Question from a Site Viewer
Note:
This comment is a response to our article (Does Scripture Support the Use of Marijuana?) so if you need some context, read it.
I wanted to point out first that hemp and cannabis are closely related; however, they are not the same plant. I am a Christian, and I do not use this term loosely either. My God and I have time together every day to discuss my life, the direction for it, and his will. I am also a mother of five children. You use the term drug to define a plant, but who first named it a drug? The government. You also should read why it was outlawed and how big business had a hand in it. You should also read about how it was used for centuries before 1938 when it was outlawed. Hemp has over fifty thousand different uses that are not associated with smoking it, yet that was not recognized in any of your writing. Hemp is criminalized also and with Cannabis and Hemp does not even have the psychoactive properties of Cannabis. Hemp is a green product that could revolutionize the way our planet operates. We could use it to power our electricity, it can be organically grown, and it renews the top soil with every season(debunking your “some soil is bad theory”). Why would it have so many uses if it was a horrible plant?
People use the Cannabis plant to relieve pain and stress, as well as for more serious illness and there is scientific proof that it has helped like no other DRUG (which is what are pharmacy hands out). This plant could make our world a better place. Our people are cutting down our trees (hemp yields four times as much paper as trees), speeding up global warming (growing this plant could reverse the effects), and injecting chemicals into the ground (FRACing) to obtain natural gas (we can make fuel from hemp). I understand that some people do abuse this plant, however that should not discredit all of the abilities it has. Some studies dating back to the 1970s state that this plant may even have the ability to cure some types of cancer (Rick Simpson-Run From The Cure) This plant is non-toxic, has no long term effects, and has never killed one person. That’s more than can be said about alcohol, which you compare it to. Also, in the Bible, it states that you may drink, but not get drunk. It is possible to function on cannabis. Do not be close-minded and do some research before you say it is bad for everyone, all the time.
Tim’s Answer
Thank you for writing and sharing your thoughts. From our perspective, the real issue is not cannabis, but Christ. How do we fulfill the calling of Jesus to deny ourselves, take up our crosses, and follow Him (Luke 9:43)? We are not our own, but have been bought with a price (1 Corinthians 6:20). Therefore, our calling is to seek to glorify Jesus with our bodies and with our spirits, which belong to Him (1 Corinthians 6:20).
However, we also need to be on the guard against deception. Sometimes, the things we think are within our rights to do are the very things that lead us away from Christ. The evidence for me of whether marijuana is good comes in the results I have seen in the lives of people. I have seen many people who have used marijuana. Every one of them has suffered from depression. I know that people who do not use marijuana also suffer from depression. But the high correlation of marijuana use and depression seems to suggest that the plant is not helpful to the individual or to the kingdom of Christ. I personally have never seen a case where marijuana use has transformed users into spiritual giants of intercessory prayer or has made them great proclaimers of Jesus Christ. They often become missionaries of marijuana rather than missionaries of Christ. And I know many believers who have found marijuana to be a huge impediment to their spiritual walk. When they stopped using marijuana and turned wholly to Christ, they discovered a life with Christ that was truly abundant, full of love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, kindness, faith, and self-control, the fruit of the Spirit of God (Galatians 5:22). But these are my experiences. Perhaps your experiences are different.
As followers of Jesus, we are told that our lives may not be easy. But we can be set apart to God through the Word of God (John 17:17). We are encouraged to meditate on His Word day and night (Joshua 1:8; Psalm 1). We are encouraged to pray for others (1 Timothy 2:1-2). We are told to keep our eyes on Jesus (Hebrews 13:2). We are told to love Him with all of our heart and all of our soul (Deuteronomy 6:5). The Christian life is not complicated. It is a life desiring to be with Jesus, to be guided by His Holy Spirit in all things, and to surrender our wills to His.
May you find in Him your complete satisfaction and joy. May He be the word on your lips and the thought of your heart. And may your love for Him lead you in being the best mother to your children, friend to your neighbors, help to those in need, and encouragement to those who are discouraged. May you become a pillar for Christ in your world.
tim
“And God said, ‘Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of the earth, and every tree with seed in it’s fruit. You shall have them for nourishment. And to every beast of the earth and to every bird in the heavens and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food.” And it was so. And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.” Genesis 1:29-31
God is not in the habit of lying. If our lord says it’s ALL *very* good who are we to argue? It is time to stop demonizing God’s incredible gift to us. Please don’t ignore parts of the bible you might not wish to acknowledge.
