Drugs/Marijuana & the Bible

[beehive2]

I hope this is the proper place to post a discussion like this. I was only wondering what others think about marijuana and how it was used as relaxation techniques, ointments, holy oil, clothes, paper, fishing nets, the list goes on and on and on.

Certain quotes from the Bible that other Christians point out or "take out of the context" as "Acceptable rituals":

And I will raise up for them a plant of renown, and they shall be no more consumed with hunger in the land, neither bear the shame of the heathen any more. -- Ezekiel 34:29

"The Lord said unto me, 'I will take my rest and I will consider in my dwelling place like a clear heat upon herbs.' " -- Isaiah 18:4-5


God said, "Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed which is upon the face of all the earth.…To you it will be for meat." … And God saw everything that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. (Genesis 1:29-31)

The Bible predicts some herb's prohibition. "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times, some shall … speak lies in hypocrisy … commanding to abstain from meats which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. (Paul: 1 Timothy 4:1-3)


More can be found here: http://www.equalrights4all.org/religious/bible.htm
as well as other sites.

I feel that alcohol and drugs are both a form of drunkeness, and it is unacceptable. And I also feel that we should treat our body as a temple.

I was just wondering what other's take is on this.

 

[Veritas]

I guess if its used for paper, fishing nets, rope and practical things, I would say its okay.

But, you know what Paul says:

"Everything is permissible"â€â€but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible"â€â€but not everything is constructive. Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others. 1 Corinthians 10:23,24

If even using marijuana for these other things becomes a stumbling block, then maybe its not wise promote any use of it in some situations.

I agree with you that both alcohol and drugs cloud the mind, and cause a form of drunkeness. I've always thought of alcohol slightly different from other drugs in that there is some actual nutritional value in it, provided you are not abusing it. Therefore, I think it is possible to drink a little and be okay, but not ever to smoke a little weed and be okay.

But again, if alchohol is a stumbling block for yourself or others in some situations, I think its wise to refrain.

 

[ÃÂoppleganger]

I tend to believe Marijuana is less harmful than Alcohol. With Alcohol you can go state of semi-consciousness easily, which is almost impossible on marijuanna. The motor skills of alcoholics reaction times are significantly less, whereas a pot smoker may have no loss whatsoever. More deaths occur in alcohol related accidents by far. Hemp has 1000's of uses. In fact, most of the world's rope, paper, etc ... use to be produced from hemp. Now we cut down massive forest land tracks to harvest wood, a plant that is much harder to grow, takes longer, and is more vital to a proper ecology. People should decriminalize it, and focus on Meth, Cocaine and Heroin, that destroy the fabrics of society

 

[Vic C.]

... With Alcohol you can go state of semi-consciousness easily, which is almost impossible on marijuanna. The motor skills of alcoholics reaction times are significantly less, whereas a pot smoker may have no loss whatsoever. ...

People should decriminalize it, and focus on Meth, Cocaine and Heroin, that destroy the fabrics of society

I was laughing SO hard I almost spilled the bong water... now what were we talking about again? Anyone? Ferris, Ferris? :-D

I do agree somewhat with that last part. Unfortunately and without going into conspiracy theories, Politics and Law Enforcement sometimes takes the path of least resistance. It's easier to ckeak down on the weed peddlers and users basically because there is less money funding the trafficking of weed.

 

[moniker]

I feel that alcohol and drugs are both a form of drunkeness, and it is unacceptable. And I also feel that we should treat our body as a temple.

Do you believe that you have a responsibility, and moral authority to coerce others into treating their bodies the way in which you choose to treat your own? To what extent does this responsibility stretch in order for such paternalistic approaches to be justifiable.

Therefore, I think it is possible to drink a little and be okay, but not ever to smoke a little weed and be okay.

