It’s so cold -
The politicians have their hands in their own pockets.
The Global Warming Research Scientists’ ship got stuck in ice in Antarctica, in the Summer.
People are wishing Global Warming really was true.
It’s freezing the horns off the billygoats.
Lobsters, on their own, are jumping into boiling pots.
Two beagles with jumper cables were trying to get a rabbit started.
Hitchhikers are holding up pictures of thumbs.
Richard Simmons is wearing pants.
Frosty the Snowman got frostbite.
My shadow froze to the ground.
An prison escapee turned himself back in, just to get warm.
Sheep are demanding their wool back.
A house caught fire and firemen couldn’t convince the occupants to get out.
Polar Bears are showing up in Hawaii.
Milk cows are giving ice cream.
Teenagers are pulling their pants up.
A 32nd degree Mason was down to 15 degrees.
A cop yelled, “Freeze,” and the criminal did.
-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, January 29, AD 2014.
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
Monday, January 27, 2014
Christians and Alcohol: An Abstinent View, Mark Creech
The Christian Post has just published an article, Christians and Alcohol: An Abstinent View, by Mark H. Creech. It is well worth your time. Please read it, and share it with others.
http://www.christianpost.com/news/christians-and-alcohol-an-abstinent-view-113253/
-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, January 27, AD 2014.
http://www.christianpost.com/news/christians-and-alcohol-an-abstinent-view-113253/
-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, January 27, AD 2014.
Thursday, January 23, 2014
Peter Lumpkins New Communications VP at Brewton-Parker College
Ergun Caner taps Peter Lumpkins as Communications VP
Baptist Press, January 22, 2014 | by Staff
MOUNT VERNON, Ga. (Brewton-Parker College) -- Ergun Caner, who assumed Brewton-Parker College’s presidency Jan. 1, has named Peter Lumpkins as vice president of communications.
Caner, in a Jan. 22 news release from the Baptist-affiliated college, described Lumpkins of the SBC Tomorrow blog site as “one of the most well-known and respected writers in the Southern Baptist Convention.”
“One of the most important roles of a college,” Caner said in the news release, “is consistently ‘tell its story’ to alumni, churches and constituents. Peter Lumpkins is singularly qualified for such a monumental task. A graduate of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, Peter has written three books, runs a successful publishing company and is one of the most popular voices in the new social media. … Peter has served in Georgia churches for the past seventeen years. We welcome Peter and his wife Kathy Lynn to the BPC family.”
Caner said Lumpkins is “a perfect fit for us, as he provides a much-needed voice for traditional and grassroots Southern Baptists. He is a bold preacher, a personal soul winner, a local churchman and a fearless writer. I consider his book ‘Alcohol Today: Abstinence in an Age of Indulgence’ to be one of the best books on the subject. His blog, SBC Tomorrow, is one of the most-read religious blogs in the SBC, averaging over 64,000 hits a month since its launch in 2006.”
Lumpkins will begin his duties Feb. 1 at the Mount Vernon, Ga., campus and will serve as a member of the president’s cabinet. The news release said Lumpkins will “oversee every venue of writing and marketing on the campus, including alumni newsletters, web content, social media and academic publishing.”
Caner was unanimously elected as Brewton-Parker president Dec. 2 by the 30-member board of trustees of the four-year 600-student college affiliated with the Georgia Baptist Convention, succeeding Mike Simoneaux. Caner had served at Arlington Baptist College in Arlington, Texas, as provost and academic dean since 2011.
*******
I add my congratulations to Peter Lumpkins and Brewton-Parker College. Expect to hear more good things about BPC in the days ahead.
-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, January 23, AD 2014.
Baptist Press, January 22, 2014 | by Staff
MOUNT VERNON, Ga. (Brewton-Parker College) -- Ergun Caner, who assumed Brewton-Parker College’s presidency Jan. 1, has named Peter Lumpkins as vice president of communications.
Caner, in a Jan. 22 news release from the Baptist-affiliated college, described Lumpkins of the SBC Tomorrow blog site as “one of the most well-known and respected writers in the Southern Baptist Convention.”
