Thanks for the reply. There are biblical, practical, and civil reasons to refrain from overuse and worship of the creation, not to mention the strict injunction from Above to honor proper authorities “so that you may live long on the earth.”
“All things are clean, but not all things are profitable.” We do not have the authority to declare mind-altering substances “sinful” in and of themselves. We *do* have an obligation to seek what is best for our neighbor in every way so that he may live peaceably.
The biblical prohibitions regarding drunkenness pertain not to simple use, but abuse. Regardless of whether one uses these substances or not, there is enough filthy bilge issuing forth from every man’s heart every moment of the day to merit nothing but death and damnation.
Pointing to careful and thankful participation in certain substances for medicine and recreation on a limited scale is hardly a reason to establish and uphold the strict measures you desire to see enforced upon your neighbors.
All of creation is for our good. The problems come about when proper fear, love, and trust in God is lost. This effects every living being more negatively than anything. “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.” Participating in mind-altering substances while entertaining the delusion one is self-antonymous is no less dangerous spiritually than refraining from use while under the same delusion.
We may disagree vociferously on this matter, but I still count you as a brother who does not trust in his own righteousness, but that of Christ Jesus, in Whom, and to Whom, and through Whom are all things.
We must remember that drugs have no other purpose than making the mind think things that are not real or true.
Drunkenness is when one thinks things that are not real or true.
Acting foolishly, idiotically, being in a stupor.
That is the only purpose of drugs.
I am a cigar smoker, I know that tobacco does not alter my consciousness to think things that are not true or real. I stay in command of my mental faculties when I smoke a cigar.
When I have a scotch with my cigar, it’s about 1 glass per hour or hour and a half. Basically just wetting my lips every few minutes. I do not get drunk, I remain in control of my mental faculties.
I used to go to a tobacco shop where I could have a drink and order food - and I would sit there for several hours with my laptop doing business-related work, while I enjoyed my cigar.
The tobacco is a FLAVOR experience, as is the drink.
Mind altering drugs are not taken for flavor or as a meal.
They are simply drugs that distort reality for the mind.