Posted on 12/12/2004 6:31:17 PM PST by Coleus
Fri Dec 10, 8:09 PM ET
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By MARY PEREA, Associated Press Writer
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - The U.S. Supreme Court (news - web sites) sided Friday with a New Mexico church that wants to use hallucinogenic tea as part of its Christmas services, despite government objections that the tea is illegal and potentially dangerous.
The high court lifted a temporary stay issued last week against using the hoasca tea while it decides whether the Brazil-based O Centro Espirita Beneficiente Uniao do Vegetal is permitted to make it a permanent part of its services.
The legal battle began after federal agents seized 30 gallons of the tea in a 1999 raid on the Santa Fe home of the church's U.S. president, Jeffrey Bronfman.
Bronfman sued the government for the right to use the tea and the church won a preliminary injunction, which was upheld by 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals (news - web sites) in Denver. The Bush administration then took the case to the Supreme Court.
"They're delighted," attorney Nancy Hollander said of the church members she represented. "They're so thrilled that they can celebrate Christmas for the first time since 1998."
Bronfman and attorneys for the government did not immediately return calls seeking comment.
The church, which has about 140 members in the United States and 8,000 worldwide, said the herbal brew is a central sacrament in its religious practice, which is a blend of Christian beliefs and traditions rooted in the Amazon basin.
Hollander said the tea is drunk in a ritual similar to the Catholic Communion. Church members then sit in a circle and meditate; they believe the tea brings them closer to God.
The tea is brewed from plants found in the Amazon River Basin and contains DMT, which officials say is a controlled substance under an international treaty.
However, Bronfman's complaint contends the tea is "non-addictive, is not harmful to human health and poses none of the risks commonly found with the use of certain controlled substances."
The church had drawn parallels to federal protection for members of the Native American Church using peyote, which also has hallucinogenic properties.
OK
So now if I decide to start my own "church" and decide that one of the rituals is smoking dope or shooting crank I would be legal.
If I get busted I complain of religious/racial discrimination.
Right???
Yep, heard that before on FR about 4 zillion times.
Yep, heard that before on FR about 4 zillion times.
If I get busted I complain of religious/racial discrimination.
Right???
Wrong - these people are "grandfathered in" because their established religious use of DMT predates the laws and treaties against it. NO psychotropic drugs (except perhaps, cannabis) were illegal before the '60s.
So What?
I can trace my family tree back to 1703.
So why aint I "grandfathered"
Also if Jesse "Reverunnnd" Jacksooooon can start a church why cant I??
There is more wierd stuff in that burg..........
Can I join? Where do I sign up?
Nothing says Christmas like hallucinogenic tea.
I can make a rum cake that will make you see God!
Just send your generous love offering to the "Grand Poobah snd Reveruund 76834"
If your love offering is large enuf we just might send you a prayer cloth......
LOL
More:
Cash or Money orders preferred.
If check, your prayer cloth will not be sent till the check clears the bank.
That ripping noise in the background is me tearing up old socks and underwear getting them ready to ship.
Copy that!
I make a Christmas "Nog" that will put you down like a horse if you're not careful with it.
It doesn't have any egg in it, so I just didn't feel right calling it "egg nog".
Plus, just "Nog" gives you at least a small warning - it sounds strong, and it is.
Just do Wild Turkey on the rocks.
Without the rocks.....
Funny, I have not had any difficulty celebrating Christmas lately ...
All we Catholics have is red wine.
This "shroom tea" is known as yage, and the Indians of Brazil and Peru have used it for centuries. Here is an article here: http://www.fiu.edu/~mizrachs/yage.html
Why exactly they are allowed to do it here is another matter entirely.
Ayahuasca can also be made with common plants found in the CONUS.
Several plants contain DMT, while others contain Harmine.
The people who use the stuff don't do it just to get high, it's not a party. It really is used for religious purposes and there really is a history going way back.
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