“One of the most important roles of a college,” Caner said in the news release, “is consistently ‘tell its story’ to alumni, churches and constituents. Peter Lumpkins is singularly qualified for such a monumental task. A graduate of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, Peter has written three books, runs a successful publishing company and is one of the most popular voices in the new social media. … Peter has served in Georgia churches for the past seventeen years. We welcome Peter and his wife Kathy Lynn to the BPC family.”
Caner said Lumpkins is “a perfect fit for us, as he provides a much-needed voice for traditional and grassroots Southern Baptists. He is a bold preacher, a personal soul winner, a local churchman and a fearless writer. I consider his book ‘Alcohol Today: Abstinence in an Age of Indulgence’ to be one of the best books on the subject. His blog, SBC Tomorrow, is one of the most-read religious blogs in the SBC, averaging over 64,000 hits a month since its launch in 2006.”
Lumpkins will begin his duties Feb. 1 at the Mount Vernon, Ga., campus and will serve as a member of the president’s cabinet. The news release said Lumpkins will “oversee every venue of writing and marketing on the campus, including alumni newsletters, web content, social media and academic publishing.”
Caner was unanimously elected as Brewton-Parker president Dec. 2 by the 30-member board of trustees of the four-year 600-student college affiliated with the Georgia Baptist Convention, succeeding Mike Simoneaux. Caner had served at Arlington Baptist College in Arlington, Texas, as provost and academic dean since 2011.
*******
I add my congratulations to Peter Lumpkins and Brewton-Parker College. Expect to hear more good things about BPC in the days ahead.
-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, January 23, AD 2014.
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
Gleanings on Damaging Effects of Marijuana
For those seeking reference material about marijuana, following are gleanings from several articles on marijuana, mostly from Baptist Press (bpnews.net):
Gateway Drug
Our country has outlawed marijuana use for good reason. Marijuana is a multiple gateways drug. For starters, it is a gateway to addiction and other drug abuse. There are many pathways to addiction, and marijuana is one of them. Users can become addicted to marijuana itself, more often psychologically, but physical addiction also can occur. For others, marijuana is a gateway to harder drugs. Some will decide to experiment with harder drugs as they chase stronger highs. Peer pressure also is a significant problem. Marijuana introduces users to a subculture where drug abuse is common. The pressure to participate more fully in this culture is simply irresistible for some. Addiction is sure to follow for many. -Barrett Duke, ERLC, BP; 9-4-2012
Marijuana and Crime
“In a 2002 Department of Justice survey of convicted inmates in jail, 29 percent reported using illegal drugs at the time of their offense. Marijuana was used most commonly, more than cocaine/crack (14 percent to 11 percent). Crimes of robbery and theft were committed most often to obtain money for drugs. Clearly, not all marijuana users will commit other crimes, but the relationship between drug use (including marijuana) and crime is undeniable.” -Barrett Duke, BP; 9-4-2012
Penalties
“But by keeping marijuana illegal, we can better develop ways to discourage its use. A system of increasing fines, penalties and requirements, like substance-abuse counseling, can be developed. Penalties even could include the loss of one's driver's license. Jail could be a last resort for habitual offenders.” -Barrett Duke, BP; Sep 4, 2012
Drop in I.Q.
“Individuals who use marijuana during their teenage years have an average drop in I.Q. of eight points and are vulnerable to mental health problems, according to a study by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) released in August…
Eight points lowers a person from an average I.Q. rate of 100 to 92, dropping him from the 50th percentile to the 29th percentile of intelligence… Users who quit smoking marijuana cannot fully reverse the neurological damage, according to the study.” -BP; 10-22-2012
Legal Marijuana and Driving
“Drivers in Washington and Colorado now not only have to be aware of drunk drivers, but they also have to be concerned about drivers who are stoned. States don't need more impaired drivers behind the wheel.” -Kelly Boggs, editor of Baptist Message BP; 12-7,-2012
Effects of Marijuana
"Impaired memory for recent events, difficulty concentrating, dreamlike states, impaired motor coordination, impaired driving and other psychomotor skills, slowed reaction time, impaired goal-directed mental activity, and altered peripheral vision are common associated effects." -A Fact Sheet of the Effects of Marijuana, Partnership for a Drug Free America, Kelly Boggs, BP; 12-7-2012
Acutely Impair Driving Skills
"Cannabis [marijuana] and alcohol acutely impair several driving-related skills...." -from a 2009 study by Veterans Administration Healthcare/Yale University School of Medicine, Kelly Boggs, BP; 12-7-2012
Medical Marijuana
“Don't be taken in. Marijuana is a dangerous drug with countless negative effects. The rush to decriminalization in the name of pain control or mental health cannot be justified.
