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Many Religion s have beliefs about drug use; these vary greatly, with some traditions placing the ritual use of Entheogen s at the center of religious activity, while others prohibit drug use altogether. CHRISTIANITY Most Christian denominations disapprove of the use of most drugs, although many would exclude moderate use of drugs socially and legally acceptable in modern Western society, such as Alcohol , Nicotine and Caffeine . Some Christian groups (e.g. Mormons , Seventh-day Adventists , Jehovah's Witnesses ) discourage or prohibit the use of even these substances as well. Due to the fact that Jesus and many Biblical figures drank wine, most Christians do not believe it possible to prohibit the moderate consumption of wine. Indeed, among those Christians which believe in some form of Real Presence (e.g. Catholics, Orthodox), they believe that wine in the Eucharist becomes the very blood of Christ. ISLAM Islam prohibits the consumption of Alcohol and by extension other drugs of similar or greater strength. However, in general consumption of tea, coffee and tobacco is acceptable for Muslims, although some more severe Muslims prohibit these substances as well. In some parts of the Islamic world were it is traditionally consumed, Khat is also acceptable. In some Islamic countries, alcohol is prohibited and sometimes possession, manufacture or trade is punished with severe penalties (e.g. corporal or capital punishment). From the Islamic point of view, the most important aspect determining the illicitness of recreational drugs is the potential for intoxification. Drugs with the potential to lead to intoxification or other significantly altered states of consciousness (such as alcohol, marijuana, Opium and its derivatives, Cocaine , Psychedelics and so on) are prohibited. However, drugs such as caffeine or nicotine have only mild effects on the mind and do not lead to intoxification or altered states of consciousness, so they are not prohibited to Muslims. It does not matter from the Muslim point of view whether enough of the drug is consumed for intoxification; if the drug will lead to intoxification if enough is taken, then it is prohibited to take any of it (except for a valid medical purpose), even if the amount taken is not sufficient for an intoxicating effect. JUDAISM Due to the importance of wine in some Jewish religious rituals (e.g. the Passover Seder ), Jews do not believe it can be prohibited. But, it is wrong to consume it to excess. BUDDHISM Buddhism teaches that alcohol and other drug use is to be avoided, as it disturbs in the quest for right mindfulness and control over desires that leads to Nirvana . Instead, drug use leads to addiction and an increase in suffering through desire. INDIGENOUS RELIGIONS Many indigenous and shamanistic religions of the Americas, Asia and other continents use Entheogenic Drugs to make contact with the divine as part of their religious rituals. Most commonly, these are used in Shamanistic practice in healing rituals. RASTAFARI MOVEMENT Many Rasta farians believe Marijuana , which they call "ganja" or "the herb", is a sacred gift of Jah and may be used for spiritual purposes, to commune with God, but should not be used profanely. HINDUISM Much of Hindu belief and practice grew out of the use of Soma , a god, plant, and drink which is the focus of the Rigveda . The continued entheogenic use of drugs such as Cannabis is not uncommon among various Hindu sects. ANCIENT GREECE Many Ancient Greek Mystery Religion s are hypothesized to have centered around the use of entheogens, such as the Kykeon central to the Eleusinian Mysteries . |
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