Very nice post hazetwostep. That is the only potential problem I've found also, you hit it right on the head. The specific verse that comes to my mind is Romans 13:5, "Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience."

But like you, what comes to my mind when seeing how the majority of Bible-following Christians interpret this verse is speeding. We all do it. Well, there are a few that don't... but almost everyone does. The way I've come to see that verse is basically if I get caught speeding... submit and pay the penalty. But (here's the kicker), if I'm doing 5-7mph over chances are I probably won't even get pulled since cops and D.A.'s don't really enforce those laws until you're at least 10 or more over. So in a sense, at 7mph over the speed limit I'm still "submitting" to the authorities... maybe not to the letter of the law, but I'm at least submitting to how they enforce the laws. There are a lot of obscure laws on the books that typically aren't enforced at all or enforced very strongly. So it sort of depends how you define "submission."

To be a little more specific, the two reasons to submit given in the verse are to avoid punishment and to follow your conscience. Any law that violates God's Word (and your conscience) should definitely be followed strictly. But when it comes to laws that don't stem from any sort of moral basis, at that point the only reason to follow is to avoid punishment. And the way I see it, if you can typically break those types of laws a little bit and the government doesn't punish you at all or just punishes you a little... then in my opinion that means they aren't terribly concerned about that infraction and you're still submitting to their enforcement.

It's sort of a weird way to look at that verse. However, its really the only way it makes sense to me given that it is actually *unsafe* to follow the letter of the law sometimes (like when everyone around you on the Interstate is doing 15mph over and you're doing 1mph making them dodge you!) and even the authorities themselves don't follow all the laws.

I of course would not argue with a Christian who feels that all laws should be obeyed. If that is where their heart leads them, then that's where they need to be. But I would question their consistency of they were ok with a little speeding, but freaked out if someone smoked a joint... you know?

What helps is that my state (North Carolina) has decriminalized marijuana to a large extent. So simple possession (1st offense) typically gets you a $100 fine and your record stays clear. So I sort of see that as one of those laws the state doesn't really care too much about.

That being said, I couldn't justify a huge grow operation, since the state obviously cares very much about that (years in the slammer). I'm thinking about growing a plant or two of my own now... and I'm still considering the risks, the legal ramifications, etc. I think even one plant could get me 12 months in jail and a felony conviction. And if they decided to hand the case over to the feds for whatever reason I could get 5 years. But, chances are one plant would be dealt with lightly.

So yeah... I'm having questions about growing. But I don't really have options where I'm at since I don't know any dealers. So I my just try to flower one plant, keep it small, and try to keep my yield down.

P.S. - Yeah really... how we got onto the slavery kick I have no clue. Anyways, very good point.

Quote Originally Posted by hazetwostep
is this a slavery thread now???

jsn9333... you are not alone but you are in the vast majority! even though weed is much less harmful, that is not the angle other conservative christians will ping you on. they will ping you on "obedience" to the law of the land.. as you know the Bible is huge on obedience and authority.

you could always argue back at anyone who breaks any laws (like driving 1mph over the speed limit, etc) that they do the same... but the fact is that if you are a conservative bible believing christian, you have to justsify willingly participating in illegal behaviors (though they should not be illegal, the fact is that they are).

so if you can justify that aspect in your mind soundly, then more power to you! that is a tough one to get around though... if you figure it out, let me know!!! haha... the only way i could imagine working around it (from a biblical standpoint) is if it is a key part of your spirituality and you felt it was an "oppressive" and hindering law to your walk with Christ (that wouldn't include recreational use though).

anyway, i would love to talk more as it is an issue (though this is a slavery thread now) i have faced for a long time!