Freedom of Religion?

Question

If there is freedom of religion in the US...then why is shamanism, one of the oldests religions often perscuted. People about in every culture have been using entheogens like mushrooms, peyote, dmt, and lsa in spirtitual contexts for 1000's of years. So why are nontoxic and nonaddictive spirtiual entheogens placed in the same catergory as deadly drugs like heorin and cocaine. My only guess is it might spark a spirtitual awakening by the public and challenge the church and scientists

Answer 1

Sadly, while Shamans might use these substances as a legitimate part of their religious practice, many others would abuse them or otherwise take advantage of their legal status.

People could also easily argue that cocaine provides a spiritual experience. Everyone is free to practice their religion, as long it harms no one else. Legalizing substances, which could potentially be dangerous, for the sake of one religion violates that.

Answer 2

I think drugs should be legal, quite apart from any question of religion. It just seems like common sense that the "Drug War" doesn't work, doesn't stop anybody from doing drugs, fuels the black market, prevents any kind of regulation, fills our prisons with nonviolent offenders, etc etc. Meanwhile really dangerous drugs are practically shoved down our throats by the pharmaceutical industry.

As for using drugs to obtain "spiritual" results, it's an ancient tradition in many cultures. Properly controlled and directed, it can be a powerful sacramental tool.

Answer 3

if you matter on evolution there ought to no longer probable exist any type of spirituality as evolution ought to no longer produce such; yet they must have the skill to benefit from the discussions. those who trust that the universe continually change into without beginning would matter on some type of spirituality, to that end they immediately have a courting to this website. to attain freedom from faith attainable ought to bypass to a distinct planet. maximum folk do not imagine that stupidly and settle for the truth of religion as a large area of the human journey.

Answer 4

Just using halucinogenic drugs does not make you a shaman. I have worked with a shaman and there is much more to it than taking drugs. I think alot of drug adicts like to use religion as an excuse to feed or get away with their addiction. The persecution is not for Shamanism, it is for losers who exploit it to use drugs.

Answer 5

because for religion and government to continue as it does the people need to be dumbed down and not have important spiritual realizations.

marijuana was illegalized for political reasons. other drugs place a threat on the way society runs because these drugs lead to people bettering themselves without government or religion. this is a threat to power and they are illegalized so that people can keep their power.

Answer 6

Let me guess- you're that Chippewa (Ontario, Michigan regions) who claims mushrooms are part of your "Native American Church" even though your own people had no knowledge of these mushrooms and cacti.

Bleah. You just want to use drugs, admit it.

My friend in northern Ontario still lives on the reserve where she was born and she hates wannabe shamans (she's atheist by the way). She goes to rituals out of cultural respect but doesn't believe a bit of it.

Keep getting your drugs on the streets. You're not cut out for science, anyway.

Answer 7

The purpose of outlawing drugs is not to discriminate against a religion. Some of them are dangerous. And (in my opinion) they give a cheap shortcut to true spiritual awakenings.

Answer 8

Actually, to the people or "races" that actually practice this type of religion, are able to. It's only for the rest of us who want to have "fun" are the "drugs" restricted.

Answer 9

Jimi asked the question: Are you experienced? And my answer is, "yes"

and it is all drugs . . . it gets you high and then you come down . . . and the spiritual awakening you refer to, just led to drug addiction for the whole 60's and 70's hipsters . . . been there done that . . .

try Jesus

Answer 10

yeah, my generation tried very hard to get the gov't to buy it and, well, as you know, by your question, they still wont'!!