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scripttorture · 5 years

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Sleep Deprivation

It’s really past time we talked about sleep deprivation. It’s a mainstay of modern torture and it’s been used for hundreds of years.

It’s also one of the clean (non-scarring) tortures that’s most regularly dismissed. The damage it causes is downplayed. And we often don’t even recognise it when it’s shown in fiction.

Sleep is a physiological need, like eating, drinking and breathing. Deprived of it we start to become ill and eventually die.

I’m breaking this down into sections, we’ll start with ‘normal’ sleep, talk about what sleep deprivation does to physical and mental health and then talk about how torturers deprive victims of sleep.

I’ll finish up by talking about how the long term symptoms of torture can impact sleep.

How much sleep is enough and what is normal sleep?

There is some variation in sleep patterns between individuals but if you let someone sleep for as long as they like most people sleep for around 7-9 hours a night. When we’re ill we tend to sleep more.

If you plot life expectancy against average hours of sleep a night you get a sort of U shaped graph. People who routinely sleep less then 7-9 hours a night have shorter lives and so do people who sleep more.

But there’s no evidence that sleeping too much actually causes poor health. People who sleep more on average may have underlying health conditions that shorten their lives.

And we have a lot of evidence that sleeping less causes poor health.

Sleep is divided into two types, REM and NREM sleep. That stands for Rapid Eye Movement sleep and Non Rapid Eye Movement sleep. Most people know REM sleep as dreaming sleep. Both are essential for human health.

All animals that have been tested sleep but only birds and mammals have been shown to dream. There’s also considerable variation in how long different species need to sleep for, most animals seem to need more than humans.

We sleep in cycles, chunks of time roughly an hour and a half long when we go through different stages of sleep. The initial cycles focus heavily on NREM sleep and as the night goes on we have more REM sleep, but every cycle contains a little of both.

The time of day we’re most likely to naturally fall asleep and naturally wake up varies with age in a non-linear fashion. Young children wake up early and tire early. Teenagers famously stay up late and sleep in late. The elderly wake up incredibly early and sleep incredibly early. This variation, along with individual variation, is thought to serve a protective function: humans are pack animals and varied sleep patterns within a group ensure that someone is awake most of the time in case of emergency.

It’s perfectly healthy for the time we want to go to sleep to vary, but the amount we need to sleep is more or less consistent after infancy.

Drugs, including caffeine, may effect our ability to fall asleep or our perception of how sleepy we are but they do not fulfil our need for sleep.

Keep in mind that even a character who is voluntarily depriving themselves of sleep will feel the effects. Repeated experiments have shown that we can be consciously aware we’re sleep deprived and aware of the effects of sleep deprivation but can not compensate for them.

Your character can’t get around the effects of sleep deprivation by willpower any more then a drunk can get around the effects of alcohol. Stimulants might keep them awake and raise their reaction time but they don’t effect other symptoms and may make some symptoms worse.

We need sleep after roughly sixteen hours of being awake. After that point our ability to function well starts to drop.

Effects of sleep deprivation

We’re still in the process of pinning down all the effects of sleep deprivation. Some of these effects are things we know happen but we don’t know why.

The more sleep deprived a character is the more symptoms they’d have, both physical and mental. Some of these symptoms are apparent after just one night of poor sleep (for the purposes of this post five hours sleep the previous night). I’m going to mark these early symptoms with an asterix (*) so you can easily recognise them.

Keep in mind that these effects are cumulative.

A character who gets into a pattern of not sleeping enough will get worse rather then staying at a steady level. The longer the character isn’t sleeping the more symptoms they should develop.

