Religion and drugs

Many religions have beliefs about drug use; these vary greatly, with some traditions placing the ritual use of entheogens at the center of religious activity, while others prohibit drug use altogether.

Indigenous religions

Many indigenous and shamanistic religions of the Americas, Asia and other continents use entheogenic drugs to make contact with the divine as part of their religious rituals. Most commonly, these are used in shamanistic practice involving healing rituals.

Cannabis is widely used in India by Hindu gurus and Middle Eastern sufis. Salvia Divinorum and psilocybin mushrooms ("Magic Mushrooms") are used in the Oaxaca region of Mexico. Ayahuasca is used ritually among Amazonian Indians. The "Fly Agaric" (Amanita Muscaria) mushroom has a long shamanistic use in Europe and Russia. Also, in Europe Damiana, various Nightshades (Solanaceae) like Datura, Brugmansia, Belladonna and other plants have been used. Peyote ((Lophophora williamsii)) and other Mescaline containing cacti has a widespread use among Mexican and some North American Indians. Aztecs used the LSA containing seeds (similar to LSD, but not as potent) of the very common morning glory (Ipomoea violacea) creeper, and the related Hawaiian Baby Woodrose, present in other places than Hawaii despite its name, has also had use among indigenous people because of its LSA-containing seeds. In some places, even frogs and fish are consumed for their intoxicating effects.

In many Eastern countries, including China (which is said to be dominated most by Confucianism), opium has been used, especially by the elderly, without many social problems. In countries like Thailand (Buddhist) and Bali (Hindu), the leaves of Kratom tree have been used as an ingredient in a tea with mild stimulant and opioid properties.

Ancient Greece

Many Ancient Greek mystery religions are hypothesized to have centered around the use of entheogen, such as the Kykeon central to the Eleusinian Mysteries. Recent research suggests that the prophesies of the Delphic Oracle were uttered by Priestesses under the influence of gaseous vapors.

Hinduism

Much of Hindu belief and practice grew out of the use of Soma, a god, plant, and drink which is the focus of the Rigveda. The continued entheogenic use of drugs such as Cannabis is not uncommon among various Hindu sects. Cannabis is connected with the god Shiva who is said to have rested in the shade of the Cannabis plant on a particularly hot day. In gratitude Shiva gave the plant to mankind. Often the drink Bhang is drunk in Shiva's honor, it is a tea typically cooked with milk, spices, cannabis leaves and flowers.

Buddhism

According to the fifth precept of the Pancasila, Buddhists should refrain from intoxicants which cause a loss of mindfulness. Most Buddhist schools have strongly discouraged the use of intoxicants or psychoactives of any kind, with minor exceptions. Priests in the Soto Zen tradition of Japan, for example, are allowed to consume alcohol.

Judaism

Judaism maintains that people do not own their bodies - they belong to God. As a result, Jews are not permitted to harm, mutilate, destroy or take risks with their bodies, life or health with activities such drug taking. [ [http://www.oztorah.com/feature/archive/other.php?subaction=showfull&id=1186347115&archive=&start_from=&ucat=3,59& Other Features ] ] Wine plays a prominent role in many Jewish rituals, most notably the kiddush. j

Christianity

Most Christian denominations disapprove of the use of most drugs, although many would exclude moderate use of drugs socially and legally acceptable in modern Western society, such as alcohol and caffeine. The smoking of tobacco is also disapproved of by many Christians although some denominations may not take this view. Some related groups (e.g. Mormons, Seventh-day Adventists, Jehovah's Witnesses) discourage or prohibit the use of even these substances as well.

Because Jesus and many Biblical figures drank wine, most Christians do not believe it possible to prohibit the moderate consumption of wine. Indeed, among those Christians who believe in some form of Real Presence (e.g. Catholics, Orthodox), they believe that wine in the Eucharist becomes the very blood of Christ; some, notably Methodists associated with the temperance movement, use grape juice instead.

The best known Western/Christian prohibition against alcohol happened in the USA back in the 1930s, where concerned prohibitionists were worried over the dangerous side effects of this drug. However, the demand for alcohol was massive and a new class of criminals stepped in and created the supply. The consequences were violent, organized crime and incredible damage to the people because criminals had taken over the production of alcohol. Combined with the popular demand for alcohol it was finally decided that alcohol would be legalized and brought back to its initial legal status. So instead of using punitive action against alcohol users, today the strategy is more aimed at Harm reduction.

Islam

Islam prohibits the consumption of alcohol and by extension other drugs of similar or greater strength as well as tobacco of any kind. In some Islamic countries, alcohol is prohibited; and sometimes possession, manufacture, or trade is punished with severe penalties (e.g., corporal or capital punishment).

From the Islamic point of view, the most important aspect determining the illicitness of recreational drugs is whether or not it is of any harm. the religion

"And make not your own hands contribute to your destruction." Surah, Al-Baqara, 2: 195Drugs with the potential to lead to intoxication or other significantly altered states of consciousness (such as alcohol, Cannabis, opium and its derivatives, cocaine, psychedelics and so on) are prohibited. However, khat leaves are often chewed or consumed in some Arabic countries (particularly in Yemen). Khat contains the alkaloid called cathinone, an amphetamine-like stimulant.

The Muslim nations of Turkey and Egypt were instrumental in banning opium, cocaine, and cannabis when the League of Nations (the forerunner of the United Nations) committed to the 1925 International Convention relating to opium and other dangerous drugs (later the 1934 Dangerous Drugs Act). The primary goal was to ban opium and cocaine, but cannabis was added to the list, and it remained there largely unnoticed due to the much more heated debate over opium and coca. The 1925 Act has been the foundation upon which every subsequent policy in the United Nations has been founded. Cannabis use and abuse as an intoxicant was largely unknown in the West at that point, but Islamic leaders have been critical of it since the 13th century.

Bahá'í Faith

Bahá'ís are forbidden to drink alcohol or to take drugs, unless prescribed by doctors. Accordingly, the sale and trafficking of such substances is also forbidden. Smoking is discouraged but not prohibited.

Rastafari movement

Many Rastafarians believe cannabis, which they call "ganja", "the herb," or "Kaya" is a sacred gift of Jah and may be used for spiritual purposes to commune with God but should not be used profanely.

ee also

*Spiritual use of cannabis
*Christianity and alcohol
*Entheogen

References

Further reading

*cite journal
last = Shannon
first = Benny
authorlink =
title = Biblical Entheogens: a Speculative Hypothesis
journal = Time and Mind
volume = 1
issue = 1
pages = 51–74
publisher = Berg Publishers
date = Mar. 2008
url = http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/berg/tmdj/2008/00000001/00000001/art00004
doi = 10.2752/175169608783489116
accessdate = 2008-03-07

External links

* [http://www.rickstrassman.com/dmt/index.html Overview of DMT: The Spirit Molecule, Rickstrassman.com]
* [http://freelifeministry.org/ Free Life Ministry in Austin ] ( Small house church in Austin Texas who Recognizes Cannabis Sacraments as a Religious Right.)