Why Christians Shouldnt Smoke Weed: We Must Obey Both The Federal And State Law
2. Romans 13:1-4 All of you must yield to the government rulers. No one rules unless God has given him the power to rule, and no one rules now without that power from God. So those who are against the government are really against what God has commanded. And they will bring punishment on themselves. Those who do right do not have to fear the rulers only those who do wrong fear them. Do you want to be unafraid of the rulers? Then do what is right, and they will praise you. The ruler is Gods servant to help you. But if you do wrong, then be afraid. He has the power to punish he is Gods servant to punish those who do wrong.
1 Peter 2:13-14 For the Lords sake, respect all human authoritywhether the king as head of state, or the officials he has appointed. For the king has sent them to punish those who do wrong and to honor those who do right.
What Constitutes Intoxication
The analogical argument against recreational marijuana use appears rather incontrovertible. However, the Bible prohibits drunkenness, it does not prohibit all uses of alcoholeven those for recreational purposes. A person can consume small quantities of alcohol without any intention of becoming intoxicated. Can a person consume small quantities of marijuana without any intention of becoming intoxicated?
To answer the question we must determine the average quantity of the drugalcohol or marijuananeeded to produce the impaired state.
For alcohol, the unit of measure is the standard drink, that is any drink that contains about 14 grams of pure alcohol . A standard drink is conventionally defined as the alcohol content of 12 ounces of 5 percent-alcohol beer or 5 ounces of 12 percent-alcohol wine or an ounce and half of 40 percent-alcohol spirits . In most U.S. states, the legally defined level of intoxication typically occurs, depending on pacing, after four drinks for an average-sized woman or five for an average-sized man.
For marijuana, however, a much lower dosage is needed to induce a state of intoxication. Studies show that intoxication occurs at the ingestion of less than 7 mg of THC . That is approximately the equivalent to four puffs of a marijuana cigarette.
Cannabis In The Bible
US: Jesus HealedUsing Cannabis: The Guardian, UK, 6 January 2003
Exodus chapter 30 verse 22 – 33:
Moreover the Lord spoke unto Moses, saying: “Take thou also unto theeprincipal spices, of pure myrrh five hundred shekels, and of sweet cinnamonhalf so much, even two hundred and fifty shekels, and of sweet KINEBOISIN twohundred and fifty shekels.
And of cassia five hundred shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary, andof olive oil an hin
And thou shalt make it an oil of holy ointment, an ointment compound afterthe art of the apothecary it shall be an holy anointing oil
And thou shalt anoint the tabernacle of the congregation therewith, and theark of the testimony.
Upon man’s flesh shall it not be poured, neither shall ye make any otherlike it, after the composition of it: it is holy, and it shall be holy unto you
Whosoever compoundeth any like it, or whosoever putteth any of it upon astranger, shall even be cut off from his people
KINEBOISIN, according to the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, is the old namefor cannabis – it was also spelt kannabosm. They claim it was mis-translated inthe King James’ version of the bible, as “calamus”
Assyrian texts from the 7th century BC name cannabis.
The Essenes of ancient Israel and the Theraputea of Egypt both used cannabismedicinally.
Zoroaster, Persian founder of a religion, used cannabis.
In one legend Buddha is said to have survived on one cannabis seed a day foryears.
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Holy Cannabis: The Bible Tells Us So
This Saturday, the day after Valentine’s day, synagogues all over the world will be studying the Torah portion Ki Tissa, Exodus 30:11-34:35. It’s likely that most people who are asked to comment on the portion will focus on the dramatic story of the Golden Calf that is told in the portion.
I’m going to follow a different path. My focus is on a detail in the beginning of the portion that describes the laws concerning the holy tabernacle. I want to talk about one ingredient in the recipe for the anointing oil used to sanctify both the tabernacle and the priests themselves. .
The Torah: A Women’s Commentary explains that the oil used to anoint sacred objects as well as the priests was to be made of four precious spices — myrrh, cinnamon, cane and cassia — combined with olive oil.
The common English translation of the third ingredient, replicated in most English versions of the five books of the Old Testament, is “aromatic cane.” However, a different translation appears in The Living Torah where Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan writes that some sources identify “fragrant cane” — “keneh bosem” in Hebrew — with the English and Greek word “cannabis” referring to the hemp plant.
Kaplan’s reference is significant. The Ben Yehuda Hebrew-English Dictionary, written by Eliezer Ben Yehuda, the father of modern Hebrew, defines the Hebrew word “kanabos” as hemp, a botanical relative of marijuana.
Why Does This Matter
Despite popular culture making marijuana usage out to be cool or radical, true marijuana use is far from it. Cannabis will only destroy your physical health/mental health, reputation, and testimony.
Christians need to flee the temptations of the world and shine brightly for Christ. There are enough temptations, difficulties, and struggles in the world without being disoriented by cannabis usage.
