Most believers that use marijuana by smoking it, eating it, or drinking it, or whatever means used for partaking, have probably made their peace with their Creator regarding its use. IF they want to attend services, they probably don't care what others think. I had an employee for years that used, and I NEVER knew that he did. He was my best employee for 5 years, and he used everyday, a small amount to help with anxiety and depression and ADD. He never told me until after I shut down my company. And he is a believer. Antidepressants don't work for him, and cause him many problems, as does alcohol.
Pro 31:6 Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.
Pro 31:7 Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.
This strong drink is given for comfort, and is going to cause an altered state of consciousness.
Nobody says that marijuana has to be smoked, it can be eaten just like every other herb.
IF anyone would call themself "christian", as in "christ", as in "anointed", then they should also study the ingredients of the "anointing oil" in Exodus 30:23.
Exo 30:22 Moreover the LORDH3068 spakeH1696 untoH413 Moses,H4872 saying,H559
Exo 30:23 TakeH3947 thouH859 also unto thee principalH7218 spices,H1314 of pureH1865 myrrhH4753 fiveH2568 hundredH3967 shekels, and of sweetH1314 cinnamonH7076 half so much,H4276 even two hundredH3967 and fiftyH2572 shekels, and of sweetH1314 calamusH7070 two hundredH3967 and fiftyH2572 shekels,
most importantly recognizing the Hebrew words translated as "sweet calamus" as the words H1314 and H7070, being in Hebrew, the words for "reed"
"qâneh
kaw-neh'
From H7069; a reed (as erect); by resemblance a rod (especially for measuring), shaft, tube, stem, the radius (of the arm), beam (of a steelyard): - balance, bone, branch, calamus, cane, reed, X spearman, stalk."
and "sweet"
"beśem bôśem
beh'-sem, bo'-sem
From the same as H1313; fragrance; by implication spicery; also the balsam plant: - smell, spice, sweet (odour)."
Even sweet calamus has a psychotropic effect when pressed and made into oil, but every credible study on these words confirms that the "qâneh bo'-sem" of the Bible is Cannabis.
If alcohol is to be given for strong drink, it is to relax, ease the mind, and to enjoy in moderation. Using cannabis to relax and slow down, or even to just take a break from the pressures of the world is no sin or unlawful in God's eyes. If we say that any mind changing thing is not allowed, then we as believers should not take any anti depressants, or take alcohol in any way, and any other mind altering drug, even if it is "legal".
The federal drug laws do not apply anywhere except...
"(22) The term jurisdiction of the United States means the customs
territory of the United States, the Virgin Islands, the Canal Zone,
Guam, American Samoa, and the Trust Territories of the Pacific Islands."
according to the DEA regulations. Of course, the DEA tries to deny that this is their only authorized jurisdiction. Even South Carolina has a marijuana law, passed in 1980.
http://www.scstatehouse.gov/cgi-bin/que ... al=1030350
The key is to understand that laws like these are passed "consistent with federal law" and so the law is considered "dead" because most people don't understand that federal law for marijuana does not apply anywhere EXCEPT where the law SAYS it applies which is found in the CFR and quoted above.
I will stop there regarding the actual laws, and get back to the topic posted. I think that legalizing won't help attendance, it did not stop anyone from having a glass of wine to relax on friday nights when the church attended said that it was not allowed. So, even most believers recognize that some churches have man made rules that cannot be supported in scripture and it does not stop them from attending the services.
The real issue is why are we calling something evil or bad that God calls good. And why are we not using what God gave and His wisdom for health and relaxation instead of the drugs and chemicals made by man. Especially when man's wisdom is foolishness to God, and man cannot comprehend the human body, let alone the spirit and mind. God knows how it works, man can only try to know a minuscule portion. I don't have a problem with someone not wanting marijuana due to its mind altering effects, I just want consistency from those people in treating ALL things mind altering in the same light.
It ok to admit that Cannabis is in the Bible and was used in the anointing oil. It does not mean that anyone has to SMOKE it to get blasted. It is the ONLY thing created by God in its natural state that can give relaxation and health effects without any toxins, cannot under any circumstances cause death or disease, cannot harm the body, and can be grown in any climate. NO other "drug" or substance made by God or changed by man (alcohol, drugs) can do this.
Sorry, I just jumped topic again.
It won't help attendance directly, but if "churches" were more open and honest about what the Word actually says, and would stop being openly hypocritical regarding these topics, then attendance would probably increase because of THAT. Just like polygamy in the Bible, the outside world can see the double standards, and so they stay away. I agree with most of what Dr. A had to say in his post, mainly the more effective methods in implementing the Great Commission.
