What is the Christian stance on marijuana?

[punkdbass]

I'm just curious, what is the Christian stance on recreational marijuana use? (as distinct from medicinal marijuana use which is a different subject)

I found an article on the topic, which was an interesting read. You can check it out here. I have a decent idea how my own religion, as well as some eastern religions view drugs like marijuana, but to be honest, I really don't know what Christians think. What is the general Christian position on recreational marijuana use, and why is that position held?

Thanks

 

[Jeremy Mason]

Over the years, my default answer has been Romans 13:1–7, which basically says that believers must submit to the laws of government as long as there is no conflict with the higher laws of God in Scripture. This was a simple way to say “no” to recreational pot smoking.

Genesis 1:11-12 (NIV)

11 Then God said, “Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds.” And it was so. 12 The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good.

Genesis 1:29-30 (NIV)

29 Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. 30 And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds in the sky and all the creatures that move along the ground—everything that has the breath of life in it—I give every green plant for food.” And it was so.

IMO,the Christians that think that marijuana should be illegal can't get through the first page of the Bible.

 

[nazz]

I'm just curious, what is the Christian stance on recreational marijuana use? (as distinct from medicinal marijuana use which is a different subject)

I found an article on the topic, which was an interesting read. You can check it out here. I have a decent idea how my own religion, as well as some eastern religions view drugs like marijuana, but to be honest, I really don't know what Christians think. What is the general Christian position on recreational marijuana use, and why is that position held?

Thanks

Conservative Christians generally oppose it even for medical use. As with a lot of other stands it does not necessarily have a logical rationale behind it. But the Bible does say to obey the law of the land.

As for me, I view it the same way I do alcohol. Okay for moderate usage.

 

[Shiranui117]

Conservative Christians generally oppose it even for medical use. As with a lot of other stands it does not necessarily have a logical rationale behind it. But the Bible does say to obey the law of the land.

As for me, I view it the same way I do alcohol. Okay for moderate usage.

^This. As long as it's illegal, those who use marijuana are generally viewed as being sinful. Those who use it in moderation (just like alcohol) are fine (or they would be fine if marijuana was legal).

 

[JayJayDee]

^This. As long as it's illegal, those who use marijuana are generally viewed as being sinful. Those who use it in moderation (just like alcohol) are fine (or they would be fine if marijuana was legal).

I agree. Christians are to obey the laws of the land except where they conflict with God's laws. Since marijuana is illegal in my country, and is a drug that alters perceptions, (its long term use can cause damage to the body,) I would say that we should err on the side of caution and avoid it.

Unlike alcohol, which is specifically addressed in the Bible, (drinking in moderation is not condemned but drunkenness is) marijuana is not eliminated from the body effectively and accumulates in the organs, particularly the brain and this can cause problems down the track. My brother in law was a habitual pot smoker and can attest to this now that he is in his fifties. His memory is completely shot.

Those who wish to use it do so at their own risk.
Prescription medicines can also be harmful to the body, but at least damage is monitored by a doctor.
Pot smokers are often monitored only by other pot smokers. What drunk thinks that other drunks are obnoxious?

 

[nazz]

I agree. Christians are to obey the laws of the land except where they conflict with God's laws. Since marijuana is illegal in my country...

You mean the US is actually ahead of Oz on this? Unbelievable!

 

[JayJayDee]

You mean the US is actually ahead of Oz on this? Unbelievable!

It is technically illegal here....meaning that lots of people smoke it, but not a lot of people get prosecuted. (probably because judges and lawyers smoke it too )

Those who cultivate commercial crops are more likely targets for the police than those who just have the occasional joint for their personal use. Recreational drugs are sold like candy here....it's probably the same everywhere. I guess marijuana is the front door to drug abuse though I seldom see pot smokers who didn't start with tobacco. I seldom see users of harder drugs who didn't start with the softer ones.

I think they should take kids into the psyche wards and show them the results of drug abuse. Mental illness is not pretty. The damage lasts forever.

Drug abuse is such a waste of time, money and brain cells. What is the point of it?

Is marijuana legal in the US?

 

[Thana]

It is technically illegal here....meaning that lots of people smoke it, but not a lot of people get prosecuted. (probably because judges and lawyers smoke it too )

Those who cultivate commercial crops are more likely targets for the police than those who just have the occasional joint for their personal use. Recreational drugs are sold like candy here....it's probably the same everywhere. I guess marijuana is the front door to drug abuse though I seldom see pot smokers who didn't start with tobacco. I seldom see users of harder drugs who didn't start with the softer ones.

I think they should take kids into the psyche wards and show them the results of drug abuse. Mental illness is not pretty. The damage lasts forever.

Drug abuse is such a waste of time, money and brain cells. What is the point of it?

Is marijuana legal in the US?

Pot is not the big deal that everyone makes it out to be,
And it is not that much more harmful than smoking.
But I digress.

I believe some states in the US have legalised it?
Though I'm not 100% sure on that account.
I do know they use it for medicinal purposes, But we don't even have that in Aus.

 

[NobodyYouKnow]

http://www.religiousforums.com/foru...ddhist-stance-recreational-marijuana-use.html

Are you going to ask what every religion's stance is about this? lol

Seriously, if you need all these reasons/justifications to smoke weed, just smoke it and forget about religion or which religion will 'allow' you to smoke it.

