Pubdate: Fri, 27 May 2005
Source: High Point Enterprise (NC)
Copyright: 2005 High Point Enterprise
Contact:  http://www.hpe.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/576
Author: Randy Vizyak
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v05/n806/a04.html?67388

WAR ON DRUGS MOVES US CLOSER TO BEING A POLICE STATE

Let's talk about beer the way letter writer Bill Moore talks about 
marijuana (You Can't Justify Marijuana Use By Quoting the Bible, May 19).

"Beer contains alcohol which is a dangerous mind-altering substance. It 
causes dizziness and vomiting. Beer damages the liver and is a cause of 
domestic violence. Teens who become addicted to beer suffer emotional 
problems, and today's beer is 10 times more potent than it was 20 years ago."

Common sense dictates that some of this information is false, and that the 
line is blurred between use and abuse as well as between adults and 
children. And yet this is the fallacy used by prohibitionists when they 
talk about marijuana.

Mr. Moore said "the Bible condemns intoxication." How then does he explain 
Psalm 104:15, "Wine makes glad the heart of man?"

The word "strong drink" (shekar in Hebrew) in Deuteronomy 14:26 likely 
refers to wine containing other psychoactive plants, such as cannabis, and 
was used as an offering in the ancient Jerusalem temple.

The Bible teaches "moderation" and condemns both excess and prohibition. 
This is best summarized in Sirach 31:27-31 of the Apocrypha.

But since we live in a religiously diverse nation we should ask, "What are 
the limits of state power?" The government's war on drugs is dangerous 
because it's moving us closer to a police state.

RANDY VIZYAK

Mukwonago, WI
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom