Christians for cannabis

by notaboutreligion | January 29, 2009 at 12:54 pm

670 views | 61 Recommendations | 9 comments

Exercising one’s first amendment right to freedom of religion can be a tricky thing…especially when your form of worship consists of lighting up a joint in the name of God. Just ask Norman Hutchinson of Mexico, Maine.

Hutchinson is a member of the Religion of Jesus Church, a Hawaii based faith that not only encourages “cannabis sacraments” but mandates it.

Since joining the church, Hutchinson has served a 60-day stint in jail, then another 120 days for violating his probation after being caught “worshiping.” He has filed a lawsuit against the State of Maine, the local police department, and the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency to prevent future arrests.

“I use marijuana to open the endorphins of the mind so I can spiritually receive God,” Hutchinson told the Portland Press Herald. He meets with fellow worshippers every Saturday for their “last supper.”

The Religion of Jesus Church, hokey as is sounds, is a bona fide religion and has been recognized as such by the State of Hawaii. The church was founded in 1969 by Rev. James Kimmel and incorporates elements of a number of religious traditions including Christianity, Buddhism, and Hinduism. Their main religious text is the The Urantia Book, which they use along with the Bible and various other texts.

The church’s website lists 12 reasons why cannabis sacraments are vital to their worship:

amplifies the worship of God
Helps cultivate personal experience with religion
Increases spiritual elevation
Brings man to God
Increases ability to feel the presence of God
Helps consquer addiction to tobacco and alcohol
Creates peace
Helps evolve the soul
Serves god as a means of healing
Enhances spiritual receptivity
Is an exercise in acquiring Godlike attributes by sharing
Is a good thought stimulating neuro-hormone

Valid enough reasons, don’t you think? The problem the church faces is convincing authorities of the validity of using cannabis for worship. Authorities have dismissed past arguments as a bit weedy.

Regarding Hutchinson’s lawsuit, Maine Attorney General Janet Mills said, “You can have a religion that says, 'I believe in getting drunk every morning at 10 a.m. and driving down the turnpike.’ But you know what? I think Maine law would prevent it."

While unlikely that state and federal law will allow Hutchinson and his fellow Religion of Jesus Church members to freely practice their worship, they are sure to continue to practice in private, out of the eyes of the law. After all, isn’t that how the original Christians were forced to worship?

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Tina Kells

at 14:15 on January 29th, 2009

This article is copied entirely from this source

http://blogcritics.org/archives/2009/01/29/055052.php

Please use the highlight tool when referencing external sources even if you are the original author.

notaboutreligion

at 15:59 on January 29th, 2009

Oh thanks. I'll make a note of it.

ms. negativity

at 14:20 on January 29th, 2009

Interesting article even to those who don't use cannabis, I would imagine. I had a look at the website and the Religion of Jesus Church sounds as earnest and sincere in their convictions as any other Christian sect and their beliefs and values seem a good deal more worthwhile than most. A good portrayal of the movement.

158

at 16:33 on January 29th, 2009

There is nothing in Christine doctrine that requires or forbids this.

Roy C

at 17:48 on January 29th, 2009

Yes, marijuana is tantric, a kind of intoxicant that completes, as Gurdjieff would put it, the half-note missing from do-re-me to fa.

Lots of Pythagoras in G's teaching. Anyway, tobacco, alcohol, sex, meat, hashish, they are all tantric.

I think that Obama will decriminalize marijuana.

Jadeite (not verified)

at 18:10 on January 29th, 2009

As a christian, i firmly believe that marijuana was put on the earth, along with many other natural substances to aid mankind. However, with any food or drug or anything else for that matter, if it is abused or becomes addictive - separates us from God.

We are called to rely on our faith, to call on Jesus. When we rely on drugs instead of the Almighty, I believe it is twisting the gospel to suit people's own ends.No one need use a herb or earthly substance to attain a personal relationship with Christ. That is a person's choice and free will to do so. You can even call it a religion. It doesnt make it right in the sight of God.

For the record, I believe in decriminalizing marijuana and know that it has very many significant health benefits, but like everything else in life - it must be met with common sense and balance.

Talon (not verified)

at 19:18 on January 30th, 2009

Jadeite: that is the most sensible post I've read in a very long time. Love it :)

Jeff Lucas (not verified)

at 12:00 on February 18th, 2009

I do not believe even in the slightest, that smoking pot will get you closer to God. But that is irrelevant to Christian Liberty; we are free to assume responsibility for our burdens and convictions. Cannabis is a common grace blessing, and to set forward a dietary prerequisite to Faith in Christ only builds legalistic walls that cause generations to reject Christ in rebellion and antinomianism. Somking pot isn't going to get you closer to God, but commanding abstinence from it is a false philosophy that blows the gates of Hell wide open.

here's some traditional quotes from the early church:

The Church History of Eusebius Book V. Chapter III.- "For a certain Alcibades, who was one of them, led a very austere life, partaking of nothing whatever but bread and water. When he endeavored to continue this same sort of life in prison, it was revealed to Attalus after his first conflict in the ampitheater that Alcibades was not doing well in refusing the creatures of God and placing a stumblingblock before others. And Alcibades obeyed, and partook of all things without restraint, giving thanks to God. For they were not deprived of the grace of God, but the Holy Ghost was their counselor"

Clement of Alexandria Paedagogus book 2 chapter 8 -"we have showed that in the department of medicine, for healing, and sometimes also for moderate recreation, the delight derived from flowers, and the benefit derived from unguents and perfumes, are not to be overlooked. And if some say, What pleasure, then, is there in flowers to those that do not use them? let them know, then, that unguents are prepared from them, and are most useful."

Origen Against Celsus book 3 chapter 12 -"no one would act rationally in avoiding medicine because of its heresies"

Tertullian De Corona part first chapter 10 -"I burn the Arabian product myself, but not with the same ceremony, nor in the same dress, nor with the same pomp, with which it is done unto idols"