Reagan-appointed judge says religious rights are "inherently human"
By Thom Hartmann A...
The Third Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled on a new aspect of corporate personhood – a corporation's right to the free exercise of religion. Judge Robert Cowen rejected a company's claimed that it should not have to provide birth control under Obamacare for religious reasons. Judge Cowen – a Reagan appointee – ruled that the for-profit corporation was not entitled to the First Amendment's freedom of religion protection, distinguishing it from the freedom of speech protection afforded companies under Citizens Untied.
In his opinion, Judge Cowen wrote, “we simply cannot understand how a for-profit, secular corporation – apart from its owners – can exercise religion.” He directly addressed the Citizens United ruling, which gave corporations the right of free speech under the First Amendment, but ruled that the Free Exercise Clause, which protects religious freedom, is an “inherently 'human' right.” This is the first time since Citizens United that a major federal court has asserted that some constitutional protections are meant for only real, human individuals.
This case will likely be appealed to the Supreme Court, and its fate there is far from certain. In a previous Supreme Court case, United States v. Lee, the Justices ruled that religious liberty does not permit an employer to “impose the employer's religious faith on the employees,” however the current Roberts Court has a history of pro-corporate rulings. While this specific case centers on whether an employer has the right to deny contraceptive coverage, the larger point is whether corporations have the right to religious freedom. And, whether their freedom trumps the rights of their employees.
Many Americans believe that corporations are not people, and should not have the same protections under the Bill of Rights as human individuals. The Supreme Court may soon have the opportunity to side with Americans, or they may choose to expand corporate rights to a level our forefathers never imagined. Stay tuned.
Comments
#2
Thanks for that!
#3
This is an excellent opportunity for the Roberts court to prove to the American people that they aren't steering the country into a full blown Theocracy. That would be a fatal blow to our democracy and what freedoms we have left if corporate beliefs trumped individual beliefs. It is ironic indeed that an appointee of Ronald Wilson (666) Reagan would rule in favor of individual rights. I'm not sure whether I should be skeptical or optimistic about that. However, in my nature optimism always trumps skepticism. Even when things look as bad as they do now.
#4
Corporations are not persons, if they want the rights, they should have the responsibilities that go with them. The right to go to jail, not a fine, for crimes, and if not the corporation, then those who direct it. If someone dies due to negligence, the same penalty should be imposed upon the board and leaders of said corporation. That would earn them their multimillion dollar benefits package.
#5
Jesus H. Godd, what is wrong with these people? Can't they read the beloved Constitution? Religious belief is a personal thing. Let's keep it that way. Not so complicated, is it?
#6
Yes pattreid it is a personal thing. But owning a company is a personal thing as well and if someone who owns a company doesn't want to pay for your abortion shouldn't they have that simple right. I don't thing any one but the women that wants the abortion should have any say in if she gets one or not, but paying for it is a different thing.
#7
If its a medical procedure and your company provides medical insurance,
The problem is? There isnt one if the company has insurance that pays for ALL medical procedures right or wrong. Maybe mandate thourough couseling on any procedure that is questionable by moral maority. An once of faith today in the justice system, have to mark the calender.
#8
From yesterday,
Nachos, to answer your question. Yes I do believe in ideology, but I just don't believe in yours. I do understand reality though maybe you should try a little of that.
DAnne "oil is obsolete" do you not see the millions of cars all around you. Every thing you touch is made from plastic (oil).
FYI there is 82 pipelines that cross the Canada / USA border moving 2.4 billion barrells of oil a day already. Your President said just the other day he wanted to make sure that Canada was moving towards greening up our oil sands before he approves Keystone. Wow Canada the country that only produces 1.6% of the worlds green house gases. The oil sands who produce .04% of that. I think if we want to clean up the world we need to re think where the problems are. I get it though it is so much easier to attack a Canadian company then one from China or Nigeria etc. etc. etc. etc. where all the problems are.
#9
Kend -- owning a company is not a natural personal thing. There are far fewer papers to sign to become a person.
#10
Quote Kend:DAnne "oil is obsolete" do you not see the millions of cars all around you. Every thing you touch is made from plastic (oil).
