Is Smoking Marijuana a Sin?

[reba]

Of all the people i know who smoke dope not one smokes it for medical reason.

That stinken stuff is what started my daughter into the drug world. Any one selling it should be jailed for life. It causes pain, sorrow, cause moms to leave their children... That stuff is a feel good from the pits hell.
Justify all you want about it is a plant God made. Asbestos, arsenic, Etc are also 'natural' ...

 

[stovebolts]

Of all the people i know who smoke dope not one smokes it for medical reason.

That stinken stuff is what started my daughter into the drug world. Any one selling it should be jailed for life. It causes pain, sorrow, cause moms to leave their children... That stuff is a feel good from the pits hell.
Justify all you want about it is a plant God made. Asbestos, arsenic, Etc are also 'natural' ...

Amen sister. That's why I have such a strong conviction against its use for recreational use.

I believe marijuana has a lot to offer madicinally and the thc can be removed so one doesn't get high... which would bring zero value for the ones who are getting their green card so they can legally grow, sell and smoke their own.

 

[farouk]

Amen sister. That's why I have such a strong conviction against its use for recreational use.

I believe marijuana has a lot to offer madicinally and the thc can be removed so one doesn't get high... which would bring zero value for the ones who are getting their green card so they can legally grow, sell and smoke their own.

reba:

I'm really sorry about your daughter and I'm against marijuana's recreational use, too.

Stovebolts: More medicinal trials are needed; I agree that they can usefully be pursued.

 

[handy]

There are lots of social situation in which one can drink a moderate amount of alcohol and not get drunk. A toast to at a wedding or reception. Friends over for a meal. A party at Olive Garden. A beer or glass of wine... most people can drink a moderate amount and not be drunk.

And, lets use a dictionary definition of drunk so we don't get into a minutia of detail on the effect of one drop of alcohol in the blood stream.

Dictionary.com's definition of drunk is:
being in a temporary state in which one's physical and mental faculties are impaired by an excess of alcoholic drink; intoxicated: The wine made him drunk.

So drunk means an excess of alcoholic drink led to a temporary state in which one's physical and mental faculties are impaired.

While I know a wide variety of people, I hang mainly with Christians. And, since there's few Baptists in the crowd, I'd say that my Christian circle is about 60% people who drink moderately and 40% people who do not drink at all.

Not once, in the entire 50 years of my life, have I been in the company of any Christian friends where anyone was drunk or even buzzed.


Now... as for pot smoking.... I've asked this question before... does anyone smoke pot and not get high? Can someone eat an Alice B. Toklas and not get a buzz?

The underlying principle is that Christians are not allowed to get themselves into a state where our physical and mental capabilities are impaired for recreational purposes.

While I've never yet been in the company of any Christian, even after a social gathering where wine or beer was served, who was impaired.... I've never yet even heard of a situation where one smokes pot without the goal, the object of the experience, being to become somewhat impaired by ether getting buzzed or getting high. Of the folks that I know that do smoke pot (not many now, much more when I was in high school, college and even later in my 20's) they did so to become high.

I suppose if one can honestly say that he or she can toke a joint and stop just short of any impairment... then the pot in of itself most likely is OK and Christians are just constrained by the illegality of it. In other words, in places where pot is legal, Christians can smoke it, as long as they don't get buzzed or high.

I've just never seen that to be the case. Nor have I ever heard any recreational pot smoker say that they do smoke pot, but never enough to become buzzed or high.

 

[Drew]

.....A party at Olive Garden....

Olive Garden? Is that not a sin against good taste?

And I say this (jokingly) having personal experience with the limtiations of one's budget.....

 

[Thirstyone]

Thirstyone:

I actually prefer not to drink alcohol. But I don't therefore read into Scripture what some non-drinkers think it 'ought' to 'mean'. It always amuses me when earnest Fundamentalists try to deny that the wine into which the Lord Jesus turned water at Cana, in John's Gospel, was real wine. (As if agreeing with liberal theologians is preferable to being honest.)

