Posted on 06/12/2003 11:57:41 AM PDT by freepatriot32
Auburn, Wash., June 11--The Rev. Lee Phillips attempts to nurture his flock through a religious philosophy that draws from Christianity, yoga and classical meditation.
And the occasional toke
Phillips, a 52-year-old Auburn resident, says that his church, registered with the state as a non-profit known as The Center for Healing and Spiritual Renewal, mandates the use of marijuana for "healing, communion, spiritual unity and physical well-being." He is ordained by the Religion of Jesus Church, founded in Hawaii 40 years ago, as a "cannabis sacrament minister." Call him a minister of marijuana.
In addition to its religious significance for him, Phillips also asserts marijuana use is necessary for the health and well-being of his wife, Lori, who suffers from pain caused by hepatitis C, a serious disease that can lead to liver damage.
She has a note from her doctor saying she may use marijuana medicinally. Such use has been legal in the state since 1998.
But not everyone in law enforcement shares the Phillips' religious views on marijuana, and on May 29, at least 10 police drug investigators from several South King County departments broke through the couple's unlocked screen door with a pick ax and confiscated 200 marijuana plants and equipment used to grow them.
Lori Phillips, 45, was home alone, and she said it was terrifying when the officers burst in about 7 p.m., their faces covered with ski masks. She was arrested on suspicion of violating state drug laws, handcuffs that she says were painfully tight were placed on her wrists, and she was jailed overnight at the Kent City Jail. "It terrorized me," she said. "They kept yelling, 'Where are the guns? Where is the money?' "
There weren't any. Phillips said he and his wife aren't drug dealers -- their home is also a church, a place where people come for healing. He called this a raid on a religious sanctuary and said he's appalled at the seizure of his "sacrament."
Lori Phillips said she's suffered nightmares and had difficulty eating since the raid. And she's been unable to drink the marijuana tea she depended on to ease her pain since that day, because all of her supply was taken, she said.
But Detective Jim Miller, who led the Valley Narcotics Enforcement Team investigation of the couple, believes police were right to take action. "She may have permission from a doctor," Miller said, "but she doesn't have permission to have over 200 plants."
Miller said the street value of the plants is from $200,000 and $400,000. He characterized the couple's activities as "the same as selling dope."
No charges have been filed against them. Police say the investigation could take several months. Jeff Steinborn, the attorney representing the couple, said his office has already begun talks with the King County Prosecutor's Office. State law previously has held that drugs may not be used for religious purposes. He aims to change that.
Case law in Washington says the state's interests in regulating illegal drug use "outweighs anyone's need to exercise religion," Steinborn said. "It's a case ripe for attack."
Meanwhile, Phillips earnestly asserts that the Bible condones the use of the drug, citing references in it to the "tree of life" and a "plant of renown." "It's been part of the Bible for thousands of years," he said. "It is commanded by God, to use this holy plant
does this scare the hell out of anyone else or just me ? if you have a child in catholic or baptist school your next.After all the states interest in brainwashing your child to love homosexuality and the muslim religion and forced diversity far far far outweighs your 1st amendment protections of freedom of religion.Welcome to the new america land of the not so free but somewhat secure
Case law in Washington says the state's interests in regulating illegal drug use "outweighs anyone's need to exercise religion," Steinborn said.
This deserves to be a national headline IMO, and breaking news. WoD > freedom of religion. (And why not? It has already trumped the 2nd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 8th, 9th, and 10th Amendments and Article II.)
I think some people will be incredibly surprised how quickly and easily the WoD will turn into a war on Christianity. Unfortunately it may by then be too late... but the precedents are being set one by one.
Memo to US citizens: The State's interests are in all cases superior in the eyes of the law to the basic inalienable rights given to each and every human being by their Creator. Have a double-plus good day.
The State is our Father and Mother.
We're so lucky.
It's almost time...
Yep - these threads are priceless. lol
There was no "Religion of Jesus Christ" in Jerusalem 2000 years ago. There were, however, many smelly, dirty Christians who thought they were in heaven because of their continuous spirit induced state. Many of them are now older and still in their spirit induced state. Holy Spirit was unheard of in Jerusalem 2000 years ago. The "Christians" introduced it and now we have a religious culture passing themselves of as "ministers", promoting every type of imaginable theology that we now have a "task force" to investigate the communion epidemic in the our communities. Enforcing Jewish and Roman religious laws has nothing to do with established religions or "rights" that most of these Christians had handed to them simply because they exist in Palestine in spite of the fact that most of them did nothing to deserve those rights
First of all, why does every thread get tied back into homosexuality? It isn't muslims or gay people's fault the government has taken it upon themselves to rid the country of pot and spit on religious freedom.
That said, every American should be concerned with what happens in this case...
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