cannabisnews.com: Presbyterian Church Votes To Support MMJ Presbyterian Church Votes To Support MMJ Posted by CN Staff on June 23, 2006 at 07:31:23 PT For Immediate Release Source: Religion News Service Birmingham, AL -- Yesterday, the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) became the latest religious body to endorse legal access to medical marijuana for seriously ill patients. By consensus, the denomination passed a resolution “urging Federal legislation that allows for its use and that provides for the production and distribution of the plant for those purposes.”This comes just days before a major medical marijuana vote in the U.S. Congress. In the next few days, Congress will vote on an amendment to the Commerce-Justice-State Appropriations bill to prohibit the use of federal funds for arresting medical marijuana patients in those states that allow medical marijuana. Medical marijuana patients are already protected from arrest by state and local police in eleven states, including Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington.The Presbyterian Church (USA) joins the United Methodist Church, Episcopal Church, United Church of Christ, Union for Reform Judaism, Progressive National Baptist Convention, and the Unitarian Universalist Association in support of medical marijuana.“Medical marijuana is an issue of mercy,” said Rev. Lynn Bledsoe, a Presbyterian minister from Alabama who works as a hospice chaplain. “As people of faith, we are called to stand up for humans who are suffering needlessly. It is unconscionable that seriously ill patients can be arrested for making an earnest attempt at healing by using medical marijuana with their doctors’ approval.” “Legislators who give lip service to ‘moral values’ had better be consistent on the medical marijuana issue,” said Charles Thomas, executive director of the Interfaith Drug Policy Initiative. “The Presbyterian Church (USA) joins six other major denominations explicitly supporting medical marijuana, while no denominations’ governing bodies have ever taken an official position against it.”“Being seriously ill is stressful enough already without living in fear of arrest for taking doctor-recommended medicine,” said Rev. Jim McNeil, a representative of the Homestead Presbytery in Nebraska, the regional body that brought the resolution to the General Assembly. “It is the job of religious denominations to give voice to those who cannot speak up for themselves. We pray that Congress will have the compassion to stop this war on patients.” Note: Church Joins Other Major Religious Denominations Urging Congress to Stop the White House’s Persecution of Medical Marijuana Patients.Contact: Troy Dayton, IDPI associate director, 301-379-2857: troydayton idpi.usSharon Youngs, Presbyterian Church (USA), 888-728-7228 x5750: syoungs ctr.pcusa.org The denominations’ full positions are available at: http://www.idpi.us/dpr/GREAT2006-1.pdfSource: Religion News Service (DC)Published: June 22, 2006Copyright: 2006 Religion News ServiceContact: info religionnews.comWebsite: http://www.religionnews.com/CannabisNews Medical Marijuana Archives http://cannabisnews.com/news/list/medical.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #22 posted by whig on June 28, 2006 at 08:25:38 PT paul "So fudge a little bit..."No. No fudging at all. [ Post Comment ] Comment #21 posted by paulpeterson on June 28, 2006 at 07:55:29 PT afterburner Thanks for the comments about meditation. I'll bet those people in secret societies that do meditation do it sort of to kick in their own afterburner for an extended burn-gives greater speed and power when trying to outdistance the pursuers, eh?The human torch would commonly verbalize a command to torch his own entrail-"flame on". That is exactly what I am trying to get going here-Get going here!Although we know what works best for us, and I think I am talking about another type of flame on, if you get my contrail here-For many of these rigid old poop conservative churchy types-we need to speak their tongues-and I am talking about the tongues of fire that danced across their heads at the Pentatuke festival a few thousands of years ago-prayer tongues-Once again, everybody flame on and go to your nearest Presbyfrickenterian church and speak about these things with a pastor or two.Talking to them about meditation just won't cut the mustard. You must think and speak in the tongues of their fathers-prayer changes things-So fudge a little bit and just tell them this is an ANSWER TO YOUR PRAYER.It worked really well for me yesterday-I caught the big cheese talking with his underlings-he flamed back at me that he knows a lot of things marijuana doesn't help with. I immediately retorted to him that we need to talk about his archaic and antique information that forms the basis for his belief in badness for cannabis.He told me to get before the congrefrickingation I would need to go before the "session" first. I retorted that shouldn't be too hard to pass muster-remember that the national assembly already paved the way.When should I come in to talk to you about this, reverend? He said Thursday. What time? 10:30. Now the other guys know when the shootout comes down. And the boss has to start thinking about his arguments to shut me down. That means I will get him right where his cites live.Just get cooking to start to break these peoples' paradigms. If you really want to live your faith, our faith, remember we must go where the sinners live and play! In church, if you get my drift.It's no worse than invading the opposing partys' "primary election" to influence the outcome of an important primary color, if you get my drift, eh?Once again, now is the time for all good warriors (even if you don't want to be known as a Christian Soldier) to go to church and let your presence count. Burn the antichrist from within, if you want such a metaphor. Go into their inner sanctuary and speak up as an enlightened member. Burn bright with your cause.And don't worry, they will not enslave you there. They will be only too glad to let you out alive-And they won't know what hit them. Over and Out. PAUL PETERSON [ Post Comment ] Comment #20 posted by afterburner on June 27, 2006 at 15:29:42 PT #18-#19 whig & paulpeterson RE prayer and meditation: Many Christians seem to feel that prayer is a legitimate activity of spirituality and that meditation is a contradiction, born of Eastern religions. However, after learning yoga and tai chi, I discovered that some Christian monks in secret orders also meditated. Meditation is a lesser known part of the Christian tradition. [ Post Comment ] Comment #19 posted by paulpeterson on June 27, 2006 at 13:01:46 PT whig about prayer You may be true, I may be crazy. But these people believe in prayer, don't they?For me to suggest that you go to a Presbyterian and tell them that this was an answer to prayer, your prayer, just causes them to have to consider the concept that what they believe to occur has just occured-that your prayer is answered (on their turf, in their terms, that is).The only way we can make this article resonate with the strength that we need them to resonate is to buy into their construct-and hit them where the sun don't shine.I do not believe that prayer needs to be an operation that begs an inferiority complex or anything like that.But the prayerful state could easily be a meditative event with your own inner soul and theirs as well. And-but, they won't believe the meditative idea at all so we have to use the ammo in the way that it causes a charge inside their own souls.Mercy is a word that most cops can't fathom, of course, but churchies can, I believe, and that is strong medicine if used and pointed in the right direction.Do what you will, but just remember I am on your side and I call for all people on our side to use this ammo with oomph. Over and out. Paul Peterson. [ Post Comment ] Comment #18 posted by whig on June 27, 2006 at 09:27:29 PT Paul I would consider prayer if it did not imply something other than what I believe. We are God.We are God and we are all part and if we pray, then we pray to each other.But prayer implies a subjugation, a submission to the will of another. This is contradicted by praying for things which are contrary to the will of the one you pray to.God's will be done. That is all. In furtherance of which I do what I do, and we all do what we all do. Love one another, this is the only commandment. [ Post Comment ] Comment #17 posted by paulpeterson on June 27, 2006 at 08:56:49 PT Hope Now is the time for all good Christians to go to your local Presbyterian Church and tell them there that "prayer does change things" because this article about how the Presbyterians have joined the fray is an "answer to prayer".Use it as a stun gun. Use "mercy" as a stun gun. Set phazers for stun. Go for it. That is an order, sir. Over and out. Paul Peterson [ Post Comment ] Comment #16 posted by Hope on June 26, 2006 at 15:38:41 PT Ain't that the truth, Paul? "Just sorry it took them so long to recognize the word "mercy"." [ Post Comment ] Comment #15 posted by Hope on June 26, 2006 at 15:35:58 PT Good stuff! The GCW. This was especially cool...and true."So obey, love one another and receive the "Spirit of Truth." Disobey, do not love one another and You don't even know You don't receive, yet think You do. It's a Biblical catch-22." [ Post Comment ] Comment #14 posted by paulpeterson on June 26, 2006 at 14:16:28 PT whig True, true, true. Organized "religion" is a facade for some people to despotically abuse others with the "hope" of some sort of absolution because of the strong kinship they feel with a Bishop type that they believe will absolve them because of loyalty for the kinship.Sorry to say that it is real, and true, that not all church-goers are essentially good. And the legions of blood-thirsty Christians from former administrations would wield death with impunity. Sorry also to say that my own people are being herded into cages by the good Christian soldiers of this very administration.Sorry also to note that the courts don't seem willing to reign in this heinous drug war at all.I am at least glad to note that many chruch denominations are at least starting to get it and at least the medical marijuuana war is helping to make some start in this right direction. Just sorry it took them so long to recognize the word "mercy".Paul Peterson [ Post Comment ] Comment #13 posted by FoM on June 25, 2006 at 10:02:03 PT The GCW Thank you. What you are saying is so very true. [ Post Comment ] Comment #12 posted by whig on June 25, 2006 at 08:58:53 PT GCW That was beautiful. The link did not work, but the excerpt you posted was as clear as a bell. [ Post Comment ] Comment #11 posted by The GCW on June 25, 2006 at 06:33:31 PT LTE Regarding Gideons and Bible hand-outsJune 15, 2006Is the Bible what citizens are scared of, or is it the people handing out Bibles? The Bible hasn't harmed anyone. Some people handing out Bibles do not adhere to the teachings of the Christ Jesus (which is what the New Testament is about) and perhaps some parents do not want their children to accept that behavior.Examples include that the Bible teaches do not kill/murder, yet many who hand out Bible support and rationalize war and capitol punishment of the guilty and innocent. Jesus was against those acts opposite of loving one another. When someone does wrong, we are not to kill them along with innocent people around them and rationalize it. That is taught on the Bible's third page, in the Ten Commandments and through out the New Testament.Another example is where many people handing out Bibles support prohibition laws enabling government to cage humans for using cannabis (marijuana) when, in fact, God indicated He created all the seed bearing plants and said they are all good, on literally the very first page of the Bible. There are many reasons why Americans oppose Bible handouts; this is one that doesn't get mentioned; pure inbreeded hypocrisy is to blame and many citizens and parents do not want to teach hypocrisy to their kids.I love the Bible and the teachings of Christ God Our Father and want My children to receive the Spirit of Truth, but hypocritical believers handing out Bibles is an unsuccessful way to teach it. Perhaps we should teach our children about the Bible and to ask questions of those who hand out Bibles and not accept Bibles from hypocrites. Most of all, don't let hypocrites turn You away from the Bible.Censoring and removing the platform of Biblical hypocrites is the correct way to make the world a safer place for Our children.So obey, love one another and receive the "Spirit of Truth." Disobey, do not love one another and You don't even know You don't receive, yet think You do. It's a Biblical catch-22.http://www.summitdaily.com/article/20060615/LETTER/106150064&SearchID=73248720326276 [ Post Comment ] Comment #10 posted by whig on June 24, 2006 at 12:02:13 PT Paul Cannabis is the antisacrament of the antichurch. [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by FoM on June 24, 2006 at 11:09:10 PT Marijuana Poll from BeliefNet Do you believe in the legalization of marijuana? ***Current Results: Yes. But only for certain medical conditions and with a doctor's prescription. -- 22% Yes. For both medical and recreational puposes. -- 69% No. The drug is harmful and there's no reason to legalize it. -- 7% I'm not sure. -- 1% Please Vote: http://www.beliefnet.com/story/194/story_19412_1.html [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by whig on June 24, 2006 at 10:45:37 PT Toker00 I'm not so quick as you think, I just talk about my thoughts a lot. Sometimes I am confused. Even last night, as I was writing I had to stop and shut up for a while because I was becoming lost in the territory without maps. But it is that territory we walk in sometimes, and find our own way.It is a hard thing to understand, much less to explain to someone, that we are pursuing goodness and truth without always any clear guidance at all, except for our conscience. It is especially hard for those who have suppressed their conscience so deeply, who have through circumstances or choice been led to do things they regret and which they cannot now face. Thus we say it will be forgiven, all of it, but cease to do wrong and confess yourself to those you owe it.We have to rely upon our own sense of right and wrong, we cannot ask anyone to tell us because there is no moral choice in obedience. We cannot rely purely upon any writing, not even scripture, because it is corrupted and misunderstood and it is just another kind of obedience. Even if you should hear the actual voice of God, you will never know what aspect he comes to you in unless you rely upon your own conscience. For who says he is God may be Satan.You cannot know if you only obey, but you can think and you can choose to do as you know to be right. And this is what we are saying, and when any of us have walked a time in this way we understand and can speak to one another and tell what we have learned and ask when