is smoking pot a sin

[holyorders]

God made all things good. Human creatures have a fallen, sinful nature and have the power to turn anything good into evil. Hence in the forbidden fruit in Genesis, "Knowledge of good and evil".

 

[billwald]

No. Smoking pot is not a sin. Speeding and following to close, unsafe lane changes . . . real sin.

 

[MJS]

No. Smoking pot is not a sin. Speeding and following to close, unsafe lane changes . . . real sin.

....

 

[Ave Maria]

Our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit. Should we not treat His temple with care and respect?

[bible]1 Corinthians 6:19-20[/bible]

 

[BlackPanther]

Smoking pot is a sin. If it harms your body it is probably a sin.

Yes, among many other plants, a plant that we call marijuana was put on the earth by God. This does not suggest that we should smoke it. I'm sure there are plenty of other plants that result in a "high" when smoked. It just so happens that marijuana has been discovered to cause such a "high".

 

[billwald]

MJ is probably healthier than fatburgers and donuts.

 

[BlackPanther]

I seriously doubt that smoking is healthier than burgers.

 

[Dak man]

Anything that is used with the purpose of being intoxicted or have your mind altered is wrong in God's eyes. Not even if it is something you "only do a few times a year". I smoked pot before I was saved, the thought of doing it now convicts my heart almost immediatley.

Alcohol can be described as mind altering and intoxicating as well, but not many people have a problem with that. Assuming it is legal, which where I live it is not, I do not believe it to be a sin at all. As with alcohol, if used in moderation and without addiction I don't think that it is fair to classify it as a sin just because it's used less openly than alcohol.

There are varying degrees of getting 'high' and as with alcohol, the more you smoke the less inhibitions you have so if it is used to a point where you are still fully in control of yourself I don't see the problem. And yes, this is from someone who knows what it feels like and I have never felt as if I was sinning against my creator, I have probably done it about 6 times in a 2 year period so it's not an addiction clouding my judgement either.

 

[TheOriginalWhitehorse]

Alcohol can be described as mind altering and intoxicating as well, but not many people have a problem with that. Assuming it is legal, which where I live it is not, I do not believe it to be a sin at all. As with alcohol, if used in moderation and without addiction I don't think that it is fair to classify it as a sin just because it's used less openly than alcohol.

There are varying degrees of getting 'high' and as with alcohol, the more you smoke the less inhibitions you have so if it is used to a point where you are still fully in control of yourself I don't see the problem. And yes, this is from someone who knows what it feels like and I have never felt as if I was sinning against my creator, I have probably done it about 6 times in a 2 year period so it's not an addiction clouding my judgement either.

Well, we can't use personal feelings as a determination of what is right or wrong-we have to use scripture. Alcohol does not make a person high at all if used in moderation. But the whole point of smoking MJ is to get high, is it not? People don't smoke it with no intention of getting high. The whole purpose for its use is radically different from the moderate and sober use of alcohol by legal adults (ie, the disciples). And the Bible is clear that we are not to do damage to our bodies, as BP pointed out, and we are to remain sober.

 

[Thursday]

Can you pray when you are high?

 

[Dak man]

What I am saying, is that like alcohol, smoking pot can be used in more 'social' contexts. For example: At a party (with drinks) you may only have one or two beers/cocktails just to 'loosen up' and because it is a social event where that would be appropriate. By the same token pot can be used in the same way, you can have one or two hits and still feel little effect just the same as alcohol. You don't always drink alcohol for the sole purpose of getting sloshed, so pot can be used in the same manner.

And if you aren't drinking alcohol for the sensation it gives you, even in the smallest amount, then what are you drinking it for? The taste?

As far as us not going on our gut and going on scripture, I agree but I put that in in response to so many people saying things like "if you feel guilty/sinful when you do it, chances are it's a sin".

Though it is not justification for the small amount of damage it does to your body, there are countless other things that damage you so much worse. Not eating right, not keeping in some kind of shape, smoking anything other than pot....it can go on and on.

But I also realize that the majority of MJ users don't use it in the purely social context and usually use it to get blown out of their minds. So what I posted can only be used for probably 10% of MJ users, because most people that do use it do so as an addiction or crutch, much like alcoholics.

And you can pray as long as you can think, so yes.

 

[TheOriginalWhitehorse]

Well, I think you did hit on an important point-and that is motive. So even a small amount, if consumed for the reasons of a physical alteration of any kind, would be wrong. It is consumed for taste, yes, for spiritual symbolism in small quantities (blood of Jesus at communion), and for medicinal purposes. It's good for getting rid of stomach ailments-viruses and such. For cultural ceremony, as in a toast. But if it ever is consumed, even in small quanitites, for the physical effect, this is against the commandment to remain sober, even if the person doesn't get legally drunk. It's the intioxication, be it ever slight, that doesn't line up with the spirit of the command, which is to be fully in control of ones faculties.

As for praying while intoxicated, perhaps the question is more as to whether the Lord would accept such a prayer. Whether the drug is conducive to spiritual duty. Of course, it isn't because the physical condition is one the Lord prohibits, and to come before His throne in that condition would be a high insult before the King.