Would it be wrong to think that being straight edge might be a sign of intelligence and spiritual strength.

Absolutely not. I have yet to see a correlation (let alone a causal relation) between abstaining from alcohol/tobacco/caffeine/drugs and intelligence or "spiritual strength" (a term in need for clearer definition).

To be honest, most (MOST!) straigt edgers I've met have about as nuanced a world-view as a blind badger.

sorry to change everything for you, but I am straight edge

(feel free to post whether you are straight edge or not in this thread)

and maybe mental strength is more appropriate than spiritual

Why would you being straight edge change anything at all for me? I know ten-or-so straight edgers and on average, they are no more or less intelligent than "crooked edge" people.

It was just a joke suggesting I was a genius and since you knew that it would blow your mind I was straight edge, however on more serious terms I might recommend back to a thread where I asked you what kind of bird you were.

I thought about this a little more and my statement sounds blunt. I do think avoiding this stuff might be a sign of spiritual/mental strength which could be the result of some intelligence.

The assumption you're basing your argument on is that abstinence from certain substances is, by definition, better than use in either moderation or excess.

Since use in excess is defined as the use in unhealthy doses, I would agree with you there, but there is nothing wrong with use in moderation (of most substances). A little alcohol is even considered to be healthy.

Since most people don't even know what Straight Edge is, I'd say being it is a sign of intelligence, just because you know what it is and try or practice it. Genius is a word I wouldn't base on just that .
Also, it's something radical, and being radical doesn't need intelligence, in general. All kinds of people are radical.

groetjes,
Mirella

Most people don't know what Trisomy 21 is. That doesn't make those who have it particularly smart.

It is a personal choice, and nothing more than that. It is not something I believe in, but that does not mean others cannot. I believe the same is true for those who choose to live a non-straight edge existence. As long as someone is not forcing their own personal beliefs on another, there really should not be any problems. A caution to those who choose to live this way, and make it known to a society largely consisting of people different from themselves, by becoming radical you will open the door to debate and confusion from those who do not understand your decision.

In my opinion and experience, those who are not straight edge tend to be quite a bit more fun and interesting. Usually when someone is attending to this type of rigid lifestyle, I find I have very little in common with them. I prefer to experience life, all of life, whether good or bad.

What's Trisomy 21?

groetjes,
Mirella

Down syndrome.

I think most straight edge people think they're better than everyone else. And your post isn't exactly tearing my theory apart

We don't like to experience life?

Unless one considers the bottle to be life, that is not true.

Yeah, I don't think geg or now dev have done a lot to promote positive images of sxe.

But think of all the "I'm DRUNK!!!" threads. They're just as obnoxious when you think about it.

I believe this: everybody needs their medicine. Whether your medicine is exercise and health food, or your medicine is an iced cold beer on a hot summer afternoon.

Although, I have been in the condition where I have overdone the medicine. And it certainly effected my mind, my motor skills, and my overall performance.

I do agree somewhat with the sentiment that sometimes straight edged people could be a bit too rigid. I'm too rigid, sometimes. So because I recognize my need to lighten up I'm a proponent for a healthy balance of straight and sometimes crooked at the appropriate times where each is warranted.

Interesting thread....only in so much as I didn't really know what straight edge was and come to find out I guess I'm technically straight edge. It isn't really any big moral desicion though.

I like the smell of coffee but it tastes gross...

my parents smoked and I hated(the smell) it so I never had any interest....plus isn't like $10 a pack now

and I have pretty extreme motion sickness so whenever I drink and things start getting a little goofy in my head I start puking for hours on end...I actually wish I could drink sometimes...nothing worse then being sober when all your friends are trashed...

so I guess I abstain from that stuff cause my body makes me not cause I think it's moral...

the same here. But on the other hand, there was a time when I wasn't so much into the 'no sex without a relationship' part of SE
I recall being in a line to see the Sick Of It All members, and the people in front of us, who obviously did not know they were Straight Edge, gave them a box of beer. We, the next ones in line, got it

groetjes,
Mirella

do straight edges usually consider safely and moderately smoking pot and drinking alcohol immoral? i was under the impression it was more a decision like badabing's.