Please Involve Your Opinion To This Large Controversy!!!

[FlyGuyOU]

... I'm sure the Lord would prefer I live my life without drugs, but I know, He knows my heart ... He knows my thoughts, knows I have a more tolerable life WITH marijuana ... and, if I am wrong, He will save me from myself ... personally

As a strong Catholic, you often hear this argument for the use against drugs and it often reminds me of a story. Jesus' first miracle was turning water into wine. Big huge jugs of it. Because the party was so awesome they drank all the wine yet they still wanted to party some more. So Jesus's own MOTHER asked him to do something. What did he do? He made more wine, not just any wine but the best wine ever. Can anyone reasonably think that they wern't just getting plastered? Seems to me that Jesus knew how to party, he didn't have a problem with partying in its time and place. So I say to you this, ALL things if done responsibly, are good.

[SunnyD]

Thanks for all of your input. These are all wonderful contributions to this issue.

However, for you FlyGuyOU, the argument I had with these friends was about having the ability to challenge one's morals to find real truth as to whether recreational use of cannabis is good or bad.

My argument was for good, and theirs was for bad.

Thank you DelusionsofNORMALilty! Your statement that "many consider it an obligation of their faith to "set an example" for those around them by abstaining from what might be, for some, a hazardous substance" is an extremely valid argument and makes me ponder something.

---Here's what that makes me think about (And I'm not saying that this is what you're advocating at all, just stating something that I realized)---
â?¢If strong minded people who don't abuse the drug are influencing weak minded people to partake of the substance leading to abuse then should we all set an example for the weak minded people? Should all of the strong minded people sacrifice something that they can enjoy in order to stop the weak minded people from destroying themselves? Isn't this the way natural selection works?

And as for your contribution Image Reaper, I do realize that cannabis should be considered morally good as a medicinal substance for those who benefit form using it. However, this controversy is about whether or not the recreational use of cannabis is, truthfully, morally good or bad. I am, however, extremely grateful for your contribution and consideration for this post.

Thank you all, I want to keep this up

[FlyGuyOU]

However, for you FlyGuyOU, the argument I had with these friends was about having the ability to challenge one's morals to find real truth as to whether recreational use of cannabis is good or bad.

The only way to find real truth is through logic. Its the basis of Objectivism and Ayn Rand

[Breukelen advocaat]

As a strong Catholic, you often hear this argument for the use against drugs and it often reminds me of a story. Jesus' first miracle was turning water into wine. Big huge jugs of it. Because the party was so awesome they drank all the wine yet they still wanted to party some more. So Jesus's own MOTHER asked him to do something. What did he do? He made more wine, not just any wine but the best wine ever. Can anyone reasonably think that they wern't just getting plastered? Seems to me that Jesus knew how to party, he didn't have a problem with partying in its time and place. So I say to you this, ALL things if done responsibly, are good.

Suppose that the revelers were driving their carts and buggies home, while drunk on wine conjured up by Christ, and caused accidents. I'm afraid that Jesus is not a good role model for young people. Mary would not be elected the head of the local MAD, that's for sure.

[FlyGuyOU]

Suppose that the revelers were driving their carts and buggies home, while drunk on wine conjured up by Christ, and caused accidents. I'm afraid that Jesus is not a good role model for young people. Mary would not be elected the head of the local MAD, that's for sure.

LOL
If im at a party with limitless supplies of intoxicants, you can be sure Im not going anywhere!

[TheMetal1]

personally, I have done a LOT worse things in my life, pot-smoking is pretty tame, in comparison ... and, the world is a safer place when I'm medicated ........ marijuana DOES make me a nicer person

So perfectly true. I am not personally affiliated with any denomination or belief structure, but I do feel that IF we are to be judged for any reason... the topic of smoking bud isn't going to be very high up on their list for me. Haha. I am absolutely much safer to myself, my family, and society when I have affordable, steady access to quality medication. I would have to question a creator that would be against a basic principle such as that.

In my opinion, while there is absolutely a need for faith based organizations to debate the morality of consuming intoxicants... it should really be completely removed from the legal system. The truth is, we can not police what people do to themselves behind closed doors. The concept of prohibition on Cannabis is the equivalent of a Federal Law against masterbating. We are basing rules on beliefs that vary greatly between the population. No matter what happens, we all get jerked around and left feeling dirty :wtf: lol sorry.

So yeah... people can argue/debate until the cows come home as to IF or WHY Cannabis is acceptable in the eyes of "God." But what about people like me? As a country, we are supposed to respect others right to observe, accept or ignore all forms of religion no matter how radical that belief structure may be... AS LONG AS IT DOES NOT INFRINGE ON OTHERS RIGHTS OR HARM OTHER CITIZENS.

Logically...
- I accept the "moral sentence" implied with consuming intoxicants.
and
- I accept the health risks associated with when I choose smoke Cannabis.

The fact that I smoke Cannabis in my own home to benefit my life should have absolutely zero impact on another persons relationship with their God. If it does... that persons relationship with the Holy One needs tending to.

In reality... it is not the "counter culture" that disrupts the Christian way of life. It is the subtle moral influence that Christianity plays in society that disrupts the lives of all those that choose not to adopt that belief structure.

Simple morality has no place in the legal system. Non-violent, personal actions should be regulated by the individual. If no 3rd party can claim infringement on their Consitutional rights to freedom, by that individual... it should not be a violation of the law. It is the same reason that you can't prosecute someone for cutting themselves. It is horrific to some... and the pinnacle of symptom relief for others. Right? Wrong? We can not judge that... it is their choice. They are not physically harming someone else. As society we just have to make sure they don't die as a result of that behavior, offer alternatives, support, and education... and rely on that person to make appropriate decisions on their own.

Even in the Christian faith... judgement is not the responsibility of anyone "down here," so those people arguing are suggesting that they have a superior understanding of the word of God.

Again... I have never been to a church service in my entire life so I may be out of the loop in this discussion.

Back to this ------> :jointsmile:

[TurnyBright]

To engage in "drunkenness," one has to DRINK something, right? Isn't that the whole reason that hashish was popular among Islamic peoples, while alcohol remained prohibited?

Also, alcohol is not natural, at least not when it makes it's way into a human's glass.

[Breukelen advocaat]

The origins of religion in human evolution are rooted in the use of psychedelic substances, such as the magic mushrooms and other natural plants. When these sources of inspiration dried up, due to climatic and other conditions some eight to ten thousand years ago, alcohol replaced them - and the world has been going downhill ever since. It's not a coincidence that many of the rituals of Judeo-Christianity involve alcohol, and that the history of these religions is drenched in the blood of hapless millions.

[FlyGuyOU]

The origins of religion in human evolution are rooted in the use of psychedelic substances, such as the magic mushrooms and other natural plants. When these sources of inspiration dried up, due to climatic and other conditions some eight to ten thousand years ago, alcohol replaced them - and the world has been going downhill ever since. It's not a coincidence that many of the rituals of Judeo-Christianity involve alcohol, and that the history of these religions is drenched in the blood of hapless millions.

Have you read Food of the Gods by Terence Mckenna?

[Breukelen advocaat]

Have you read Food of the Gods by Terence Mckenna?

Parts of it, but I've read other books by him such as True Hallucinations.