Physical symptoms

Shakes

Headaches*

Muscular pain

Increased blood pressure*

Reduced alertness*

Lower immune response leading to:

Increased infections

Longer recovery times

Longer reaction times*

Worse reflexes*

Lower natural testosterone levels and lower sperm counts

Abnormal menstrual cycles and lower fertility levels

Hunger*

Poor coordination*

Increased chance of accidents*

Subtle changes to physical appearance that cause a character to appear unhealthy*

Microsleeps (short periods of unconsciousness)

Psychological symptoms

Agitation

Reduced ability to interpret other people’s emotions*

Increased feelings of distrust towards other people*

Paranoia

Hallucinations

Increased chance of substance abuse

Confusion*

Memory loss*

Impaired ability to learn*

Increased risk of developing false memories

Suicidal thoughts and urges

Delirium

Markedly reduced concentration*

Consistently underestimating their level of impairment*

Impaired ability to think logically*

Increase in depressive and anxious symptoms, possibly inducing depression and anxiety

Reduced creativity*

Reduced problem solving ability*

Reduced ability to plan*

Increased risk of violent behaviour

Symptoms similar to psychosis in the long term

Long term effects

These aren’t symptoms exactly, these are a list of conditions people who are chronically sleep deprived are more likely to get. They develop several years later, usually in the 40-50s at the earliest.

Any amount of sleep deprivation is thought to increase the chances of these conditions but the longer and more consistently a character is sleep deprived the more likely they are.

Diabetes

Cancer (various kinds)

Heart failure (and coronary heart disease)

Strokes

Dementia, especially Alzheimer’s

Higher miscarriage rates

Vaccines may be less effective if the person was sleep deprived before the vaccine was administered because the immune response is suppressed. Research on this isn’t quite as thorough yet and it isn’t clear if the smaller immune response actually equates to less immunity against the real disease.

Sleep deprivation is also thought to increase weight gain. It makes people feel hungrier and crave unhealthy foods. While not nearly as serious as the other effects here it is a noted long term effect and as such I felt it needed to be included. Especially since there is a correlation between higher weight and sleep disorders.

How torturers deprive people of sleep.

Sleep deprivation is sometimes portrayed as a ‘modern’ innovation. This is untrue. Scottish witch trials used it heavily in attempts to force confessions and the Spanish Inquisition explicitly forbid its use (they thought the delirium and hallucinations would prevent victims from truly confessing and repenting their sins).

Not all of these methods would result in total sleep deprivation (ie absolutely no sleep in 24 hours). Some of them would lead to less sleep, poor sleep or disrupted sleep. This is still profoundly harmful.

Some of these methods could fit easily with a historical setting. Some wouldn’t. Some would work better in a pseudo-interrogation or forced confession scenario. If you’re planning on using sleep deprivation in your story pick a method that you feel fits your plot and setting best.

And if you’re not planning on using sleep deprivation but you see something you have used on this list take a moment to think about what you might be implying.

Poor cell conditions including:

-Constant light

-Constant noise

-Insufficient room to sleep

-Wet cells

-Extreme temperatures in cells

-Lack of beds and bedding

Stress positions such as forced standing. These are generally used for between 24-48 hours continuously meaning they’re automatically combined with sleep deprivation.

Constant use of restraints, especially if the restraints stop the character from fully extending their limbs or fully lowering their limbs.

Forced exercise such as forced walking (this was used in Scottish witch trials).

Forced labour for prolonged periods.

Guards disturbing the sleep of prisoners. For example shaking people awake every few minutes.

Prolonged interrogation without rest such as relay interrogation. Relay interrogation involves switching interrogators regularly so that prisoners can be kept in interrogation for over 24 hours at a time.

Starvation, hunger reduces our ability to sleep well and get as much sleep as we need. When combined with poor cell conditions poor sleep becomes inevitable.

Denying medical treatment to injured characters.

Poor sleep in survivors

Most of the long term symptoms of torture have the potential to disrupt sleep.

Depression, anxiety, hypervigilance and suicidal thoughts can all prevent survivors getting to sleep and disrupt sleep.

PTSD often involves intense nightmares which can both disturb sleep and make a survivor dread falling asleep. The majority of PTSD sufferers have difficulty sleeping.

Chronic pain can prevent sleep and many of the drugs commonly used to treat it can also lead to disturbed sleep. Like commonly abused addictive drugs pain medication can lead to poor quality sleep.

