Morality of drugs and legality

[aj830]

I was just posting this to see what the Church’s official stance on drugs that are not physically addictive, such as cannabis and hashish, are? It appears that in America that they are very much just a nostalgia around them as being bad as an entry drug and simply because they are illegal. However, it appears that alcohol can cause far worse affects than these two drugs can, even to the point of death, note there has never been a recorded incidence of an overdose from these drugs, and from what I’ve read on the subject appear to be less dangerous to your health than smoking cigarettes. Of course there are those that would abuse it, same as with alcohol and tobacco, but if these two substances are morally alright to use in a moderated fashion then if these drugs were to become legal in America, would it be morally wrong to smoke them in a moderated and social fashion as people do with tobacco and drinking with alchohol?

 

[homeloan]

I was just posting this to see what the Church’s official stance on drugs that are not physically addictive, such as cannabis and hashish, are?

My hunch is the Church would be opposed to smoking grass. Why? It makes you high (feel good). Likewise, up to a point, alcohol does the same thing, and we know Jesus’ first miracle (at Cana) was to transform gallons of water into fine wine, which I’m sure made all the guests feel good.

But there’s a downside to too much alcohol, drunkeness, getting arrested, toxic poisoning, becoming an alcoholic, etc.

There’s a downside to smoking without any upside I can see.

There is a downside to eating too much too: obesity, health problems, etc.

But if priests start preaching the sins of alcohol, smoking & overeating, their pews will empty, offerings will decrease and the Bishop w/chastise them.:banghead: Also, the KofC would disband w/o beer, barbeque & for many, cigarettes and cigars…

Logically, you’re probably not going to get the answer you’d like.

But, logically, Why Did God Create Such A Violent World? (see thread).

 

[thistle]

I was just posting this to see what the Church’s official stance on drugs that are not physically addictive, such as cannabis and hashish, are? It appears that in America that they are very much just a nostalgia around them as being bad as an entry drug and simply because they are illegal. However, it appears that alcohol can cause far worse affects than these two drugs can, even to the point of death, note there has never been a recorded incidence of an overdose from these drugs, and from what I’ve read on the subject appear to be less dangerous to your health than smoking cigarettes. Of course there are those that would abuse it, same as with alcohol and tobacco, but if these two substances are morally alright to use in a moderated fashion then if these drugs were to become legal in America, would it be morally wrong to smoke them in a moderated and social fashion as people do with tobacco and drinking with alchohol?

Do not confuse morality with legality. Just because something is legal in a country does not mean participating in it is not a sin.
Abortion and contraception are legal in most countries yet they remain totally immoral and a grave sin.

 

[rpp]

Here is what the Catechism says.

                                                                                       2290 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.

The emphasis is in the original text.

It is not unreasonable to equate the use of drugs, even if they are legal, to getting drunk. Drunkenness is a grave sin. Therefore, getting stoned would be too as both cause you to lose full control of your faculties.

And then there is what Thistle said. Do not confuse morality with legality. While one must have a very good reason to violate a civil law, there are civil laws that are unjust or immoral, like permitting abortion or pornography.

 

[homeloan]

Here is what the Catechism says.

The emphasis is in the original text.

It is not unreasonable to equate the use of drugs, even if they are legal, to getting drunk. Drunkenness is a grave sin. Therefore, getting stoned would be too as both cause you to lose full control of your faculties.

"The Son of Man appeared eating & drinking, and people say, “This one is a glutton & drunkard,…!” Matt 11:19 NAB. this verse was part of a comparison of Jesus’ ministry vs John the Baptist and the entire text should be read for completeness. However, there is no doubt that Jesus imbibed. Again, His first miracle: Cana, gallons of water transformed into the finest wine at a wedding reception…

The Bible can yield differing answers to differing questions. That’s why there are over 15,000 Christian denominations… There are even a few that believe in smoking pot; not sure if they’re Christian or not…

 

[rpp]

If you are trying to equate having a drink with getting drunk, that is an unreasonable connection. If you are trying to justify getting stoned smoking post because Jesus drank wine, you are going to have a really tough time getting anyone to take you seriously. Especially God.

What is so wrong with keeping your mind clear? Are you so weak that you cannot do that? Why do you have to take mood and mind altering drugs, including pot and alcohol?