It's been ages since I've started a thread on here. I hope you're all well
I was wondering about something. It's on the subject of marijuana/etc, and the Kitab Aqdas makes its stance pretty clear.
(I apologise in advance for having to post this quote because it's kinda long, and I'm aware that it will therefore make my post a little long. Even though I personally-- and I'm sure many other people, aswell--- have probably memorised this quote, I still thought I'd post it anyway so everyone knows the passage I'm referring to.)
Don't worry about reading all of it, as I'm only referring to a couple of parts:
(In The Kitab-i-Aqdas, on page 238, Baha'u'llah has) wrote:170. the use of opium ... any substance that induceth sluggishness and torpor # 155
This prohibition of the use of opium is reiterated by Bahá'u'lláh in the final paragraph of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas. In this connection, Shoghi Effendi stated that one of the requirements for "a chaste and holy life" is "total abstinence ... from opium, and from similar habit-forming drugs". Heroin, hashish and other derivatives of cannabis such as marijuana, as well as hallucinogenic agents such as LSD, peyote and similar substances, are regarded as falling under
this prohibition.
'Abdu'l-Bahá has written:
As to opium, it is foul and accursed. God protect us from the punishment He inflicteth on the user. According to the explicit Text of the Most Holy Book, it is forbidden, and its use is utterly condemned. Reason showeth that smoking opium is a kind of insanity, and experience attesteth that the user is
completely cut off from the human kingdom. May God protect all against the perpetration of an act so hideous as this, an act which layeth in ruins the very foundation of what it is to be human, and which causeth the user to be dispossessed for ever and ever. For opium fasteneth on the soul so that the user's conscience dieth, his mind is blotted away, his perceptions are eroded. It turneth the living into the dead. It quencheth the natural heat. No greater harm can be conceived than that which opium inflicteth. Fortunate are they who never even speak the name of it; then think how wretched is the user. 239
O ye lovers of God! In this, the cycle of Almighty God, violence and force, constraint and oppression, are one and all condemned. It is, however, mandatory that the use of opium be prevented by any means whatsoever, that perchance the human race may be delivered from this most powerful of plagues. And otherwise, woe and misery to whoso falleth short of his duty to his Lord.
In one of His Tablets 'Abdu'l-Bahá has stated concerning opium: "the user, the buyer and the seller are all deprived of the bounty and grace of God".
In yet another Tablet, 'Abdu'l-Bahá has written:
Regarding hashish you have pointed out that some Persians have become habituated to its use. Gracious God! This is the worst of all intoxicants, and its prohibition is explicitly revealed. Its use causeth the disintegration of thought and the complete torpor of the soul. How could anyone seek the fruit of the infernal tree, and by partaking of it, be led to exemplify the qualities of a monster? How could one use this forbidden drug, and thus deprive himself of the blessings of the All-Merciful? Alcohol consumeth the mind and causeth man to commit acts of absurdity, but this opium, this foul fruit of the infernal tree, and this wicked hashish extinguish the mind, freeze the spirit, petrify the soul, waste the body and leave man frustrated and lost.
It should be noted that the above prohibition against taking certain classes of drugs does not forbid their use when prescribed by qualified physicians as part of a medical treatment.
To cut the long story short, this evening I came back from a mini shopping spree. I've bought a big bottle of Dr Bronner's pure castille soap. I've noticed that "Organic Hemp Oil" is listed in the ingredients list *Sigh*
I've Googled "Hemp" (I knew it was somehow related to cannabis, but I wasn't sure of the specifics). Apparently, "Hemp" is supposed to be the stalk of the cannabis plant but it's classified as a "non-drug" http://www.hemp.com/what-is-hemp/
Now you may be wondering why I'm worried. This is the reason: anything you put onto your skin is absorbed into your body, and eventually gets into your bloodstream. Just to clarify, I'm not worried about getting "high" after using a bottle of liquid soap, because that will not be the case. My concern is that the Aqdas clearly states that: "Heroin, hashish and other derivatives of cannabis such as marijuana, as well as hallucinogenic agents such as LSD, peyote and similar substances, are regarded as falling under this prohibition." (Same quote as above). Hemp is a derivative of cannabis, from what I've gathered, so it's clear enough that it also "[falls] under this prohibition."
I just wanted to re-emphasise that the Hemp Oil in this product is "certified organic" (i.e., as pure as it can get). So by using it, aren't I "partaking" of cannabis (because I'm going to wash my skin with it, and it will be absorbed into my bloodstream)?
On the one hand, I'm thinking to myself "relax!" but I cannot ignore my gut reaction which is saying that I should not use this particular product. I'm still wondering whether I should use it or not.
Purity of motive is an important thing here, being a Bahai. When the Aqdas says "total abstinence" from XYZ, then there are no "If"s or "But"s -- it's final, and there's no grey-area. So even if I were to come across a showergel containing certified organic oils of opium or peyote (class A[?] drugs), I should still have the same reaction. When the Aqdas clearly instructs us to have "total abstinence" then they are referring to all forms of it -- be it the actual drug itself, its fumes, or its oil.
Even if you don't have any quotes to post, I would still like to read what your personal thoughts are on this. Say whatever you want to and don't feel the need to be diplomatic. I'm just curious as to what other people would do in my situation. Thank you