we are in need of some assistance. [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by paulpeterson on June 24, 2006 at 08:14:50 PT Roman Catholic Church won't join If my memory serves me correctly, I believe the pope (Innocente the 7th, not so innocent in my opinion, of course) decreed in about 1478 that Cannabis was the "antisacrament", meaning that they didn't want midwives helping young mothers to lessen the pain of childbirth with cannabis.That issued in the Spanish Inquisition and led to the horrible burning at the stake of some 8 million (mostly) women-each person that knew the curative powers of cannabis faced a cruel and inhuman punishment just like what Bale (sorry I can't for the life of me remember how to spell Bail) decreed that people must doto ensure the coming of the spring rains-kill a child or twenty and burn their remains to a crisp.Then, in about 1511 or so, the pope then issued "indulgences" which they sold for about 10 pounds each-which accorded the bearer a complete and total absolution from any "sin" they might have committed, or might in the future commit, including torture and murder-it even had a future savings clause-it would include absolution from sins which were not even known until long after your death-sort of a future clause.The bearer was guaranteed to not spend even a second in pergatory-they would pass go and go directly to heaven-a sky-box no less.The pope sold those papers all over Europe-the proceeds were used to build St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. And a lot of toast went into the fray, eh?No, the Catholics are not likely to join the Protestants on this one, Wally. And that is my story for today. Nuff said, eh? PAUL PETERSON [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by Toker00 on June 24, 2006 at 04:52:32 PT Whig That is why I believe that the Word of God is a Living Word. It moves and flows within all of those who recognize Truth and love God. The words we speak here are not perfect, but the Truth within them is. We come here to bathe in the spirit, fill our cups, if you will, then we move about in our lives and the Word flows out of us and into others who either Recognize and Love, or turn away unrepentantly. The flow is constant, and it can wash over people and not be recognized at that particular moment by them, but eventually, if they truly love God, they will come to recognize and witness the Word. Some, like you Whig, are quick to become familiar with the Word. For others, it may take a lifetime, but the Word is eternal and simply waits for acceptance. The Word is a stumbling block for some who think they are doing the Right thing, but keep stumbling. Why can't the DEA win the War on Drugs? Because they keep stumbling on the Words of Truth that keep flowing from those (us) who recognize it. Have a good weekend, all.Wage peace on war. END CANNABIS PROHIBITION NOW! [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by afterburner on June 23, 2006 at 23:29:05 PT Amen, Brother "We pray that Congress will have the compassion to stop this war on patients.” [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by whig on June 23, 2006 at 16:29:53 PT Moral arguments I will give you the moral arguments. To them it is the tree of knowledge of good and evil. It is the tree which tells you the nature of other people. It is the tree that wakes your consciousness and makes you as Gods.Will we honestly entertain this? I will do so. The written scriptures are corrupted. They are written by scribes and pharisees. They are not the true word of God. They are an adulteration.What we write here, to one another as the spirit moves us, is scripture too. The idea that God is silent, that he does not speak to us except through dead words on a page, and through people who hold themselves up as superior, it is a travesty. It is a lie. [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by mayan on June 23, 2006 at 14:53:42 PT Demonized When the so-called moral arguments against cannabis become exposed as lies then the wall will fall. Decades of lies are crumbling before our eyes. Cannabis prohibition has nothing to do with morality and everything to do with greed,lust for power and maintaining the status quo.Excorcize the demons! I just hope the rotating heads of the prohibitionists don't get too much of that green projectile vomit on us in the process! Yuck! [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by FoM on June 23, 2006 at 11:57:58 PT Whig You are very correct. By their fruits you will know them. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by whig on June 23, 2006 at 11:46:55 PT Line up Take your sides.There are good churches out there.There are churches of people who love people.There are churches of sanctuary.They will be with us, and we will be with them.Then there are the other churches. The churches of hate. The churches of moral condemnation. The churches of state. The churches of war.They worship Satan in the name of Jesus. [ Post Comment ] Post Comment