Most people who use marijuana to relieve severe pain combine it with stronger pain relievers because marijuana is not effective enough by itself. Furthermore, marijuana's pain-relieving ingredient has been available by prescription for years. A person can purchase Marinol -- right now -- with a doctor's prescription…
“The plain fact of the matter is that there are better and safer drugs [for pain]. Marijuana is not the solution. It merely adds more problems.” -Barrett Duke, BP; 8-6-2012
Toxic Chemicals
“Marijuana introduces multiple toxic chemicals into the systems of people…”
“Medical marijuana puts the user at higher risk for cancer, psychosis, strokes, respiratory damage and heart attack.” -Barrett Duke, BP; 8-6-2012
Trojan Horse
“Part of the reason we have not had more success ending rampant illicit drug abuse in our nation is the fact that so many states have legalized marijuana for medical purposes. Such counterproductive policies are the equivalent of drilling holes in the bottom of your boat while you are frantically trying to bail water.
In fact, if you take a closer look, you will see that most states currently debating legalizing the use of marijuana for recreation first legalized it for medicinal use. Medical marijuana is the Trojan horse of recreational marijuana.” -Barrett Duke, BP; 8-6-2012
Parents & Teens
“The National Institute on Drug Abuse says about one in 10 people who try marijuana get addicted and younger users are more vulnerable. To help parents guide their teenagers away from the drug, USA Today offered this advice:
- Talk to teenagers early and often about the risks of drugs, including addiction, learning problems and impaired driving.
- Stop smoking marijuana or doing drugs in order to be a proper role model for teenagers.
- Get over the feeling that because you used drugs you can't tell your teenager not to use them.
"Have an honest conversation about decisions you made then, why you think your teen should make different ones, and how today's marijuana is far stronger and more addictive," USA Today said.
- Acknowledge the urge to experiment but underscore that trying marijuana even once can lead to trouble.
- Watch teenagers closely enough to know if they have access to marijuana, and make clear that drinking and drugs at parties are unacceptable.
- Communicate with teenagers, staying informed of the happenings in their lives and making sure they can talk to you about problems.
- Ensure that teenagers are busy with after school activities that help them feel successful and supported.
- Intervene quickly if you learn your teenager has started using drugs.”
-BP, 11-4-2011
Drivers and Drugs
“Drivers who test positive for marijuana within three hours of using the drug are more than twice as likely as other drivers to be involved in crashes, according to a report from Columbia University…
The analysis found that 28 percent of people killed in accidents and more than 11 percent of the general driver population tested positive for non-alcohol drugs, with marijuana being the most commonly detected substance, the newspaper said.” -BP, 11-4-2011
Trouble in Amsterdam
“Acknowledging that marijuana decriminalization has led to an increase in crime and societal problems, the new Netherlands conservative-leaning government wants to crack down on drug tourism by limiting marijuana sales in so-called ‘coffee shops’ to Dutch residents.” -BP, 11-19-2010
Disagrees With President
“I adamantly disagree with the President. According to a 2012 Drug Use and Health survey, marijuana is the number one drug that citizens over the age of 12 are addicted to or abuse. The negative effects of marijuana use on a developing brain can be permanent, and our President is recklessly giving what amounts to parental permission to our most impressionable citizens to break the law. Marijuana is creating deadly situations right here in Harris County. I welcome the President to come to Houston to review the same Capital Murder cases I did just last week that were the result of marijuana drug deals. Maybe then he will see that the most effective way to keep our law-abiding citizens safe is to obey all laws that our legislators put on the books at our State Capitol.”
-Harris County, Texas District Attorney Devon Anderson, in reply to presidential comments about marijuana; KHOU.com; January 20, 2014
Freedom
Those who use their freedom to engage in self-destructive behaviors are letting themselves down, depriving society of their very best contribution to its well-being, and dishonoring the God who made them. Rather than encouraging such negative consequences by legalizing marijuana, we should be helping people to focus on the best of what they can be.
