re: Marijuana and the Bible.

"I can't and won't ever deny god because the bible is "rife with inaccuracies and contradictions""

perhaps i should have made a statement similar to this before going off on a tangent of why i dont take the bible literally because for whatver reason i am now "satisfying my own worldly pleasures" because i dont believe the bible is 100% accurate, or that it should be taken so literally. i think the only thing i do believe 100% is that there IS a god.

everyone can believe what they want. this is why there are sooo many problems because everyone interprets the bible differently.

i agree with cary though, even though i DON'T support marijuana at all. what she says makes sense and it isn't right to pick and choose what you want to read/believe from the bible IF you take it LITERALLY.

If people choose to interpret that the bible says it's alright to smoke/eat pot, then good for them. Quit frankly I'm rather tired of people bring the bible and God into topics that make no since, when they aren't a believer. I just don't understand why this is a topic. Not to get anyone upset. Just wondering.  

mrscappy wrote: "
i agree with cary though, even though i DON'T support marijuana at all. what she says makes sense and it isn't right to pick and choose what you want to read/believe from the bible IF you take it LITERALLY.

Agreed

mrscappy wrote: no need to get bent out of shape over this. .

(Im not wanting to quote the entire passage, we all can scroll back, lol)

We're just going to have to agree to disagree,( like how the majority of religious topics are sadly ended.) Im not getting bent out of shape, and Im sorry if that was interpreted, I just do not understand how someone can believe in God, say he is all powerful

Quote: "because God is supposed to be perfect and all powerful, all knowing etc..."

and still not think that he wouldn't be right there flowing through those men who were writing what He KNEW was going to become what we all know now as the Bible. Either He's all knowing or He's not, I personally cannot believe he would allow anything to be twisted into anything other that what he approves of.

Quote: i think many of the passages in the bible are stories that help guide people through their days and teach them to be a better person, etc etc...im not bashing any of the stories...i just dont think they are all 100% accurate or that they all happened the way it was written. some i dont think happened at all actually, and are just their to serve as a teaching purpose

I agree and disagree. Yes I believe that the parables are there to teach lessons. But I also believe that Jesus really did feed thousands with only a loaf and two fish. I also believe he spat in mud and gave sight to the blind man. Now if your refering to stories like the servants who were given a certain amount of money and two of them doubled the amount in the time the master was away but the one servant burried his, and was punished for being lazy. Yes I believe those are just there for the lesson's. The idea is to be able to decipher between the two.

But to say that anything that is in the Bible is not what God intended it to be just seems wrong to me...


On the Marijuana issue, (since I havnt even commented yet). I believe that as soon as you put ANYTHING before God it becomes an idol and is wrong, no matter what it is. Even if it winds up being something he created, be it pot, alcohol or eating yourself to death. If you choose a buffet over God, then food as become a idol for you. God has his reasoning's and as soon as I get to heaven (God willing), I have a million why's and where's and how's for Him, so I'll get in line with the rest of you.

GoinOn3in925 wrote:

mrscappy wrote: no need to get bent out of shape over this. .

(Im not wanting to quote the entire passage, we all can scroll back, lol)
We're just going to have to agree to disagree,( like how the majority of religious topics are sadly ended.) Im not getting bent out of shape, and Im sorry if that was interpreted, I just do not understand how someone can believe in God, say he is all powerful

Quote: "because God is supposed to be perfect and all powerful, all knowing etc..."

and still not think that he wouldn't be right there flowing through those men who were writing what He KNEW was going to become what we all know now as the Bible. Either He's all knowing or He's not, I personally cannot believe he would allow anything to be twisted into anything other that what he approves of.

Quote: i think many of the passages in the bible are stories that help guide people through their days and teach them to be a better person, etc etc...im not bashing any of the stories...i just dont think they are all 100% accurate or that they all happened the way it was written. some i dont think happened at all actually, and are just their to serve as a teaching purpose

I agree and disagree. Yes I believe that the parables are there to teach lessons. But I also believe that Jesus really did feed thousands with only a loaf and two fish. I also believe he spat in mud and gave sight to the blind man. Now if your refering to stories like the servants who were given a certain amount of money and two of them doubled the amount in the time the master was away but the one servant burried his, and was punished for being lazy. Yes I believe those are just there for the lesson's. The idea is to be able to decipher between the two.
But to say that anything that is in the Bible is not what God intended it to be just seems wrong to me...

On the Marijuana issue, (since I havnt even commented yet). I believe that as soon as you put ANYTHING before God it becomes an idol and is wrong, no matter what it is. Even if it winds up being something he created, be it pot, alcohol or eating yourself to death. If you choose a buffet over God, then food as become a idol for you. God has his reasoning's and as soon as I get to heaven (God willing), I have a million why's and where's and how's for Him, so I'll get in line with the rest of you.

gah i just tried to post this reply and it all got deleted somehow so now im not as motivated to type it all over again. here is the shortened version of what i wanted to say lol:

agreeing to disagree sounds like a good idea because it really is just a difference of opinion. Actually, i started discussing this topic by saying "in my opinion..." and honestly i did not appreciate being told that im satisfying my own worldly pleasures or that i have satan in my ear because i have a different opinion than someone else. i did not say what you believe is wrong. i just dont agree with it.