This doesn’t necessarily mean every survivor will have trouble sleep or be sleep deprived. While a lot of people with mental health problems have poorer sleep not everyone does. Medication for depression and anxiety can sometimes help people sleep and this in turn can reduce the intensity of symptoms.

Think about the combination of symptoms you’ve chosen for your character and consider whether they could lead to long term sleep loss.

Our need for sleep isn’t something we can debate, bribe or drug away. It’s a fundamental part of our biology.

Losing sleep is serious, being actively deprived of it is abusive. Be aware of what your story is doing and be prepared to show the consequences.

Sources

Why Torture doesn’t work: The Neuroscience of Interrogation by S O’Mara, Harvard University Press, 2015

Why We Sleep by M Walker, Penguin, 2017 - This book contains references to a lot of sleep research papers and is a very good introduction to the subject. Walker and Jagust conducted research together on the link between lack of sleep and Alzheimer’s. He also recommends D Dinges’ (University of Pennsylvania) body of work on sleep and concentration, response time and car accidents.

The Mystery of Sleep by M Kryger, Yale University Press, 2017

Available on Wordpress.

Disclaimer

#tw torture #sleep deprivation #sleep #mental health #insomnia #masterpost #effects of sleep deprivation

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constellunette · 5 years

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what I'd say if we ever had that damn intervention

I know "you need to fix your sleep schedule uwu" is a haha funni joke at this point but I'm dead fucking serious. you are not getting enough sleep to be functional. it's probably / definitely negatively impacting your mood. popping caffeine pills doesnt solve the problem and does, in fact, create a whole host of more problems. you actually need to put some effort into this and have some fucking self discipline. yes, it will be hard. many things in life are. do it anyway.

stop fucking procrastinating! I know you "get it done eventually" but this whole thing where you leave everything for the last minute then pull an all nighter and do it shitty is not sustainable and, big shocker, is also definently wrecking your mental health! there is no reason to put yourself under that kind of stress, not to mention we're at a point where shitty grades have concrete consequences to the tune of of losing thousands in scholarships. if you need help, let us help you learn how to budget your time, but stop fucking doing this shit.

stop getting fucked up every five days. you've fucking said you dint even enjoy the parties, you just enjoy being drunked, and that's fucked! that's fucked! like did you legit internalize nothing from the fucking near death experience two weeks ago? I know I'm biased and theres theoretically nothing wrong with some good natured intoxication, but a) you're not fucking legal and b) its screwing you over in your day to day life. when you're missing classes to puke on the floor and "leftover high" for the entire next day, that's not healthy or appropriate. that's substance abuse. which is not something you need right now

stay the fuck away from all these sleazy ass boys! you admit you're not ready for a relationship rn and I agree but I think you're kidding yourself with this "casual no strings" shit. I dont really think you're emotionally ready for that atm, but even if you were, these fuckers arent. I dont know why your type is greasy man children, but these bastards are, again, the last things you need right now. just leave them the fuck alone and get your own shit together first.

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redradfem · 5 years

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tw eating disorder, drug mentions, suicide mention

i want to sleep so bad but holy fuck my stomach. feels painfully empty. my face is tingling. my body is completely out of energy. i dont know if i even want to try to crawl upstairs to my bed or if i should just sleep on the couch. i havent felt this shit in a while and the memories just kinda rush in. it already feels familiar. nothin good is lying ahead but knowing that on an intellectual level vs. my brain actually comprehending it and giving me a desire to eat or live are two very different things. im terrified to go to work [unloading trucks] on monday, what if i fuckin pass out? or some heavy boxes fall and i dont respond fast enough? i already got hit in the face on friday lol it was not pleasant. and beyond that, how long can i keep functioning at my job if i barely have the strength to walk around, let alone pick up heavy shit for 3-4hrs? my adhd med (stimulant) and caffeine will only keep me going for so long. i owe my parents $2000 because my dumb ass rear ended someone a while ago. how the fuck will i pay that back if i cant hold my job. how will i explain it to my parents when i just dont have... the fucking energy to work.

