Posted on 09/23/2017 7:56:37 AM PDT by Kaslin
Just when you think you’ve heard it all, a pastor calls your radio show asking how to respond to a congregant who claims that cannabis was sanctioned by God in the Torah. That’s right, sanctioned by the Lord Himself, not to be smoked but to be burned in large quantities by the priests of Israel. Far out!
To be sure, there was a time in my life when I would have readily believed something like this, since I spent 1969-1971 as a heavy drug-using, hippie rock drummer, consuming everything from pot to LSD and from speed to heroin. Not surprisingly, when my two best friends starting reading the Bible, telling me about the more esoteric passages in the Scriptures – all kinds of visions and dreams and revelations – I asked them in jest, “What were they smoking?”
That, in fact, is what I asked the pastor (again, in jest) who called the show: What is this congregant smoking?
It turns out that there is an alleged scholarly basis for this bogus belief, namely, that the Hebrew words qaneh-bosem in Exod 30:23 refer to marijuana, or, more specifically, hemp. And note the apparent similarity in the words: qaneh-bosem and cannabis. That proves it, right?
According to the Herb Museum website, it was in 1936 that a little-known Polish professor named Sara Benetowa (later Sula Benet) wrote, “The sacred character or Hemp in biblical times is evident from Exodus 30:22- 23, where Moses was instructed by God to anoint the meeting tent and all its furnishings with specially prepared oil, containing hemp.”
This was allegedly confirmed by other Hebrew scholars. And obviously, with the rising popularity of marijuana in today’s culture, arguments like this have great appeal for Christians who want to get high. Not only did their state pass a pro-pot law, but God’s into it too!
As one website proclaims in bold, red letters: “The fact is that the Holy Oil contained 6 Pounds of (Marijuana) with other spices boiled into one gallon of Olive oil! The Holy Oil of God is illegal to obtain today!!!”
Really!
During my drug-using years, I often went to rock concerts at the Fillmore East in New York, seeing groups like Led Zeppelin and the Who and the Grateful Dead and Jethro Tull, among many others.
It was the perfect concert atmosphere, seating only about 2,000 people and with a dynamic light show behind the performers. But it was also a hippie paradise, since the whole place smelled like pot. Is that what the ancient Temple smelled like in Jerusalem? Maybe the priests got high on mushrooms too!
Returning to reality, the alleged connection between qaneh-bosem and cannabis simply doesn’t exist.
Note first that qaneh-bosem is two words in Hebrew, not one. And the words are easily translated, qaneh meaning a stalk or reed, and bosem meaning “sweet smelling.”
Some scholars translate the words together to refer to “aromatic cane,” “scented cane,” or “sweet-smelling cane,” others “sweet calamus” or “fragrant calamus.”
But not a single scholarly, biblical Hebrew lexicon in the world connects these words with cannabis. I can say that emphatically because I own them all, in multiple languages. The alleged connection isn’t there.
It is also certain, for various phonetic and linguistic reasons, that the word cannabis, which comes from the Greek kannabis, is not related to these two Hebrew words. To put it bluntly, there’s no more connection between Hebrew qaneh-bosem and Greek kannabis than there is between “Moses” and “mice.”
As for those who can’t study the issue for themselves, note carefully this commandment to Aaron, the High Priest, and his successors: “Drink no wine or strong drink, you or your sons with you, when you go into the tent of meeting, lest you die. It shall be a statute forever throughout your generations” (Lev. 10:9). Sobriety was a must for those coming into the presence of God.
This makes the claim all the more ridiculous that the Lord commanded large amounts of pot to be burning in this very same holy place. Yes, be sure not to drink any wine or strong drink, but go ahead and inhale deeply!
As for those Christians who feel that smoking pot “in moderation” is fine, since it’s now legal in their state, a word of caution.
First, pot remains a gateway drug, often leading to the use of other, harder drugs, along with becoming addictive in and of itself.
Second, pot today is far more potent than when I smoked it more than 46 years ago.
Third, new studies are pointing to health risks and driving risks associated with marijuana. (See here on pot use in Colorado.)
Fourth, you’ll have a hard time fulfilling the biblical mandate to “be sober and vigilant” (1 Peter 5:8) while smoking a joint.
In any case, people will have to sort out the question of smoking pot, just as they sort out the question of drinking. (The subject of medical marijuana is another question entirely.)
What I can tell you without hesitation is that God never prescribed pot – as incense or to be smoked – anywhere in the Bible. That’s a fact.
“Debating” with people on drugs is a waste of my precious time.
I think there is a passage commanding me to have a double double at In and Out once week or that’s what i told my wife.
never mind, jeremiah. :)
But oranges have seeds, and according to............
“Debating” with people on drugs is a waste of my precious time.”
I bet if I was still on the prescribed drugs I faithfully took for 20+ years for depression and anxiety that would be ok with you, eh?
Like most prohibitionists you are intellectually weak & inept & woefully dishonest.
Obviously, if we take Gn. 1:29 and 9:3 as unconditionally sanctioning every seed bearing herb/plants, green herbs in Gn. 9:3 then we must include green plants such as hemlock, deadly nightshade, etc.? which can kill you if eaten or smoked.
Likewise, "every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving" (1 Timothy 4:4) does not mean you should eat jellyfish.
In both cases the intent of the law is interpretive of what is allowed, which would allow the use of herbs or such a creature as a jellyfish if its negative effects could be neutralized and made beneficial, or its positive effects outweighed the negative as per medicinal use.
