Talk:THC Ministry
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[edit] References
Where are the references for this article? I believe the truth may be that there are no reputable references for the THC Ministry. If this is correct this article should not be a part of Wikipedia as the THC Ministry is insufficiently notable to warrant citation. 71.215.128.75 07:46, 17 January 2007 (UTC)
[edit] Religion
For those who want to edit the THC Ministry page:
THC Ministry IS a religion, IT DOES NOT "CLAIM" to be a religion, as it is OFFICIALLY REGISTERED ON DIFFERENT CONTINENTS!!! SO PLEASE STOP VIOLATING THIS PAGE WITH DISRESPECT!
We are aware that there are individuals who do not like the fact that there is a variaty of different belief systems on this earth and there are also individuals who do not agree with our mission. This does not give people the right to edit the THC Ministry page to give false information. Ferre
Please source your claims. people have the right to edit and what matters is to source the edits and make them neutral so any unsourced edits climing it is a religion can be removed. Please assume good faith, SqueakBox 22:28, 15 December 2006 (UTC)
Reply to Ferre:
First, there was the "claims to be a religion" version. Then it became "IS a religion". Then I made both those points of view available side by side so that viewers might decide for themselves. Then "Ferre" changed it back to "IS a religion" and flamed about me violating this page. Fine. This is what I have to say:
THC Ministry qualifies as a religion for being officially registered as such. But is that the ultimate truth concerning THC Ministry we should satisfy for in this case? And, most importantly, why should there be an "ultimate truth" in any case? What in God's name happened to offering people many different points of view?
I am a religious person and as such have no disrespect for various religious activity and religious groups - I don't buy that "one only truth" bull many religions market. I see all religions as different threads of one collective loom. I am also a cannabis law reform advocate and thus somewhat sympathetic of THC Ministry's goals. I also feel that the cannabis plant, as well as many other psychotropical substances, have played a major part in human religious history and possibly even evolution itself. But, in my mind, the blatant "use pot freely" -type of hype THC Ministry performs is at least an understatement of (and negative publicity for) all religious practice. What other religion bases its main message on literally offering a get-away-free card for socially or legally unaccepted behavior? What other religion focuses on advertising an expensive "kit" designed to free its holder of common law? What other religion hides its religious message deep into the labyrinths of some flashy webpage that screams out loud: "Smoke pot! Get away with it! Just hop on the religious freedom train! And pay us!"? I am referring to most major religions and quite aware that yes, there are hoaxes around, too.
If THC Ministry would publicly and foremostly focus on the truly credible issues, such as the long companionship between the cannabis plant and humanity, and not making money while trampling on the Bill of Rights, I'd have a different tone. Don't you "believers" have any shame for eating away at the very base of religious freedom in your society? Don't you realize that if enough people use freedoms, meant to assure safe and peaceful religious practice, for trying to "get out of the loop", those freedoms are some day going to be taken away from you?
DO NOT ABUSE YOUR FREEDOMS IF YOU VALUE THEM.
As said before, I have nothing against using cannabis. Much more so I resist mindless drug wars. This is just my opinion on mixing avoidance of drug laws with true religion. I will not edit the THC Ministry page any more - I have no interest in waging an information war. But I urge you all to STOP TRYING TO ACHIEVE SOME ABSRACT "OBJECTIVE" POINT OF VIEW. It will not happen. It is a utopia. Why not let different opinions all be shown equally and let the viewers make up their own minds?
(I will answer that one myself: Those who most fear for their precious "truths" to tumble down also most resist any "stepping out of line".)
Peace! Juuso
Continued:
I checked the history of recent edits.
I find it hypocritical that the words "sell" and "price" have been changed to "offer" and "donation". What the * is that all about? Is it because THC Ministry has been registered as a religion that the action of trading funds for a product has "miraculously" transformed from simple business to "donations" and "offerings"? That is marketing speech. That is in no way different from any businessman's simple strategy.
Since THC Ministry supposedly "offers" a product in exchange of a "donation", shouldn't that imply that they would also give away freely the product in some cases? Shouldn't that imply that there would be no set price, as a donation is usually considered an act of variable value? Because otherwise that is just PLAIN BUSINESS. Nothing saintly about it.
I would like to know - just to clear things out - where these "donations" go to and who they benefit. Are the funds used to address the issues of unethical drug wars? Are the funds used to fight what is wrong in society? Or are they merely collected to the personal accounts of the "priesthood" of THC Ministry? Who could answer me?
If one would allow oneself a cynical outlook, he'd certainly see this as a pretty package covering a simple money-making scheme.
