Update on Reading Material
Mar. 27th, 2002 01:37 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
novapsycheI have read Kaneh Bosm: Cannabis in the Old Testament. This is far superior to Jesus Smoked Cannabis (Blade, you might want to take a look and make a fairly non-biased comparison).
I've also found some other stuff to keep my brain busy:
Chief Coroner's Report of the Task Force into Illicit Narcotic Overdose Deaths in British Columbia
"The first chapter of the report concerns itself with the users of illegal drugs. The Chief Coroner writes that: all kinds of people, from all walks of life, can get caught up in substance abuse, and that drug users come in all sizes and shapes: all colours, sexes, professions, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Nevertheless, the media portrays the most visible, most overtly controversial, most socially and economically depressed people as addicts.
"Despite this, Cain seems to have discovered a "common thread" which was present in each addict: a lack of self-esteem. He writes that: they indicated they had been told consistently that they were `low-life', for want of translation, nothing more than a piece of `feces', and that they would never amount to anything in life.
"Cain concludes the chapter with the thought that, because there is so much variation between addicts, we must accept the fact that there is no single `magic bullet' solution... Instead, solutions must be multi-faceted and must fit within the social, psychological, and philosophical context of the individual user. These solutions must also fit within a hierarchy of goals ranging from facilitating safe use of illicit drugs to facilitating detox and addiction treatment for those motivated to discontinue their drug use."
[...] "Cain continues the chapter with a look at the concept of harm reduction. He writes that: while terms like legalization, deregulation, decriminalization and free market- phrases with different meanings for different folks- are bandied about, there is one term that actually captures the essence of what most seem to be aiming for: harm reduction."
[...] "The Chapter on education begins with the quote that "we should build the fence at the top of the cliff, instead of at the bottom." Essentially, the Chief Coroner argues that "children copy the adults in their lives," and that therefore: without the fundamental value of responsibility instilled at a very young age, it is difficult, but not impossible, for society to retroactively program this value. Although Cain does admit that: there is research to demonstrate a resiliency factor among some youths from disadvantaged homes, or from families where there were poor or abusive situations. Some of these children will rise above their background.
"In terms of how best to educate people, especially youths, about drug use, Cain states that: 'Just say No' messages are simplistic and no longer relevant in our society... US 'drug war' literature was evaluated by many as 'too negative and not very helpful.' He continues to write that: most people agree that scare tactics don't work. In my travels I heard many stories of individuals who became curious after listening to anti-drug propaganda at school. The Chief Coroner concludes that: youth will experiment. If they discover that the message that they have been given is blatantly wrong, they will be less likely to listen to the very real cautions and messages concerning the more addictive and dangerous drugs."
[...] "As for street users, the Chief Coroner writes that: the value of the needle exchange and the outreach workers as the vanguards in the educational process is underlined."
[...] "I suggested to Mr Cain that perhaps humans have a natural desire to intoxicate themselves, and that this is something our drug policies should reflect. He responded that: life is a quest for happiness, and that while some sought that gratification through possessions, others would use intoxicants. He told me that most of those with whom he spoke were using drugs to escape pain, and that improving their quality of life would have more of an impact upon their pattern of drug usage than any drug policies."
Sheshat -- "Seshat is the Goddess of Libraries, all forms of Writing and the Measurement of Time." (see
"The Egyptians believed that Seshat invented writing, while Thoth taught writing to mankind. She was known as 'Mistress of the House of Books,' indicating that she also took care of Thoth's library of spells and scrolls."
"She was also identified with Isis."
"Her powers of cause and effect for any duration were legendary before the founding of Egypt." (emphasis mine)
American Insitute of Holistic Theology -- unaccredited B.A.s, B.S.s, M.A.s, and Ph.Ds available through correspondence (and for fairly cheap).
They offer fields of study such as Parapsychic Science, Holistic Ministries, Metaphysics, Healthology (which is my second choice, or something I might get a B.S. in), Naturology (you need a Bachelor's to take this), and Holistic Child Care (also need Bachelor's for this). Personally, I'm hoping to save enough money to take the Ph.D. in Divinity. The Ph.D. is less than $3000; and it's a correspondence course. I'm unemployed. I have all the time in the world to study!
Snail:
Dean of Admissions
American Institute of Holistic Theology
2112 11th Avenue South, Suite 520
Birmingham, AL 35205
1-800-650-HEAL
The Scythians--High Plains Drifters
"The Scythians (as the Greeks referred to them) or Sakas (as the Persians knew them) are believed to have been of Iranian origin. They shared a common language, and maintained well-used trade routes that connected their many distant settlements. Although they were nomadic, the Scythians had a single patriarchal sovereign . . . , and his position was passed on to his son at his death.