Personally I don't think Biblical exhortations to moderation would preclude the idea of safe and legal clinical trials using marijuana. (But, then, when have huge corporations ever followed Biblical exhortations rather than money making? the fact is, they are making so much money already out of expensive medicines, thank-you very much!)

Blessings.

I rarely drink myself. I have also never done drugs or marijuana. As far as marijuana being used in moderation for medical purposes, I know of people who have used it for such, and have gotten great relief.

 

[Thirstyone]

Perhaps except for one thing. It is illegal to use in that way according to the laws of our land. If our government made it illegal to eat potatoes we would be bound by scripture to do as we are told are we not?

Yes, you are correct, we are to follow the laws of the land.

How would you feel about marijuana if it were to be made legal?

I was trying to be funny with my statement about marijuana in brownies, and apparently, it went off badly. I apologize to anyone I may have offended.

 

[handy]

Olive Garden? Is that not a sin against good taste?

And I say this (jokingly) having personal experience with the limtiations of one's budget.....

Perhaps I should say "Red Lobster"?

Thirstyone... I didn't find your comment at all offensive... I caught the joke. Alice B's always remind me of one of the funniest episodes of TV ever... the one on Barney Miller where Wojo's girlfriend sent brownies to the station with him... and he didn't know they were Alice B's... it was hilarious.

 

[Thirstyone]

Perhaps I should say "Red Lobster"?

Thirstyone... I didn't find your comment at all offensive... I caught the joke. Alice B's always remind me of one of the funniest episodes of TV ever... the one on Barney Miller where Wojo's girlfriend sent brownies to the station with him... and he didn't know they were Alice B's... it was hilarious.

That is good to know. I felt that there may have been a few that didn't realize I was joking. Thank you for your comment.

 

[WIP]

WIP:

I don't disagree, but we should be asking, also: Why is it illegal?

Is the public being ripped off (once again) by huge corporations that are only too glad to sell far more expensive medicines? and which then 'moralize' against legalized, clinical trials?

Why is it illegal to drive without my seatbelt? Why is it illegal in some areas to operate a motor cycle without a helmet? Why is it illegal for me to drain a wetland on my properly and use the land to grow food for my neighbors? Why is it illegal for private business owners to allow smoking on their private property?

Because the powers that be passed laws to that extent.

Funny you would ask this question here and at the same time seem to support the idea that Christians should not be in politics.

 

[WIP]

Yes, you are correct, we are to follow the laws of the land.

How would you feel about marijuana if it were to be made legal?

I was trying to be funny with my statement about marijuana in brownies, and apparently, it went off badly. I apologize to anyone I may have offended.

To answer your question I guess I'd feel very much the same as I do about consuming alcohol.

 

[Jman96]

I think if it is done illegally then yes.

 

[Danus]

While I know a wide variety of people, I hang mainly with Christians. And, since there's few Baptists in the crowd, I'd say that my Christian circle is about 60% people who drink moderately and 40% people who do not drink at all.

Not once, in the entire 50 years of my life, have I been in the company of any Christian friends where anyone was drunk or even buzzed.

Now... as for pot smoking.... I've asked this question before... does anyone smoke pot and not get high? Can someone eat an Alice B. Toklas and not get a buzz?

There is certainly a difference in social moderate drinking and drunk.

It's been my experience that alcohol seems to be a magnifier of someones disposition. A violent person becomes more so, an abusive person becomes more so, and friendly person becomes more so....ect... However, as I recall, Marijuana does not seem to have the same effect in this regard. It seems to effect people about the same. I also don't recall the ability to get any more or less high on it, but who knows if it's stronger these days or not.

I see these stories about medical marijuana clinics that carry some wide verity with what they claim are various effects, ?? I suppose, but as I recall it was all about the same.