Simply because the world says it is okay to smoke or vape marijuana does not mean God says it is okay. You are a beautiful, important, amazing masterpiece of Gods hands and He does not want you to destroy it with the usage of marijuana.
For further reading:
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What Do The Skeptics Say
Not all scholars embrace the theory that Biblical references to calamus are merely mistranslations of cannabis. Lytton John Musselman, a professor of botany at Old Dominion University, insists that calamus has strong medicinal properties all on its own. He shares examples of its popularity in Sri Lanka, as well as among the Native Americans who once populated the northeastern United States. Musselman also defends calamuss status as a healing plant, as it is used in Ayurvedic medicine.
Additionally, many people interpret the many Biblical warnings against getting drunk on alcohol to naturally include intoxication by marijuana , though this is not explicitly stated anywhere in the Bible.
Q: What does the Bible say about using weed?A:The Bible doesnt outline explicit rules against using weed, though it could be argued that the verses warning against alcohol intoxication apply to any substance capable of producing an intoxicating effect.
Lytton John Musselman, a professor of botany at Old Dominion University, insists that calamus has strong medicinal properties all on its own.
Why Is Smoking Weed A Sin
What did Paul say in the Bible? He said, I will not be brought under the power of any. The sole purpose of marijuana is for you get high and receive the effects of the strain of cannabis that you are smoking. With marijuana you are yielding up control to an external force and releasing self-control.
1. 1 Corinthians 6:12 All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.
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What Would Jesus Do Regarding Medical Marijuana
Despite common knowledge and widespread scientific support, the federal government has for nearly 30 years kept cannabis in schedule 1 as a deliberate way to deny patients access to medical marijuana. This includes people suffering from asthma, cancer, migraine headache, chronic pain, spasticity, glaucoma, arthritis, and provides relief for many other conditions. As a result, people at various locations across the USA have had to risk and suffer years in prison for providing medical marijuana to patients as an act of compassion and personal conscience. What would Jesus do? He chose to break the law in order to heal the sick.
Was Cannabis Purposely Removed From The Bible
The possibility exists that the ceremony of anointment with Holy oil played a central role in early Christianity. A collection of lost Biblical texts was discovered in Egypt in 1945. These books had been sealed in a jar and buried around AD 367 when the church disallowed any tellings of Jesus story that were not included in the official New Testament. The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, were actually among many existing accounts of Jesus life. These books, in particular, were handpicked by the church for inclusion in the Bible, as they presented uniform accounts of the narrative Christianitys leaders wished to present.
The non-canonical texts tell of sects that became known as Gnostics. This name comes from the Greek word for knowledge. The Gnostics believed that they achieved a higher degree of enlightenment and understanding of their religion through first-hand use of Holy oil, versus relying on the words of the Scriptures and priests. These texts indicate that this sacramental rite of anointment would have indeed been a psychoactive experience.
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The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter
In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, there is general prohibition against intoxicating substances. In August 1915, the LDS Church banned the use of cannabis by its members. In 2016, the church’s First Presidency urged members to oppose legalization of recreational cannabis use. The LDS Church says it has “raised no objection to SB 89” .
During the Hindu festival of Holi and Maha Shivratri, people consume bhang which contains cannabis flowers. According to one description, when the amrita was produced from the churning of the ocean by the devas and the asuras as described in the Samudra manthan, Shiva created cannabis from his own body to purify the elixir . Another account suggests that the cannabis plant sprang up when a drop of the elixir dropped on the ground. Thus, cannabis is used by sages due to association with elixir and Shiva.
In Hinduism, wise drinking of bhang , according to religious rites, is believed to cleanse sins, unite one with Shiva and avoid the miseries of hell in the future life. It is also believed to have medicinal benefits and is used in Ayurvedic medicine. In contrast, foolish drinking of bhang without rites is considered a sin.
A Sampling Of Bible Verses Related To Drunkenness And Sobriety:
Ephesians 5:18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, . . .
Galatians 5:21 Envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
1 Peter 5:8 Be sober-minded be watchful.
1 Corinthians 6:10 Nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.
Proverbs 23:20-21 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.
Proverbs 23:29-35 Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaining? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes? Those who tarry long over wine those who go to try mixed wine. Do not look at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup and goes down smoothly. In the end it bites like a serpent and stings like an adder. Your eyes will see strange things, and your heart utter perverse things.
Isaiah 5:11 Woe to those who rise early in the morning, that they may run after strong drink, who tarry late into the evening as wine inflames them!
Hosea 4:11 Whoredom, wine, and new wine, which take away the understanding.
Matthew 24:48-49 But if that wicked servant says to himself, My master is delayed, and begins to beat his fellow servants and eats and drinks with drunkards . . .
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The Second Mention Song Of Songs : 10
The second time cannabis is mentioned in the Old Testament occurs several centuries later, in a love poem, written for his wife by the famed King Solomon .
Solomons father was King David, who slayed the giant Goliath in single combat.
