Cantheist Creed,
I believe that Cannabis sativa, L. is the useful cane and the true hemp.
I believe that Cannabis Hemp is a restorative natural resource for all humanity to grow, share, and use for our fundamental needs.
Therefore, I shall honor its ex
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Code of Conduct Visibility: open Membership: open Group Email: Cantheism@groups.care2.com
Cantheism
Note: This treatise is not intended to
advocate the breaking of any law.
An academic treatise by Chris Conrad, which addresses the
question:
Is there an ecumenically-based religious creed common to
a significant number of cannabis-based theologies, that can
be articulated and offered as a formal petition to Congress
for redress of grievances to protect religious use of
cannabis under the First Amendment to the Constitution of
the United States of America?
We hold that a universal set of principles and practices
does exist that meets the above qualifications. Based on the
following principles, do assert that adherence to the
religious use of marijuana should be recognized and
protected under the First Amendment and provided equal
protection of the law under the 14th Amendment.
We invite your comments and suggestions. --
Definitions: Cantheism (1997), derived from
Kantheism (1996 fr. Greek: kannabis +
theism). A mystical religion based on the inherent
goodness of the Cannabis plant.
Adherents: Cantheists, Cannabists
Cantheist
Creed
I believe that Cannabis sativa, L. is the
useful cane and the true hemp.
I believe that Cannabis Hemp is a restorative natural
resource for all humanity to grow, share, and use for our
fundamental needs.
Therefore, I shall honor its existance.
I believe that the Cannabis plant is endowed with
important healing powers, some of which cannot yet be
explained.
Therefore I shall offer it to ease the suffering of
others.
I recognize cannabis as a sacrament within my
community. Therefore I shall receive it with thanksgiving
and deep respect for its resinous powers.
The cultivation and disemination of cannabis are
honorable professions. Therefore I shall act with
absolute integrity and honesty* to protect the Cantheist
community and its values.
* Note: The Christian Bible states that "the
truth shall set ye free" and "render unto Caesar the
things that are Caesar's and to God the things that are
God's", therefore a Cantheist cannot lie or perjur
themselves in a court of law because it violates both
"the truth" and "the things that are Caesar's", namely
the courts.
Cantheology: Philosophical roots
Cantheism neither endorses nor discriminates against any
other church, faith, or system of belief. Anyone may
incorporate Cantheism into their current religious
persuasion, so long as they adhere to the Creed.
Many of the world's great religions have used
Cannabis sacramentally and ceremonially, including
but not limited to:
Animism: Belief that all things have
sentient spirits, and some versions assert that Cannabis
has the power to cross the line between the mental and
the spiritual worlds. Popular in Africa and pre-Columbian
America. See the parable of the rope, below.
Biblical Judeo-Christian-Moslem religions,
including Coptic Christianity and Rastafari: Genesis
1:29-31; Ezekiel 34:29; Isaiah 18:4-5; Rev. 22:1-2.
Sacred spliff.
Egyptians: Smoke Eaters at the Temple at
Thebes, incense, mortality rituals.
Hinduism: Sadhu, ganja, chillum, spiritual and
physical healing, smoking cloth. Includes the mystical
interpretation of Cannabis healing powers via Ayurvedic
practices.
Pygmy and other African religions: Mound
smokers, animism, the spirit of plants and nature, the
breath of the gods.
Scythianism: Smoking huts, hemp labor, cannabis
purification rituals.
Shamanism: Use of all herbs in mystical pursuit
of the infinite.
Sufi Moslems: Use cannabis to reach an ecstatic
state.
Zoroastrianism: Use cannabis to communicate
with god on high for mystical consciousness and personal
enlightenment.
Cannabis Hemp: The rope that linked mankind to God
Africancreation
myths explain why God, who once lived close to
humankind, has removed himself from their world.
Most of these myths describe a golden age when there was
no separation between humans and their creator.
However, something occurred to alienate God. The
Mende say that God withdrew into the heavens because
humans continually begged benefits from him.
Ashanti mythology tells of God's retreat into the heavens
after a woman hit him with her pestle while pounding
traditional food. Myths from the upper White Nile
area speak of the relationship between God and man
being severed when a rope between heaven and earth was
accidentally cut (Mbiti, John S. 1969. African
Religions and Philosophy. London: Heinemann, p 97;
Mitchell, Robert Cameron. 1977. African Primal Religions.
Niles, IL: Argus Communications. p, 25).
Cantheist Rites, Rituals and Ceremonies
Observance of Cantheist rites are beneficial but not
mandatory. The extent of one's participation is a measure of
the depth of one's devotion.
Practice cannabism, the regular
consumption of cannabis.
Make oblation with the hempseed, and sow it
everywhere.
Offer thanksgiving and blessing for cannabis
when you partake.
Share the holy smoke among the faithful.
Use a hempen prayer cloth to inhale through
when sharing the holy smoke among the community.
First passage of cannabis at age 16: Parents
may choose to offer cannabis, child may pass on this
opportunity.
Age of personal consent at 18: Adult steps
forward and accepts Cantheism and shares in the
sacrament.
Summer solstice: Bonfire jumping.
Undertake cannabinges, periods of intense
consumption of cannabis.
Freedom pilgrimage: Take the sacrament in a
land that it is free from oppression at least once in
your life, and remember the years of persecution.
Cantheist
Symbology
The graphic symbol for Cantheism is modeled after
the ancient Egyptian hieroglyph for hemp rope, which was
transformed into the letter "h".
Illustration: Detail from an Egyptian stella (1780-1306
BC), Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Firenze (Italy) Room
III, case 14, Item 7611
The hand symbol for Cantheism is right hand cupped
around the left, with two fingers extended in the inner
hand, symbolizing the male and the female plants. The
overall hand gesture signifying the female calyx which holds
the trichome glands.
Astronomy: The three stars of Orion's belt
represent the three aspects of cannabis: Commerce, medicine,
and spirit. Sirius, the brightest star in the nearby
constellation Canis Major (Big Dog) symbolizes
cannabis in the Northern winter sky.
Cantheist Code
I will share my faith, but not be obnoxious about it.
We pray for our oppressors, and work for a better
world.