Kend ~ Please put on your glasses this time when you read this. And, yeah, I know your glasses are probably made of plastic too:
#11
Today, Thom reported on a massive spill at Cold Lake, Alberta that is the latest and biggest one in Canada so far. It has been leaking for many weeks now and is creating a vast wasteland..killing all the trees. The Canadian oil companies have a history of hiding accidents like this and the only reason why we know about it now is because someone reported it (not the oil company). This is the same oil company that is pushing the Keystone Pipeline. I sure hope Obama, and our government wakes up and says NO! to the Keystone pipeline. Let the Canadians pollute their own ground water...don't make it our problem.
#12
Most of the time speech is "inherently human" too, although as I think hard to come up with an exception, I can imagine somebody like Limpbaugh all strung out on his hillbilly heroin being involved in that exception. I'm sure he's conversed with his corporate jet from time to time....hallucinating and talking to the aerodynamic noise, thinking it's his Teabagger pals in the House.
So if the not so Supreme Court grants free exercise of religion to corporations, I wonder how long before female employees will be required to dress like Amish women? Remember, the Bible is pretty clear about females and their submissive role to males! Just ask Bill O'reilly!
#13
This is true chuckle8, I bought a home in Scottsdale AZ and must of signed 50 different times. It is not near as bad up here.
#14
DAnne. You have to slow down on the weed buddy, seriously.
#15
Quote Kend:DAnne. You have to slow down on the weed buddy, seriously.
Kend ~ Really? I haven't smoked the plant since Ronald Wilson (666) Reagan was in office. However, I still follow the truth. Perhaps it is you who should refrain from smoking the fossil fuels? Either case, please, prove me wrong! Don't just spew a mountain of rhetorick.
#16
What I find so difficult to understand is that the religion practiced by the average American is, in many respects, the direct opposite of what the Bible teaches. This is particuklarly striking in our passion for war (been engaged in war, by choice, almost constantly for the past century!) and our worship of the rich/hatred for the poor.
#17
Hemp is grown legally here my freind. But there is no money in it. Your hemp theory is Just like the great idea to put ethanol in fuel. All of our farmers quit planting oats, wheat, barley etc. and started planting canola Down there it was corn. Food prices sky rocketed and the poor who need low prices the best got hurt the worst. But it makes all those poeple in the burbs feel so much better when they drive there kids to school in those big SUV's Though. Maybe it's he crack you use. Just kidding please don't start yelling at me again.
#18
Kend ~ Hemp is only a solution if embraced internationally on a large scale. Isolated farmers without support are not going to do it. However, if you want to see evidence that Hemp will work you need look no further than the Holy Bible:
Genesis 2:9 And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
Genesis 3:22 ¶And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:
Genesis 3:24 So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.
Revelation 2:7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.
Revelation 22:2 In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
Revelation 22:14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
Hemp is the only herb bearing fruit. Look it up! If you have a problem with that you ultimately have a problem with everything. God bless you, my friend!
#19
Interesting how you bought into this Palin. There is no news at all about this Cold Lake oil spill Here in Alberta. I know Cold Lake very well I used to live there. This like most enviromental things are blowin way out of proportion. Every time I see a lie like this it makes me wonder more and more how much bettter the trillions of dollars that have being spent on green projects could have been spent. Health care for children maybe. New roads, overpasses, bridges, parks, schools, student debt. Less personal tax.
Dont get me wrong i believe in climate change the world has been changing tempatures for 50 million years. But I am finding it harder and harder to believe its my car doing it. Where is the science? We have spent trillions and the CO2 levels have not dropped at all. Let me ask you all. You have 20 bucks and you have to give it to one of two places. A solar panel company or a children's hospital which one do you pick?
#20
Kend ~ You should know much better then to po po anything Palindromedary says. Obviously, you are painfully out of touch.
Here's some more Biblical evidence to support Hemp in favor of oil:
God has given us life. He has created certain herbs and plants for eating and healing. " Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things." (Gen 9:3).
What does this mean?
