for a long period of time? Someone very close to me tried to quit three times. His dreams were so disturbing that it affected his normal sleep. As well, his anxiety levels were increased greatly. I will concur that he can go on long trips, etc, without having to have marijuana, (no serious physical detoxing) however, his emotional problems due to the nightmares and anxiety always make him go back to smoking. This is not uncommon with habitual smokers who quit. Check it out.

On a related note, I used to hear that smoking cigarettes was sinful. I used to cringe when I heard that, because I smoked a lot, tried to quit several times and always failed. I didn’t want to hear that was a sin. But my conscience was really speaking to me.
Finally in confession, I confessed I smoked cigarettes. My confessor tried to tell me it wasn’t a sin, but my soul was speaking to me that I should confess. So I said, “Father, I will confess every week, until this smoking is gone. I need God’s grace to quit.” And yes, I did quit, with God’s grace, and Mother Mary’s help. Two years clean from cigarettes. Praise God.

 

[bingbang]

Fine.

Let’s address this shall we.

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=15353

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 cooperation in evil, since they encourage people to practices gravely contrary to the moral law (CCC 2291).

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=473150&highlight=marijuana

Clearly the Church these sort of things ARE wrong. Period. I stand beside the apologists of this site who have far more experience then I.

Why should we be allowed to? Why shouldn’t it be wrong? In answering those questions, as I’ve said before, you will find the sin.

So is alcohol in this category? If it isn’t, then weed shouldn’t be either. And if weed is in this category, than alcohol should too.

Why should we be allowed to smoke weed? Because Jesus obviously didn’t have a problem with a slightly altered state as his first miracle was turning water to wine. If wine is ok to drink morally, there is no logical reason that weed is not ok morally.

 

[nickybr38]

So is alcohol in this category? If it isn’t, then weed shouldn’t be either. And if weed is in this category, than alcohol should too.

Why should we be allowed to smoke weed? Because Jesus obviously didn’t have a problem with a slightly altered state as his first miracle was turning water to wine. If wine is ok to drink morally, there is no logical reason that weed is not ok morally.

Are you Catholic?

I remember reading a book where a Jewish rabbi is quoted as saying something along the line of; it is important to obey the rules we do understand but even more important to obey the rules we don’t understand.

 

[bingbang]

There are a couple of problems with this statement. And I speak as one who used to imbibe quite a long time ago and still have many people around me who are habitual smokers.

1. Just like alcohol you can smoke a little bit of weed… etc. There is no regulatory amount of THC in street purchased marijuana. You may end up having much more drugs in your body than you expected. You may have been going for “slight effects” and ended up with something quite different. As well, “Slight effects” after one joint was common in the 70’s and 80’s, but the type of marijuana that is home-grown in North America now has a much much higher THC level than then and unless you are a habitual smoker, you will be severely impaired. And if you are a smoker, you will recognize that. Give some to someone who has never smoked and you will see severe impairment with today’s marijuana.
2. It’s really interesting that people assume that marijuana has no serious effects. Have you ever quit for a long period of time? Someone very close to me tried to quit three times. His dreams were so disturbing that it affected his normal sleep. As well, his anxiety levels were increased greatly. I will concur that he can go on long trips, etc, without having to have marijuana, (no serious physical detoxing) however, his emotional problems due to the nightmares and anxiety always make him go back to smoking. This is not uncommon with habitual smokers who quit. Check it out.

On a related note, I used to hear that smoking cigarettes was sinful. I used to cringe when I heard that, because I smoked a lot, tried to quit several times and always failed. I didn’t want to hear that was a sin. But my conscience was really speaking to me.
Finally in confession, I confessed I smoked cigarettes. My confessor tried to tell me it wasn’t a sin, but my soul was speaking to me that I should confess. So I said, “Father, I will confess every week, until this smoking is gone. I need God’s grace to quit.” And yes, I did quit, with God’s grace, and Mother Mary’s help. Two years clean from cigarettes. Praise God.

Marijuana does effect heavy users that stop abruptly. I personally had insomnia, vivid dreams, and a complete loss of appetite. These things last for a week at most.

Compare this to detoxing from alcohol which can KILL YOU. Literally you can die from detoxing from alcohol. Not much of a comparison there.

As for the quality of weed, yes it has improved. But you can just smoke a smaller amount of it. It is quite easy to take one small hit and get just a little buzzed…similar to having a couple glasses of wine.