Marijuana has a medicinal uses and positive medical qualities just the same as a glass of red wine, beer, or other forms of alcohol. One signficant difference between marijuana and alcohol, however, is the fact that in excess you can literally kill yourself with alcohol. The same is not true of marijuana where it is impossible to overdose on THC. It is a shame that the federal government restricts any sort of testing to commence in order to find out to what extent those medicinal qualities go due to its spot on the controlled substances act while it is no more dangerous than alcohol, which is not placed anywhere on those schedules.

 

[moniker]

I do agree somewhat with that last part. Unfortunately and without going into conspiracy theories, Politics and Law Enforcement sometimes takes the path of least resistance. It's easier to ckeak down on the weed peddlers and users basically because there is less money funding the trafficking of weed.

That's only because the trafficking of those drugs is illegal, though.

So long as large sums of money are involved  and they are bound to be if drugs are illegal  it is literally impossible to stop the traffic, or even to make a serious reduction in its scope.

It is because it's prohibited. See, if you look at the drug war from a purely economic point of view, the role of the government is to protect the drug cartel. That's literally true.

 

[Veritas]

I understand medical uses somewhat moniker. I just know alot of cases where people are already dependant on it and are using medical needs as an excuse to have it.

But like you said, I don't have any moral authority to coerce others into treating their bodies less poorly. I will say what I think though. ;) I pray I can do it in a loving way. Thats tough!!!

I still see alchohol as less of a drug even though its abuse potentially has worse effects. You can kill yourself by overeating or overdrinking water as well. I see alchohol as a food, you don't smoke it. We also know Jesus created wine and drank wine. As far as marijuana is concerned, I think its just hopeful speculation at best by those that like it, that Jesus would have condoned it or partook of it. Personally, I can't really imagine that He would have.

 

[Gabbylittleangel]

Here are some Scriptures that cover the topic of drugs:

Rev 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

Sorcerers? Some versions translate this as one who practices witchcraft, some translate it as magic.

Here is what the concordance shows:

The word is pharmakeus {far-mak-yoos'}
from pharmakon (a drug, i.e. spell-giving potion)

1) one who prepares or uses magical remedies

2) sorcerer




Rev 9:20 And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk:
Rev 9:21 Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts.


In this passage, the word sorceries is:

pharmakeia {far-mak-i'-ah}

1) the use or the administering of drugs

2) poisoning

3) sorcery, magical arts, often found in connection with idolatry and fostered by it

4) metaph. the deceptions and seductions of idolatry


It seems to me as if God has a very strong opinion of drugs and those who trust in them. The more faith you have in a drug to fix things, the less trust you have in God. Most of the people that I associate with, very often seek to control and manipulate the lives of others. One of the ways that they attempt to do this is with mind altering drugs.

One of the key terms here is "Mind altering". Scripture does not tell us to alter the mind, but to renew it. As far as using it for medical needs, Well I am a believer that Jesus heals.

Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

 

[beehive2]

marijuana and God

As far as I know there were quite a few uses listed in the bible regarding marijuana, two that really stood out among those uses were, meditation and relaxation. Now meditation might include having it around to smell the smoke because after all, some people would argue that it has a unique and pleasant aroma. The other use being relaxation, I cant really see how you would go about using it to relax other than to smoke it or eat it.Of course I could be wrong, maybe if you buy enough, you could make a couch or a bean bag out of it and then relax '"on it" that way?.
One thing I am pretty sure of though, smoking it would harm your lungs and that would be wrong in the Lords eyes. So look into a vaporizer and get the effects without getting the smoke in your lungs and causing health problems.They cost about a hundred bucks and this way, you could continue treating your body like the temple that it is.

 

[moniker]

Gabby, do you mean to imply that I'm going to hell for taking an advil this morning due to a splitting headache? Also, your brain's state is never one of anything but dynamic change. Interacting with the world around you causes synapses and neurons to fire in differing ways, to change and reconstruct themselves. Even in sleep, your mind is always altering itself. Having a cup of coffee alters it, just as smoking marijuana alters it, just as being saddened by an overcast sky alters it. There is no such thing as an unaltered mind.

