Attention Religious: Marijuana is not a Sin
Today I received a link to an article by Art Toalston of the Baptist Press. In it, Toalston asserts that the current violence in the drug war is directly related to marijuana consumption and use.
I find the article not only interesting due to it being complete and utter mythology, but that it was written by the same man who only a few years ago wrote a very detailed, long article about forgiveness and why he embraces people, such as Ted Haggard (the man who was caught using a male prostitute despite publicly preaching against homosexuality), as “hypocrites” who only temporarily give into sin yet ultimately continue to follow the path of Christ.
So, to be clear, according to Toalston, if you are a marijuana user you are negatively affecting the “good of humanity”, yet if you are a Christian who commits adultery with a homosexual prostitute while preaching against such actions, you are a man that fell victim to sin and will find forgiveness in the eyes of God? Did I miss something, or is Toalston treading on very murky moral waters?
Now, for full disclosure, I will say that I am a proud Christian and have been for a vast majority of my life. I do my best to pursue the path of Christ, however, no where in the Bible can I find Jesus endorsing the use of ignorance and propaganda to get your way; I believe facts are facts, despite your religious affiliation.
So this post isn’t about the actions of Ted Haggard, and I even admit to agreeing with Toalston’s opinion of the situation, in that we all make mistakes and while I do not agree with Haggard’s actions, I hope–like I do for all my fellow man–that things work out for him and he and his family can reconcile their issues. What this post is about is simple: Ignorance being regurgitated in the form of moral guidance.
I will be de-filtering, commenting, and correcting Art Toalston’s article segment by segment, attempting to validate or debunk any claims made by Mr. Toalston. The style I will write in–which you will get used to on this site–will be one as if I were sitting down with Toalston, responding point for point:
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)–If you use marijuana, may I kindly make a suggestion: Please stop using it, if only for the next few weeks or months.
It’ll be good for you and, moreover, it will be good for humanity.
If you are so against the idea of people using marijuana and truly believe it is the perpetrator of such evil deeds, why would you suggest that people stop using it temporarily? If your beliefs are true and people reducing their use of marijuana would improve the world, why–even rhetorically–would you suggest that their abstinance be only temporarily?
As for your claims that stopping use of marijuana is “good for you”, are you a licensed physician with authority to make such claims, or are you basing your response on talking-points endorsed by Uncle Sam?
As has been proven repeatidly (such as on this very site where we offer a laundry list of medicinal uses of marijuana), many times use of marijuana appears to be healthier than the alternative.
Do you believe Jesus Christ would take away a person’s alleviation of pain? Do you believe it is immoral to take a natural, God-given, science-backed substance to treat their illnesses rather than using man-made synthetics? Would you take away someone’s prescribed Vicodin, or make their use of it a question of their morals?
Americans’ demand for marijuana and other illicit drugs is the primary cause of the murderous terror being inflicted on the Mexican people and, now, innocent people within our borders. An estimated 7,000 lives have been lost in the horrific war between the Mexican government and ruthless, rampant drug cartels and drug gangs during the last 16 months.
It is sad that so many people have forgotten the lessons learned during the Alcohol Prohibition which proved that the only thing prohibition does is take away power and ability to control. Prohibition of alcohol created a new territory for gangsters, such as Al Capone, to thrive. While it may be enticing to attempt to mold society to fit your own beliefs, the fact is that it just does not work out; Prohibition being the best example of such a fact.
Did alcohol create the gangs and Al Capone’s during Prohibition? Of course not; opportunity created those gangs. Opportunity to satisfy a demand from consumers who–despite the Government’s views–wanted the freedom to enjoy their favorite drug, alcohol.
Today’s Prohibition, otherwise known as the War on Drugs, has created new opportunities in supplying substances. Due to the illegality of the product being sold, criminals–just like those in the 1920’s and 1930’s–have no restrictions of regulation or law in their business. And because of this, also like in the 20’s and 30’s, innocent people die. This is not just my personal opinion, it is held by others such as a recent Harvard Economist I posted about previously.
It is a tragedy that so many innocent lives have been lost due to the events surrounding Mexican drug cartels, but what is even more tragic is the fact that people like you continue to condemn the events, yet doing nothing to help the situation. The fact is that if you want to truly help people at the border, you must be in favor of legalizing marijuana. Even the former President of Mexico (among other Latin American representatives) endorses the legalization of marijuana to help his people.
Now, I understand there may still be an argument in your mind, such as, “Well, marijuana is a bad substance, so legalizing it is not an option.” To that I say, show me the facts. I happily and sincerely encourage you to share with me why you think marijuana is not safe enough to be legalized. Keep in mind, however, that in the 10,000+ years of marijuana’s use, it has never killed a single person… yet, as you just pointed out, attempts to criminalize this simple plant has lead to the deaths of thousands in only 16 months. So, please, tell me why this is the better option.