In fact, look at your avatar, dear OP and take the hint.

The only religion that's gonna say 'yeah, bro...you are one of us' is going to be the Rastafarian movement and you're wasting your time asking anybody else.

One of the trademarks of a 'pothead' is the need to talk about using it everywhere..no disrespect, but you need a bit of a kick in the pants to realise what it is you are doing.

Don't join a religion simply because it will 'allow you to smoke weed'...that is the lamest excuse for joining a religion ever.

Like I said...study the Hexateuch, read all about the Tribes of Ethiopia...Haille Selasie (sp) learn lyaric and everything else (yup, I went through that phase too). lol

Then go to the Rasta section and find your home there...

Now, this Hindu runs far away from here. lol

:run:

 

[Pegg]

The christian view is this:

2 Cor 7:1 Therefore, since we have these promises, beloved ones, let us cleanse ourselves of every defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in God’s fear


the principle is to 'cleans the flesh' of things which defile it.

you can apply this principle to anything which is a danger to health, or which befouls the body in any way. Smoking anything certainly befouls the body....smokers STINK! Their fingers become tainted yellow with tobacco and lets not even go into what happens to a pair of lungs when they absorb the chemicals and carbon from smoke.

Marijuana has hallucinagetic properties which can alter ones perception. If a christian treats his body in such a way, he cannot possibly offer to God a 'sacred service' or perfect 'holiness'

So christians should keep their mind and body clean and clear and focus their attentions on the service of God.

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

There's no hard and fast rule against smoking weed in Christianity. Some sects are more conservative and so would be against it. It depends.

I personally don't have a problem with it. I'm a fan of weed. Lol. I don't think there is much of a reason to oppose it since it has positive effects. Everything in moderation. So I look at it the same as I look at drinking alcohol - it's fine to indulge in it but not to go overboard with it.

 

[Pegg]

There's no hard and fast rule against smoking weed in Christianity. Some sects are more conservative and so would be against it. It depends.

I personally don't have a problem with it. I'm a fan of weed. Lol. I don't think there is much of a reason to oppose it since it has positive effects. Everything in moderation. So I look at it the same as I look at drinking alcohol - it's fine to indulge in it but not to go overboard with it.

thats your view, but what does the bible say?

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

thats your view, but what does the bible say?

Nothing about weed. I already know what your opinion is. You're way more conservative than me, so I don't really care that much about what you think about it.

 

[Pegg]

Nothing about weed. I already know what your opinion is. You're way more conservative than me, so I don't really care that much about what you think about it.

but what do you think of the bible principle to not defile the flesh?

dont you view drawing poison into your lungs as a defiling of the body? And a better question....is it a practice which brings any honour to God?

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

but what do you think of the bible principle to not defile the flesh?

dont you view drawing poison into your lungs as a defiling of the body? And a better question....is it a practice which brings any honour to God?

Smoking weed has health benefits so it's hardly "poison". We're not talking about crack here. Besides, I already smoke cigarettes and drink alcohol.

 

[Pegg]

Smoking weed has health benefits so it's hardly "poison". We're not talking about crack here. Besides, I already smoke cigarettes and drink alcohol.

do you believe that you are created in Gods image as Genesis says?

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

do you believe that you are created in Gods image as Genesis says?

Listen lady, If you're so intent on taking that verse literally, then you should be concerned about the air you're breathing, the water you're drinking and the food you eat. That'll kill you, too, with all the garbage in our environment.

I don't have any more to say to you on this subject. There's almost nothing we agree on and I'm not going to agree with you.

 

[Pegg]

Listen lady, If you're so intent on taking that verse literally, then you should be concerned about the air you're breathing, the water you're drinking and the food you eat. That'll kill you, too, with all the garbage in our environment.

I don't have any more to say to you on this subject. There's almost nothing we agree on and I'm not going to agree with you.

its not me you have to agree with


but i hope one day you wont feel the need for smoking that stuff and look after your health. too many people are suffering from smoking related illnesses imo.

peace to you.

 

[Shiranui117]

but what do you think of the bible principle to not defile the flesh?

dont you view drawing poison into your lungs as a defiling of the body? And a better question....is it a practice which brings any honour to God?

Alcohol's poison too; it severely hampers our mental capacity and control over our bodies if we indulge even a little above the standard amount, and it distracts people from serving God, but are you complaining about people having a drink?

 

[nazz]

It is technically illegal here....meaning that lots of people smoke it, but not a lot of people get prosecuted. (probably because judges and lawyers smoke it too )

Those who cultivate commercial crops are more likely targets for the police than those who just have the occasional joint for their personal use. Recreational drugs are sold like candy here....it's probably the same everywhere. I guess marijuana is the front door to drug abuse though I seldom see pot smokers who didn't start with tobacco. I seldom see users of harder drugs who didn't start with the softer ones.

I think they should take kids into the psyche wards and show them the results of drug abuse. Mental illness is not pretty. The damage lasts forever.

Drug abuse is such a waste of time, money and brain cells. What is the point of it?

Is marijuana legal in the US?

It's still technically illegal by federal law. But two states have legalized recreational use, many others have decriminalized it, and many states allow medical use.