Why do some people graduate to other drugs, or keep using marijuana?? I don't know, but I would not blame the substance for that. I would disagree that pot is a gate-way drug or that it causes addiction. I think there are far deeper issues there, and I think the public at large has been highly (no pun intended) misinformed of the alleged dangers of marijuana.

If you asked me which substance should be illegal; marijuana or alcohol in terms of what I know from my own experiences....easy Alcohol. Hands down. While alcohol can be limited in it's effects based on intake, it's effect in terms of someone being drunk is far more damaging that the effects of marijuana.

But then, we kind of come full circle on this issue of sin. Is moderate use of a drug any less sinful than heavy use? I mean can we really categories using drugs legally or not? In many respects can we morally say that some people should not use something because they have a problem where as it's OK for others since they seem in control? ... morally No. Practically? OK sure.

I did hear a comedian make a an interesting observation about medical marijuana. He said he got a prescription for pot to cure his anxiety...........for being busted for using pot. very telling.

I have an older brother who is kind of like the "Spicoli" from the movie "Fast Times"

He's older now, but he was a pot-head for a long time and I suspect still indulges from time to time, but he does not drink or use other harder illicit drugs.

Once a few years ago we had a family gathering at my parents house. They live on a lake, and have a large deck. I'm standing out there just loking out and my brother come up to me and says; "I buried some pot out there." "really?" I said. "and why would you do that?" He says; "because I come out here to go fishing, duh! ......"And this is logically connected why?" I asked.

"Because I don't want to get busted with it in case I get pulled over; he says....."So why don't you go dig it up?" I asked.

My brother....."I forgot where I buried it."

..Kids. Nancy was right. Just say NO. You'll be better off. Just say NO.

 

[Fedusenko]

It is only illegal because hemp would overtake so many markets. Reefer madness was only an attempt at maintaining market controls that hemp would disrupt. By disrupt, I mean obliterate. Alcohol was the same case. It was to be an automotive fuel... prohibition.

It is only a sin if it controls your life, if you make it a god.

 

[handy]

Danus,

Interesting post and your thoughts are valid...

But, it still doesn't address the question I always bring up in this case...

Drinking in moderation isn't a sin. Even if some want to say it is...and drag out a specious story of non-alcoholic wine to bolster the claim... the bible is clear that drinking a little wine isn't sinful..

Drunkenness is.

Drunkenness is a sin even if it isn't a god in your life... the Scriptures cannot be clearer, we are not to be drunk. We are to be sober people.

So, if the point of smoking pot is to become impaired in the sense of having the senses altered... then isn't that violating the same principle as drunkenness does?

 

[reba]

I must be turning into the dreaded church lady.... I am dumbfounded that so many Christians seem unwilling to set themselves apart from the world.

We are not to cause a brother to fall we are the temple of the Lord. We look, read post scripture that God has given us and yet turn and do as we please.
Right down to using drugs ... Drugs are a plague from hell. From marijuana to the 'bath salts'

1Jn 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

1Jn 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.


Fornication, adultery, divorce, abortion, drugs are running in the churches. Do we have no better morals the world? Is the the Bride with out spot or wrinkle? Is this really what God means when he tells us we are free in Christ. Is this taking up His Cross daily? Does putting a stamp of approval on such show the world we are like them? When we should be showing a Christlike example....

Rom 8:5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
Rom 8:6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
Rom 8:7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
Rom 8:8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
Rom 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
Rom 8:10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
Eph 5:8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:
Eph 5:9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth
Eph 5:10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.
Eph 5:11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

Gal 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
Gal 5:20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
Gal 5:21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Gal 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Gal 5:24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
Gal 5:25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

 

[Fedusenko]

Right down to using drugs ... Drugs are a plague from hell. From marijuana to the 'bath salts'

Where is the line drawn? Is it drawn at your caffeinated Pepsi? Should it be drawn with your cigarettes? Should it be drawn at your carcinogenic red #5 or maybe your carcinogenic frozen pepperoni? Is it a sin if you smoke chronic to dull the cancer? Are oxygen bars sinful too? Where do you draw the line and is it scripturally based? Why does you line start there?