im quite literally terrified by food right now. its such a dumb, irrational fear, and again, i know this on an intellectual level but my stupid ass brain is like “nah fam lets ramp up that anxiety and make u feel guilty about eating a slice of toast LOL have fun loser”. where will it end this time? will i relapse on substances too, because when im restricting sometimes theyre the only thing that will keep me functional and feeling sane? am i gonna have to go to fucking rehab again? or will my parents, or psychiatrist, finally fucking notice my disordered behaviors and make me go to ED treatment? the thought is horrifying on multiple levels first off because im an ethical vegan and i dont know of ANY treatment facilities in the USA that provide veg options, because morons think that an eating disordered person being an ethical vegan has anything to do with their disorder (spoiler alert, it doesnt, i was recovering and gaining weight when i first went veg, and i did it for the exploited animals and workers in the animal ag industry), like its some fucking excuse for me to turn down food? and aside from potentially being forced to consume the flesh and secretions of tortured animals, the whole loss of control when in treatment is so fucking scary. i dont know if ill be able to avoid it if i continue like this for any extended periodd of time. im just fuckin rambling but christ im scared. why cant i just have a normal ass brain, is that too much to fucking ask.

this is only the beginning of this relapse and already these old anxieties are occupying every nook and cranny of my mind. i cant focus on shit at all. its so god damn distracting. between the worrying about what im putting in my body and the worrying about people finding out theres just no room for other shit. why cant i be one of those perfectionists that doesnt let shit like this get in the way of working towards my goals. im a lazy piece of shit and i am painfully aware of it yet unmotivated to change because my priorities are SO out of order its insane. all i can think about right now is the scale in the bathroom and what itll say tonight, and tomorrow morning, and the day after.. the measuring tape in the sewing kit in the basement that i know i will be using to obsessively monitor changes in size.. these stupid instruments rule my life now. its awful. i just want to not care. but at the same time, not caring is so scary, because not caring = letting myself go = gaining. fuck.

and yet at the same time im getting this sick pleasure from knowing that im killing myself. im borderline suicidal and honestly dropping dead in the middle of the night sounds fantastic. i feel like im accomplishing something by losing weight, even though thats completely ridiculous. im already fucking underweight. but i just think of how i used to look when i was at my worst and wanting to be there again. i know its hell, but that sweet sweet hunger high makes it feel worth it, sometimes. what the fuck is wrong with me. i thought this shit was over. i thought i was fine.

#delete later #personal

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samanthasroberts · 7 years

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Marijuana to the Glory of God

How are we to think about recreational cannabis use in the church?

By Jeff Lacine

I used to smoke marijuana every day.

Sixteen years ago, when I was in my late teens, cannabis was a big part of my life. Today it continues to confront me as a pastor in a city where recreational marijuana is legally celebrated. Our church office is directly across the street from a dispensary where I can legally buy a pre-rolled joint for seven dollars.

How are we to think about recreational cannabis use in the church? A growing number of Christians today believe that it is biblically permissible to use cannabis recreationally. Are they right?

Cannabis Versus Alcohol

Quick, pat answers to the question of recreational cannabis use are often unhelpful. Responses without nuance will not best serve the church in the long run. To say that alcohol is permissible and cannabis is not, because Christians drink beer and wine for the taste but people only smoke pot to get stoned, just wont do. Such a simplification distorts the truth.

For one, Christians dont drink beer and wine only for the taste. Even moderate drinking, which is biblically permissible, has lubricating psychoactive effects. From a biblical perspective, this lubricating effect can be acceptable. While drunkenness is clearly prohibited (Ephesians 5:18; Romans 13:13; Galatians 5:1921; 1 Peter 4:3), God has given wine to gladden the heart of man (Psalm 104:1415).

