(A) I am not interested in a protracted argument on a matter that is as "settled" as anything gets in medicine.
(B) I carefully distinguished between medical and recreational use.
(C) I noted the risks, physical and spiritual.
(D) The calculation of risk/benefit needs to be individualized.
Although this is off topic, it seems there are contradictory views for many reasons:
Recreational use of Marijuana
1. Opens the soul to demonic influence.
2. Weakens moral judgement
3. Promotes immorality
1-3: Potential loss of inhibition is dose-related, just as it is with alcohol. It is a manageable risk, just as it is with alcohol.
4. Fosters narcissism
5. Leads to moral pessimism
4-5: Gratuitous, subjective, evidence-free assertions that I reject.
6. Is socially and morally divisive
6: Freeing slaves was socially and morally divisive and it was the right thing to do.
7. Promotes laziness toward Catholic works
7: Gratuitous, subjective, evidence-free assertion that I reject.
8. Promotes disobedience to priests and the Church
8: Rubbish. There is no authoritative proscription explicit to MJ. MJ must be considered under the same moral theology as alcohol.
9. Promotes disobedience to secular authority
9: What part of "increasingly legalized" and "no longer a gateway to criminal world" don't you understand?
10. Is a safety issue for children who's parents use.
11. Causes neglect, and abuse of children by parents who use
10-11: Gratuitous, subjective, evidence-free assertion that I reject. Cf. alcohol.
12. Dulls sense of guilt and is counter to Sacrament of Confession
12: Potential loss of inhibition is dose-related, just as it is with alcohol. It is a manageable risk, just as it is with alcohol.
13. Profanes the reception of the Eucharist
13: If an honest risk/benefit assessment makes its use sinless, there is no profanation.
14. Is falsely equated with moderate use of alcohol
14: CORRECT! Medically, alcohol is much less beneficial and much more toxic.
15. Often leads to use of other drugs
15: Long argued. Largely related to an illegal substance being obtained from criminals.
16. Promotes secrecy and leads to animosity
17. Promotes other crime
18. Often destroys relationships
19. Impedes the desire to attain heaven
20. Leads to a liberal and worldly mindset
21. Retards emotions
16-21: Gratuitous, subjective, evidence-free assertions that I reject.
22. Wastes opportunities for good
22: Using a beneficial medicine increases opportunities for good.
23 Impedes Christ's mandate to evangelize
23: Gratuitous, subjective, evidence-free assertion that I reject.
24 Denies Scripture's command to stay sober
24: As with alcohol.
25 Denies the modest conduct of Our Lady
26 Leads to the unforgivable sin of despair
27 Is often its own object of worship
25-27: Gratuitous, subjective, evidence-free assertion that I reject.
28. Causes certain kinds of brain damage
28: Benefits certain types of "brain damage," e.g., multiple sclerosis, dystonias, et al.
29. Often leads to other addictions
25: see #15. Argument from Repetition.
30. Inhibits holiness
30: see #'s 1-3, 7-8, 12-13, 22-27. Argument from Repetition.
31. Is well founded in paganism, abhorred in Christendom
31: Pagans also breathe air and eat food. Ad hominem/guilt by association.
32. Is proven by all the above to be a "sacrament" of the diabolic
32: see #'s 1-31
This list is by no means exhaustive, barely even scratches the surface. After it exceeded 21, I figured this was enough to get the picture. If anyone disagrees, present your argument. Whatever you do, don't smoke weed, rather, do penance for the salvation of souls.
No. Your list is not exhaustive, just exhausting in its repetition of logical fallacies and utter lack of evidence.
Yes. Do penance.
Topic: Marijuana use sinful for Catholics? (Read 77286 times)