Post by Daniel on May 19, 2015 18:51:06 GMT -5
by Gregory Tomlin | 13 May, 2015
INDIANAPOLIS (Christian Examiner) – The first pot-smoking priest in Indiana's new First Church of Cannabis will lead his congregation in hymn singing and a sermon July 1, the same day the state's new religious freedom law protecting pastors who refuse to perform same-sex marriages takes effect, according to U.S. News and World Report.
Members of the congregation will also offer testimonies and then, assuming local law enforcement officers do not conduct a drug raid, they will all light their marijuana pipes and cigarettes for a new type of "worship" experience – getting high.
Bill Levin, the church's founder, calls himself the "Grand Poohbah and Minister of Love." He told reporters he conceived the idea of the cannabis church in March after legislators in Indiana passed that state's version of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.
The bill, which was meant to protect those who object to same-sex marriage, says the state "cannot substantially burden a person's exercise of religion" except when it is has a compelling interest. Even then, the state has to use the least restrictive means to enforce its laws.
Levin decided to challenge the law from the outset, telling U.S. News and World Report in April that he wasn't just going to test the state's new law; he was "going to beat it." He believes the state has no compelling interest in prohibiting marijuana use.
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www.christianexaminer.com/article/indianas.first.church.of.cannabis.service.set.for.july.1/48933.htm
INDIANAPOLIS (Christian Examiner) – The first pot-smoking priest in Indiana's new First Church of Cannabis will lead his congregation in hymn singing and a sermon July 1, the same day the state's new religious freedom law protecting pastors who refuse to perform same-sex marriages takes effect, according to U.S. News and World Report.
Members of the congregation will also offer testimonies and then, assuming local law enforcement officers do not conduct a drug raid, they will all light their marijuana pipes and cigarettes for a new type of "worship" experience – getting high.
Bill Levin, the church's founder, calls himself the "Grand Poohbah and Minister of Love." He told reporters he conceived the idea of the cannabis church in March after legislators in Indiana passed that state's version of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.
The bill, which was meant to protect those who object to same-sex marriage, says the state "cannot substantially burden a person's exercise of religion" except when it is has a compelling interest. Even then, the state has to use the least restrictive means to enforce its laws.
Levin decided to challenge the law from the outset, telling U.S. News and World Report in April that he wasn't just going to test the state's new law; he was "going to beat it." He believes the state has no compelling interest in prohibiting marijuana use.
continue reading
www.christianexaminer.com/article/indianas.first.church.of.cannabis.service.set.for.july.1/48933.htm
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