However, evangelical churches sometimes have prohibited the use of alcoholamong members because the Bible forbids drunkenness. This is a mistake. The Bible warns us against such extra-biblical prohibitions (1 Timothy 4:3; Colossians 2:1623). Scripture permits the moderate use of alcohol, when it can be enjoyed in faith, even though it has psychoactive effects.

Does God, then, also permit the recreational use of cannabis? Should we treat cannabis like alcohol in the church? Is it okay to light up around the campfire just like it may be to enjoy wine at a wedding?

Similarities and Dissimilarities

Lets examine this commonly used comparison between alcohol and cannabis. The following are ways that cannabis and alcohol are similar and dissimilar.

Ways that cannabis is like alcohol:

Cannabis, like alcohol, is an organic substance.

Cannabis, like alcohol, has the potential to intoxicate and distort reality.

Cannabis, like alcohol, has different effects on someone who uses it regularly than someone who uses it occasionally. (In other words, tolerances can be built up with regular marijuana use similar to the way tolerances can be built up with regular alcohol use.)

Cannabis, like alcohol, can be habit-forming (see 1 Timothy 3:8).

Ways that cannabis is unlike alcohol:

Unlike alcohol, you cant blackout or die from an overdose of cannabis.

Unlike alcohol, there are many different strains of cannabis. The same amount of cannabis smoked or ingested from two different cannabis plants can have different effects on an individualeven if both plants have the same exact amount of THC (the primary psychoactive chemical in cannabis).

Unlike alcohol, marijuana has many different effects on an individual due to its complex chemical makeup. There are at least 113 different chemical compounds (cannabinoids) inside the cannabis plant that combine to cause a variety of effects on an individual when smoked or ingested.

Unlike alcohol, cannabis has not been a staple in cultures all around the world for use in celebrations and ceremonies (like John 2:9).

Unlike alcohol, regular cannabis use is strongly correlated with mental health disorders such as schizoaffective disorder. While heavy drinking (alcohol abuse) has also been linked to mental health disorders, moderate drinking has not.

Unlike alcohol, cannabis has been a cultural symbol of rebellion for a large part of the last century.

Unlike alcohol, cannabis was not used by Jesus in his Last Supper, which is to be regularly commemorated by the church (Mark 14:2325).

And perhaps most importantly, unlike alcohol, cannabis is not directly addressed in the Bible.

It is unhelpful to make direct correlations between cannabis and alcohol, as if all the Bibles teaching on alcohol applies to cannabis. Not only are cannabis and alcohol vastly different chemical compounds, with vastly different effects, but the Bible gives us clear and direct permission for the moderate use of alcohol while never directly referencing other psychoactive compounds such as marijuana.

The Big Picture

Even though cannabis is never directly mentioned in Scripture, we do have God-revealed principles to guide and direct our thinking about its recreational use. We often get help on specific questions when we keep our eyes on the big picture. What is the endgame for the Christian life? What should we be aiming at in all things?

As Christians, our goal is knowing and experiencing the full and undistorted reality of the glory of God in our resurrected physical bodies (1 Corinthians 15:1249; Philippians 3:2021; 1 Corinthians 13:12). This is our trajectory as Christians. This is our aim.

God is glorious beyond measure, and Christians seek to experience the reality of his glory, for the sake of his glory. Sin has distorted our vision and corrupted our world. Ever since sin first entered the world, all of us have been born spiritually dead, unable to discern the true glory of God (Ephesians 2:15; Colossians 2:13; 2 Corinthians 4:4). When we experience the redemptive work of Christ through the Holy Spirit, we are awakened to the reality and beauty of God (2 Corinthians 4:6). But until we see him face to face, we still see his glory as through a glass dimly (1 Corinthians 13:12). As redeemed believers, we are on a journey to knowing him without obstruction. Therefore, we do not want to distort reality; rather, we aim to know him as he really is. We want to see things as they really are.

The Christian use of any kind of psychoactive substance should always align with this gospel goal of looking to see things clearer. We do not want our vision of reality distorted.

Christian Cup of Coffee?

