Pubdate: Sat, 21 Mar 2009
Source: Mail Tribune, The (Medford, OR)
Copyright: 2009 The Mail Tribune
Contact:  http://www.mailtribune.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/642
Note: Only prints LTEs from within it's circulation area, 200 word count limit
Author: Chris Conrad
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/spirit.htm (Spiritual or Sacramental)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/hallucinogens.htm (Hallucinogens)

RELIGIOUS FREEDOM WINS OUT

Judge rules Ashland church can use hallucinogenic tea during services

A federal judge Thursday confirmed the right of worshippers to drink 
hallucinogenic tea during services at an Ashland church.

Members of the Church of the Holy Light of the Queen, a 
Brazilian-based church with branches in Ashland and Portland, filed 
the motion to drink Daime tea during services, because they believe 
its hallucinogenic properties allow them a direct connection to Jesus.

Church leader Jonathan Goldman, 58, said U.S. District Court Judge 
Owen Panner's ruling was a boon for religious freedom and liberty in 
the United States.

"Everybody is very happy and relieved," Goldman said.

"It's been a 10-year process and to come to such a beautiful and 
blessed conclusion is a great day for us."

The church took its case to court under the Religious Freedom 
Restoration Act after federal agents in 1999 arrested Goldman for 
possessing the tea leaves.

The Ashland church is a branch of the Santo Daime, a mixture of 
Catholicism and Shamanistic Brazilian beliefs.

The ruling ordered the church to work closely with Drug Enforcement 
Administration agents to ensure the tea, which contains the 
hallucinogenic drug dimethyltryptamine (DMT), does not fall into the 
wrong hands when it is imported from Brazil.

"We are looking forward to reaching a reasonable accommodation with 
the government," Goldman said.

Among other provisions, Panner ordered the church to provide the DEA 
with the names and Social Security numbers of members who routinely 
handle the tea outside of ceremonies. The church does not have to 
identify any other worshippers, according to court documents.

The DEA has the right to inspect the tea supply, but cannot do so 
during the church's religious ceremonies. In addition, the tea will 
be kept in a padlocked refrigerator.

The church is responsible for keeping records detailing how much of 
the tea is dispensed during services. Current and new members will be 
asked if they have a history of psychosis that may be susceptible to 
the effects of DMT. The church is asked to encourage members to seek 
the advice of a doctor before ingesting the tea.

Calls to the U.S. Department of Justice seeking comment Friday were 
not immediately returned.

Goldman said church members in Brazil and Europe have contacted the 
Ashland congregation to praise Panner's decision.

"The government's case was based purely on speculation, and 
speculation does not have much weight," Goldman said. "We were just 
ourselves in court and made the point that Daime tea has not done any harm."

Goldman said prospective members were hesitant to join the church in 
the past for fear that they were breaking the law when drinking the 
disputed tea.

"We do not push our beliefs in anyone's face and do not use anything 
to entice new members to join," Goldman said. "People come to us on 
their own and now they can feel safer because we have come under the light."

About 80 people practice the religion in Oregon, Goldman said.

Court documents state the preparation of the tea is a labor-intensive 
process undertaken by several members. Its creation coincides with 
prayer and the singing of hymns.

"We are grateful we have taken our place in the circle of religious 
dialogue in this country," Goldman said. "I believe in divine 
justice, but it is good to know earthly justice is still possible."
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom