Background:
· In Holland, smoking marijuana is legally allowed and publicly available. In Canada, 41% of those aged 15 and above admitted of using marijuana some time in their lifetime; 14% admitted of using the other 5 illicit drugs.
· Parallel descriptions: surrender or dependence TO a master or a compulsion
· Addiction can be of many kinds, either to the consumption of some substance (such as illicit drugs, tobacco, alcohol) or to an activity (such as gambling or computer games).
· In the case of substance addiction, the dependence is both physical and psychological. Physically, the metabolism of the body needs the addicted drug in order to function tolerably well. Without the drug, withdrawal symptoms occur. Psychologically and emotionally, the addiction becomes a basic habit of life. When the drug is not used, there are side effects from hallucination to intense pain.
· often a result of escapism – avoiding to confront realities of hardship, depression, and failure
· initial involvement under peer pressure from bad friends, or parents who smoke
· attempt to obtain a nice sensation (“feeling good”)
· Addiction is described as being “enslaved” (Titus 3:3) or “mastered” (1Co 6:12) in the Bible. It is equivalent to creating a new master. It is against the will of God (Gal 5:1).
· Using illicit drugs is forbidden by law. The most common 6 types are marijuana or cannabis, cocaine or crack, ecstasy, LSD and other hallucinogens, amphetamines or speed, and heroin.
· In 2002, 12% of Canadians aged 15 and above admitted having used cannabis (37% for those aged 18-24). For the other 5 illicit drugs, it was 2.4%.
· A US survey reports that 38% of Grade 8 students have experimented with illicit drugs.
· The Bible never mentions illicit drugs as they were non-existent in Biblical times.
· Conclusion: Taking illicit drugs is not acceptable for Christians.
· In Canada, the Liberal government proposed to decriminalize the consumption of a small amount of marijuana. Instead of charging the offender as a criminal, they would only be fined by tickets.
· Admittedly, marijuana causes less harm than other “hard” drugs. However, by proposing decriminalization, the government in effect encourages the habit and non-users to try it out.
· In Canada, 22% of the population were smokers (smoking daily) in 2001.
· In the US, 18% of the population were smokers in 2001.
· In the US, 22% of high school students were smokers in 2003, much lower than the 36% in 1997. A likely cause of the decrease is the huge 90% increase in the price of cigarettes from 1997 to 2003.
· Smoking-related diseases claim an estimated 500,000 lives in the US and Canada every year.
· Cigarettes contain at least 69 distinct cancer-causing chemicals (carcinogens). Smoking is directly responsible for 87% of lung cancer cases and causes emphysema, chronic bronchitis, heart disease and stroke, infertility, degeneration of eyesight, and peptic ulcer disease.
· Smoking in pregnancy accounts for up to 30% of low-birth weight babies, up to 14% of preterm deliveries, and 10% of all infant deaths.
· Secondhand smoke is responsible for 3,000 nonsmokers to die of lung cancer in the U.S.
· The Bible never mentions smoking as it was non-existent in Biblical times.
· Conclusion: Similar to illicit drugs, smoking is not acceptable for Christians.
· Smoking itself is not immoral but it is an “improper act” as a Christian.
· Smoking is a weakness to be dealt with but not an immoral act that requires serious rebuke.
· For those who want to get rid of their addiction, they need encouragement and prayer from church.
· The Bible does not prohibits drinking liquor. Alcohol was the common beverage in celebrations. Jesus even turned water into wine in a wedding (Jn 2:1-10).
· Wine was used as a medicine (1Ti 5:23), was used externally as a disinfectant (Lk 10:33-34).
· However, drunkenness from the effect of alcohol is sin (1Co 5:11; 6:10; Gal 5:21; 1Pe 4:3).
· Conclusion: Drinking liquor is not immoral. Light responsible drinking is permissible and many people use alcoholic drinks in celebrations. However, alcohol is also potentially evil (Pr 20:1).