-Barrett Duke, ERLC, BP, 9-4-2012
-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor; January 21, AD 2014.
Why Marijuana Should Remain Illegal
Gateway Drug
Our country has outlawed marijuana use for good reason. Marijuana is a multiple gateways drug. For starters, it is a gateway to addiction and other drug abuse. There are many pathways to addiction, and marijuana is one of them. Users can become addicted to marijuana itself, more often psychologically, but physical addiction also can occur. For others, marijuana is a gateway to harder drugs. Some will decide to experiment with harder drugs as they chase stronger highs. Peer pressure also is a significant problem. Marijuana introduces users to a subculture where drug abuse is common. The pressure to participate more fully in this culture is simply irresistible for some. Addiction is sure to follow for many. -Barrett Duke, ERLC, BP; 9-4-2012
Marijuana and Crime
“In a 2002 Department of Justice survey of convicted inmates in jail, 29 percent reported using illegal drugs at the time of their offense. Marijuana was used most commonly, more than cocaine/crack (14 percent to 11 percent). Crimes of robbery and theft were committed most often to obtain money for drugs. Clearly, not all marijuana users will commit other crimes, but the relationship between drug use (including marijuana) and crime is undeniable.” -Barrett Duke, BP; 9-4-2012
Penalties
“But by keeping marijuana illegal, we can better develop ways to discourage its use. A system of increasing fines, penalties and requirements, like substance-abuse counseling, can be developed. Penalties even could include the loss of one's driver's license. Jail could be a last resort for habitual offenders.” -Barrett Duke, BP; Sep 4, 2012
Drop in I.Q.
“Individuals who use marijuana during their teenage years have an average drop in I.Q. of eight points and are vulnerable to mental health problems, according to a study by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) released in August…
Eight points lowers a person from an average I.Q. rate of 100 to 92, dropping him from the 50th percentile to the 29th percentile of intelligence… Users who quit smoking marijuana cannot fully reverse the neurological damage, according to the study.” -BP; 10-22-2012
Legal Marijuana and Driving
“Drivers in Washington and Colorado now not only have to be aware of drunk drivers, but they also have to be concerned about drivers who are stoned. States don't need more impaired drivers behind the wheel.” -Kelly Boggs, editor of Baptist Message BP; 12-7,-2012
Effects of Marijuana
"Impaired memory for recent events, difficulty concentrating, dreamlike states, impaired motor coordination, impaired driving and other psychomotor skills, slowed reaction time, impaired goal-directed mental activity, and altered peripheral vision are common associated effects." -A Fact Sheet of the Effects of Marijuana, Partnership for a Drug Free America, Kelly Boggs, BP; 12-7-2012
Acutely Impair Driving Skills
"Cannabis [marijuana] and alcohol acutely impair several driving-related skills...." -from a 2009 study by Veterans Administration Healthcare/Yale University School of Medicine, Kelly Boggs, BP; 12-7-2012
Medical Marijuana
“Don't be taken in. Marijuana is a dangerous drug with countless negative effects. The rush to decriminalization in the name of pain control or mental health cannot be justified.
Most people who use marijuana to relieve severe pain combine it with stronger pain relievers because marijuana is not effective enough by itself. Furthermore, marijuana's pain-relieving ingredient has been available by prescription for years. A person can purchase Marinol -- right now -- with a doctor's prescription…
“The plain fact of the matter is that there are better and safer drugs [for pain]. Marijuana is not the solution. It merely adds more problems.” -Barrett Duke, BP; 8-6-2012
Toxic Chemicals
“Marijuana introduces multiple toxic chemicals into the systems of people…”
“Medical marijuana puts the user at higher risk for cancer, psychosis, strokes, respiratory damage and heart attack.” -Barrett Duke, BP; 8-6-2012
Trojan Horse
“Part of the reason we have not had more success ending rampant illicit drug abuse in our nation is the fact that so many states have legalized marijuana for medical purposes. Such counterproductive policies are the equivalent of drilling holes in the bottom of your boat while you are frantically trying to bail water.