The hemp plant (scientific name: cannabis, slang: marijuana) is one of the many useful herbs "yielding seed after its kind" created and blessed by God on the third day of creation, "and God saw that it was good." (Genesis 1:12) He gave hemp for people to use with our free will.
God said, "Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed which is upon the face of all the earth.…To you it will be for meat." … And God saw everything that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. (Genesis 1:29-31) The Bible predicts some herb's prohibition. "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times, some shall … speak lies in hypocrisy … commanding to abstain from meats which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. (Paul: 1 Timothy 4:1-3)
The Bible speaks of a special plant. "I will raise up for them a plant of renown, and they shall be no more consumed with hunger in the land, neither bear the shame of the heathen any more." (Ezekiel 34:29) A healing plant. On either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare 12 manner of fruits, and yielding her fruit every month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. (Revelations 22:1-2) A gift from God.
How was cannabis used in Biblical times and lands?
Cannabis was used 12 ways: clothing, paper, cord, sails, fishnet, oil, sealant, incense, food, and in ceremony, relaxation and medicine. For so the Lord said unto me, "I will take my rest and I will consider in my dwelling place like a clear heat upon herbs. For afore harvest, when the bud is perfect and the sour grape is ripening in the flower, he shall cut off the sprigs with pruning hooks and take away and cut down the branches." (Isaiah 18:4-5)
What should the ministry do?
Teach God's truth. Warn your congregation that the war on marijuana is unchristian and must be ended. My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you, that you will be no priest to Me … for I desired mercy and not sacrifice. (Hosea 4:6, 6:6)
What does the Bible say about marijuana? The Bible says that God created hemp for people to use "as meat," (ie, to consume), that its seed oil is to be used as an ointment, and that cannabis is "to be received with thanks-giving of them which believe and know the truth." Paul also warned that some people would "speak lies in hypocrisy" and prohibit us from using it.
It also says that we "shall not bear false witness" about people who use cannabis, nor judge them because that judgement is reserved to the Lord. The Lord hates those who speak lies and sow discord among brethern. For those people harrassed and imprisoned for using cannabis rightfuly, Jesus offers these words of comfort, "Blessed are those persecuted for righteousness's sake: For theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven."
What would Jesus do regarding medical marijuana?
Despite common knowledge and widespread scientific support, the federal government has for nearly 30 years kept cannabis in schedule 1 as a deliberate way to deny patients access to medical marijuana. This includes people suffering from asthma, cancer, migraine headache, chronic pain, spasticity, glaucoma, arthritis, and provides relief for many other conditions. As a result, people at various locations across the USA have had to risk and suffer years in prison for providing medical marijuana to patients as an act of compassion and personal conscience. What would Jesus do? He chose to break the law in order to heal the sick.
"At that time Jesus went on the sabbath day through the corn, and his disciples were hungered, and began to pluck the ears of corn, and to eat. 2) But when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day 3) But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was hungered, and they that were with him? … 10) And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered, And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him. 11) And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it and lift it out? 12) How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days. 13) Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other. 14) Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him. 15) But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from thence, and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all; 16) And charged them that they should not make him known." (Matthew 12: 1-2, 10-16) (also see Mark 3, Luke 13, John 9)
Should people give blind obedience to government?
Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying, 2) Why do thy disciple transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread." 3) But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition? … 7) Ye hypocrites! … 12) Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying? 13) But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. 14) Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind, And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch. (Matthew 15:1-3, 7, 12-14)
Passages from the King James Bible that are relevant
to the legal and moral status of Cannabis sativa, L.
