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The Christian Holy Bible warns against intoxication, saying that we should stay sober and avoid intentional harm to ourselves. “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.” “Be not among drunkards or among gluttonous eaters of meat, for the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and slumber will clothe them with rags.” Illicit drug use is known to be harmful to our health, with even fatal consequences. Biblical scriptures clearly state that our body is a spiritual vessel. We should care for it, not bring it harm. “Do you not know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person. For God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple.” Verses from the ancient Hindu scripture Rig Veda such as those found in the Gayatri Mantra and the Mrityunjaya convey a clear message that intoxicants are a main source of sinfulness and potential destruction. “One becomes sinful if he or she crosses even one of the seven restraints. Yaskacharya defines these seven sins in his Nirukta as: theft, adultery, murder, jealousy, dishonesty, repeating misdeeds, and consumption of alcohol.” “Those who consume intoxicants lose their intellect, talk rubbish, and fight with each other.” “Weak minds are attracted towards meat, alcohol, sensuality and womanizing. But O non-violent mind, you focus your mind towards the world in the same manner as a mother cares for her child.” The great Islamic scripture Qur’an reflects Allah’s teachings that intoxicants are detrimental to our relationships with family and community. Like a spiritual poison, intoxicants can even sever our connection with the Divine. Thus, the Qur’an refers to intoxicants as temptations from satan and warns of their adverse impact to humans. “O believers! Intoxicants, gambling, idols, and drawing lots for decisions are all evil of satan’s handiwork. So shun them so you may be successful.”
