[From LA Times]
A minister arrested for marijuana possession has sued the Police Department for $30 million, contending his civil and religious rights were violated because he heads a church that uses pot during worship.
”Our congregation mandates members study the Bible, have faith in God and regularly burn the herb cannabis (The Tree of Life mentioned in the Bible) as sacrament,” according to the lawsuit filed Wednesday in state court.
An estimated 400 members pay a $100 initiation fee and $100 annual dues, which enables them to purchase marijuana for requested donations. Marijuana also is burned during some services.
Read about it here.
[From me]
Man, they must be mellow services. The pastor was ordained in the Universal Life Church. I guess their church is truly going to pot!
No one has commented on this yet!
I’m having trouble typing I’m giggling so much. What a way for church growth. Will Saddleback loose alot of membership now? I bet those kids in that church are very well behaved…or at least calm. Do you have to return the bong if you changes churches? For fundraisers, they could sale hemp clothes and brownies.
I’ll bet its hard to have church since everyone has the munchies.
That giggling is having its effect: “loose alot”, “changes churches”, “sale hemp”. Hmmm.
HMMMM!! And it would seem that you folks know a lot about this “sacrament”?
I helped a student get ordianed in the universal life church. he now walks around town telling people he’s a preacher and has the paper to show it!
For the record, I terribly miss Chong from his That 70′s Show Days!
My question is – should religious freedom extend to a congregation that wishes to use pot or another “drug” as a sacrament? Where does this freedom begin and where does it end?
This gives, “Whatever it takes!” a whole new meaning.
So, what makes them think mary jane is the “tree of life?”
i’m not sure if i should chuckle or shake my head. either way, thanks for posting the article!
Gosh. From all the giggling and tittering, you’d think someone had said “penis.”