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Originally Posted by joerocker
Why is it "amazing" that someone might think religion worse than a plant? Do you have any idea how many deaths are attributed to religion over the span of human history? How many deaths are DIRECTLY related to this plant we're discussing?
I lead my life how "I" think it should be lived. Not how someone else tells me I should live it. How do you live yours? As directed by others? Always doing as others tell you to do? Is that freedom? Not in my book.
Who IS to judge? One could judge we're both good people. Another could judge you are superior, another, that I am. Under Islam, we're both heathens not deserving anything. No favor from God. My problem with religion is, it judges. Many of our archaic laws are religious based.
Why would you think we all need some kind of religion? That's what I find amazing, that some people think we all need a religion.
To answer your question, differently. ALL people addicted to heroin did NOT "start" with pot. I'm sure not one did. IMO. they ALL started with caffeine, nicotine, or alcohol. Marijuana is "first" (not a gateway) of the illegal drugs because of its popularity and ease of access. Marijuana is no more responsible for a heroin addicts addiction than an ice cream cone or a doughnut causes a person to become addicted to sugar and morbidly obese. Use/eat responsibly! You don't fix idiots behavior by passing laws denying reasonable people of something they desire.
Marijuana prohibition is the same as alcohol prohibition. A fruitless enterprise that is unwinnable, ruins lives, and supports a huge underground network/economy run by ruthless profiteers. Just as with alcohol, people get what they want.
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Amazing because of the distorted view you have of religion. Yes, many have died in religious wars over the years, and Islam remains excessively violent today, but I don’t think anyone can seriously deny that, overall, religion has had a hugely beneficial impact. There would be no civilization without it … pure and simple. You’re able to lead your “march to a different beat” lifestyle (which no one begrudges you btw) because Western Civilization, based on Christianity, has evolved to give you those rights. Think about it please.
As far as someone telling you how to live your life, while it plays well emotionally, it’s a complete straw man. I don’t think anyone has told you what to do lifestyle wise since you were a kid, and you probably rebelled against that like a lot of us did.
“Who is to judge?” becomes “no one can judge anything” in contemporary culture, which means no limits at all over time. We both know that. Even though we will draw the line at different places for different things, we all “judge” constantly …every day, including you. Who we associate with, what we do, etc. You know that as well as anyone is my guess.
I repeat, religion by and large, has given us civilization, warts and all. It also is the only real force that enables rule by law. Historically, human nature can be quite savage and, without the glimmer of an internal conscience instilled by religion...yes judging what is right and wrong … we would be in a Darwinian world. North Korea is a good example of that.
In terms of people starting not with pot but with caffeine, nicotine etc … while a clever argument it’s really disingenuous. You could throw in eating, breathing and sleeping too I imagine. I think most people recognize that, for pretty much all heroin or cocaine addicts, pot was indeed the gateway. And I do think drug use is a crutch … for various reasons.
I think legalizing pot will screw up more lives over time than we currently recognize, but we clearly differ in our opinions about that, and my view is losing 70-30 in the poll. But, I still think my view will prove correct over time. The biggest losers will be our grandkids IMHO.