As a kid, I never really experimented with marijuana. Honestly, one time I was offered a joint, and I took two puffs and never inhaled. I used to tell that story until Bill Clinton told reporters during his campaign that he smoked marijuana but never inhaled. His answer was so ridiculed that I couldn't tell my story any more. So, I actually have to embellish it a bit to sound believable. I just say, "Yeah, I smoked a little bit, but never really got into it." Potsmokers believe me because you are either a potsmoker or you are not. If I was into it, they would know.
That brings me to my point. It is amazing how many potsmokers I know. And guess what? You will never believe how many folks you know who are into it. And not only that, no one thinks its a big deal. I guess we could thank Dr. Dre, The Black Crowes, et al, but it doesn't really matter who has made marijuana acceptable. For so many folks, it is.
When you speak about it, you hear the standard responses. They say it's not a drug because it grows naturally. It's not a drug because you can't OD on it. It is not a gateway drug. It's better for you than getting drunk. You've never experienced it so you just don't know, blah blah blah. I'm sick of it.
Within the church, if you speak to folks who smoke marijuana, they'll say, "Hey don't give me the don't be drunk thing. Marijuana doesn't get you drunk. It just relaxes you." They don't respond to the illegal thing. They say, "Speeding is illegal too. You speed."
Basically, if you smoke marijuana you think it's fine. You don't fear what it can do to you like alcoholism because you can hold a job and smoke. You don't fear OD'ing and dying like you do on hardcore drugs because you are not going to OD on tree.
But this is what I notice about my potsmoking friends. Most of them are quickly becoming burnouts. They say marijuana is not a gateway drug. However, every person I know that has done hard drugs did marijuana too. Though every person who did marijuana doesn't do hardcore drugs, you can't argue against the connection. They say there is nothing wrong with it because all it does is relax you. But the folks I know that have been doing it for 10 or so years all hold mediocre, ambitionless jobs with very little desire to create a life to take care of a family. Their biggest concern is getting off of work for a concert.
Now I know there are the folks that attempt a mix between dedication to Christianity and marijuana, but those are few, at least in my circles. What I get is folks that smoke and give slight attention to Christ and church. That is not surprising because it is consistent with everything else marijuana has done in their lives. They are passionless and ambitionless, so their slight attention to church and Christ fits in with their lack of drive for everything else.
What is the church to do? I'm honestly not sure. I have good relationships with these folks, and continue to love them and pray for them. The ones that come to church hear the truth. Some of them do see that there is something that they are missing out on, but it is not enough to get them to quit smoking. They most likely aren't going to be arrested unless they are dealing, but that is not a threat for most. They can continue to keep their bartending, waitressing, service-related jobs, so losing their job is not a motivating factor to quitting. Some will go into or go back into hard drugs and will experience hard times or even death. Some will get married and get divorced. While all the while, Jesus offers them true joy, true love, true acceptance, and something greater than getting lifted. But most many will miss out for an inadequate substitute.
So, what is the purpose of beer? So many people I know drink it, defend it and many go over the edge toward alcoholism? It can't be for the taste. Are they trying to relax too? I have even seen bowlers bowl their best game all tanked up. What is its purpose to God's child? So many will not go to church because of fear of condemnation or their secret consumption interfers with fellowship with other believers. Whatever the purpose, it seems to be another thing that replaces close fellowship with God through the freedom that total committment to Jesus gives.
Posted by frannieannie | Posted at 10/26/2006 1:04 PM
Why is there a comment about beer after an artcile on marijuana?
Posted by Topher | Posted at 11/16/2006 9:19 AM
at least you did not go the "pharakeia"= witchcraft = pot argument. This is about as useful as the wine=grape juice riff.
seriously, Romans 13 is what keeps me, an active, involved, bible reading, apostle creed believing, non-denom, evangelical, CHRIST follower from lighting up.
as for gateway drug, clearly alcohol is the larger "gateway dug." Every drug user I know, had a beer first. then again, mother's milk may be the ultimate gateway drug.
legalize it?
Posted by ian | Posted at 11/29/2006 8:41 AM
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seriously, Romans 13 is what keeps me, an active, involved, bible reading, apostle creed believing, non-denom, evangelical, CHRIST follower from lighting up.
as for gateway drug, clearly alcohol is the larger "gateway dug." Every drug user I know, had a beer first. then again, mother's milk may be the ultimate gateway drug.
legalize it?