Thats why Mike made his qualifications. We know that there are probelms with coming up with a universally agreed upon definition of "drug" and he didn't want that to distract from this topic (but it has anyways hasn't it?)- especially when that topic has been discussed on this board before. Drugs can be defined socially, legally, pharmacologically, chemically, etc. Heck some definitions are so broad, vitamin C would be considered a drug. :lol There are strictly intrinsic essentialist objectivisitic definitions as well as subjectivistic and constructionist definitions.

Anyways as far as Straight Edge is concerned....

Quote:
Q. If I consume something with caffeine in it am I still straight edge?


A. Yes. The idea that this might be against the ethics of straight edge originate from the hardline straight edge kids, who abstain from caffeine and all unnatural chemical additives in food.

Q. If I drink wine at church am I still straight edge?

A. No. Consuming alcohol anywhere is unacceptable and obstructs the straight edge oath. Ask for alternatives to wine such as cider or grape juice when at ceremonies where you would typically be expected to drink or simply do not perform that portion of the ritual. You may also stick your finger in the wine as a symbolic offering of respect to God instead of physically consuming it. Intoxication is never acceptable for a person who takes the straight edge oath.


Q. If I am having sex am I still straight edge?

A. As long as you are having sex with a dedicated partner in a meaningful and constructive relationship, it is perfectly acceptable for someone who follows the straight edge oath. If you are having casual, random and meaningless sex (including oral sex) then you are not straight edge. A straight edge person does not allow sex to dominate their lives, senses or minds; they don't allow sex to become an addiction.


Q. If I take medicine am I still straight edge?

A. It is acceptable to take medicine for when you are sick and your body is physically unable to defend itself against the ailment. It is unacceptable to take prescription medicines for recreational purposes or specifically to intoxicate yourself as you would have with Vicodin.

Q. Do you have to listen to hardcore music to be straight edge?

No you are free to listen to whatever music you want and be straight edge. Many straight edge people listen to hardcore music because it often includes positive, straight edge lyrics and other ethical messages that help to reinforce and inspire the listener to greater and more meaningful deeds. Straight edge only requires that we control our intake of poisons and moderate our sex lives and does not correlate to any other aspect of your life such as what type of music you listen to.

Q. Do you have to be heterosexual to be straight edge?

A. No you may be whatever orientation, sex or race and still be straight edge.

Q. Do I have to designate I am straight edge by marking my name with Xs to be considered straight edge?

A. No this was a trend created in online forums in the late 90s that has seemed to flower into an inflamed trend nowadays. You don't need to do ANYTHING besides follow the oath to be straight edge including putting Xs in your name.

Q. Do I have to X up or mark my hands with an X to be straight edge?

A. No. It is not uncommon for people at straight edge hardcore concerts (or shows as their commonly called) to mark an X on either hand with a marker but it is not required that you ever do this. The X originates from hardcore shows in the late 80s which were commonly held in bars. Bar staff would often mark people who were under 18 with an X on their hands so that they wouldn't be served alcohol (keep in mind it was legal to drink at 18 in the 80s). When people became straight edge, they continued to X up to show that even beyond 18, they didn't need alcohol (and other drugs).

Q. If I have tattoos am I still straight edge?

A. Yes tattoos have nothing to do with straight edge. Some straight edge people may get straight edge tattoos or other related tattoos but that is their choice and has nothing to do with determining if they are straight edge or not.

Q. if I surround myself with self-destructive activities (drinking, taking drugs, promiscuous sex) am I still straight edge?

A. Technically, yes. As long as you do not specifically intoxicate yourself you are still straight edge.


Q. What does veganism have to do with straight edge?

A. Although many straight edge people are vegan or vegetarian, you may eat whatever you want (assuming it's not intoxicating) and still be straight edge. Many straight edge people (especially straight edge hardliners) are vegan or vegetarian because of the animal liberation movement inherent within the hardcore scene. Read the lyrics to New Ethic by Earth Crisis or Cats and Dogs by Gorilla Biscuits to better understand the rationale behind such a diet.


Q. If I am forced to consume alcohol, smoke, take drugs or have sex beyond my own will am I still straight edge?

A. Yes. You only break the straight edge oath if you consciously decide to intoxicate yourself. If you are drugged, poisoned or raped by another person, you are still straight edge even if you are wracked with guilt and uncertainty. The oath is only shattered by conscious actions, not the attacks of others.


Anyways I think its more that some of our lifestyles are comparable/compatible with the "Straight Edge" philosophy than any of us being strict followers of this movement. For Robert and Hussham, their religions (Mormonism and Islam respectively) play a large part in their lifestyles. Mike has embraced straight edge since learning about it. A student at school asked him different questions about his lifestyle and then told him that he was Straight Edge.

It seems like Straight edgers mainly abstain from recreational uses of illegal psychoactive drugs.

I don't have any problems with caffeine. Its my drug of choice though I don't consume it too often. I only drink coffee from time to time when I have asthma attacks to help open up my bronchial tubes. Mike has never drank coffee.

Most of the time Mountain Dew is the strongest thing I drink. I drank some today so excuse me if I seem a little tipsy. ;)

I don't have a problem with salt but I do Not add extra salt to anything. Its so unnerving watching people add extra salt to their french fries at restaurants. That can't he healthy- can it? McDonalds french fries have too much salt on them anyways. I don't even add salt to boiled eggs. Its so much better without the salt.

Some people take tylenol for every headache, ache, and pain. We do not. If I have the flu I will take tylenol. If I have a really bad sinus infection I will take clariton.

Medicine prescribed from a doctor to help increase the quality of ones life and to treat an illness, infection etc is ok but even then I am not good at taking medicine. I never take it all.

I think its a family thing with us. We try not to overmedicate ourselves. Our mother has had major surgery without taking pain medications afterwards. I have had a couple of bad lacerations where I did not take any pain medications afterwards. Our father has serious back problems and does not take pain medications. He took pain medications for a while after his injuries but he noticed how they were effecting his life and changing his personality so he threw them out. He has not taken pain meds in years.

And as I have mentioned on the board before, I never took any medications for the severe anxiety problem that I use to have.

Sometimes we have to take so-called "good" drugs/medicines to help with an infection or illness yet many times these "good" drugs have potential side effects that damage other parts of the body. For example our dad once had to take blood pressure medicine but it ended up hurting his liver. :\