Sad news - ayahuasca forbidden in France

**Rev. Rodger L. Poole** · Posted: Wed May 18, 2005 7:37 pm Post subject:

Sometimes, I just have trouble understanding how people can see things so differently on the same subject...

It seems like people say they support religious freedom, but they dont. Not if it doesnt directly affect them. This country was founded on religious freedom, but it is now hypocrisy. As long as you are a religion that they understand and approve of, you may be free...If they dont like your religion, well......you know what happens. smash

Thats not true freedom.

I think people of all Shamanic faiths should join together, and demand that they and their religion be respected. I want to start the "Shamanic Movement", a time when people understand what they are and stand up for it. Shamanism has only been discriminated against for the past 100 yrs. or so, to any great degree. Its time we were all treated equally, if true equality is to exist. What I believe, and the way I choose to express my own spirituality is no one else's business, so long as Im in private and not hurting anyone. There is an intrinsic responsibility to being a shaman in any form, or of any level of accomplishment or experience. I feel that we must always keep in mind that we are dealing with mind-altering substances, and if we choose to use them, lets all please do it in the safest, and most responsible manner possible. Ok, lecture over.

If we are recognized as being a legitimate religion (and Shamanism is), then we must be accepted, according to law. We need to think bigger than the church we belong to, and start asking for the religion we belong to, to be respected. Ayahuasca, Cannabis....its all Shamanism. We need to stand together. Great post!
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Stop being a slave to Cannabis, and do something with your life! How much is smoking weed going to cost you before you will WAKE UP?

Put down the bong

and pick up a book every once in a while for Pete's sake.

"Compassion to those that deserve it, and Justice for all others."

Rishi · Cannabis Sacrament Minister Joined: 19 Mar 2004 Posts: 142

Excellent post and thoughts on this matter, Brother Roger. I appreciate what you've done here in crystallizing the central issue here for ALL spiritual users of banned substances. The freedom of religion being observed under the umbrella of shamanism is a compelling idea, and I'm in alignment with it.

What also strikes me as bizarre and completely unjust about this issue of banned substances, is that we live in a world society that embraces all manner of drugs for every conveivable occasion. I'm not just talking about preseciption and over the counter pharmaceuticals of course, (such as everything from sex enhancers to in-school zombie-makers like Ritalin for kids), I'm talking about alcohol and cigarettes.

It's common knowledge that alcohol is one of the most harmful substances known for the user, but it is universally legal never the less. Cigarettes laced with addictive chemicals are proven to be the same. There's not enough talk about the hypocrisy of this! Obviously the so-called "drug war" is not about the "safety" of the public when these very harmful and proven-deadly substances are legal and widely available. This "war" is also obviously not about the social consequence of drug use, when alcohol, once again, is well known for it's ill effects in domestic violence/drunk driving/loss of control of all kinds.

The issue of the drug war is not about making drugs illegal, because drugs are literally EVERYWHERE in society. To be honest would be to say this is a war on SOME drugs, and furthermore, only those which have a chance of transforming the users' consciousness. By "transform" I mean upgrade, make more clear, more aware, and help bestow more personal power. In other words, the war on drugs is about a war on higher states of consciousness...it's a cultural war waged against those who would be MORE than just dull consumers and military cannon fodder.

The multi-national, corporate powers that be, (who now own the governments of the world) know that these substances have the potential to change a persons' world view. THAT's what this is all about, because people with changed world views are NOT predictable BUYERS in their consumer marketplace. Anything which generates greater enlightenment or difference in viewpoint is viewed as a threat to the corporate quarterly earnings report.

I think that ANY discussion of the war on drugs should be framed as it really is...a war on alternate states of consciousness, and what higher consciousness would imply to a world marketplace fueled and sustained by ignorance, apathy and lack of personal power. Entheogens render the absurdity of the mass media very apparent, and at over a million dollars a minute for TV advertising, these corporations and governments feel very threatened by them.

Consumerism hangs on the thin thread of brainwashed dupes, who think that life is about the products found on WalMart shelves. This whole society in fact, depends heavily on the unquestioning, sheep-like state of the public. Therefore, getting "high" is heavily feared, just as truth is feared. Truth is, consumerism can't afford higher consciousness, because if everyone were to embrace the HIGH, they wouldn't BUY.
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The World Mind Society http://www.eoni.com/~visionquest

**Rev. Rodger L. Poole** · Posted: Mon May 23, 2005 3:33 am Post subject:

**Fyrefly1** · Posted: Mon May 23, 2005 9:33 am Post subject:

wizmical · Posted: Thu Jun 09, 2005 2:46 pm Post subject: post-consumerism

What if there were no electricity to power our CD players, and no gas to power our cars?

We'd be back to tending our gardens, preparing our meals, telling our stories, looking within instead of without for meaning . . .

Gimme somea that old time religion - it could happen!

Rev. Steve · Cannabis Sacrament Minister Joined: 17 Nov 2003 Posts: 200