Thus while i would allow the medicinal use of weed, recreational use is excluded.
Long Term Effects of Marijuana on the Brain | Psychology Today
In addition, the Christian is not to be under a controlling psychological influence of anything more than the Holy Spirit, and thus I do not want to be drunk of high on any drug. The closest I come is from sugar, and a couple cups of hot chocolate a day when very tired.
And even if using weed is allowed, liberty is is to be subject to love, and there is the factor of whether the use of this harms a person's testimony for Christ, as we are witnesses for Christ in all we do or do not do, and just as being under the influence of alcohol, or smelling of such or even being seen with a can of beer in hand would be a bad testimony, the like is would be the case with weed.
But the acerbic attitude of many Christians in contending for what they see as part of their sacred Christian liberty is an argument against what they contend for.
Is Hebrew your 1st language? Neither is it mine, but if you could you could have seen that "And" is not in the Hebrew, but while grammar may require it, yet it remains that we are neither made to smoke weed any more than trees for food.
As for eating, see above post by God's grace. Gen 1:29 God said, Behold, I given [or "give"] you every herb [to glisten, or green - Strong's] bearing seed, which [or "wherewith"] upon face all earth every tree, which [or "wherein"] fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.
I recognize that you think you’re doing something good here & I respect that.
The fact remains, God gave to us all the seed bearing plants & the food bearing trees with seeds.
“...yet it remains that we are neither made to smoke weed any more than trees for food.”
Nothing in this scripture says jack about smoking anything or whether we were made to smoke “weed” or not. I give you an ‘f’ for fallacy.
I remain ever thankful to our Heavenly Father for giving us cannabis to use as medicine. My quality of life has improved drastically because of cannabis since 2015 as I no longer suffer from depression & anxiety. No fallacy will ever change that fact.
You seem somewhat emotional in your responses. I am less so because I don’t use the stuff but know people whose life has been improved by it. IF you have seen a loved one dying from cancer like I have and wasting away maybe . . just maybe you would have a different perspective on the matter. I pray that does not happen to you. Marijuana has been proven to be effective for some patients in Crohn’s disease, seizure disorders, appetite loss, muscle spasms, pain and depression. Not all respond positively to this treatment but who are YOU (and the government) to deny them relief from disease and pain?
“You mean in such quantity that you get high, and even receive more intense and longer lasting psychoactive effect than by smoking?”
Another fallacy. One does not need to smoke cannabis these days in order to enjoy the medicinal benefits it provides. Here in Florida, smoking cannabis is not yet permitted though the issue will be litigated in court. Vapeable concentrates, oils, tablets & sublingual oils are allowed. One does not need to use more & more to enjoy the medicinal benefits of cannabis.
“Obviously, if we take Gn. 1:29 and 9:3 as unconditionally sanctioning every seed bearing herb/plants, green herbs in Gn. 9:3 then we must include green plants such as hemlock, deadly nightshade, etc.? which can kill you if eaten or smoked.”
More fallacy & disordered logic.
“Despite serious safety concerns, hemlock leaves, root, and seeds are used to make medicine. It is used for breathing problems including bronchitis, whooping cough, and asthma; and for painful conditions including teething in children, swollen and painful joints, and cramps. Hemlock is also used for anxiety and mania.”
http://www.homeremediess.com/belladonna-deadly-nightshade-atropa-belladonna-medicinal-uses-images/
Both of those plants can be & are used to make medicines.
Your jellyfish fallacy is hilarious though. Thanks for the humor :)
Call signs KWRO (630 AM, 101.1 FM) - mostly conservative content, but owned by the same company (Bicoastal Media, Coos Bay, OR) that also runs a liberal-progressive station in the same area (KBBR 1340 AM).
I don't listen to their progressive station as much, but they appear to carry the same advertising and hourly news broadcast (which has a leftist slant).
The ads are from local dispensaries. In the last two weeks there's been an ad reaching out to "never-users" or "long ago users" [my terms] soliciting listeners to learn more about the "medicinal benefits of cannabis."
Another ad was heard promoting investment in the pot industry.
You might have to listen one or two hours to hear some of the ads, I will start noting when I hear them on broadcasts.
I assume that Federal FCC regulations forbid advertising of this product.
Pot = Sorcery = Witchcraft per the bible.
Thanks for the station info. I will endeavor to listen to them as life permits.
Regarding the FCC, I’m would think such advertisements were against FCC regulations but as with many things our gov’t regulates there may be a loophole we aren’t aware of that allows them to continue.
“Pot = Sorcery = Witchcraft per the bible.”
So cannabis = sorcery but Ativan or Xanex doesn’t. Amazing lol.
Most of the things Doctors are "prescribing" are also sorcery.
“Most of the things Doctors are “prescribing” are also sorcery.”
Oh do tell. Are cancer drugs “sorcery” as well? Are medicines for schizophrenia also “sorcery”? Caffeine? Sugar? Do you have a complied list?
Perhaps water is “sorcery” as well since we do go crazy if we are dehydrated enough, right?
3.2 billion/year on ED pills by 2022.
So you don’t actually have a list of “sorcery” drugs. Got it.
After you, my dear Alphonse. Blinded by pro-dope bias. Your problem, not mine.
Apparently your depression and anxiety were replaced by aggressive anger.... I guess nicer for you, anyway.
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