Green Earth Ministries

The Green Earth Ministries, founded by Bruce Shoop and his wife Brenda and is a chapter of the THC Ministry church following the Religion of Jesus Church, is a religion which considers cannabis to be a sacrament. Members base their practices on what they see as an eclectic mixture of ancient wisdom, modern science, and the enlightening and healing properties of cannabis sacrament. Its mission includes "liberating the cannabis hemp plant and the minds of those who do and of those who do not revere it," and is actively involved in the legal and social discussions surrounding cannabis use in society.

Beliefs

The Green Earth Ministries is a part of the THC Ministry and believes that "cultivation and enjoyment of cannabis sacrament is a fundamental human right provided by God and protected by the Constitution." It states cannabis is the original sacrament of Hebrew, Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Shinto, Buddhist, Rasta and more, and fulfills the prophesies to 'feed all our hungers'. It believes cannabis to be one of the main ingredients in the original Anointing Oil, as described in the Bible. Both Bruce And Brenda are also recognized as prophet and prophetess of the genuine truth in the Second Coming of Jesus Anointed in the revelatory Word respectively by The Universal Orthodox Church.

History

THC Ministry, which is the abbreviated and popularized name for the original Hawai'i Ministry of Cannabis Sacrament and all of its chapters, was founded in June of the year 2000 by Roger Christie in Hawaii. It is present in Australia, Canada, The Netherlands, United Kingdom and many North American states (USA) including Alabama, Arizona, California, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, Oregon, and Texas, with at least one other chapter forming in New York. It is an officially registered religion in many countries on different continents.

According to the THC Ministry, the references to cannabis as an ingredient of the holy anointing oil is actually from the Torah (Five Books of Moses), Exodus 30:23. The plant is called in Hebrew "kaneh bosem" (literally "fragrant cane"). Contrary to the translation of the Septuagint, and supported by both Aramaic translations (the Targum and the Peshitta), this is identified as the cannabis plant. A theory exists that the Hebrew "kaneh bosem" is the etymological precursor for the word "cannabis". In Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan's contemporary English translation of the Five Books, "The Living Torah", he includes a picture of the hemp plant as an illustration (p. 442). It is also interesting to note Exodus 3:2 (also found in the Torah). The passage mentions a pivital moment for Moses' life when he goes up on a mountain and speaks with a burning "bush".

ee also

*Religious use of cannabis
*Freedom of thought
*Free Exercise Clause
*Cannabis (drug)
*Charas
*entheogen
*Shamanism
*Cannabis Assembly

External links

*THC Ministry Chapters:
** [http://www.thc-ministry.org/ Hawai'i Cannabis Ministry] (Parent organization to all other THC Ministries)
** [http://www.thc-ministry.net/ THC Ministry Amsterdam] (European headquarters and first official THC Ministry founded outside the USA)
** [http://www.greenearthministries.org/ The Green Earth Ministries] (Official THC Ministry founded in Alabama USA)
** [http://www.universalorthodox.org/ Universal Orthodox Diocese of Georgia]