"Either He's all knowing or He's not, I personally cannot believe he would allow anything to be twisted into anything other that what he approves of."
next, i do believe god is all powerful/knowing, etc but i dont think that means things he doesnt approve of will not happen or wont be twisted and misconstrwed. people have free will to do what they want. god is not babysitting the world to make sure we all play nice. things that god does not approve of happen everyday...watch the news. i didnt say he doesnt know about them happening. idk why they happen. why do people lie and get away with it? why do people murder and get away with it?? god does not approve of these things yet they still happen. again, idk why. but god gave us free will and minds of our own for some reason. would it really be that far fetched to think that some of the things in the bible were exaggerated because they were passed down so many times that the stories changed? or that some of the authors could have been corrupt and wanted to portray god in a certain way in their own story? there are a lot of stories in the old testament that show god smiting down people with his wrath, and how unforgiving he is...then you go to the new testament and god is more compassionate and understanding. its just a very extreme jump to make if god is not supposed to change or be changed because god is eternal, all knowing, and ominous.

and as for the stories themselves, we could prolly go on debating each and everyone one: which is more realistic, which is too far fetched, which probably never happened, which did happen, etc etc so im not even gonna go there lol there are just too many to discuss....

on a side note, i think this is something that should be discussed and for those of you who dont want to read about it or contribute to the debate, you dont have to. religion in general interests me and i like learning more about it if i can. also, its important to me because i would like to raise my children to believe in something, regardless of my somewhat agnostic beliefs. even if my kids just learn something from the stories, its better than nothing. there are a lot of good moral values and lessons that come from the bible which i feel can have a positive influence over someone.

i can make some killer brownies  

2happy wrote: If people choose to interpret that the bible says it's alright to smoke/eat pot, then good for them. Quit frankly I'm rather tired of people bring the bible and God into topics that make no since, when they aren't a believer. I just don't understand why this is a topic. Not to get anyone upset. Just wondering.  

Since when are disbelievers not allowed to discuss Biblical issues? Even if I don't believe in God, the Bible is still a very interesting historical document.

This is the debate/discussion section. It's here for the purposes of discussion.

C.

Although the Bible does not address marijuana directly, it does discuss other mind-altering drugs. Specifically, the Bible addresses the use of drugs in the book of Galatians:

Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:19-21)

So, where are the drugs mentioned in this verse? Actually, the word translated "sorcery" is the Greek word pharmakeia,from which we get the English word "pharmacy." The primary meaning is "the use or the administering of drugs" (usually associated with sorcery or idolatry). Since this verse comes from a list of things that if practiced would preclude one from heaven, this should be a reasonably strong suggestion that the Christian should not practice drug use. In addition, the book of Revelation lists drug use as one of the things for which the unrepentant will suffer the wrath of God.

The Bible has a lot to say about alcohol. At the time, there was no hard (distilled) liquor, just wine and beer (which was more diluted at that time then it is now). Even so, the Bible has much to say about people who used wine to get drunk. One was Lot, who got drunk and slept with his daughters. Others sold girls to get wine to get drunk. The Bible warns about the bad effects of getting drunk - seeing strange sights and being confused, saying stupid things, making poor decisions, vomiting, getting involved in fights, and losing one's wealth.We are warned not to join with those people. The consequences of such behavior is judgment. Jesus Himself used two examples of those who will be drunk when God comes to judge the world. God's judgment of such behavior does not paint a pretty picture. The New Testament condemns drunkennessand warns that those who engage in that behavior will not inherit the kingdom of God (i.e., heaven).

The Old Testament warns the priests not to go into God's house drunk, or they will die. In the New Testament, those who serve in the body of Christ are not to be addicted to wine or any other sordid thing.1Even those who do not directly serve in the church are warned not to be addicted to wine.Finally, the New Testament commands us to not get drunk, but be filled with the Spirit of God:

Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. (Ephesians 5:1 

Does marijuana get one intoxicated? Even proponents of marijuana usage encourage users never to drive a motor vehicle while using marijuana.Why is this? Because when one use marijuana, one is legally intoxicated and incapable of clear thinking and reasonable reactions. Being intoxicated is clearly condemned in scripture. So, if one uses drugs or anything else to escape and get high, or is addicted to these substances, it is against the commands of scripture and inappropriate for Christian participation.

Breaking the law?Besides the moral question, there is the legal question. Christians are commanded by the scriptures to be in subjection to governing authorities and submit to every human institution.

Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. (Romans 13:1-2)

The only exception to this command would be if those in authority directly contradicted the commands of God. Since smoking marijuana was never a command of God, Christians should not smoke marijuana where doing so is illegal.