Veritas, your body has no concern over how you ingest something simply with the fact that it has been ingested and is working to alter your body chemically in ways that I have no idea how best to express. Also, if you consider marijuana to be worse off than alcohol solely on the basis of needing to smoke it rather than simply eating it would you feel the same over psychedelic mushrooms?

 

[Newkid00]

I think weed should only be used for medical purposes. I've seen the effects of too much marijuana and it's bad. For instance my one friend was doing well in 6th grade. Now skipping to 8th grade he's one of the dumbest people I know, he's failing all his classes, hangs out with some bad people, and isn't the friend I grew up with. :

 

[Gabbylittleangel]

Gabby, do you mean to imply that I'm going to hell for taking an advil this morning due to a splitting headache?

moniker, I am convinced that people who go to hell, go there because they are not born again, and do not trust in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour.

Your advil and your headache? You will have to ask God about that for yourself. I am curious, did you talk to Him before you took the advil?

For the record, you are talking to someone who has countless birth defects, and has endured countless beatings. I have also had many miracle healings. Health, healing and drugs, are things that I have spent a lot of time talking to the Lord about, and He has taught me much. The more my faith has shifted from medical science to the Lord. It seems as if my faith has to be in one or the other. Where the two contradict, I must choose the ways of the Lord.

However, that is my faith, and how God works in my life. I wish I could hand it to you on a silver platter so that you no longer had splitting headaches or the need for advil.

Also, your brain's state is never one of anything but dynamic change. Interacting with the world around you causes synapses and neurons to fire in differing ways, to change and reconstruct themselves. Even in sleep, your mind is always altering itself. Having a cup of coffee alters it, just as smoking marijuana alters it, just as being saddened by an overcast sky alters it. There is no such thing as an unaltered mind.

Perhaps that is why Scripture says that we should renew our minds. It kind of sounds as if you think mind altering drugs are no big deal. Do you really equate a cloudy day with tokin on pot?
The Scriptures that I quoted say nothing about clouds, sleep, or coffee bringing judgment. The Scriptures that I quoted...well they say what they say.

 

[moniker]

Perhaps that is why Scripture says that we should renew our minds. It kind of sounds as if you think mind altering drugs are no big deal. Do you really equate a cloudy day with tokin on pot?

Not in the scale that each produces, but at the basest level they do cause the same thing to happen. For your brain to get re-wired. This occurs due to your mood just as it occurs due to anything you eat or drink. As far as my view towards drugs go, well I take the more libertarian view towards them.

The Scriptures that I quoted say nothing about clouds, sleep, or coffee bringing judgment. The Scriptures that I quoted...well they say what they say.

Yes, they do, and they say nothing about medical science or pharmaceuticals. "Drugs" is an extremely broad label that applies to everything that isn't necessary for your diet. It runs the gamut from sugar and caffeine to heroin and alcohol. There is nothing magical about chemistry nor are doctors or biochemists some sort of sorceror.

 

[beehive2]

Moderation

Yes, if you smoke your brains out all day your probably a pothead and that means your dependant on pot. However, if you get a chance to go on a fishing trip for a weekend and you toke on a joint while you are on the riverbank fishing and perhaps even talking to god while you are there, is it still the same? This is my point. When it's time for some r&r, why cant this be acceptable in God's eyes.Your not an addict obviously, and I'm sorry but you still remain competent while you are high on pot unless you are absolutely abusing it on a regular basis.

 

[Veritas]

moniker, no, I don't feel the same over psychedelic mushrooms, you've punched a hole in my argument. I guess I could split hairs about how nutritional psychedelic mushrooms are but I think it has more to do with the intent of the person whether or not its just food. Some people only drink alcohol as food with no intent to make it affect them.

I appreciate Gabbylittleangel's posts. I agree with them, and its good to see that drugs are addressed directly in scripture.

