Is There Any Catholic Teaching That Says Marijuana Smoking Is Sinful?

Question

I'm a Christian and am also a recreational pot smoker. I've been told numerous times that marijuana smoking is "sinful". They don't say that to people who drink or smoke cigarettes but I'm supposedly sinful because I smoke pot.

Wheree do they get that from?

Answer 1

When you give men the authority to speak for god, you get exactly what you asked for: men speaking for god.

Answer 2

Catholics have been more liberal in the drinking and smoking than the protestants. Way back in 1972 I was a meat delivery guy and one of my stops was a huge Catholic church that had living quarters for several priests. It may have even been a school I can't remember that was a long time ago, but I thought it odd because I would go there and there would be 5 or 6 priests there smoking and drinking at times. As a protestant I thought this very weird.

But according to bible doctrine any thing you do that looks like a sin is a sin. Some things may not be sinful in some cultures but if you live in a culture that views something as sinful then to you it is sinful. The bible say to avoid all appearance of evil and sin is evil according to the bible.

So to the Catholic if you all drink and smoke and it is not sinful then in your church you are not sinning, but to the protestant you are sinning, but again if you are Catholic why worry about what protestants think?

Now to your real question Marijuana is illegal and I don't think Catholics believe it is okay to break the law, but you will have to ask a priest this.
BB

Answer 3

It wasn't even illegal until the early part of the century (right around when they realized that Prohibition wasn't going to work and they needed something else to demonize). If everyone obeyed the laws of the land, the laws would never get changed. Some people raise the profile of breaking a law to the level of sinning. If you smoked marijuana in the 19th century, you would not be sinning, right? Or if you drank a Coke in 1905, you would not be sinning, even though you ingested cocaine. If you want to equate sin with law, then religion becomes politics, which, in my opinion, it already is. So perhaps this is like Martin Luther saying the princes of the land are like God and the common people like Satan. I can believe him in a facetious way, but I certainly hope he meant it as criticism and not in sincerity (I'm not a scholar in this area, so forgive any misinterpretation).

Jeanmarie, I can agree with you on one point: addictions are harmful. However, one must discern between occasional use and habitual use. Otherwise, you cannot justify taking even one sip of alcohol or popping 2 aspirin to kill pain.

Answer 4

The teaching of what is sinful is based on consciousness of the moral right and wrong. Many faiths adhere to that teaching.
Since pot smoking is illegal consequences could mean jail time. That tells my morals it would be a REAL SIN to spend my life that way. Same with drinking or smoking.. not illegal but you could end your life early from those actions.

Answer 5

Drugs have a Proven Connection with Sorcery and Witchcraft
Drugs have an Obvious Affiliation with the Desires of Satan
Drug use will Cause Others to Stumble
Christians are no Longer Their Own
We're not to be Infected by Mind Bending Stimulants
We are Warned not to Defile God's Temple
Addictions Are Not Pleasing To God

Although the Bible does not address marijuana directly, it does discuss other mind-altering drugs. Specifically, the Bible addresses the use of drugs in the book of Galatians:

Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:19-21)

So, where are the drugs mentioned in this verse? Actually, the word translated "sorcery" is the Greek word pharmakeia,4 from which we get the English word "pharmacy." The primary meaning is "the use or the administering of drugs" (usually associated with sorcery or idolatry). Since this verse comes from a list of things that if practiced would preclude one from heaven, this should be a reasonably strong suggestion that the Christian should not practice drug use. In addition, the book of Revelation lists drug use as one of the things for which the unrepentant will suffer the wrath of God.

Answer 6

Yes.

+ Marijuana +

Without even considering whether marijuana is unhealthy or not, using illegal drugs is immoral because they are illegal.

Christians reside in their own nations, but as resident aliens. They participate in all things as citizens and endure all things as foreigners. They obey the established laws and their way of life surpasses the laws.

The citizen is obliged in conscience not to follow the directives of civil authorities when they are contrary to the demands of the moral order, to the fundamental rights of persons or the teachings of the Gospel.

We must obey God rather than men. (Acts 5:29)

Using illegal drugs for recreational purposes is breaking a law that is not contrary to the demands of the moral order, to the fundamental rights of persons nor the teachings of the Gospel, and is therefore immoral.

For more information, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church, sections 2240-2242: http://www.nccbuscc.org/catechism/text/pt3sect2chpt2.htm#2240

+ Medical Marijuana +

To the best of my knowledge the Church has not made a position known on the use of medical marijuana.

The scientific, legal, and philosophical debate is still out on medical marijuana as is shown in the attached documents.

http://catholiceducation.org/articles/civilization/cc0092.html
http://www.catholic.org/featured/headline.php?ID=2261

With love in Christ.

Answer 7

Pot is illegal. Catholics are not supposed to indulge in illegal behavior unless they must in order to (a) save a life or (b) end a social injustice, like racial discrimination. Pot-smoking doesn't qualify on either score.

Answer 8

Smoking pot in most places is illegal.
Breaking the law is sinful

There are a number of studies that suggest that smoking of any kind is harmful to your body.
It is sinful to cause harm to yourself or to another.

One of the reasons people smoke pot is to blur reality and alter their perceptions.
Abandoning your reason is opening yourself to the influence of others and evil, and is inherently sinful.

Enough? I could add more.....

Answer 9

if you expect the Bible to be so specific to say "Do Not Smoke Pot" you are just looking for an excuse to do what you want
use your common sense - if its illegal, dont do it
if it is harmful, dont do it
if it hurts others, dont do it

come on dude - pot rots brain cells - God likes it when you use your brain

Answer 10

Only that it is illegal. I don't know what the Catholic teaching on obeying the law is.

Answer 11

If it is illegal, you should not do it. As a Christian you should submit to legal authorities with the exception of worshiping anything or anyone else but God.