As far a depression goes you are mistaking correlation for causation. Perhaps the depression comes from being told day in and day out by society that we are less than. We are “criminals” guilty of a victimless crime, and therefore we must be judged and persecuted by the majority who are truly ignorant of the drug. It is the treatment of others not the Cannabis that causes this feeling of worthlessness. Back to correlation and causation, I can walk into most any dive bar and most people who are there on a Tuesday night are depressed. This doesn’t mean everyone who drinks on a Tuesday is depressed, nor that alcohol causes depression. My point being substances do not cause depression (unless you are talking about those harmful evil pills the FDA keeps trying to shove down our collective throats) however abuse of a substance can be a symptom of depression. As the person wants to “feel better” and will seek out the whatever helps his predicament.
The benefits of Cannabis are astounding. All manner of psychological problems are best treated with THC (ironically many of the very mental disorders our government used to claim where caused by Cannibus), besides spider silk it is the strongest naturally occurring fiber on the planet (stronger than steel, Henery Ford’s fist car was actually all made from hemp), A less polluting source of fuel (that hemp car ran on hemp fuel), Plastics that are biodegradable (unlike the petroleum variety we have now). There is even evidence right now that THC retards cancer cell growth(the two most respected studys coming from Harvard and I believe USC). Yes that means the cure for cancer could very well be close at hand.
Just for future reference my favorite thing to do when I’m high is read, and my favorite thing to read is the bible. I am not “stupid” or “unmotivated” as many would tell you Cannabis makes you. Drinking a alcohol doesn’t make you a drunk (Christ drank on many occasions), just like smoking a joint doesn’t make you a depressed addict.
Wow I just went back and read your take on Genesis 1:29 (though you stopped there and and didn’t continue on through 31). Are you seriously comparing a plant like Cannabis (that has not caused one recorded human death) to hemlock? (One of the oldest poisons known to man)
I charge that there are creatures on this earth that can be sustained by hemlock. The wooly adelgid diet is nearly entirely made up of hemlock for instance. So it is still true, not “once was true” as you charge. And yes our diets differ from other creations of god, but that in no way justifies the complete dismissal of facts you seem so determined deny. My brother it is you who is trying to justify your beliefs by “cherry picking” scripture. I hope that the judgment in your heart is lifted and your eyes opened.
The glory of God is beyond our grandest dreams, and Cannabis is wonderful gift from our lord. It’s very nature was his design. Our discovery and use of cannabis a part of his plan. Cannabis was widely used since before biblical times. It is our own fault that we fell for the lies of greedy heartless men and outlawed this divinely crafted plant.
I have been smoking marijuana since age 12. Through out my life I have questioned whether this plant is evil. But it seems that humanity has perverted this plant associating it with violence and mental disorders. This plant has made me question my actions and helped me find the ills of my actions. I can’t see this plant being evil it makes me sympathetic to everyone of gods creations. I have been through rough periods of life this “drug” has been a fundamental part of my healing. Thank you
Henry
Thanks for your post. For us, the question is not your use of marijuana, but what is your relationship with Christ? Are you meditating on His Words? Are you seeking to follow His commands? Are you worshipping Him? Are you in fellowship with other believers? Are you focused on serving others? Are you memorizing and treasuring Scripture? How does your life measure up to Colossians 3? If one lives one’s whole life smoking marijuana and does not come to faith and trust in Christ, and love towards God and man that shows itself in good deeds to others, then what is the purpose of that life. As Jesus said, what does it profit us if we gain the whole world and lose our souls? We encourage you to follow Christ. Begin reading Scripture and seek to become a follower of Him. He is a foundation on which we can stand firm in life.
I am a semi retired pharmacist who for the first time in his life, cannabis opened the door to my soul, and I was humbled by God’s presence, and was saved. Jesus walks with me. I am changed!
I was horrified to return to my Independent Fundamental Baptist Church.
Now I was divorced.
News flys, so my cannabis use.
1 person from the old church contacted me.
Now that he learned of my cannabis use, he’s not returning or blocked me!
Are you kidding me?
Jesus died for everyone.
I found The Lord, while on cannabis. We talk each day.
HE wants ME to start witnessing to the hippies in the surrounding areas of Floyd County, VA.We’re all sinners. HE DIED FOR US ALL
Faith Baptist Church Check VA