Juuso
Juuso,
If we don't use our freedoms, we will lose them. If we don't use our rights to the fullest, they might as well not exist at all. If you ever see the movie Demolition Man, there is a hilarious quote in there from the character Edgar Friendly (as portrayed by Denis Leary)
You see, according to Cocteau's plan I'm the enemy, because I like to think, and I like to read. I'm into freedom of speech and freedom of choice. I'm the kind of guy who'd walk into a greasy spoon and wonder - "Gee, should I have the T-bone steak or the jumbo rack of barbecued ribs with the side order of grave fries?" I WANT high cholesterol. I wanna eat bacon and butter and BUCKETS of cheese, okay? I want to smoke Cuban cigars the size of Cincinnati in the non-smoking section. I want to run through the streets naked with green jello all over my body reading playboy magazine. Why? Because I suddenly might feel the urge to, okay, pal? I've SEEN the future. Do you know what it is? It's a 47-year-old virgin sitting around in his beige pajamas, drinking a banana-broccoli shake, and singing "I'm an Oscar Meyer Wiener."
As far as the article goes, I could care less. If they want to smoke pot and call it a sacrament, fine, let them. I don't smoke pot and I'm not religious. I agree with most of your post, but that ONE line, just got under my skin. I value my rights and I am inclined to use them. Abusing them is a matter of perception.
I know this is slightly OT, but I had to get it out of my system :-|
--barista 10:21, 23 Jan 2005 (UTC)
[edit] Straighten some things out
Hello Juuso, Ferre and everyone,
Aloha. This is Roger, Founder of the THC Ministry. Ferre alerted me to this discussion a few months ago and I'm finally getting around to commenting. A good debate is a fine thing. Thanks for bringing this stuff up.
We have been pro-'claiming' to be a spiritual path, or a 'religion' since our inception. We claim to be 'legitimate' and we can prove it because we ARE legitimate. Licensed by the State of Hawaii, registered with the I.R.S. We are A path, not THE path. We are A religion, not THE religion. Take your pick, there are millions of demoninations and sects out there. If you can find one for fellowship that feels good and right - great! If not, START one! That's what I did. It's all good.
As for as "scream out loud Smoke pot! Get away with it." That's not our style, or our motto, or our mission. We seek to provide a safe and secure shelter from the storm of extreme cannabis prohibition. We seek to fellowship with religious enjoyers of cannabis. Spiritual people. Respectful people. Reverent people. We seek to let people know that there IS a spiritual component to 'just' smoking pot. We let people know when they join to take a 'fast' and stop smoking for a while. Then start again with a small amount and see what happens. We recommend cannabis vapor, tincture, tea and holy anointing oil to avoid 'smoking'. (Smoke includes carbon monoxide, a deadly poisonous gas.)
We DON'T hype "use pot freely". Our ethics include using only in private - at home, or church. I can't and won't defend use in public, or any sales of herb. We also insist on zero 'commerce' in sacrament. This is NOT a 'winky-wink' cover or loop-hole for smuggling freighter-loads from Thailand, or wherever. I DO take "donations" for holy anointing oil and other services and sacraments. It's a fine line sometimes and I seek to be in integrity with good morals and ethics to the best of my ability. If I'm out of line, please inform me like a good brother would do. Mahalo.
We do provide a FREE membership for anyone over 21 years old. We do provide a FREE ordainment by referring people to the Universal Life Church. www.ulc.org.
Yes, we do have a $200. Cannabis Sanctuary Legal Defense Kit. So? It's fully guaranteed money-back if not satisfied. So far, zero people have ever asked for their money back. Why? It's worth it! Should we let people only donate what they want to I would soon be broke. A 'suggested donation' is the right way to go, in my opinion. Do I ever give it away for FREE? All the time! Just ask me for one if you doubt me.
Where does the money go? To me and to the ministry. Just get to know me a little bit and you'll see where I put my energy. For instance, I gladly testify in court for our members if they are ever arrested and prosecuted. Just last month I was on the witness stand for over three hours in one case of a Motion to Dismiss on religious grounds.
A "simple money-making scheme"? Not at all, bro. I do respect you asking the question, however. I need the ministry finances to be 'transparent' for all to see. Ferre has been advising me on this very thing, to his credit.
What other 'religion' faces such persecution in the USA? Zero. What other 'religion' faces such prosecution in the USA? Zero.
We need to stay pro-active or else we lose our members to jail or prison or drug-testing probation, or worse. I'm determined to exercise my rights as long as I'm motivated to do so. I usually prefer to do things for 'exponential benefit', however. One pro-active lawsuit to benefit millions of people instead of just fighting one defensive case at a time.
What else? I'm open to any and all of your criticisms. Fire away! Can handle.
