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To: WyldKard
If use of pot is what is going to make it into the "immoral" group, then you would have to include use of alcohol, or any intoxicant.

You have a semi-valid point. If the intoxicant has no valid use, then its use is immoral.

Using pot simply to get high is immoral. Using alcohol simply to get a buzz is immoral. Neither is as immoral as murder, except on the ground that even the tiniest sin separates us from G-d and requires the blood of Jesus. Also, when we stand before Christ for judgement I don't believe He is going to accept, "Well, yeah, I did that, but I'm not as bad as Charles Manson."

However, wine is mentioned in the Bible as having medicinal value which has been confirmed by modern medical science. Apparently a glass a day is actually good for you. Whether you can include beer or whisky I can't say as I have not heard the study extended to those beverages. They are not mentioned in the Bible, but then I don't think the Jews brewed beer or distilled alcohol. I could be wrong.

IMO: Jesus taught that all morality boils down to a heart issue. What is in your heart means much more than what passes your lips. One key indicator as to whether a substance is immoral, whether it is pot, tobacco, or french fries, would be the reaction of a person to the phrase, "Maybe you should give that up."

A reasoned reaction indicates that there may not be immorality involved, or if there is the person is open to the prompting of the Holy Spirit to a change of behavior. A knee-jerk, "when they pry it from my cold, dead hands," reaction would indicated there is likely immorality involved.

Where is your heart on pot?

Shalom.

61 posted on 08/06/2002 6:53:09 AM PDT by ArGee
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To: ArGee
First off, before I begin, I want to thank you for your very polite and well-reasoned response. A rarity in this day and age :)

However, wine is mentioned in the Bible as having medicinal value which has been confirmed by modern medical science. Apparently a glass a day is actually good for you. Whether you can include beer or whisky I can't say as I have not heard the study extended to those beverages. They are not mentioned in the Bible, but then I don't think the Jews brewed beer or distilled alcohol. I could be wrong.

And now there are studies that seem to show that pot has some effective medicinal value, especially when it comes to treating the effects of chemotherapy and glaucoma. So would you say then that it is not immoral to use pot as a medicine, if all other treatments have failed?

Also, I am going to infer from your first paragraph that you consider "social drinking" immoral, since it usually involves more than a simple "one glass of wine" a day. Would I be correct in this assumption?

IMO: Jesus taught that all morality boils down to a heart issue. What is in your heart means much more than what passes your lips. One key indicator as to whether a substance is immoral, whether it is pot, tobacco, or french fries, would be the reaction of a person to the phrase, "Maybe you should give that up."

A reasoned reaction indicates that there may not be immorality involved, or if there is the person is open to the prompting of the Holy Spirit to a change of behavior. A knee-jerk, "when they pry it from my cold, dead hands," reaction would indicated there is likely immorality involved.

But what about guns? There are many who claim that the Government can have their guns when "They pry it from my cold, dead hands." Is this immoral as well? Is it an attachment to a material items, or to certain freedoms that said item represents. Many people do not approve of pot, or alcohol, even guns, but I image many of these same people approve even less of the current "War on Guns" or "War on Drugs", both of which usurp the Constitution, and cause more harm than good. Thus, what would you consider moral behavior: Supporting an action, even though it violates the principles of our Constitution, or supporting the Constitution, even if it's in reference to an item you personally do not approve of.

Where is your heart on pot?

The same place it is in alcohol. Prohibition causes more harm than good, and ethics and morality begins at home. All the laws in the world aren't going to make a difference if parents allow the Government to raise their children, and give up their own personal responsibility, because "The Government" will just do the job for them. Banning fatty foods, or tobacco, or anything justified for a Socialist "we must save ourselves from ourselves" reasoning only seems to encourage people all the more to take less personal responsibility in their lives.

I've personally met many people who used pot or alcohol in moderation, and they seemed like otherwise fine, upstanding people to me. So I disagree that enjoying recreational intoxicants is immoral. But I suppose that is just one of those things we won't see eye to eye on. I also enjoy computer games and dancing, and listening to popular rock music, and there are those who would consider those actions "immoral" as well. Where does one draw the line, and how fast can it move in any one direction?
62 posted on 08/06/2002 7:27:51 AM PDT by WyldKard
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