"The Scythians had no written language, so much of what is known about them has been derived from the many precious and exquisitely crafted artifacts found in their frozen tombs in Russia, Kazyktstan and the Eurasian plains. These precious items included weapons, jewelry and clothing, and were meant to follow the deceased into the afterlife. They can be viewed in Russian museums, well preserved from their long stay in the frozen tombs."
" The Scythian's horses were also outfitted in beautiful and ornate costumes, and were seen ridden for the first time among many of the peoples they descended upon."
"Two extraordinary rugs were also found in the frozen Scythian tombs. One rug had a border frieze with a repeated composition of a horseman approaching the great goddess Tabiti-Hestia, the patroness of fire and beasts. She is depicted as holding the 'Tree of Life' in one hand and raising the other in welcome.
"Tabiti-Hestia is the only deity who figures in Scynthian art." (emphasis mine)
The Horses of the Scynthians--Short piece of cultural anthropology.
"Where the Scythians come from, and which racial stock they were, are hotly debated--sometimes in the international courts--even to this day. They were most likely from the Altai region, or perhaps from an area slightly west of it. Buried and subsequently frozen Scythians found in places such as the Pazyryk kurgans show some people with strong Mongolian features, and others who were blond and had quite European-looking faces. "Genes from ancient tissue are compared with genes from modern-day groups. Research with tissue from a number of burials suggests that the Pazyryks were ethnically diverse" (Nova).
"We do know, however, that in one important respect, they were very different from the mounted archers who came after them: many of their best and most celebrated warriors--or at least given the most elaborate funerals--were women. It was almost certainly these Scythian warrioresses who inspired the Greek depictions of the Amazons. Herodotus wrote that "No Scythian woman may marry until she has killed a man of the enemy." These reports, and the evidence of Scythian and Saurmatian (a Scythian subgroup) art and craft were routinely dismissed until the latter part of the 20th century, when Scythian women were found buried in their riding clothing--identical to that of men--together with their bows, swords, and horses."
"Closer to Moses' own time, cannabis was used as a topical hallucinogen by the ancient worshippers of Asherah, the Queen of Heaven. Asherah has also been referred to as the Hebrew Goddess.
"The shamanic Ashera priestesses of pre-reformation Jerusalem mixed cannabis resis with those of myrrh, balsam, frankencense, and perfumes, and then anointed their skins with the mixture as well as burned it."
"In The Sacred Mushrooms and the Cross, Scholar John M. Allegro points out that ancient peoples believed psychoactive plants to be living gateways to other realms, and thought of them as angels. The Greek and the Hebrew equivalent of the word angel literally means messenger or worker of miracles.
Footnote 1: "In 1903, British physician Dr. C. Creighton wrote Indications of the Hashish Vice in the Old Testament, in which he concluded that several references to cannabis can be found in the Old Testament. Examples are the 'honeycomb' referred to in the Song of Solomon, 5:1, and the 'honeywood' in 1 Samuel 14:25-45. Creighton also suggested that Saul's madness, Jonathan's and Samson's strength, and the first chapter of Ezekiel are all to be explained by the use of cannabis."
"Footnote 10: "Wings on gods or angels can be seen as symbolizing the ability to travel between the 'two worlds'. For example, the Greek god Hermes, who's [sic] winged feet enabled him to act as messenger between men and gods." (emphasis mine)
I've also found some other stuff to keep my brain busy:
Chief Coroner's Report of the Task Force into Illicit Narcotic Overdose Deaths in British Columbia
"The first chapter of the report concerns itself with the users of illegal drugs. The Chief Coroner writes that: all kinds of people, from all walks of life, can get caught up in substance abuse, and that drug users come in all sizes and shapes: all colours, sexes, professions, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Nevertheless, the media portrays the most visible, most overtly controversial, most socially and economically depressed people as addicts.
"Despite this, Cain seems to have discovered a "common thread" which was present in each addict: a lack of self-esteem. He writes that: they indicated they had been told consistently that they were `low-life', for want of translation, nothing more than a piece of `feces', and that they would never amount to anything in life.
"Cain concludes the chapter with the thought that, because there is so much variation between addicts, we must accept the fact that there is no single `magic bullet' solution... Instead, solutions must be multi-faceted and must fit within the social, psychological, and philosophical context of the individual user. These solutions must also fit within a hierarchy of goals ranging from facilitating safe use of illicit drugs to facilitating detox and addiction treatment for those motivated to discontinue their drug use."
[...] "Cain continues the chapter with a look at the concept of harm reduction. He writes that: while terms like legalization, deregulation, decriminalization and free market- phrases with different meanings for different folks- are bandied about, there is one term that actually captures the essence of what most seem to be aiming for: harm reduction."
