http://pewforum.org/docs/?DocID=124

Where do you stand on the use of hallucinogenic drugs in Religious Worship?

__________________
InterfaithForums.com-Where your ideas and beliefs count.

You KNEW that I'd have an opinion on this, didn't you?

Several American Indian tribes use substances in religious rituals, for instance, Peyote. Personally, I do not. However I don't have anything against them using those substances for their rituals. Those rituals were performed in that way hundreds of years before America was "discovered". I think it is important, though, to somehow determine if those uses are legitimate. For instance, what is to prevent an indian of another tribe from going to Arizona just so they can get high on Peyote? Currently, the answer to that is the indian tribe in question...those who really do use those things for religious purposes. It might also be remembered that in cases where it is legit, there is a LOT more preparation besides just using the Peyote or whatever. Very often, there is fasting and preparations that will push a body to the limit. Then too, consider why those substances are illegal. Primarily, it is because (1) they are dangerous, and (2) because users often resort to crime to support their habits. In the case of the indians, they have been using the substances on occasion, for so long that they know how to use them. (I've yet to hear of a NA Shaman using any of those substances and dying from it.) And in regard to the crime, part of the rituals usually have to do with procuring the substance and preparing it, meaning that it isn't "bought", nor for that matter is it used routinely enough to be a habit. So there isn't anything at all to "support", by crime.

From a practical vs ideological standpoint: In a society where we strive for equality, how can we allow Peyote for native Americans and not allow a new progressive denomination of say; "meth" odists.

Simular to medical marijuana laws which in San Fran has spawned many "pot clubs" with bogus doctors and patients.

Again, it depends on circumstances. American Indians have been using Peyote in religious ceremonies for many hundreds of years...long before any settlers had even heard of the plant. And I doubt that many people, including addicts, would go through all the rigors that go along with the use. It really isn't that difficult to tell the difference between those who are using it for legit purposes and those who are trying to "use" the system. There will always be people that try to abuse the system, but they are usually the ones that end up getting the short end, sooner or later, then they wonder why (or try blaming it on someone else.)

Incidentally, it might be interesting to some that one of the most widely used plants in American Indian religious ceremonies has been (and in places, still is) tobacco. In this particular case, when I say American Indian, I mean those from tribes in both North and South America.

When we leagalize it, it becomes "the system". And yes, it's not "difficult to tell", but it is difficult to stop.

I find it interesting and ironic that the native Americans introduced the Europeans to tobbaco and the Europeans introduced the native Americans to alcohol. And both have suffered dearly for it ever since.

I don't think that it is the right nor the responsibility for the government, any government, to tell religions how they should or should not worship, and what forms of worship are okay and which aren't. That also goes directly against the separation of church and state. When any government starts exerting so much control that valid religions are not able worship according to their beliefs without the sufferage and permission of the government, then the government becomes the head of that religion, regardless of what it might be. It was exactly for that reason that the colonists first came to America to begin with...to escape religions intollerance and persecution imposed by a government.

With no limits? No caveats? Even that Jonestown koolaid thing should be outside government intervention?

We are talking about legitimate religions. The government has no business deciding how people can and cannot legitimately worship. When they do, they become the head of the religions, as was done in the past and usually led to revolution by the ones who were being oppressed.