Ordinary marijuana use is no longer seen as a shameful or marginalized practice in contemporary society, but simply as a common preference such as tobacco, coffee or alcohol. This change has many consequences and concerns, especially for parents, pastors, bible counselors, and church leaders. in general. In a way, representatives of these groups expect “Christian positioning” on this issue. However, the topic is too complex and controversial to present an analysis that meets all the implications of this phenomenon, so what is presented here are only initial considerations on a topic that needs to be deepened.
In the marijuana controversy, some interpret it as a drug like any other and, therefore, its use should not be discriminated against; However, it should not be forgotten that drugs are drugs administered for the purpose of repairing or restoring normal marijuana functions. But marijuana or other psychoactive drugs are meant to expand human experience, sensation and satisfaction. In addition, any self-administered drug (legal or illegal) poses a danger to the health of the person who consumes it.
- For years.
- The Christian response to marijuana was that its use was a sin because it was an illegal drug that offended the body.
- The temple of the Spirit; however.
- In recent years this position has been questioned even in some Christian circles.
- Because of their illegality.
- Pro-cannabis demonstrations are desperate to change this status and many argue that legalization would bring more social benefits than losses.
- As for the purported harmful effects on the body.
- The herb has been shown to contain medicinal properties.
- Particularly useful for the treatment of cases of chronic pain.
- Thus.
- Widespread acceptance of marijuana use is a social phenomenon steady in the Christian’s way of reviewing or reaffirming his position on the subject.
The use and effects of marijuana are no strangers to evangelical families, as many parents are concerned and saddened by their children’s interest in drugs, mothers are amazed to see some strange effects of drugs, to the point of apparently changing the personality of their children: victimization, anger, craving for sweets, indifference to everything and all Etc. Some church leaders do not know how to proceed when they discover that their youth see no contradiction between the confession of the Christian faith and the usual use of marijuana. It cannot be said that young people are the only group interested in this consumption, there are many adult Christians who are not sure to ban the use of marijuana and even others who make occasional use of the herb, so it is no longer possible to say that the “danger lives next door” because it is already a reality within the homes of some Christians.
To complicate matters a bit more, there is even an attempt to theologically defend the use of marijuana. In this sense, some use certain biblical texts that supposedly validate their consumption. One of these texts is Genesis 1. 29 😕 And God said: Behold, I have given you all the herbs that give seed, and they are on the face of all the earth, and on all the trees where there are fruits that give seed; will it be for you for the food? The argument often used in this regard is that since marijuana is a seed-producing herb, it follows that its use has been sanctioned since its inception. However, what is omitted from this argument is that at creation the Lord referred to edible herbs, while the most widely used way to consume marijuana is to smoke it. Although some mix this herb with food, such as cookies and snacks, etc. , the objective in these cases is not nutritional, but to obtain the sensory effects derived from its psychoactive ingredient (THC). Furthermore, any correct interpretation of the biblical texts must take into account what was ordained before the Fall and what was perverted after the Fall, since the entrance of sin into the universe changed the reality of wildlife and flora, microorganisms and DNA. . In fact, nothing is like before!
Some marijuana advocates still use the analogy between grass and alcohol, in fact, biblical history bears witness to many heroes of the faith who drank alcohol without conscience problems, not even the Redeemer refrained from drinking wine, even ordering his death to be remembered. through this drink (see Mt 11. 19 and 1Co 11. 24-25). In this case, however, it should be considered that a person may consume small amounts of alcohol without intending to poison, but no one can smoke marijuana without this goal. In almost all cases of recreational marijuana use, the basic motivation is poisoning. to get the effects this herb provides! In the case of alcohol, the person can drink it without any intention of numbness. However, the heart of the problem will be the person’s motivation to use one or the other.
Finally, while there is a lot of controversy about marijuana use, there is a reasonable consensus on some issues related to marijuana use, in fact, there are issues that are clearly recognized and supported by all and above all deepening the issue They should be retained. Consensus on these points is based on both common sense and factual knowledge about cannabis.
1. Ultimately, anyone who consumes a psychoactive substance does so in an attempt to escape reality and create a situation more acceptable to his desires, no matter whether it is originally a search for acceptance, fashion, curiosity or revolt. The thing is, no one resorts to any subterfuge if their inner world is?resolved? and in “order. ” Therefore, the use of marijuana or any other drug is, in fact, an abandonment to the disorderly desires of the individual and a search for an immediate solution that can finally lead to greater suffering.
2 Cannabis used today is very different from what was smoked in the 1960s and 1970s. The power present in today’s product makes the experience of its users more intense. In addition, the increase in competition between suppliers encourages the development of a “stronger” product. , with faster reactions and more harmful side effects. Today, for example, there is synthetic marijuana (synthetic cannabioid), produced in the laboratory, cheaper, more powerful and more dangerous. [one]
3) There is no medicine that alters the mood and mental state of a person who is harmless. It can certainly be said that some drugs are less harmful than others, but none of them are inconsecent. Be less harmful than many other drugs, but in the end, they can all become addictive or the use of “open doors” of other more harmful substances.
4. In general, the use of a drug considered illegal increases rapidly after its marketing, but may even decrease over time; however, domestic and social problems arising from their consumption do not follow the same process of interest, i. e. they do not decrease over time. A clear example of this is what you see with cigarettes and alcohol. In addition, any attempt to escape reality or problems through the use of a chemical ends up being more problematic, because after its effect, reality will still have to be addressed and may even have worsened.
5. Al as with alcohol, some occasional marijuana users may have no immediate adverse effects, however, using the same analogy as alcohol, it is possible to identify people whose lives have been negatively altered by the use of these psychoactive drugs and who are not able to return to past normality. In addition, even if the physical effects do not appear immediately, the spiritual and relational consequences can be devastating.
6. With all the stresses of life in a fallen world, it is understandable that people are looking for some kind of immediate relief; however, in the case of marijuana, the emergency proposal can turn into a nightmare for both the family and the consumer. The reason is that there is no peace generated by a chemical or lasting tranquility that is the result of an external substance, true peace and tranquility are the result of the relationship with the God of peace, and this does not happen by ingestion, but by conversion and change from the inside out (Rom 5. 1-2). The effort to obtain relief from marijuana or anything other than communion with the true God reveals a distortion in worship, where the creation that only the Creator can bestow is sought.
In conclusion, the popularity of marijuana use is an invitation to reflect and discuss in churches and small groups, in this sense, the worst Christian response to this challenge will be to keep people in the dark, because curiosity feeds on ignorance. We still need to consider the most effective and consistent ways in the gospel to offer help to those struggling with the urge to turn to this or other drugs.
By: Valdeci Santos. © 2016 Andrew Jumper Presbyterian Graduate Center.
Review: William Teixeira. © 2016 Faithful Ministério. All rights reserved. Website: MinisterioFiel. com. br.
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