Do you consider peyote and other psychedelics as spiritual tools?

i do.

i see them as a boat, to cross a river. (EDIT: Boats are not that great for crossing rivers... how about a bridge!!)

eventually however, if you want to continue your spiritual journey, you must get out of the boat (off the bridge) and keep walking...

dig it? ; )

If a particular faith has an established tradition using those substances that predate the law prohibiting them, then they should be allowed to use them for their intended purpose. If it's a new religion, then no.

Christian churches use alcohol in their ceremonies, and alcohol not only has the potential for abuse amongst teenagers and young people, it IS abused by teenagers and young people. Not sure what you're referring to when you say there is an "increasing body of knowledge" suggesting the benefits of psychedelics. Is there really? And "suggests" isn't the same as proof.

I'm personally alright with whatever an individual feels they need to connect and it's my own free will that determines how I choose to embrace or expell that knowledge as it applies to me. My concern lies primarily with those who blur the connection line by using the religion/path as a way to mask the abuse of that psychedelic. This is a medicine and as all medicines, can be abused or respected, depending on the individual's choices.

Of even more concern are those who feel they're in any sort of position to judge another human being for how they walk their path and the vehicle they use to get there. I personally feel (and I only apply this to me), all lessons are valuable lessons..even the ones that hurt.

I think it's extremely unfair!

Either it should be legal for everyone, or it should be illegal for everyone.

Allowing SOME groups to use it, just because of their religion, is BS!

I too could, potentially, get just as much out of it as they do, even though I don't believe in any superstitious nonsense.

..So maybe it should be legal, but have an age limit.

And people should be informed about both the dangers AND the possible benefits.

I know about this, and I don't understand why these people would think taking drugs of any sort would benefit themselves. I do know that they believe that they can come into contact with new information about the world while taking the drugs much like Terrance Mckenna did, but I don't understand why they can't go about utilize their normal brain functions to figure out things for themselves.

I feel disappointed, but I don't really have a influence on what they do.

In the book of revelation the greek translation for the word sorcery is farmekia;pharmeceutical;drugs

Some people think of the intoxicating spirits as a liquid in a bottle. I think it is more like, when you hold the joint in your mouth, you are inviting the intoxicating spirits to posess and entertain you

We do drugs to make us feel differently, but if you were full of the spirit of God, you would not risk changing it at all

The purpose for which these are used are as a sacrament in seeking The Will of God, and as such, it is written seek The Kingdom and these things will be added to them.

If anything received with thanksgiving by faith in grace is consecrated for all things created by God for God and through God.

The Word of Messiah was that nothing to be refused except idolatry and sexual sin at Jerusalem for gentiles.

I've never tried a psychedelic but I totally would. I know enough to know most of them have less addiction potential than chocolate cake.

Peyote is quite a spiritual experience for a lot of people. I just saw wavy colors and threw up a lot.

Banning plants is ridiculous.

I used to, but not any more. It seems psychedelics cause a sort of damage, not real damage but there is this typical spaciness with people who use them. This disconnectedness. And getting connected again is very difficult.

Like any other tool, it can be used for god or for bad.

I would like to see psychedelics leagalized, whether or not for religious purposes.

Should we outlaw screwdrivers too, just because some ******* might use one to stab someone else?