If you are opposed to recreational drugs...?

Question

...is it because you think it's a sin? How much do your religious beliefs influence your position on drug crminalization? I'm referring not so much to whether you want to use them yourself, but whether you would have the law prevent others from using them.

Answer 1

I try my best to guide myself using the bible, The Bible says we have to keep our body clean, therefore anything that damages your body goes against that(eg, smoking). It also says that we have to keep our judgment capacities, that's why I believe any drug goes against that, any drug that gets you high or blinds your judgment.

As for the law, God permits governments today because they serve a good purpose in the mean time, and Jesus said we have to obey the law as long as they do not interfere with god laws. so there you go, the religious influence is enormous

Answer 2

I am generally opposed to the use of recreational drugs because they are 1. often NOT used for recreation but for escape and to treat life's problems (NOT an answer, kids) and 2. because their use often has a profound negative effect on others besides the user ( - externalities).

I don't have a problem with taking a drug once in a while for fun (though, I personally don't do it). However, there is no way to regulate their use only for occasional fun, many people do not consider the possible health issues, and they simply cause too much pain and to many problems. I'm generally against a slippery slope argument, but this slope has been time tested as quite slippery.

My beliefs have nothing to do with any religion.

Answer 3

I guess I'm not really opposed to people taking recreational drugs. Just opposed to the stupid things they do when they take them. That goes for alchohol too. So, I'd have to go with legal drugs, but laws against what you can and can't do while on them. Like DUI. But if you're really and honestly not hurting anyone else, I don't see the problem.
I don't know, I haven't even thought about it in so long! It doesn't really seem to matter though, does it? If people want the drugs badly enough, they're going to get them, whether they're illegal or not. And as long as they're not being stupid, they probably won't get caught anyway.

Answer 4

I don't believe in sin but I believe in stupidity. Many times 'recreational drugs' just make people stupid and lazy. By this I mean, for example, pot smokers who are completely worthless and do nothing but get high. It is a waste of time. BUT the use of pot occasionally to relax after a hard day, the use for medical conditions, the use for delving into the spiritual side of the user, that is all fine with me.

I don't know if you are referring to meth, crack, heroin, etc. They are not recreational, the users of these things have a 'lifestyle' that is seeking drugs and using them, the true addicts.

I have no opinion about the legality of drugs. I am a spiritual person and I know the drug laws are not based on morality, they are based on economics. They are also based on politically advantageous motives to cater to certain voting blocks. And then you have the self perpetuating bureaus that 'fight' illegal drug abuse, they MUST have job security so that is why all the 'drug education' is continued.

Mine is not the typical Christian attitude I know but this is a topic I feel strongly about. Take care.

Answer 5

I'm atheist and have no intrinsic moral objection to recreational drugs. I am opposed to recreational drug use because:

1. Most recreational drugs are highly addictive and after a few recreational uses it ceases to be recreational and becomes addictive. It ceases to be a choice.

2. The effects of the drugs apart from the social and psychological effects can be very destructive, both in terms of mental health and physical health.

3. There is a significant cost to society as well as to the individual in terms of crime, healthcare costs for the users' inevitable physical or mental ill health, and lost working hours for the users.

There is no way to disentangle the understandable desire for highs from the disastrous effects of addiction. I don't want to sound moralistic, I'm not, but these problems mean that recreational drug use is a disaster in waiting for a significant majority (I admit not all) of users. Even mild stuff like pot has been shown to increase rates of mental illness, and has the same tar / respiratory health issues as cigarette smoking .

Answer 6

I am opposed to recreational drugs not because I think it's a sin, but a very poor personal choice. I could care less about the law, others need to make their own choices as to what's best for them, and then learn from the consequences.

Answer 7

I'm opposed to recreational drugs because they're /dangerous/. Proven, scientific evidence that drugs screw up people's minds, bodies, and lives. They kill. They cause the crime rate to go up.

On the other hand, I'm not really for legislating problems like that away. They're already illegal, and obviously, making it so hasn't helped. I think we need a reform in the way we treat drug usage in the States.

My religious beliefs have nothing to do with my views on the criminalization of drugs, except that personally, I feel that using drugs would not help my spiritual growth.

For that matter, I don't believe in the concept of 'sin'. So perhaps I'm the wrong audience to query.

Answer 8

I'm opposed to recreational drugs not because of my religious beliefs but because drugs destroy the brain cells and turn your mind to mush. Then your life is ruined because you can never again use proper intelligence to succeed in a normal society. You're basically a loser for the rest of your life.'

Answer 9

While I do belief substance abuse is a sin, I would not use recreational whether I knew God or not. It is illegal, harmful to your health, and makes people look like complete morons. There are absolutely no benefits, besides the temporary "high", and there are much better ways to deal with problems.

God bless!

Answer 10

Sin has many new names like: addictions, crime, vices, selfishness. In short, sin is what ever keeps you from being your best. To strive to be religious, is to strive to be everything away from acting like an animal, and aim to be a higher more advanced being like God; although we as society have too far to go to get to God's perfections ... but we can still try to get there. Do I see recreational drugs as a sin ... yes, for it keeps people from facing reality and making thier life better, and helping others. They are slowly killing themselves, and destroying their body.

Society has used religion and "Sin" to benefit whole communities. So, when laws are created they are created to "Protect the whole, instead of the individual". God's plan is to let you take the drugs ( & he cry's that you're hurting yourself ), but it's your choice. Social laws, are a society coming together saying, we don't want to live like mad monkies, and will impose a minimum standard for everyone --- here, stay away from drugs.

Just like with all sin - vices - addictions - crime - selfishness --- when the individual caught up in this behavior is told not to do so, they usually throw 'temper - tantrums'. Have you ever told a fat person to lay off the chips & cookies ... told a smoker that it causes cancer ... told a serial killer that he's hurt families? They probably have an arsinal of stuff to defend their behavior, and 'Poor woeth me stories' to make us all feel sorry for them. Social laws do force this 'temper - tantrum' behaviors, and from my religious standpoint, it kinda looks like mini - exorcisms going on .