The use of marijuana in religion dates back to the second millennium BCE and continues till this very day. As a matter of fact the Ancient Chinese belief systems, and Hindus, used marijuana for religious purposes. Let’s be honest we all associate marijuana or ganja to the Rastafarians and the Jamaican-born Rastafari movement is the most well-known modern religion that uses marijuana for spiritual purposes. The Ancient Chinese believe that if used for a prolonged amount of time (100 consecutive days) one will be able to speak to spirits, it also sways that an “old 8th century book on nutrition called “Shiliao” prescribes the consumption of marijuana on a daily basis for one's general health” . The Hinduism faith/religion used marijuana in
Marijuana has been used as a medicine for more than 3,000 years. Research shows that marijuana has been used back to ancient civilizations in China, India, and Egypt. A book written by Chinese Emperor Shennung describes that marijuana can treat constipation, gout, rheumatism and
Cannabis has been used as an agent for achieving enlightenment throughout all of time. It is described in an Oriental medical compendium traditionally considered to date form 2737 B.C. It has a long history of being used as a medicinal herb. Its origins spread from China to India and then over into North Africa and could be found in Europe as early as 500 A.D. It was a major crop in the colonial North America. It was extensively grown during WWII.
It is documented that in 430 B.C. a civilization known as the Scythians used marijuana for rituals as well as recreationally. They would gather around a bonfire and throw marijuana on top of it, they would then put a tent over the fire and inhale the smoke. Ancient Chinese herbalists used marijuana to treat menstrual cramps, stomach pain, and malaria.
Marijuana or better known as Cannabis is one of the planes oldest known agricultural plants. So it has a great presence in the long history of the world, Researchers uncovered Woven Fabrics which were discovered and are believed to have been made with Hemp fibers (Cannabis) from a period as far back as 8000 to 7000 B.C. Some of the very first uses of Hemp were in china during 4500 B.C. Its usages were for making nets, Ropes and Fabrics/Clothe weaving, Also china was known for using it for its psychoactive properties. Even in India there was documented usage of marijuana or as they like to call it “bhang”, a lot of their religious books called “The Four Vedas” during the times of 1400 and 1000 B.C. The books consider marijuana to be one of the “Five Kingdom of Herbs which transcend and releases the human body from anxiety, Stress, and pain”.
Most religions condemn the use of marijuana for recreational use. In Islam for example, marijuana is considered an intoxicant and all intoxicants are prohibited (Waqar, 2015). For Christians, the recreational use of marijuana is used with the intent of achieving intoxication, making it a sinful action (Carter, 2014).
The scriptures say that “everything God created is good” and that he gave us “every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth.” There are many things in this world that can be used in a responsible and sinless manner but when used in excess will lead to a sin and immoral conduct. We see examples of this in the scriptures for food, alcohol, and money. From these principles and scriptures, it is clear that the use of marijuana is not something that is completely barred by the scriptures but is something that is only sinful when it is used in excess or to the point of it becoming an idol. Other than when used in excess, there does appear to be three circumstances where it is improper for a Christian to consume any marijuana, for any purpose.
Marijuana. Stinking filthy disgusting marijuana. Your church says it 's the Devil 's tool. Your government says it directly accounts for almost all crime and skumbags on the streets. Your teachers said "just say no." Your grandmother says it 's a "dirty Mexican drug." But the question is: what do you think about it? Did you ever actually have a chance, or the educated means, to make an informed decision and personal policy on marijuana? Or did you just follow the judicial trend? You pick up this article and furrow your brow; maybe this article could really help you out. Afterall, you 're smart enough to look past the stigmas and stereotypes for a moment to see the bigger picture. *** From the federal government 's point of view,
Marijuana was first used in ancient China by a Chinese Emperor by the name of Shen Nung. Even Queen Victoria used it. Shen Nung the Chinese Emperor was the first recorded person who used marijuana. He would use it as a pain killer during operations. In ancient India marijuana was holy. A Hindu god by the name of Shiva gave hemp as a gift to all humanity. It was inexpensive and available to almost everyone. It was known as “The Poor Man’s Heaven”. Cannabis leaves were commonly brewed, and they would add milk and sugar to make a drink. In ancient Rome there was a physician named Galen. He recommended the use of marijuana to reduce pain in operations, or for just everyday pains.
Cannabis has been used in an entheogenic context - a chemical substance used in a religious, shamanic, or spiritual context[1] - in India and Nepal since the Vedic period dating back to approximately 1500 BCE, but perhaps as far back as 2000 BCE. There are several references in Greek mythology to a powerful drug that eliminated anguish and sorrow. Herodotus wrote about early ceremonial practices by the Scythians, thought to have occurred from the 5th to 2nd century BCE. Itinerant Hindu saints have used it in Nepal and India for
Marijuana has been used in religious ceremonies or for medical purposes for thousands of years. I have always been against the use of Marijuana up until four years ago when my husband at the age of twenty seven underwent invasive surgery on his knee and has never been the same since. Colorado took a huge step several years ago legalizing marijuana for medical use and in recent years took the plunge to legalize it for recreational use. Marijuana is not always a bad thing nor is it always a good thing. A lot of people will compare it to any other mind altering substance and have very valid points. I would rather have a loved one or myself smoke marijuana or ingest it, instead of popping pain pills or other harmful substances put on the market by the pharmaceutical industry; Recreational use can be safe and accepting if it is regulated correctly and used responsibly.
Cannabis and religion go together like vegetarians and McDonalds. At least, that's what people used to think. Not only is weed creeping into everyday society but many religions are beginning to include this mind altering substance in some of their older traditions. Judaism is one of them. Here are five things to know about it.
Some people like to call it marijuana, some people like to call it weed, and some people like to call it cannabis. But have you ever took the time to get to know about this drug? Marijuana has been introduced to the world all the way back to 2337 BC. At first the focus was on it’s power as a medication for people to use such as rheumatism, gout, malaria,
Marijuana is starting to become one of the most controversial topics today. Some states are starting to legalize it, such as California, Colorado, and Washington D.C. You also have other states who believe that marijuana is illegal and it should stay illegal. Marijuana is the dried leaves of a pistillate hemp plant that produces THC. The big argument about this plant is that it can be used as a drug. Not even 25 years ago, marijuana was illegal in all parts of the United States, therefore, people have mixed feelings about the new legalization of the plant. Modern day Christians are having a hard time adjusting to the new wave of culture. People have created a divine separation between the argument of legalization. Some Christians believe that smoking weed recreationally is not a sin, while you have others who believe that it is. But which Christian belief is correct? Which side should modern day Christians believe?
In Jamaica marijuana is otherwise known as Ganja, it is commonly used mainly by Rastafarians as a spiritual, religious ceremony and also as a medicine. According to Jamaicans Ganja is not just used for mind altering substance it is considered holy herb, because it was mention in the bible, it was also said to found on king Salomon grave and he was the wisest man in the bible. To Rastafarian the use of Ganja is supposed to lead you to a deeper faith which explains why Ganja is smoked at religious Rastafarian ceremonies. It’s often a misconception to the world that Jamaicans/ Rastafarian spend their whole day smoking blunts or have a pipes filled up with Ganja. Rastafarian do usually smoke more than non-Rastafarians however they still do
Historically Monks were allowed by Buddha to eat raw flesh and drink raw blood in case ones ailments were inflicted by ghosts. Modern and alternative medicines are considered to be just supportive elements in the healing process (Wichit P. &Luechai S., 2002). This serves to show how ancient the practice of Cam has come, and the use of marijuana, as will be the centre of focus in our case, is one of the central CAM used and has had a long history just like those mentioned above.