Marijuana, Jesus, & Athiests

Concerning the works of the flesh

Galatians 5:19
19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
I20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,

Witchcraft:Greek pharmakeia

Speaking of Mystery Babylon…

Revelation 18:
23 And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived.
24 And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth.

Sorceries:Greek pharmakeia

PHARAMAKEIA

Strong's 5331 Pharmakeia
5331 1) The use or the administering of drugs.

Friberg Greek Lexicon Pharamakeia
05455 the use of drugs of any kind for magical effect sorcery, magic.

Known from antiquity in the Greek and Babylonian "mystery" cults -
"Magic" mushrooms - Psilocybe mushrooms which are hallucinogenic.
kykeon A "sacred" drink, a mixture of hallucinogens - namely ergot, a constituent of a fungus found on certain grains which is Lysergic Acid Amide (LSA) - unrefined LSD.
Also used in the mystery cults were certain seeds of flowers containing opiates and LSA.

HankD

 

Ransford

I am thankful for the education on prohibitionists but I already had that knowledge. However, I am speaking of the need to be sober minded, in other words, in control of ones mind. I don’t take the above scriptures to refer to alcohol. I apply them to anything that would make one lose control, but that does include alcohol, doesn’t it?

I agree with you that it does mean more than watching alcohol intake. It means watching anything that might effect your mental capacity to judge rightly. Have you never seen a drunk going down the highway? Have you never seen someone smoking marijuana going down the highway? They are sober minded? Have you ever seen the carnage when they crash? I have investigated too many accidents involving social drinking and drug use to believe this. Besides, my Bible tells me to be sober minded. If that makes me deluded then I am glad to be that way.

What is the point of drinking alcoholic beverages, or of taking <B>illicit</B> drugs? Is it not to be deluded into thinking things are better than they are? Is it to do away with ones inhibitions? Isn’t it a crutch for those who cannot accept reality? The answer is yes, to all. Some may need this but I for one do not, even if I were not a Christian. However, as a Christian I am happy and content with the reality God has given me.

I never mentioned drug prohibition. Drugs are used everyday, some dispensed over the counter and some by prescription.
Are you name calling? A naive simple–minded oaf? If that is what it means to believe the Bible then call me what you want. I will not step into liberalism in disregard for God’s Word because of name calling. However, I will pray for you.

I never mentioned drug prohibition let alone a prohibition scheme. We use drugs every day for medical reasons.

What a comparison, but my post was not about prohibition, inquisitions or witch hunts.

Others have also posted many good reasons against your views. Some don’t have scriptural references but the references are easily called to mind by anyone who knows the Bible. This topic will have to be continued by someone else. I refuse to debate with those who are more familiar with adjectives than the Bible… Have a good day.

Randall

 

I also have atheist friends, I love them very much and unless the subject is brought up and talked about I normally don't bring God into the conversation, I just try to be there for them as a friend.

Karen

 

Your prohibitionist reasoning is wrong because the Bible does not forbid the use of alcohol and alcohol is far more dangerous than Heroin in a legal setting.

A quick WINE A BLESSING

How prohibitionists ever managed to convince people that the Bible supported the Volstead Act is beyond me because Jesus's first miracle was making about 40 gallons of wine at a wedding in Cana and he finished his life using wine as a memorial in the last supper.

Nevertheless, the Bible also warns about the dangers of alcohol—

Christians must learn to discern that excess alcohol intake is harmful and condemned by the Bible while reasonable use which is referred to as "temperance" is healthy.

Of course, people who are alcoholics should either moderate their drinking (which may be impossible for them) or abstain altogether. However, there is no call for general abstinence from alcohol.

The fact that Jesus drank wine proves that it is alright for Christians to drink in moderation.


From what I know, marijuana use is far less harmful than alcohol, so there is no scriptural logic for banning it.
R Givens

 

er? whilst I agree that smoking is not good Bob Marley died of toe cancer

source

 

The issue isn't whether it should have been banned or not; the issue is that it HAS been. If you're so insistent on smoking the stuff (in moderation) go somewhere were it's legal.