All the very best to you,
Roger Christie
Hilo, Kingdom of Hawai'i February 20th, 2005
[edit] Advocacy/Commerce
Quoting from the website:
- Do you use cannabis religiously?
- Would you like to use cannabis religiously?
- Would you like to be free of legal problems associated with cannabis for the rest of your life?
- Would you like identification that will help to protect you from arrest, prosecution and conviction of cannabis charges?
- If you answered yes to any of these questions, then the THC-Ministry might be for you.
Now, let's distinguish questions 1 and 2 from questions 3 and 4. First off, whether and how one uses cannabis for religious purposes, this information ought simply to be made freely available without being "tied" to an "identification scheme" for protecting one from arrest, prosecution and conviction. Why is this not just put on the website, or offered freely?
As for the second set of questions, they have nothing whatsoever to do with religion, faith or belief of any kind. They advertise a strategy, one which I think unlikely to hold up in US courts at least, based on IDENTIFYING oneself as a member of this organization, without in fact necessarily even sharing their beliefs, whatever they may be.
Now, few people may understand what is meant by a sacrament, it is not a legalistic concept but one that can be directly understood through spiritual experience, or testified to by those who have knowledge of it. To the extent that the "THC Ministry" wishes to testify, I give them all support and encouragement, and I will even testify my own agreement. Cannabis is the sacrament of communion for some people. Others use it recreationally or without such effects, and I think they should not be prohibited from doing so, for the very reason they may discover such higher potentials. Indeed, I think this is precisely *why* it is illegal. Cannabis does more than this, it is also a treatment for pain and nausea and glaucoma and other conditions which are the subject of current medical pot advocacy, and this has validity although it is a narrower point. I make my own position plain here so that I will not be accused of bias against the concept of a cannabis ministry, when I say that this organization is apparently a commercial enterprise with a very damaging effect on the perceptions of people who may conclude that everyone who ascribes religious significance to cannabis is somehow connected with this legalistic and money-making scheme.
Since Roger Christie has posted here, I say to him: Do not trivialize this issue and make claims of legal protection which you cannot provide. The US courts have not recognized the right of Rastafari to use the sacrament, they will not give greater deference to your church. It has always been the case that those who hold sincere religious convictions must endure hardships and often practice in secrecy. I do not say you should stop testifying, to the contrary, I encourage it, but keep clear of claiming temporal powers you do not possess. Whig 08:17, 23 July 2005 (UTC)
[edit] Just wanted to add my two cents...
Just wanted to point out that according to (at least in the U.S.) constitutional law (that is, a decision handed down by the Supreme Court), it is not the place of ANYBODY to determine the legitimacy of any religion.
I think it sounds a lot more biased to say that they 'claim' to be a religion than to afford them the same courtesy given any other more 'traditional' religion. In the persuit of NPOV, therefore, it seems most prudent to refer to them as a religion, lest it should sound as though Wikipedia is saying that they are a bunch of kooks making wild claims. You CLAIM that they CLAIM to be a religion.
According to the American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition, Copyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company, religion is defined thusly:
re·li·gion n. 1. 1. Belief in and reverence for a supernatural power or powers regarded as creator and governor of the universe. 2. A personal or institutionalized system grounded in such belief and worship. 2. The life or condition of a person in a religious order. 3. A set of beliefs, values, and practices based on the teachings of a spiritual leader. 4. A cause, principle, or activity pursued with zeal or conscientious devotion.
I fail to see how the THC Ministry does not justify the use of the word religion according to this definition. On stumbling upon this debate, I read over the THC Ministry's website and found that they indeed provide quite an ample historical basis for their beliefs (or alleged beliefs, as I am sure some of you would like to word it). They say, correctly I might add, that cannabis sativa (hemp) has been used for centuries by Buddhists, and that there is are many theologeans that believe that the holy anointing oil of the Judeo-christian faiths (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam) is composed mostly of hemp. If you doubt the intent of the ministry's members, I suggest you browse their forums, where most of the discussion is about scripture (I doubt that even the most skeptical among you can suggest that a bunch of 'stoners' seeking mere legal asylum for their vice of choice sit around and discuss verses of the Torah, New Testament, Avesta, and other theological texts).
Just some thoughts. If in doubt, I suggest the Wikipedia community stop passing judgement. Isn't that exactly what we're NOT supposed to do? Thanks to all who read this, I read all of your posts before posting and appreciate the breadth of the discussion.--thereverendeg 15:30, 23 July 2005 (UTC)
Oh yeah another thought really quick here.... what's with people demonizing eachother? Why put quotes around "Ferre" sardonically... I mean, IT'S HIS REAL NAME! Jeeze people... how about some semblance of being civilized?
[edit] Another thought.... perhaps wording acceptable to everyone...