In fact, if you take a closer look, you will see that most states currently debating legalizing the use of marijuana for recreation first legalized it for medicinal use. Medical marijuana is the Trojan horse of recreational marijuana.” -Barrett Duke, BP; 8-6-2012
Parents & Teens
“The National Institute on Drug Abuse says about one in 10 people who try marijuana get addicted and younger users are more vulnerable. To help parents guide their teenagers away from the drug, USA Today offered this advice:
- Talk to teenagers early and often about the risks of drugs, including addiction, learning problems and impaired driving.
- Stop smoking marijuana or doing drugs in order to be a proper role model for teenagers.
- Get over the feeling that because you used drugs you can't tell your teenager not to use them.
"Have an honest conversation about decisions you made then, why you think your teen should make different ones, and how today's marijuana is far stronger and more addictive," USA Today said.
- Acknowledge the urge to experiment but underscore that trying marijuana even once can lead to trouble.
- Watch teenagers closely enough to know if they have access to marijuana, and make clear that drinking and drugs at parties are unacceptable.
- Communicate with teenagers, staying informed of the happenings in their lives and making sure they can talk to you about problems.
- Ensure that teenagers are busy with after school activities that help them feel successful and supported.
- Intervene quickly if you learn your teenager has started using drugs.”
-BP, 11-4-2011
Drivers and Drugs
“Drivers who test positive for marijuana within three hours of using the drug are more than twice as likely as other drivers to be involved in crashes, according to a report from Columbia University…
The analysis found that 28 percent of people killed in accidents and more than 11 percent of the general driver population tested positive for non-alcohol drugs, with marijuana being the most commonly detected substance, the newspaper said.” -BP, 11-4-2011
Trouble in Amsterdam
“Acknowledging that marijuana decriminalization has led to an increase in crime and societal problems, the new Netherlands conservative-leaning government wants to crack down on drug tourism by limiting marijuana sales in so-called ‘coffee shops’ to Dutch residents.” -BP, 11-19-2010
Disagrees With President
“I adamantly disagree with the President. According to a 2012 Drug Use and Health survey, marijuana is the number one drug that citizens over the age of 12 are addicted to or abuse. The negative effects of marijuana use on a developing brain can be permanent, and our President is recklessly giving what amounts to parental permission to our most impressionable citizens to break the law. Marijuana is creating deadly situations right here in Harris County. I welcome the President to come to Houston to review the same Capital Murder cases I did just last week that were the result of marijuana drug deals. Maybe then he will see that the most effective way to keep our law-abiding citizens safe is to obey all laws that our legislators put on the books at our State Capitol.”
-Harris County, Texas District Attorney Devon Anderson, in reply to presidential comments about marijuana; KHOU.com; January 20, 2014
Freedom
Those who use their freedom to engage in self-destructive behaviors are letting themselves down, depriving society of their very best contribution to its well-being, and dishonoring the God who made them. Rather than encouraging such negative consequences by legalizing marijuana, we should be helping people to focus on the best of what they can be.
-Barrett Duke, ERLC, BP, 9-4-2012
-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor; January 21, AD 2014.
Why Marijuana Should Remain Illegal
Monday, January 20, 2014
Why Marijuana Should Remain Illegal
Arguments and Answers to legalizing marijuana:
1. Marijuana is no more harmful than alcohol, and alcohol is legal.
Alcohol is America’s number one drug problem. Why should we now unleash another harmful drug on America? When marijuana has been legalized, it has led to an increase in crime and societal problems
Alcohol and marijuana have been recognized as “gateway drugs.” In other words, many began their downhill slide with one or both. Then this leads them to other drugs. We already have one gateway drug, alcohol, that is legal, accepted by many, and causing havoc across our country. Do we now want to legalize another such devastating drug that will cause further destruction?
2. We have not won the war against drugs, including marijuana. So why not legalize it?
We haven’t won the war against murder either. Should we therefore legalize murder? Should we just tax murder? Of course not.
Passing a law against a harmful practice does not eliminate the practice. But it does limit it, stigmatize it, and punish the abusers.
Legalize marijuana, and you will get more users of marijuana. People who have never smoked it before, will try it, simply because it is now legal.