What about freedom in Christ?We do have freedom in Christ, but that freedom is not to be used to sin:

For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. (Galatians 5:13)
Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God. (1 Peter 2:16)
The freedom of Christ is freedom to follow Him in service to others. We are not to use the law as an excuse for immorality (e.g., "I can't help that person because it is the Sabbath"20). Likewise, we are not to allow things (e.g., drugs) to bring us under their control:

"Everything is permissible for me"--but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible for me"--but I will not be mastered by anything. (1 Corinthians 6:12)
For speaking out arrogant words of vanity they entice by fleshly desires, by sensuality, those who barely escape from the ones who live in error, promising them freedom while they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by what a man is overcome, by this he is enslaved. (2 Peter 2:18-19)
We are not to be slaves of sin, engaging in fleshly desires and lusts, but we are to serve the living God.
Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body that you should obey its lusts, and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. (Romans 6:11-13)
There are many who call themselves Christian, but basically serve their own desires. God will not be deceived by those who play the Christianity game. Jesus said that you will know them by their love for one another, and not love of self.

Seek first the kingdom...Ultimately, the most important principle in the Christian life is to do what Jesus told us to do. When Jesus was asked what was the most important commandment, he answered:

And He said to him, " 'YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.' This is the great and foremost commandment." (Matthew 22:37-3 

Obviously, smoking marijuana does nothing to fulfill this most important commandment. Along the same lines, Jesus said that people should seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.However, these days, it seems that many "Christians" seek first the kingdom of self and its attendant pleasures. The scriptures predicted as much when the apostle Paul wrote to Timothy:

But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these. (2 Timothy 3:1-5)

Jesus indicated that people would respond in several ways to the gospel message. In one of His parables, He indicated that there were different kinds of soils. One of the soils was filled with thorns and weeds, which choked out the ability of the crop to produce fruit. The reason why these people produced no spiritual fruit is because they were more concerned with the "worries and riches and pleasures of this life" than with the kingdom of God. There are many other verses25 in the Bible that condemn those who seek pleasure first instead of God's kingdom.

Isn't everything God created good?The argument has been made that everything God created is good, and that this includes hemp. Everything God created is good, but all these good things can be turned into evil. Sexual relations are good within marriage, but adultery is evil. It's all sex, which was created by God for good, but not all that men do with it is good. Poisonous mushrooms are good for breaking down dead wood, but bad for eating. Hemp is good for making rope, but bad for smoking.

for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking , but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. (Romans 14:17)

carysehlwinn wrote:

2happy wrote: If people choose to interpret that the bible says it's alright to smoke/eat pot, then good for them. Quit frankly I'm rather tired of people bring the bible and God into topics that make no since, when they aren't a believer. I just don't understand why this is a topic. Not to get anyone upset. Just wondering.  

Since when are disbelievers not allowed to discuss Biblical issues? Even if I don't believe in God, the Bible is still a very interesting historical document.

This is the debate/discussion section. It's here for the purposes of discussion.

C.

There is never a time that disbelievers are not allowed to discuss the Biblical issues, however I don't see the point on why pot in the bible is even a discussion. There are so many other wonderful things in there. It gets to a point in which, people are trying to pull this out and put there own interpretation and I start to wonder what the reasoning behind it is. But I’ll leave you all to your discussion.  

Quoting mrscappy:“ God does not go around punishing people for EVERY little thing they do wrong. he didnt then and he ... [snip!] ... 100% literally. that was REALLY all i was saying, and explaining why i dont take it 100% literally by backing up my opinion.”

I do take the bible literally completely because the people were inspired by the holy spirit which indwells every believer. I am a christianand I happen to think that it should be legalized and it does not make me feel bad. Yes there was alot of sin in the bible and it was recorded becausesin will always exist but we ahould overcome as true christians.

Quoting God:“ Since when are disbelievers not allowed to discuss Biblical issues? Even if I don't believe in God, ... [snip!] ... a very interesting historical document. This is the debate/discussion section. It's here for the purposes of discussion. C.”

why the heck is your online name god? You are definitely not him and if you are a disbeliever why quote the bible? Is the holy spirit trying to convicted your heart?

Quoting jaymom:“ why the heck is your online name god? You are definitely not him and if you are a disbeliever why quote the bible? Is the holy spirit trying to convicted your heart?”

Bwhahahahahahahaha.

Go digging, did you?

Why do all you people think Christianity has the monopoly on the concept of God?

C.

Quoting God:“ Bwhahahahahahahaha. Go digging, did you? Why do all you people think Christianity has the monopoly on the concept of God? C.”

What? I believe in god and the bible is his inspired word

*taps you on the head*

Kindly consult the dictionary:

Main Entry:1god
Pronunciation: \ˈgäd also ˈgȯd\ Function:noun Etymology:Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old High German got godDate:before 12th century

2:a being or object believed to have more than natural attributes and powers and to require human worship; specifically :one controlling a particular aspect or part of reality
3:a person or thing of supreme value
4:a powerful ruler

^^ See, the concept of God is not exclusive to Christianity. I am not using God because of "Him". If you cannot understand that the word exists outside of Christianity, you need to broaden your horizons.

C.

God did give these herbs and wine to his children, but he did not give them to us to indulge ourselves. Technically, any form of indulgence is a sin (I'm a big sinner). He put everything on earth with an innocent purpose, but people then perverted the purpose, i.e. alcohol, marijuana, food, sex, etc...