I thought again about this and figured that this wording may be agreeable to all... How about instead of saying that "The THC Ministry is a religion" or that they "claim to be a religion" why not say "According to their website [and/or founder Roger Christie and/or practitioners], the THC Ministry is a religion..."
That seems to be NPOV-sufficient, while maintaining TRUE citation. Thoughts anyone? --thereverendeg 15:35, 23 July 2005 (UTC)
Just some notes in response to something Whig said....
[[1]]
Did you not say something about how American courts would never uphold his beliefs? I believe you, sir, are incorrect. I believe, sir, that the Circuit Court of Hawaii indeed qualifies as an American court. I believe, sir, that the document linked-to above demonstrates American courts to have done just this, sir. Good day, sir.
- I don't see the Circuit Court of Hawaii having ruled against prosecution for cannabis possession or use by the THC Ministry, based upon this document. For the sake of those who are not familiar with legal practice, a "Stipulation" is by a party to an action, and in this case the prosecutor (not the judge) agreed that the "Religion of Jesus Church" is a bona fide religion, and that the defendant (Dennis Shields) sincerely believes in the sacramental use of cannabis. The particular charge that seems to be at issue here is "Promoting detrimental drug in the 2nd degree" in violation of some claimed statute. Frankly, I think such a charge ought to be dismissed on first amendment grounds at the very least. This is not a prosecution for actual possession or use. Whig 04:19, 24 July 2005 (UTC)
[edit] Urantia
Since thereverendeg claims to be a member of the THC Ministry I took his edit that the organization is based on the Religion of Jesus Church (Urantia) to be accurate, however I would like to see this documented/cited appropriately in the article. Whig 05:39, 24 July 2005 (UTC)
- Ah, essentially the THC Ministry is founded in Urantia on the basis that Roger Christie (founder of the THC Ministry) "was ordained by the Reverend Dennis Shields into the Religion Of Jesus Church in early June of 2000" (according to the Hawai'i Ministry of Cannabis Sacrament's website at www.thc-ministry.org - exact page linked here, almost imediately after which he founded the THC Ministry by becoming licensed on June 19 (probably a week or so later) as a "Cannabis Sacrament" minister (document here). I'm not exactly sure how this should be added into the article, so I suppose I should leave this to you, Whig? I appreciate your manor, by the way. --thereverendeg 00:33, 25 July 2005 (UTC)
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- So is the THC Ministry a separate religion in any way from the Religion of Jesus Church and if not, should we move or merge this content? Whig 01:58, 25 July 2005 (UTC)
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- IMHO, the thing we should do is remove the redirect for Religion of Jesus Church (RJC) and instead make a new article for it. The THC-Ministry and the RJC are seperate organizations; Roger Christie simply was ordained by the RJC and used much of its structure to form the THC Ministry. The Urantia is also a seperate entity from the RJC, who use it as a religious text (though it isn't even mentioned in the Urantia article). I think a few changes are deffinitely in order to all of the mentioned articles. If there is no argument I will go ahead and set to work on it. --thereverendeg 02:48, 25 July 2005 (UTC)
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[edit] 'claim' edited in to be insultive
As I stated (in other words) in the first post I made in this discussion, I find it extremely insulting that people feel the need to edit this article to have it read that we, THC Ministry members, "CLAIM" to believe in our religion.
I am de founder of the Amsterdam THC Ministry and anyone who tells me that I "claim" to believe is clearly out to insult my religion, the members of my religion and me personally. WHY?
How would other religions like it if people start editing the other religions pages with that "CLAIM" to believe? Shall we introduce at the Muslim and Christian pages that they "CLAIM that there is a god" and see what happens?
I am afraid, since our ministry got attacked the way it was in this comments tread and the article itself, to edit anything in that page myself anymore because I feel bullyed by a few editors who do not have any knowledge of our religion and edit the article in such a way that we look like we are not sincere.
every time this article reflects sincere belief, this is edited out using POV as an excuse to do so. this is not right and for all I care wikipedia can delete this insulting article. --Ferre 07:29, 18 January 2006 (+1 GMT)
- I have edited the article in the light of your comments and it should be okay now. I do agree with your comments, good luck with your legalising mission, hopefully you can spread that message further than just Holland, SqueakBox 14:46, 18 January 2006 (UTC)
Thank you very much SqueakBox, This is also very much appreciated by our members world wide. I also thank you for your kind words about spreading the message into the world. I have good news for you, and everyone else who have some sympathy for our cause, a google search on thc ministry will show you that we are now presented al over the world. Ferre 20:04, 19 January 2006 (UTC)
![[1]](http://www.thc-ministry.org/Court_stipulation.jpg){kind=link}