And the earth brought forth grass and herb yielding seed after its kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good. (Genesis 1:12)
God said, "Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree in which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat. And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to everything that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so." And God saw everything that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day. (Gen. 1:29-31)
(No prohibition of cannabis or any other drug is made in the Ten Commandments: See Ex. 20:1-17)
(Cannabis is mentioned in Ex. 30:23 but King James mistranslated it as 'sweet calamus') :
Moreover, the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, 23 Take thou also unto thee principal spices, of pure myrrh five hundred shekels, and of sweet cinnamon half so much, even 250 shekels, and of qaneh-bosm [cannabis] 250 shekels, 24 And of cassia 500 shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary, and of oil olive an hin: 25 And thou shalt make it an oil of holy anointment, an ointment compound after the art of the apothecary: it shall be an holy anointing oil. 26 And thous shalt anoint the tabernacle of the congregation therewith, and the ark of the testimony, 27 And the table and all his vessels, and the candlestick ahd his vessels, and the altar of incense, 28 And the altar of burnt offerings with all his vessels, and the laver and his foot. 29 And thou shalt sanctify them, that they may be most holy: whatsoever toucheth them shall be holy. (Exodus 30:22-29)
* As one shekel equals approximately 16.37 grams, this means that the THC from over 9 pounds of flowering cannabis tops were extracted into a hind, about 6.5 litres of oil. The entheogenic effects of such a solution -- even when applied topically -would undoubtedly have been intense.
He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth; And wine that maketh glad the heart of man and oil to make his face to shineth. (Psalm 104:14-15)
The Lord said unto me, "I will take my rest and I will consider in my dwelling place like a clear heat upon herbs, and like a cloud of dew in the heat of harvest. For afore the harvest, when the bud is perfect and the sour grape is ripening in the flower, he shall cut off the sprigs with pruning hooks and take away and cut down the branches. (Is. 18:4-5)
And I will raise up for them a plant of renown, and they shall be no more consumed with hunger in the land, neither bear the shame of the heathen any more. (Ezekiel 34:29)
(Jesus:) "Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man." (Matt. 15:11)
One believeth that he may eat all things. Another…eateth herbs. … Let us not, therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumbling block or an occasion to fall in his brother's way. I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost. (Epistle of St. Paul: Romans 14: 2,3,13,14,17)
Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times, some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused if it be received with thanksgiving: For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereupon thou hast attained. (Paul: 1 Timothy 4:1-6)
And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielding her fruit every month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. (Rev. 22:1-2)
#21
What the?
#22
Quote Kend:What the?
Kend ~ I'm sorry! I thought you understood English! Got a problem? Let's take it up tomorrow. I have to work tomorrow and this is my USA bed time. I will respond to any serious inquiries then. Good night!
#23
Oh KEND you poor dumb animale! You can ignor the truth all you want...However, you cannot ignor the consequences of reality.
The reality of the ideology you "believe in" and live by, aggressively compromises the enviroment, keeps the basic cost of living inflated well beyond what minimum wage supports, which inturn costs the governement billions of dollars in wellfare, and kills thousands of innocent lives every year on a global level.
I agree with you that much of "the world" is hooked on oil...not just for energy/fuel purposes, but like you point out; most of the products we buy are a patrolium by-products. That being said and true, its time to break the junky! We may never be "petrolium free" but we can sure cut back in areas where decades of tests have proven tried and true alternatives...Solar, Wind, Wave, etc.
The reality regarding Green Energy here in the U.S. is that those invested in Big Oil are the biggest junkies, however their drug of choice is not oil...its $$$$ lots and lots of $$$$! And they, like all junkies, will do whatever it takes to get their fix; including lie, cheat, steal, and even kill! That's the ideology you support KEND! Care to sacrafice your children Kend!?!?The board memebers got the itch and need a fix!
Simmilar to how China and several countries in Europe and I believe even parts of S.America have written policy to encourage the expansion and use of Green Energy Alternatives, and have proven successful; The U.S. government should be focusing on doing the same here. A Pro Green Energy policy will not only make alternative energy like PV for the home more affordable for the average American, it can and will spark a multi billion dolar a year industry that will create several thousands new jobs, and new buisnesses (big and small) within the Green Energy Industry. The U.S. could become competitors in Green Energy on a global scale.
Kend I hope you know that though I am pro Green Energy I am not so sophmoric to think that such alternatives will 100% replace oil...More so it will cut waaaaaaay down on waste that comes from drilling, processing and burning of oil. More so Solar Wind, Wave and Hydro energy will replace coal power and nuclear power...In some countries, those that have been expanding the use of these alternatives for 25 years have already started to do so. Germany originally was aimming to be nuclear free by 2050...Now, since they have aggressively been supportive of Green Energy Policy, they are looking at being nuclear free by 2030...Now that's progress.