If you wouldn't want to live in those places where it's legal then be happy with whatever moderate activities are already at your disposal.

BTW, I wonder why that fact on Bob Marley wasn't in the biography of his that I own. Maybe I overlooked it?

 

Prov 20:1
20:1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.
KJV


Prov 20:1
20:1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.
KJV

Prov 16:2

2 All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits.
KJV

Prov 20:1
20:1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.
KJV

Prov 16:2

2 All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits.
KJV

1 Tim 2:2-3
2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
KJV

1 Tim 3:7

7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil

Do these passages mean anything to you? Probably not. Most Liberals want to twist scripture to say what they want it to. God says that we are to obey those He has allowed to rule us. He also said that all man's ways are right in his own eyes.Please understand, I am not calling people names nor tearing down their opinions. But if we are to have a good report among those whom are not saved. If we are doing the same thing they are, how can we be separated from them, so that they would want what we have, and attend church, and hopefully get saved? Ransford, I promise that I will pray hard for you.
With God's Love,
Rick Sr.

 

Ransford, while you appear to have studied this subject somewhat, you've missed one important verse that sums up the use of wine and alcohol:

Romans 14:21 It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.

Other than the prohibitions/warnings found in the verses that you've already published for us, we must take this one above them all. For we are NOT to concern ourselves with our christian liberty, but we are to die to self, and our selfish wants and needs, and attend to others.

It is the strong Christian that says "I can, but I won't, because I don't want my brother or my neighbor to stumble."

Jason1, does that help you out any?

 

It looks like this topic has boiled down to "Marijuana" only. Anyone ever think that the only reason that marijuana laws still exist is to be a source of extra revenue for the government? And (here's the kicker) were we not GIVEN DOMINION over all the green plants in Genesis? So man's laws somehow contradict a higher law here and everybody looks the other way. Hmmm. And male marijuana plants can be used for rope, clothing, paper, and cardboard. The US Government grew the daylights out of it in the 30s and 40s as an easily replenishible crop for industry. Am I saying everyone should toke up? Of course not. And yes there are laws against it in most parts of the US. But it's a political hotbutton now and I expect some states to fight for leniency to varying degrees for its use. Then what? You know, tobacco and the evil drug nicotine are much worse for you by far than a wheelbarrow full of the strongest cannabis out there. And nicotine is highly addictive. And you don't know who grew it or what they sprayed on it. That's why people get lung cancer, folks. It ain't the tobacco so much as the spiked nicotine and processing chemicals that are coated on it. I would never, ever smoke or use tobacco in any way. Be consistent: criminalize tobacco or legalize marijuana.

 

I haven't really been keeping up with this thread, but I would like to say that as Christians we should abstain from ALL appearance of evil. God made cannibus, hemp, poison ivy, etc. Yet, He didn't tell us to "light up and enjoy". Just as we know that poison ivy is bad for our health, so too do we know that ingesting/smoking reefer/weed/pot/cannibus/joints,etc. is bad for our health. I also understand the argument that if one is made illegal the other(tobacco products) should be made also. True, and as Christians we should uphold that all things that bring harm to the temple of God are wrong. That includes glutony, sex outside of marriage, etc. So what do we do? We live by the word of God. Just as too much sugar affects our body. So too does marijuana. If it impairs our judgment, we best leave it alone. Besides, marijuna affects your memory, I know personally.

 

It says that GOD will destroy those who defile the "temple," not prohibitionists. Who appointed drug warriors as agents of God? They seek to usurp the judgements of God by putting themselves in His place.

Remember that drug prohibition comes from the witlessness of men, not God. This puts prohibition in the "foolishness with God" category.

So you are against painkillers? Wow! Do you forego anesthetics when you need surgery to avoid "mind–altering" drugs? Do you let the dentist drill away without any novocaine?