Many of these 7,000 victims were fathers and mothers — not drug gang members. Rivers of tears flowed at their funerals; children are now without the love of a parent.
While I do not dispute the possibility of many of the 7,337 victims of Mexico’s dug war being parents, can you please show me your source? The reason I ask is because it seems as if you are attempting to appeal to your reader’s emotions (i.e. manipulate them) with imagery of parentless children. The only sources I can find list a number without ages, sexes, or record of offspring. If you are just assuming many of them were “fathers and mothers”, then that does not reflect highly on your ability to report events honestly and with integrity (two characteristics I expect from a fellow Christian).
If you use marijuana or other illicit drugs, you have aided in the carnage. I say this with sorrow, far more than condemnation — sorrow that, even unintentionally, you have blood on your hands. Your payments to drug dealers have provided the funds for criminals to purchase mind-boggling weaponry.
How dare you, sir, make such fallacious and hateful accusations. Are you so lacking in ethics and moral fiber that you find no issue with making such blatantly inaccurate, insensitive claims? Where in your Bible does God grant you the right to make such audacious attempts at judgment?
By your same logic, every American tax-payer has blood on their hands for any innocent life taken by actions of the US Government. This, as luck would have it, includes innocent lives taken due to the US War on Drugs.
You obviously support the War on Drugs, so do your hands share the blood of so many innocent lives taken by prohibition, or do you again embrace the “hypocrisy” and look the other way?
America’s self-absorption with drugs never should cause the loss of even one innocent life.
You are absolutely right on both claims. First, America does have an obsession with drugs (legal and otherwise). Second, you are absolutely right in saying that this “self-absorption”, as you put it, is no justification for the loss of life. The only problem I see with your statement is blatant disregard for the fact that even prescription drugs are drugs.
Americans have a fascination with drugs and seem to embrace the new “pill for everything” attitude endorsed by the pharmaceutical companies. The fact is, however, that legal prescription drugs kill more people than illegal drugs. Where is your sense of moral outrage against these corporations? Or do you allow the Government to, via proxy of law, decide your morals for you?
Some will argue that marijuana legalization is the answer. Too many Americans, however, still care enough about their country that they don’t want to see it slide into a drug-induced stupor. Besides, if marijuana is legalized, the increase in drug-impaired drivers will spread a new wave of carnage onto the nation’s highways.
Again, how dare you question someone’s patriotism because they do not share your beliefs.
As Ron Paul said to Stephen Baldwin, even under today’s circumstances with millions of marijuana users, there just aren’t records, studies, or arrests to show marijuana legalization would somehow magically cause an increase in road fatalities. In fact, as I pointed out in another article, this myth has been widely debunked by NORML. The drug that is causing havoc on the roads? Alcohol. But Alcohol is in no way the same type of drug as marijuana and, thus, it is ignorant to arbitrarily assign the same guilt onto marijuana without any evidence to back up your claims.
Indeed, the only stupor being perpetuated in this country regarding drugs is the baseless, hate-driven ignorance being handed out by people, such as yourself. People who either have too much blind faith in their government or are just too lazy to research the subject for themselves before attempting to guide others.
If you quit using drugs for a time, it also will be good for your health.
Again, Mr. Toalston, what are you basing this claim on? I know some cancer patients who definitely would not benefit from ending their treatment. I have a friend who personally attributes his newly-found, prestigious future to the medicinal values of marijuana; I highly doubt he would benefit from going back to how things used to be.
According to a study conducted in New Zealand, published last year in the European Respiratory Journal, marijuana use can lead to lung cancer far more so than cigarette smoking. Researchers reported that one marijuana cigarette can be as harmful to the body as 20 tobacco cigarettes.
It saddens me that a person who portrays himself as a Christian would rely on misinterpreted propaganda to further his point. The study you are citing showed that smoked (i.e. combusted) marijuana has more carcinogens than a cigarette. While this is true, you have managed to falsely claim this has any bearing on one’s health. Also, let’s not forget that smoking is only one of many options to consume marijuana (vaporizing, for example, wouldn’t contain nearly as many toxins due to lack of combustion).
As proven by a study in 2006, there is NO link between marijuana use and lung cancer. In fact, other studies have shown that marijuana actually cuts lung cancer tumor growth in half. Feel free to look at all the other research and resource links located on our own site regarding medical marijuana and lung cancer.
In closing…
I urge you to reconsider your position based on the facts I have presented. You are in a position of great influence on your readers and I have no doubt that your article is a product of your lack of knowledge in this subject rather than an intended misinterpretation of the facts; because of this I am willing to forgive you.
If you chose to respond to my e-mail notifying you of this article, I thank you for taking the time to read my post in its entirety and, again, sincerely offer my time to you for any more questions or misconceptions you may have regarding marijuana.
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April 16th, 2009 at 10:29 am
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