Oh and save your rant about how they (Germany) has to buy energy from other countries...That is not because of their Green Energy policy...They have done this all along and as they continue to expand the use of Green Energy Alternatives they will no longer be reliant on other countries for energy.
You are wondering how I know this, right? Well for starters i don't allow the smoke and mirrors that the Big Oil Industry uses to recruit ingnorant boobs and keep consumers hooked on this junk. Secondly, my wife has worked in the Solar Energy Industry for over 20 years, and I have several friends here in the U.S. and abroad that work in Green Energy. Two of the seven use to work in Oil. And lastly my information about Germany comes from my extended familey that has lived in Germany for 58 years, as well I lived in Germany for a few years back in the mid 90's and was witness to the trials and tributes of their Green Energy Policy.
Move over Big oil...Now there's something cleaner...and just as effective...It's Solar, Wind, and Wave!
#24
It is about time that someone stood up for the PEOPLE instead of the corporations. They have no problems taking profits from the PEOPLE and their employees are, indeed, entitled to those rights that should be afforded all human beings. That said, I fear what the supreme 5 of 9 hoods will do to this ruling. This court is an embarrassment to our country and makes a mockery of what they are supposed to do. Scalia, specifically, with his big mouth and egotistical attitudes believes HE is god and is sending down word from on high in accordance with his cult of a religion. Because of his mouth there are many rulings which have been handed down where he should have recused himself because of his already avowed viewpoints. Arrogant idiot.
#25
Every time we discuss oil we need to mention the huge subsidies the govt gives them and I am not talking about the tax breaks. The subsidies we should not forget are the part (10%) of our defense budget that goes into protecting the shipping lanes (not needed for hemp), the high cost for treating the cancers that oil causes and the climate change damages.
#26
Owning a business is not a private, personal thing, that's just where you always fail, Kend. Owmning a business is a very public thing that involves and affects MANY people. In fact, from the angle of the business owner, the more the better. Your transactions - and deals and monetary interactions with and concerning your employees are such - are fulfillments of obligation NOT something conducted by and at your pleasure. To make a fair transaction you might have to fulfill an obligation you don't like. You are, in effect, dictating your employees' religious choices by refusing to pay for abortion.
But I know you, you're just cheap, you don't want to pay for ANYTHING.
#27
Quote Kend:Interesting how you bought into this Palin. There is no news at all about this Cold Lake oil spill Here in Alberta.
Perhaps your local news is trying to keep it under wraps...but here are a number of quotes by news sources including several from Canada:
"Alberta oil spills cause concern over Canada's approval of tar sands project
Spillages creating toxic ponds harming forests, killing wildlife and contaminating ground water.."
-- http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2013/jul/29/alberta-oil-spills-ta...
"For weeks now, bitumen has been oozing to the surface at an oilsands project owned by Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. (TSX:CNQ) on the Cold Lake Air Weapons Range. The leak has so far released almost a million litres of bitumen and has fouled about 20 hectares of land."
-- http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2013/07/30/cnrl-cold-lake-spill-alberta-ene...
Underground oil spills at an Alberta oilsands operation have been going on much longer than previously thought, according to new documents. Files released to the Toronto Star show the spills were discovered nine weeks ago, but new documents show that bitumen has been leaking since the winter.
"Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. operates the Primrose oilsands facility three hours northeast of Edmonton where four ongoing underground oil blowouts have contaminated forest, muskeg, a lake and have already killed dozens animals including beavers, ducks and birds. According to a government scientist who has been to the site, neither government or industry are able to stop the spills."
-- http://o.canada.com/2013/07/25/oil-spill-alberta-underground/
"Oil spills at a major oil sands operation in Alberta have been ongoing for at least six weeks and have cast doubts on the safety of underground extraction methods, according to documents obtained by the Star and a government scientist who has been on site.
Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. has been unable to stop an underground oil blowout that has killed numerous animals and contaminated a lake, forest, and muskeg at its operations in Cold Lake, Alta.