This poem is considered as one of the most beautiful segments of the Bible, and whats quite unusual about it is the sexuality of King Solomons words.
How delightful is your love, my sister, my bride! How much more pleasing is your love than wine, and the fragrance of your perfume more than any spice! Your lips drop sweetness as the honeycomb, my bride milk and honey are under your tongue. The fragrance of your garments is like the fragrance of Lebanon. You are a garden locked up, my sister, my bride you are a spring enclosed, a sealed fountain.
Your breasts are like two fawns, like twin fawns of a gazelle that browse among the lilies. Until the day breaks and the shadows flee, I will go to the mountain of myrrh and to the hill of incense. You are altogether beautiful, my darling there is no flaw in you.
Your plants are an orchard of pomegranates with choice fruits, with henna and nard, nard and saffron, calamus and cinnamon, with every kind of incense tree, with myrrh and aloes and all the finest spices. You are a garden fountain, a well of flowing water streaming down from Lebanon.
Can Christians Use Marijuana Medicinally Or Recreationally
Simply because the world says it is okay to smoke or vape marijuana does not mean God says it is okay. You are a beautiful, important, amazing masterpiece of Gods hands and He does not want you to destroy it with the usage of marijuana.
- Vivian BrickerContributing Writer
- 202110 Nov
Similar to other modern-day controversies, such as abortion or tobacco use, the Bible does not specifically say anything about marijuana. There is a recent upward trend of marijuana use across the world and many states in America have already legalized cannabis.
With the recent popularity and legalization of this drug, many people have wondered what the Bible says about marijuana usage. Is it permissible to smoke or vape marijuana or is it a sin?
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What Are The Side Effects Of Marijuana
There are many side effects of smoking marijuana, both physical and mental. The physical side effects of using cannabis are breathing problems, an increased heart rate, as well as intense nausea and vomiting, which often turns into Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome.
For women wanting to build a family, marijuana causes multiple problems with pregnancy and issues regarding the development of the infant while still in the womb as well as after the baby is born .
When nursing mothers use marijuana, the marijuana passes from the mother to the child in the breast milk and can cause problems with the development of the babys brain .
There are also multiple investigations underway to determine whether or not marijuana played a major role in the death of many of its users . In addition to the physical side effects of cannabis, there are also mental side effects of this drug.
The mental side effects of cannabis include changes in mood, hallucinations, paranoia, depression, difficulty sleeping, difficulty in concentration, low motivation, and psychotic illnesses such as psychosis, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, and bipolar disorder.
Each of these psychotic illnesses can leave a person being disabled for the remainder of his or her life. Living with psychosis, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, or bipolar disorder are all difficult illnesses to live through during a persons life.
The Third Mention Book Of Isaiah : 24 711 Bce
The third mention is from the book of Isaiah, who was also a prophet of the Lord, just like Moses.
Isaiah was trying to lift the spirits of his fellow Israelites, preaching that they lost their way, and became immoral and faithless.
In this particular passage God is angry at his people, because they failed to deliver him his offerings, and it seems that cannabis was one of them.
You have not bought any fragrant calamus for me, or lavished on me the fat of your sacrifices. But you have burdened me with your sins and wearied me with your offenses.
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Did God Create Weed
There are some people who might say, God made weed to enjoy! However, He also made poison ivy, there is a reason why we are not trying that! God created the tree of knowledge, but commanded Adam not to eat from it.
Genesis 2:15-17 The Lord God took the man and placed him in the garden of Eden to work it and watch over it. And the Lord God commanded the man, You are free to eat from any tree of the garden, but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for on the day you eat from it, you will certainly die.
The Use Of Marijuana As Incense
According to the Encyclopedia Britannica: “Pharmacological Cults”
“…the ceremonial use of incense in contemporary ritual is most likely a relic ofthe time when the psychoactive properties of incense brought the ancient worshipper intouch with supernatural forces.”
In the temples of the ancient world, the main sacrifice was the inhalation of incense.Incense is defined as the perfume or smoke from spices and gums when burned in celebratingreligious rites or as an offering to a deity. Bronze and gold incense burners were castvery early in history and their forms were often inspired by cosmological themesrepresenting the harmonious nature of the universe.
The following piece was taken from “Licit and Illicit Drugs”, page 31.
: 271-272.
“The earliest civilizations of Mesopotamia brewed intoxicating beer of barley morethan 5,000 years ago is it too much to assume that even earlier cultures experiencedeuphoria, accidentally or deliberately, through inhalation of the resinous smoke ofCannabis?”
“It is said that the Assyrians used hemp as incense in the seventh oreighth century before Christ and called it ‘Qunubu’, a term apparently borrowed from anold East Iranian word ‘Konaba’, the same as the Scythian name ‘cannabis’.”
“It is recorded that the Chinese Taoist recommended the addition of cannabis totheir incense burners in the 1st century as a means of achieving immortality.”
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