Is the word in question, drunkenness, referring to a moment in time or a habit? Strong's says habit. That is where I lean since the Messiah gave wine to people that were already drunk and He doesn't cause people to sin. How does this apply? Though, that isn't the point of that passage, it is multifaceted. While I don't smoke, taking a toke to round the edges of life is as bad as having a glass of wine. If you make a habit of smoking... you have a problem. Resting isn't bad, but idle hands is a no-no.

 

[farouk]

Why is it illegal to drive without my seatbelt? Why is it illegal in some areas to operate a motor cycle without a helmet? Why is it illegal for me to drain a wetland on my properly and use the land to grow food for my neighbors? Why is it illegal for private business owners to allow smoking on their private property?

Because the powers that be passed laws to that extent.

Funny you would ask this question here and at the same time seem to support the idea that Christians should not be in politics.

WIP:

Well, I seem to have caused annoyance, though I don't quite understand your point.

Re. the reason for laws, I don't necessarily think that the stated reasons for laws are actually always the real reasons or only reasons.

I, for one, don't buy the idea that large corporations making huge profits out of cartel-like medical supplies, are opposed to doing legalized, carefully controled trials with marijuana for 'moral' reasons. They would stand to lose a lot of money, which, in the manner of nods and winks in the lobby of the Willard, is the more likely reason why the politicians say they are against even carefully controlled trials.

Of course, the vulnerable must also be protected against abuse of drugs, which is one good reason for controls.

 

[reba]

Where is the line drawn? Is it drawn at your caffeinated Pepsi? Should it be drawn with your cigarettes? Should it be drawn at your carcinogenic red #5 or maybe your carcinogenic frozen pepperoni? Is it a sin if you smoke chronic to dull the cancer? Are oxygen bars sinful too? Where do you draw the line and is it scripturally based? Why does you line start there?

Is the word in question, drunkenness, referring to a moment in time or a habit? Strong's says habit. That is where I lean since the Messiah gave wine to people that were already drunk and He doesn't cause people to sin. How does this apply? Though, that isn't the point of that passage, it is multifaceted. While I don't smoke, taking a toke to round the edges of life is as bad as having a glass of wine. If you make a habit of smoking... you have a problem. Resting isn't bad, but idle hands is a no-no.

I dont know where the line should be. There should be some kind of a line..Self justification for any of us is not it. Nothing is a sin? Nothing slams in the face of God? Moderation in all things, so as long as murder, stealing, lying, are not a habit it is not sin?

I do not like what i have seen over the years the church looking more and more like the world. When we look/act/etc like the world what do we have to offer to the world.... Hey man i can party down this stuff is the bomb lets get high and i will tell ya about Jesus. We should do much better then that .

Where do you see the line or do you see one? sincere question

 

[WIP]

It's been my experience that alcohol seems to be a magnifier of someones disposition. A violent person becomes more so, an abusive person becomes more so, and friendly person becomes more so....ect... However, as I recall, Marijuana does not seem to have the same effect in this regard.

I don't agree with this statement. When I was young I did experiment with Marijuana. When people ask me what it was like, one major thing I recall is how it enhanced my emotions at the moment. If I was in a good mood when I started smoking, it enhanced that mood and I actually enjoyed the high; If I was in a sad mood when I started smoking, I would get even more depressed. My experience with alcohol abuse was quite the opposite. In most cases as I began to feel the effects from the alcohol I would become more pleasant to be around regardless of the mood I was in at the start. Of course, I am a beer drinker and never have been one to drink strong liquor and from my understanding my experience could be different if I was a whiskey drinker, although I don't understand why that is. It would seem alcohol is alcohol but maybe not.

The side effects of abusing these substances were enough for me to quit. I have matured now and don't drink much at all anymore and quit the other drugs decades ago. I was one of the few fortunate ones that never developed an addiction, unlike some of my friends.