[...] "The Chapter on education begins with the quote that "we should build the fence at the top of the cliff, instead of at the bottom." Essentially, the Chief Coroner argues that "children copy the adults in their lives," and that therefore: without the fundamental value of responsibility instilled at a very young age, it is difficult, but not impossible, for society to retroactively program this value. Although Cain does admit that: there is research to demonstrate a resiliency factor among some youths from disadvantaged homes, or from families where there were poor or abusive situations. Some of these children will rise above their background.
"In terms of how best to educate people, especially youths, about drug use, Cain states that: 'Just say No' messages are simplistic and no longer relevant in our society... US 'drug war' literature was evaluated by many as 'too negative and not very helpful.' He continues to write that: most people agree that scare tactics don't work. In my travels I heard many stories of individuals who became curious after listening to anti-drug propaganda at school. The Chief Coroner concludes that: youth will experiment. If they discover that the message that they have been given is blatantly wrong, they will be less likely to listen to the very real cautions and messages concerning the more addictive and dangerous drugs."
[...] "As for street users, the Chief Coroner writes that: the value of the needle exchange and the outreach workers as the vanguards in the educational process is underlined."
[...] "I suggested to Mr Cain that perhaps humans have a natural desire to intoxicate themselves, and that this is something our drug policies should reflect. He responded that: life is a quest for happiness, and that while some sought that gratification through possessions, others would use intoxicants. He told me that most of those with whom he spoke were using drugs to escape pain, and that improving their quality of life would have more of an impact upon their pattern of drug usage than any drug policies."
Sheshat -- "Seshat is the Goddess of Libraries, all forms of Writing and the Measurement of Time." (see
"The Egyptians believed that Seshat invented writing, while Thoth taught writing to mankind. She was known as 'Mistress of the House of Books,' indicating that she also took care of Thoth's library of spells and scrolls."
"She was also identified with Isis."
"Her powers of cause and effect for any duration were legendary before the founding of Egypt." (emphasis mine)
American Insitute of Holistic Theology -- unaccredited B.A.s, B.S.s, M.A.s, and Ph.Ds available through correspondence (and for fairly cheap).
They offer fields of study such as Parapsychic Science, Holistic Ministries, Metaphysics, Healthology (which is my second choice, or something I might get a B.S. in), Naturology (you need a Bachelor's to take this), and Holistic Child Care (also need Bachelor's for this). Personally, I'm hoping to save enough money to take the Ph.D. in Divinity. The Ph.D. is less than $3000; and it's a correspondence course. I'm unemployed. I have all the time in the world to study!
Snail:
Dean of Admissions
American Institute of Holistic Theology
2112 11th Avenue South, Suite 520
Birmingham, AL 35205
1-800-650-HEAL
The Scythians--High Plains Drifters
"The Scythians (as the Greeks referred to them) or Sakas (as the Persians knew them) are believed to have been of Iranian origin. They shared a common language, and maintained well-used trade routes that connected their many distant settlements. Although they were nomadic, the Scythians had a single patriarchal sovereign . . . , and his position was passed on to his son at his death.
"The Scythians had no written language, so much of what is known about them has been derived from the many precious and exquisitely crafted artifacts found in their frozen tombs in Russia, Kazyktstan and the Eurasian plains. These precious items included weapons, jewelry and clothing, and were meant to follow the deceased into the afterlife. They can be viewed in Russian museums, well preserved from their long stay in the frozen tombs."
" The Scythian's horses were also outfitted in beautiful and ornate costumes, and were seen ridden for the first time among many of the peoples they descended upon."
"Two extraordinary rugs were also found in the frozen Scythian tombs. One rug had a border frieze with a repeated composition of a horseman approaching the great goddess Tabiti-Hestia, the patroness of fire and beasts. She is depicted as holding the 'Tree of Life' in one hand and raising the other in welcome.
"Tabiti-Hestia is the only deity who figures in Scynthian art." (emphasis mine)
The Horses of the Scynthians--Short piece of cultural anthropology.
"Where the Scythians come from, and which racial stock they were, are hotly debated--sometimes in the international courts--even to this day. They were most likely from the Altai region, or perhaps from an area slightly west of it. Buried and subsequently frozen Scythians found in places such as the Pazyryk kurgans show some people with strong Mongolian features, and others who were blond and had quite European-looking faces. "Genes from ancient tissue are compared with genes from modern-day groups. Research with tissue from a number of burials suggests that the Pazyryks were ethnically diverse" (Nova).
"We do know, however, that in one important respect, they were very different from the mounted archers who came after them: many of their best and most celebrated warriors--or at least given the most elaborate funerals--were women. It was almost certainly these Scythian warrioresses who inspired the Greek depictions of the Amazons. Herodotus wrote that "No Scythian woman may marry until she has killed a man of the enemy." These reports, and the evidence of Scythian and Saurmatian (a Scythian subgroup) art and craft were routinely dismissed until the latter part of the 20th century, when Scythian women were found buried in their riding clothing--identical to that of men--together with their bows, swords, and horses."