ZaksDarlin, I would like to see the uses listed in the Bible regarding marijuana other than what Gabby posted for us, I've never come across them. I also understand meditation as focused thinking. We actually do it all the time in the negative sense, its called worry. A positive way to meditate would be focused thinking about a particular Bible verse!

 

[beehive2]

As stated in my first post along with a direct link that will show you even more including meditation and relaxation regarding uses.

I hope this is the proper place to post a discussion like this. I was only wondering what others think about marijuana and how it was used as relaxation techniques, ointments, holy oil, clothes, paper, fishing nets, the list goes on and on and on.

Certain quotes from the Bible that other Christians point out or "take out of the context" as "Acceptable rituals":

And I will raise up for them a plant of renown, and they shall be no more consumed with hunger in the land, neither bear the shame of the heathen any more. -- Ezekiel 34:29

"The Lord said unto me, 'I will take my rest and I will consider in my dwelling place like a clear heat upon herbs.' " -- Isaiah 18:4-5


God said, "Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed which is upon the face of all the earth.…To you it will be for meat." … And God saw everything that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. (Genesis 1:29-31)

The Bible predicts some herb's prohibition. "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times, some shall … speak lies in hypocrisy … commanding to abstain from meats which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. (Paul: 1 Timothy 4:1-3)


More can be found here: http://www.equalrights4all.org/religious/bible.htm

I think weed should only be used for medical purposes. I've seen the effects of too much marijuana and it's bad. For instance my one friend was doing well in 6th grade. Now skipping to 8th grade he's one of the dumbest people I know, he's failing all his classes, hangs out with some bad people, and isn't the friend I grew up with.

First of all, I have seen people in high school who made straight A's with 3.8's and 4.0 grade averages and all they did was smoke pot when they went home from school everyday, It's hard to believe but it's true.
Second, I would bet that your friend is doing alot more than just smoking an occassional joint to be screwing up his schoolwork.
Third, hanging out with bad people brings on a whole new realm of problems and will probably lead your friend into alot more trouble than failing school and smoking weed. I wish your friend my most sincere hope that he can help himself before it is too late and lets face it, some people have addictive personalities and they should stay away from any potential bad habits.

 

[jgredline]

I hope this is the proper place to post a discussion like this.

ZaksDarlin

This is a great discussion and I have enjoyed reading the post form all the posters...Your fine.

jg

 

[Gabbylittleangel]

There are some things that are clearly right or wrong, good or evil, truth or lies.

When people can not figure out what is or is not a drug, I can't help but think that is it because they are looking for the line from the wrong side of it. Lines always seem to be blurry when you try to move them, erase them, ignore them, or outsmart them.

When one decides to follow Christ, they die to self. Their will, their ways, and their desires. They take up their cross, and follow Jesus. Others try to believe that Jesus Christ was beaten and nailed to a cross in order to give them permission to do whatever they want.

The decisions are yours. the consequences are not.

 

[Guest]

Is it possible that God created hashish to be used for medicinal uses?

If at the end of creation God was able to look back and say that "all was good". It seems to me that implies that everything as a good purpose. Granted, we have abused His Creation, after the fall, and that those things that were created for good have been used for evil purposes.

However, Is it possible to conclude that pot had a good purpose? And to use it for that purpose is okay?

God clearly had an "Ideal" in the Garden of Eden - should we not strive through the grace of God and at the instruction of the Holy Spirit to strive for that Ideal?

 

[Gabbylittleangel]

Is it possible that God created hashish to be used for medicinal uses?

Not in my Bible.

In my copy of the Scriptures, Jesus went around healing people. Sometimes just by speaking the Word, sometimes by laying hands on the sick. The apostles did likewise. I never see Him command anyone to pop a pill, to smoke anything, or inject anything.

Faith works for me. It doesn't work for everybody though.

Isa 53:5 But he [was] wounded for our transgressions, [he was] bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace [was] upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

1Pe 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.