Religious attitudes to drugs

Brighton and Hove PSHE LIs Yr 8: recognise, clarify and explore some personal values and beliefs in relation to cannabis, alcohol and tobacco Yr 9 recognise, clarify and if necessary challenge their own core values related to drugs, including cannabis alcohol and tobacco and recognise the influence of these values on choices their own and others’ views in relation to drugs and alcohol including; faith and religious perspectives and stereotypes and misconceptions about substance use Yr 10 what is meant by habit, dependence and addiction including related to cannabis alcohol tobacco and have knowledge of strategies for behaviour change Yr 11 Identify what makes them feel good and have a good time, in ways that are not damaging to self and others.

SMSC strands: Moral: Ability to recognise the different between right and wrong and to readily apply this understanding in their own lives, recognise legal boundaries and, in doing so, respect civil and criminal law of England. Social: Acceptance and engagement with the fundamental British values of democracy, the rules of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs; they develop and demonstrate skills and attitudes that will allow them to participate fully in and contribute positively to life in modern Britain. Cultural: Understanding and appreciation of the range of different cultures within school and further afield as an essential element of their preparation for life in modern Britain. Interest in exploring, improving understanding of and showing respect for different faiths and cultural diversity and the extent to which they understand, accept, respect and celebrate diversity, as shown by their tolerance and attitudes towards different religious, ethnic and socio-economic groups in the local, national and global communities.

Christian attitude to drugs ​It is against the law and Christians should obey the law (as long as it is ​just) ​​ ​ In 1 Corinthians St Paul taught that a Christian’s body is a temple of the ​Holy Spirit which should not be abused. This teaching means that our ​body is a gift from God as so we should not ruin it by taking drugs ​​ ​Our body is sacred which means Holy and pure, taking drugs damages it ​which means drugs are forbidden ​ ​ ​“​Your body is the Temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in ​you and who was given to you by God?” ​1 Corinthians 6:19​ ​​ ​ Taking drugs/alcohol has mental effects, which make it difficult to ​worship God properly or follow the Christian way of life. ​​ ​Pope John Paul II made it clear that drug abuse is wrong; ‘drug abuse is ​the new slavery’ as people’s lives are taken over by addiction ​

Islamic attitudes to drugs Islam is opposed to the use of any drugs except for those which are medically prescribed. Prophet Muhammad said, 'Every intoxicant is Khamr (alcohol) and all Khamr is Haram (unlawful or not permitted).' In the Qur’an it says: O ye who believe, liquor, gambling, idols and divining arrows are but abominations and Satanic devices. So turn wholly away from each of them that you may prosper. Satan desires only to create enmity and hatred between you by means of liquor and gambling and to keep you back from the remembrance of Allah and from Prayer. Surah 5:91-92 So Muslims consider that all non-prescribed drugs are the work of Satan and are designed to lead people away from God. It is thought that all drugs enable people to escape from real life which would mean that they cannot serve Allah well. Tobacco is, of course, not specifically mentioned in the Qur’an as being Haram but some Muslims say it is Makruh (strongly disliked).

How does this affect you? Religions in the UK Pew Research Center in the US.: Christians: 2010: 64%, 2050: 45% Muslims: 2010: 5%, 2050: 11% Hindus: 2010: 1.4%, 2050: 2% Jews: 2010: 0.5%, 2050: 0.3% Buddhists: 2010: 0.4%, 2050: 0.9% Folk religions: 2010: 0.1%, 2050: 0.3% No religion: 2010: 28%, 2050: 39%

A short history Has alcohol made the world a more interesting place?

Brighton West Street: Trip advisor Brighton - West Street : beware ! 27 June 2011, 22:08 Just returned from Brighton and can safely say avoid any accommodation fronting or adjacent West Street. We heard screaming, fights, police and just complete mayhem from drunken yobs. We lasted a night before getting the hell out. If you only want to visit Brighton consider staying in one of the villages or towns outside and drive in. We drove to a town 10miles away called Burgess Hill and stayed in a Premier Inn and slept peacefully happy as.

Is this what: You think people outside Brighton think it is like? You think all alcohol consumption is like in Brighton? You want to do? You want your children to do? Is this the whole picture?

Would this be the case if: More of Britain were Christian? More of Britain were Muslim? More of Britain had no religion? resource/videos-role-of-religion-in-use-of- drugs-and-alcohol resource/videos-role-of-religion-in-use-of- drugs-and-alcohol What conflict does Jen feel?

ntisfree/video/2015/jul/29/drink-too- much-britons-alcohol-problem-video Social brain centre: 1 Escape the stress of making sense of the world 2. To escape ourselves 3 An excuse to behave badly 4 To glimpse unity and transcendence

To glimpse unity and transcendence Are some British people seeking ‘unity and transcendence’ through alcohol and drugs while some other cultures seek it through faith?

“Your body is the Temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God” “Do not get drunk with wine, which will ruin you, but instead be filled with the Holy Spirit” “Do not drink water only but take a little wine to help your digestion, since you are ill so often” “Drug abuse is the new slavery” Pope John Paul II A little bit of alcohol is ok and can have benefits to your health. Drugs can take over people’s lives and control them. Your body is God’s temple so you should not harm it as it would be disrespectful to God. Focus yourself on your religion rather than alcohol which can harm you. Match the Christian teaching to the Biblical quote…