Consider this principle in terms of a psychoactive substance most American adults use every day: caffeine. Why do people drink coffee in the morning? To help them to see things as they really are, rather than through the fog of grogginess. The right and proper use of this God-given substance helps us see things as they really are.

But how does this principle apply to alcohol? At times moderate lubrication in Godward celebrations can be in keeping with the reality. People dont drink wine at funerals, which are a reminder of the curse and consequences of sin. If someone drank wine at a funeral, I would wonder whether they have an unhealthy relationship with alcohol.

But people do drink wine at weddings, in which we celebrate the profound parable being played out before our eyes: the great Bridegroom is coming for his bride, the church (Revelation 19:7)! And wine (explicitly) will have a God-given role at the final consummating celebration (Mark 14:2325). In this way, the proper and moderate use of alcohol can be a clarifier, not a distorter. It points us to the joy, fellowship and celebration of the great coming feast.

What About Weed?

Is there a proper and moderate use of marijuana that can actually serve to clarify and point to biblical realities like alcohol may in certain circumstances? Or does the recreational use of marijuana always distort?

I believe, both from research and experience, that recreational cannabis distorts reality and numbs people to the ability to experience life as it truly is. Even a relatively small amount of THC puts the infrequent user into a fog. A larger amount can potentially cause paranoia.

What about more regular, high-functioning users who have built up a tolerance and experience a less intense high when they smoke or ingest cannabis? While cannabis wont induce hallucinations or the same intense high for frequent users, we have other troubling factors to consider with persistent use.

There is a reason that marijuana has long been associated with the couch, a bag of chips and a television remote. Put another way, marijuana has never been associated with engaged parenting. Regular marijuana use causes disengagement, dulling individuals into a long-term, slow and subtle numbness. If you ask almost anyone who has formerly used cannabis on a regular basis, he will speak about this phenomena. To confirm this testimony, studies have shown a high correlation between regular cannabis use and the clinical diagnosis of Amotivational Syndrome.

It doesnt surprise me when a regular marijuana user tries to refute the reality of cannabiss reality-numbing effect. When you are in the numbing cloud of regular cannabis use, it is hard to realize that you are in such a cloudeven when it is obvious to close friends and family. Cannabis may distort reality in a more subtle way for the regular user than for the occasional user, but the subtlety of it makes the negative effects all the more insidious and deep.

Counsel and Hope

Though the Bible does not forbid the use of every substance that affects the mind, the recreational use of cannabis seems to violate the Christian value of sobriety (1 Thessalonians 5:68; Titus 2:2, 6; 1 Peter 4:7). As our culture celebrates the casual use of cannabis today, and does so increasing in the coming days, we should be vigilant not to be deceived as a church. We should not idly stand by as we watch brothers and sisters who profess faith in Christ enter into a mind-numbing, reality-distorting cloud of cannabis. We should encourage one another to peer through the dim glass and discern the glory of God with all our might as the Day draws near (Hebrews 10:25).

However, it is worth saying that we should also be careful not to make the same mistakes that churches made by previous generations with regard to alcohol, adding extra prohibitions to Gods revealed word. Because of the many variables involved with marijuana use (for example, its medicinal use), I believe we should be very slow to make a firm prohibition policy for members of the church, such that we would automatically proceed with church discipline upon unrepentant use. However, it should be clear that unrepentant marijuana use could easily lead to church discipline.

We should be quick to engage with individual members who use marijuana, asking them questions and seeking to understand, being ready to exhort and rebuke them if it becomes apparent that they are violating the biblical standards of sobriety and integrity.

The details and nuances well encounter will be complex, but Jesus church, holding fast to his word, led by a team of wise pastors, will be up for the challenge. God will have new mercies for us as we walk together by faith in the age of legal marijuana.

**Marijuana to the Glory of Godwas originally published on Desiring God.

About the Author:Jeff Lacine is pastor of Sellwood Baptist Church in Portland, Oregon. He graduated from Bethlehem Seminary. He and his wife have four children.