You need to think your position through a bit because there's no way Jesus is against relieving people's pain. His whole mission was to save mankind from pain and death.

Jesus NEVER turned anyone away when they asked for healing so where's your justification from the Bible to deny pain relief?
R Givens

 

It says that GOD will destroy those who defile the "temple," not prohibitionists. Who appointed drug warriors as agents of God? They seek to usurp the judgements of God by putting themselves in His place.

Remember that drug prohibition comes from the witlessness of men, not God. This puts prohibition in the "foolishness with God" category.

So you are against painkillers? Wow! Do you forego anesthetics when you need surgery to avoid "mind–altering" drugs? Do you let the dentist drill away without any novocaine?

You need to think your position through a bit because there's no way Jesus is against relieving people's pain. His whole mission was to save mankind from pain and death.

Jesus NEVER turned anyone away when they asked for healing so where's your justification from the Bible to deny pain relief?
R Givens

 

Ransford; I think you have hit your head or smoked too much weed. When you quote someone take it all in, not just the part you want to argue about. If calling people that believe that a moral code is taught by the scriptures and witness of christains reveals this, names, then more power to you. Please remember I will pray for you, because you know we are talking about illegal drugs. I'll forgive you too. I believe that most of us will. Have a good day! Rick Sr.

 

then why are there THC receptors in the brain?

source

 

[ February 20, 2003, 12:23 AM: Message edited by: ezrider ]

 

ahem....back to the original topic...tell your atheist friends that marijuana didn't grow in the middle east in Jesus' time. It's a "western hemisphere" kinda thang...but I'm sure they will then change their arguement to hashhish.

Pagans will be pagans after all....

And speaking of pagans...Ransford, dude, put that joint down for a second.

As a former heavy pothead, you and I both know that smoking the "demon weed" makes one very apathetic. That alone is good enough reason to quit...or else just lay there watching cartoons .

I found myself always smoking weed or looking for the next bag of it. Bible study is way down the list of priorities! The Lord has abundant life for those who can get off the couch.

Take dominion over that stronghold, brother!

 

I agree, back to the subject of this thread. I had some pretty good scriptures for you to use in reply to your atheist friends, but everybody else already took them, so read back through these posts, disregard anything that Ransford has posted, because we all know that anything that comes between you and God, including pot, is something that you need to get rid of. Don't let them distract you from teaching, speaking and raising the banner of Jesus, sometimes sticking to your guns and a refusal to be distracted by there methods. Oh yeah, Ican't remember the scripture and verse that I just thought about but what about "Obeying the laws of the land"?

RTB

 

[ February 20, 2003, 12:22 AM: Message edited by: ezrider ]

 

The real question (aside from legality)is this: Why would a Christian NEED to smoke dope? I'm not against 'drinking' per se, but would also ask, "why would a Christian NEED to get drunk?"

The other concern here is that people who 'smoke dope'will open the door of their own spirits to Evil. This does not mean that all potheads are possessed, but it does mean that it is possible.

I would pray for your pothead friends, but not spend a lot of energy trying to 'convince' them their lifestyle is wrong. Pray for a 'Godincident', where the time will be right for them to repent. Who knows, maybe you'll be a part of their deliverance?

 

Let's get something straight— prohibition is the "wisdom of the world" because there is no scripture remotely suggesting a ban on marijuana or alcohol either one. Nor are there any verses banning opium or any other drug plant.

You cannot support the false witness against marijuana with the Bible!

The idea that a man is corrupted by consuming a drug runs against Jesus's words at:

Aside from every other argument is the uncontestable fact that marijuana is a far less harmful drug than alcohol. Since the Bible does not forbid alcohol, why think marijuana which has never killed anyone in recorded history should be banned?

The prohibitionists talk about being sober–minded and then turn right around and accept the most outrageous fables, fictions and falsehoods on the planet to justify punishing people they disagree with. Show me where any of that is supported by God's word.
Ransford