The documents indicate that, since cleanup started in May, some 26,000 barrels of bitumen mixed with surface water have been removed, including more than 4,500 barrels of bitumen.
The scientist said Canadian Natural Resources is not disclosing the scope of spills in four separate sites, which have been off bounds to media and the public because the operations are on the Cold Lake Air Weapons Range, where there is active weapons testing by the Canadian military."
-- http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2013/07/19/nobody_understands_ongoing...
And you must have read the Edmonton Sun newspaper article:
"Edmonton-area wildlife society busy treating oil-covered animals --- Team of wildlife specialists dealing with CNRL spill --- For more than a month, Bitumen has been bubbling to the surface at several CNRL sites in the Cold Lake Area, and so far a cause is still unknown."
By Allison Salz ,Edmonton Sun
First posted: Tuesday, July 30, 2013 "
-- http://www.edmontonsun.com/2013/07/30/edmonton-area-wildlife-society-bus...
#28
DAnneMarc: Wow! very interesting! And here I always thought it was the Magic Mushroom (aka: The Sacred Mushroom) that set everyone to hallucinating in the Levant 2000+ years ago. In fact author John Allegro wrote a book on this topic..
"The Sacred Mushroom and the Cross (subtitled "A Study of the Nature and Origins of Christianity Within the Fertility Cults of the Ancient Near East") is a 1970 book about the linguistics of early Christianity and fertility cults in the Ancient Near East. It was written by John Marco Allegro (1923–1988)." **see notes below
"Pot? Mary Jane? I don't have a lot of experience with either Shrooms (no experience at all) or Marijuana ( many, many years ago...only a few times...that Thai Stick was some potent shit)...in fact, I remember (just barely) hallucinating that golden notes were floating in an out of my body as the loud music blared on. I also hallucinated that someone was loudly banging on my front door as I lay on the living room floor marveling at those floating notes above, and floating through me. I thought (just barely) then that it might have been the cops but I was too wasted to care. They didn't break down my door so, I surmise it wasn't the cops...just ticked off neighbors, perhaps. I can't really say that I saw God because my mind was not predisposed to such an idea..being a lifelong atheist and all. Sawadee krap, and kob kun krap, very much all you Thais out their for producing such a marvelous recreational drug.
Funny, years later, when I traveled in Thailand (a couple of trips) I never even imbibed...even though I had the chance when visiting a Hill Person in his mud hut in the hills outside of Chang Mai. I just watched the Thai guy light up (it wasn't Thai Stick he was sucking on either...something more potent I'd say..I was told it was heroin--I didn't stay long).
**Allegro believed he could prove, through etymology, that the roots of Christianity, as of many other religions, lay in fertility cults, and that cult practices, such as ingesting visionary plants (or "psychedelics") to perceive the mind of God, persisted into the early Christian era, and to some unspecified extent into the 13th century with reoccurrences in the 18th century and mid-20th century, as he interprets the Plaincourault chapel's fresco to be an accurate depiction of the ritual ingestion of Amanita muscaria as the Eucharist. Allegro argued that Jesus never existed and was a mythological creation of early Christians under the influence of psychoactive mushroom extracts such as psilocybin.
-- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sacred_Mushroom_and_the_Cross
#29
Thom needs some "troll be gone " spray to deal with Kend.
#30
Well Kend, aren't you holier than thou. You immediately jumped from CONTRACEPTION to Abortion. There's a difference buddy.
#31
Super insight, Thom!
Amazing how when the rotten core is exposed (as you did with your research into that original hoax of ruling in that California case perpetrated three, or is it five?, generations ago), how the trajectory of the ongoing hoax is easier to see!
Many thanks!
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"Once again, Thom Hartmann hits the bull’s eye with a much needed exposé of the so-called ‘free market.’ Anyone concerned about the future of our nation needs to read Screwed now."
From The Thom Hartmann Reader:
"Thom is a national treasure. Read him, embrace him, learn from him, and follow him as we all work for social change."
In any case, the freedom of practice of religion is limited by the rights of others. A religious group, for example, cannnot claim a right to harm or kill someone, at least non consensually, because it is necessary for a religious ritual or practice.