Christianity
Many Christian denominations disapprove of the use of most illicit drugs. There are some suggestions that the Bible may refer to it. Dr. Sara Benetowa (1903–1982), a Polish anthropologist, asserted that the Hebrew word kaneh-bosm actually referred to cannabis. In 1980, Israel’s Hebrew University, in Jerusalem, confirmed it as a possible valid interpretation. The holy anointing oil, used for anointment during rites, may have contained cannabis extracts. Hemp is listed as an incense tree in the Old Testament. Many Rastafari who use cannabis as a sacrement, identify as Oriental Orthodox Christians.
Many Christian denominations permit the moderate use of socially and legally acceptable drugs like alcohol, caffeine and tobacco. Some Christian denominations permit smoking tobacco, while others disapprove of it. Many denominations do not have any official stance on drug use, some more-recent Christian denominations (e.g. Mormons, Seventh-day Adventists and Jehovah’s Witnesses) discourage or prohibit the use of any of these substances.
Because Jesus and many Biblical figures drank wine, most Christian denominations do not require teetotalism. In the Eucharist wine represents (or among Christians who believe in some form of Real Presence, like the Catholic and Orthodox churches, actually is) the blood of Christ. On the other hand, some Christian denominations, notably Methodists associated with the temperance movement, use grape juice instead.
The best known Western prohibition against alcohol happened in the United States in the 1920s, where concerned prohibitionists were worried about its dangerous side effects. However, the demand for alcohol remained and criminals stepped in and created the supply. The consequences of organized crime and the popular demand for alcohol, led to alcohol being legalized again.
Read more about this topic: Religion And Drugs
Famous quotes containing the word christianity:
“He who begins by loving Christianity better than truth, will proceed by loving his own sect or church better than Christianity, and end in loving himself better than all.”
—Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772–1834)
“If Christianity is pessimistic as to man, it is optimistic as to human destiny. Well, I can say that, pessimistic as to human destiny, I am optimistic as to man.”
—Albert Camus (1913–1960)
“It is our taste that decides against Christianity now, no longer our reasons.”
—Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900)