Source: http://allofbeer.com/2017/10/08/marijuana-to-the-glory-of-god/

from All of Beer https://allofbeer.wordpress.com/2017/10/08/marijuana-to-the-glory-of-god/

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adambstingus · 7 years

Text

Marijuana to the Glory of God

How are we to think about recreational cannabis use in the church?

By Jeff Lacine

I used to smoke marijuana every day.

How are we to think about recreational cannabis use in the church? A growing number of Christians today believe that it is biblically permissible to use cannabis recreationally. Are they right?

Cannabis Versus Alcohol

Similarities and Dissimilarities

Lets examine this commonly used comparison between alcohol and cannabis. The following are ways that cannabis and alcohol are similar and dissimilar.

Ways that cannabis is like alcohol:

Cannabis, like alcohol, is an organic substance.

Cannabis, like alcohol, has the potential to intoxicate and distort reality.

Cannabis, like alcohol, can be habit-forming (see 1 Timothy 3:8).

Ways that cannabis is unlike alcohol:

Unlike alcohol, you cant blackout or die from an overdose of cannabis.

Unlike alcohol, cannabis has not been a staple in cultures all around the world for use in celebrations and ceremonies (like John 2:9).

Unlike alcohol, cannabis has been a cultural symbol of rebellion for a large part of the last century.

Unlike alcohol, cannabis was not used by Jesus in his Last Supper, which is to be regularly commemorated by the church (Mark 14:2325).

And perhaps most importantly, unlike alcohol, cannabis is not directly addressed in the Bible.

The Big Picture

The Christian use of any kind of psychoactive substance should always align with this gospel goal of looking to see things clearer. We do not want our vision of reality distorted.

Christian Cup of Coffee?

What About Weed?

Counsel and Hope

**Marijuana to the Glory of Godwas originally published on Desiring God.

About the Author:Jeff Lacine is pastor of Sellwood Baptist Church in Portland, Oregon. He graduated from Bethlehem Seminary. He and his wife have four children.

from All Of Beer http://allofbeer.com/2017/10/08/marijuana-to-the-glory-of-god/ from All of Beer https://allofbeercom.tumblr.com/post/166195297152

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allofbeercom · 7 years

Text

Marijuana to the Glory of God

How are we to think about recreational cannabis use in the church?

By Jeff Lacine

I used to smoke marijuana every day.

How are we to think about recreational cannabis use in the church? A growing number of Christians today believe that it is biblically permissible to use cannabis recreationally. Are they right?

Cannabis Versus Alcohol

Similarities and Dissimilarities

Lets examine this commonly used comparison between alcohol and cannabis. The following are ways that cannabis and alcohol are similar and dissimilar.

Ways that cannabis is like alcohol:

Cannabis, like alcohol, is an organic substance.

Cannabis, like alcohol, has the potential to intoxicate and distort reality.

Cannabis, like alcohol, can be habit-forming (see 1 Timothy 3:8).

Ways that cannabis is unlike alcohol:

Unlike alcohol, you cant blackout or die from an overdose of cannabis.

Unlike alcohol, cannabis has not been a staple in cultures all around the world for use in celebrations and ceremonies (like John 2:9).

Unlike alcohol, cannabis has been a cultural symbol of rebellion for a large part of the last century.

Unlike alcohol, cannabis was not used by Jesus in his Last Supper, which is to be regularly commemorated by the church (Mark 14:2325).

And perhaps most importantly, unlike alcohol, cannabis is not directly addressed in the Bible.

The Big Picture

The Christian use of any kind of psychoactive substance should always align with this gospel goal of looking to see things clearer. We do not want our vision of reality distorted.

Christian Cup of Coffee?

What About Weed?

Counsel and Hope

**Marijuana to the Glory of Godwas originally published on Desiring God.

About the Author:Jeff Lacine is pastor of Sellwood Baptist Church in Portland, Oregon. He graduated from Bethlehem Seminary. He and his wife have four children.

from All Of Beer http://allofbeer.com/2017/10/08/marijuana-to-the-glory-of-god/

0 notes