3. Medical marijuana should be legalized.
The argument for medical marijuana seems to just be a way of opening the door to the recreational use of marijuana. We already have better, legal, prescription drugs to fight pain.
For the Christian, we should even be concerned with the proper, limited use of prescription drugs. They are dangerous and should be used cautiously with the advice of a good, reliable medical doctor. Even otherwise helpful drugs can be addictive and misused.
4. People have a right to smoke marijuana if they choose.
Our rights must sometimes end when a practice or substance becomes too harmful to ourselves and others. I know there is a fine line that sometimes has to be drawn, but dangerous drugs that harm the user and innocent others should be severely limited.
Marijuana has been shown to cause many traffic accidents, and harm the health and mental ability of users. Isn’t it strange that just as society is turning against smoking tobacco, it is now moving toward sanctioning smoking marijuana?
5. We can get taxes from the legal sales of marijuana.
We could also get taxes from legalizing other harmful practices. Invariably, when we allow and tax a practice that is harmful to society, we end up paying more to control it and deal with its consequences, than we receive in taxes.
Government would do better to get their taxes up front and honestly, not by legalizing destructive behavior. On the other hand, frankly for the destructive behaviors already legalized, if there is no other alternative, let’s do limit them with “sin taxes,” and raise those taxes every chance we get.
6. You can’t legislate morality.
Yes you can. Our laws against murder legislate morality. Laws against theft legislate morality. Some things need to be criminalized, limited, and stigmatized.
7. Penalties for marijuana should change
Perhaps this is true. Barrett Duke has suggested, “A system of increasing fines, penalties and requirements, like substance-abuse counseling, can be developed. Penalties even could include the loss of one's driver's license. Jail could be a last resort for habitual offenders” (bpnews.net; 8-6-2012).
8. Marijuana is not that bad.
Rather, when marijuana has been legalized, it has led to an increase in crime, health, and societal problems. It magnifies an existing problem.
Marijuana has multiple toxic chemicals and gives a higher risk for cancer, psychosis, strokes, respiratory damage and heart attack. It causes impaired memory, difficulty concentrating, impairs driving and reaction time. It lowers the I.Q. of teenage smokers.
Acceptance of another mind-altering recreational drug always changes things for the worse.
Biblical Reasons to Oppose Marijuana
Every biblical injunction against alcohol is also a condemnation of marijuana and other recreational drugs.
1. Scripture describes in detail the dangerous effects of alcoholic wine and says not to even look at it (Proverbs 23:29-35). It’s not much of a leap to take the same low view of other dangerous drugs.
2. Scripture directly says wine is a mocker (Proverbs 20:1).
3. Scripture commands us to be sober (1 Thessalonians 5:6-8; 1 Peter 5:8; etc.).
4. Kings are commanded not to drink wine lest they pervert justice (Proverbs 31:4-5). Believers are called kings and priests (Revelation 1:6; 5:10) and neither should we take drugs that would cause us to do things we’d never do in our right minds.
5. A Christian is to honor God with his mind and body (Matthew 22:37; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Both are adversely affected by alcohol and other drugs.
6. Drinking hurts your Christian influence and leads others astray (1 Corinthians 8:9; 10:23).
One very big problem Christian social drinkers have is if they are justified in taking one mind-altering recreational drug (alcohol), then they have no legitimate argument against another legal mind-altering recreational drug (marijuana). The wise thing for Christians is to have nothing to do with either drug.
It should also be remembered that legal and moral are not synonymous. Whether alcohol, marijuana, or other harmful drugs are legal, a Christian answers to a higher standard.
Let’s not legalize another destructive drug.
-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, January 20, AD 2014.
Gleanings on Damaging Effects of Marijuana
Ancient Wine and the Bible - the Book; update
1. Marijuana is no more harmful than alcohol, and alcohol is legal.
Alcohol is America’s number one drug problem. Why should we now unleash another harmful drug on America? When marijuana has been legalized, it has led to an increase in crime and societal problems
Alcohol and marijuana have been recognized as “gateway drugs.” In other words, many began their downhill slide with one or both. Then this leads them to other drugs. We already have one gateway drug, alcohol, that is legal, accepted by many, and causing havoc across our country. Do we now want to legalize another such devastating drug that will cause further destruction?
