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MarkMohr Current Christafari Band Member
Joined: 27 Nov 2001 Posts: 7 Location: LA, CA, USA
Posted: Fri Dec 07, 2001 5:32 pm Post subject:
I am sorry, but I have held my tongue on this matter
for far too long. Does Messian Dread Smoke Marijuana?
YES. He has told me so emphatically. He actually
e-mailed me with a rebuke for my writing in the Dub
Sound&Power insert stating that no drugs were used
in the recording of the album. He told me that he wished
that I smoked weed so that I could come to Amsterdam and
meditate (get high) with him. I have been evading FAQs
on the Christafari site for years regarding this issue
and it is not going away so I feel that I finally must
address it. I am not one to air somoeone's private
laundry publicly, but this subject can no longer be
ignored.
This is not the first time that this issue has been
discussed between Messian Dread and I. Although we agree
in certain areas, we sharply disagree in others. There
are also vast differences in our ministry approaches and
our doctrine. But the essentials are still in place and
I love this brother. He has read the pre-release of my
book on Rastafari and is very familiar with my FAQ
section on Marijuana at Christafari.com.
Why am I saying all of this? First of all, it is in
response to all of the questions that have been posted
above and the various FAQs that I have evaded in the
past years. Secondly, it is to set the record straight,
I love this man, and am blown away by his music. It is
some awesome DUB music. However, I do not feel
comfortable selling an album on our site by an artist
who is known to smoke weed without apology and
repentance.
I had wished that Messian would be honest with his
fan base and not evaded the subject in his FAQ section.
I even asked him to further clarify in a new FAQ if he
smoke marijuana and his response sounded like that of a
politician.
I guess that I am just overly sensitive regarding
this issue because of the past that I have come out and
the music that I play. In addition to this, the two main
things that distinguish Christian artists from Rastas is
the rejection of the deity of Selassie and the refusal
to smoke marijuana.
Lastly, I must respond to those who state that his
circumstance is different from ours because he has been
raised in a country were Ganja is legal. For there are
some in that claim that in the Netherlands smoking
marijuana is just like drinking Coffee or Alcohol.
I TOTALLY DISAGREE. OUR DRUMMER IS FROM HOLLAND. IN
HOLLAND, MARIJUANA IS CONSIDERED A SIN BY THE CHRISTIAN
CHURCH. YOU MUST REMEMBER THAT EVERYTHING IS LEGAL IN
HOLLAND. IF YOU TAKE THIS ARGUMENT TO ITS EXTREME THEN
PROSTITUTION, OPIUM, HEROIN, AND CHILD PORNOGRAPHY IS OK
ALSO. A LINE HAS TO BE DRAWN SOMEWHERE. AND JUST BECAUSE
MARIJUANA IS ONE OF THE SO-CALLED SMALLER SINS IN
COMPARISON TO OTHERS THAT I MENTIONED, IT DOESN'T MEAN
THAT IT SHOULD BE OVERLOOKED.
AT BEST, MARIJUANA USE IN HOLLAND IS VIEWED BY THE
MOST LIBERAL CHURCHES AS GETTING DRUNK IS VIEWED BY A
CONSERVATIVE CHURCH IN THE U.S. AT WORST IT IS A SIN AS
ALL OTHER DRUGS.
I KNOW THAT I AM PREACHING TO THE CHOIR, BUT YOU
SHOULD READ ALL OF MY FAQS ON MARIJUANA. YOU WILL
REALIZE THAT THE LEGAL ARGUMENT IS JUST ONE OF THE MANY
ARGUMENTS THAT ARE STATED. AND ANY ONE OF THE ARGUMENTS
SHOULD STAND ON THEIR OWN AS REASON ENOUGH TO QUIT
SMOKING.
Yes, we all sin. Yes, we all blow it. But we should
never use that to justify our struggles or minimize a
sin issue. If you believe that he is justified, then
support him, after all he declares to be a Christian and
agrees with the essentials of the Protestant faith. If
you think that he is a carnal Christian that is living
in sin, or even doubt his salvation, then pray for him.
Overall, what he needs is love and prayer.
Blessings in Christ, Mark Mohr
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