Ian Murray wrote:
> [Somebody call the folks at the Jesus Seminar....]
>
> Jesus 'healed using cannabis'
>
> Duncan Campbell in Los Angeles
> Monday January 6, 2003
> The Guardian
>
> Jesus was almost certainly a cannabis user and an early proponent of the
> medicinal properties of the drug, according to a study of scriptural
> texts published this month. The study suggests that Jesus and his
> disciples used the drug to carry out miraculous healings.
>
> The anointing oil used by Jesus and his disciples contained an
> ingredient called kaneh-bosem which has since been identified as
> cannabis extract, according to an article by Chris Bennett in the drugs
> magazine, High Times, entitled Was Jesus a Stoner? The incense used by
> Jesus in ceremonies also contained a cannabis extract, suggests Mr
> Bennett, who quotes scholars to back his claims.
>
> "There can be little doubt about a role for cannabis in Judaic
> religion," Carl Ruck, professor of classical mythology at Boston
> University said.
>
> Referring to the existence of cannabis in anointing oils used in
> ceremonies, he added: "Obviously the easy availability and
> long-established tradition of cannabis in early Judaism... would
> inevitably have included it in the [Christian] mixtures."
>
> Mr Bennett suggests those anointed with the oils used by Jesus were
> "literally drenched in this potent mixture... Although most modern
> people choose to smoke or eat pot, when its active ingredients are
> transferred into an oil-based carrier, it can also be absorbed through
> the skin".
>
> Quoting the New Testament, Mr Bennett argues that Jesus anointed his
> disciples with the oil and encouraged them to do the same with other
> followers. This could have been responsible for healing eye and skin
> diseases referred to in the Gospels.
>
> "If cannabis was one of the main ingredients of the ancient anointing
> oil... and receiving this oil is what made Jesus the Christ and his
> followers Christians, then persecuting those who use cannabis could be
> considered anti-Christ," Mr Bennett concludes.
--
Michael Perelman Economics Department California State University Chico, CA 95929
Tel. 530-898-5321 E-Mail michael at ecst.csuchico.edu