2. We have not won the war against drugs, including marijuana. So why not legalize it?
We haven’t won the war against murder either. Should we therefore legalize murder? Should we just tax murder? Of course not.
Passing a law against a harmful practice does not eliminate the practice. But it does limit it, stigmatize it, and punish the abusers.
Legalize marijuana, and you will get more users of marijuana. People who have never smoked it before, will try it, simply because it is now legal.
3. Medical marijuana should be legalized.
The argument for medical marijuana seems to just be a way of opening the door to the recreational use of marijuana. We already have better, legal, prescription drugs to fight pain.
For the Christian, we should even be concerned with the proper, limited use of prescription drugs. They are dangerous and should be used cautiously with the advice of a good, reliable medical doctor. Even otherwise helpful drugs can be addictive and misused.
4. People have a right to smoke marijuana if they choose.
Our rights must sometimes end when a practice or substance becomes too harmful to ourselves and others. I know there is a fine line that sometimes has to be drawn, but dangerous drugs that harm the user and innocent others should be severely limited.
Marijuana has been shown to cause many traffic accidents, and harm the health and mental ability of users. Isn’t it strange that just as society is turning against smoking tobacco, it is now moving toward sanctioning smoking marijuana?
5. We can get taxes from the legal sales of marijuana.
We could also get taxes from legalizing other harmful practices. Invariably, when we allow and tax a practice that is harmful to society, we end up paying more to control it and deal with its consequences, than we receive in taxes.
Government would do better to get their taxes up front and honestly, not by legalizing destructive behavior. On the other hand, frankly for the destructive behaviors already legalized, if there is no other alternative, let’s do limit them with “sin taxes,” and raise those taxes every chance we get.
6. You can’t legislate morality.
Yes you can. Our laws against murder legislate morality. Laws against theft legislate morality. Some things need to be criminalized, limited, and stigmatized.
7. Penalties for marijuana should change
Perhaps this is true. Barrett Duke has suggested, “A system of increasing fines, penalties and requirements, like substance-abuse counseling, can be developed. Penalties even could include the loss of one's driver's license. Jail could be a last resort for habitual offenders” (bpnews.net; 8-6-2012).
8. Marijuana is not that bad.
Rather, when marijuana has been legalized, it has led to an increase in crime, health, and societal problems. It magnifies an existing problem.
Marijuana has multiple toxic chemicals and gives a higher risk for cancer, psychosis, strokes, respiratory damage and heart attack. It causes impaired memory, difficulty concentrating, impairs driving and reaction time. It lowers the I.Q. of teenage smokers.
Acceptance of another mind-altering recreational drug always changes things for the worse.
Biblical Reasons to Oppose Marijuana
Every biblical injunction against alcohol is also a condemnation of marijuana and other recreational drugs.
1. Scripture describes in detail the dangerous effects of alcoholic wine and says not to even look at it (Proverbs 23:29-35). It’s not much of a leap to take the same low view of other dangerous drugs.
2. Scripture directly says wine is a mocker (Proverbs 20:1).
3. Scripture commands us to be sober (1 Thessalonians 5:6-8; 1 Peter 5:8; etc.).
4. Kings are commanded not to drink wine lest they pervert justice (Proverbs 31:4-5). Believers are called kings and priests (Revelation 1:6; 5:10) and neither should we take drugs that would cause us to do things we’d never do in our right minds.
5. A Christian is to honor God with his mind and body (Matthew 22:37; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Both are adversely affected by alcohol and other drugs.
6. Drinking hurts your Christian influence and leads others astray (1 Corinthians 8:9; 10:23).
One very big problem Christian social drinkers have is if they are justified in taking one mind-altering recreational drug (alcohol), then they have no legitimate argument against another legal mind-altering recreational drug (marijuana). The wise thing for Christians is to have nothing to do with either drug.
It should also be remembered that legal and moral are not synonymous. Whether alcohol, marijuana, or other harmful drugs are legal, a Christian answers to a higher standard.
Let’s not legalize another destructive drug.
-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, January 20, AD 2014.
Gleanings on Damaging Effects of Marijuana
Ancient Wine and the Bible - the Book; update
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