Are drugs a gateway to Christianity?

[itsrobert]

Most all my relatives who were heavy users back in the 70s/80s are now Jesus Freaks. Are drugs a gateway to Jesus?

[Marrah_G]

1. Highs come in all forms

Addiction is addiction. Sometimes the focus of the addiction just changes.

[tblue37]

6. In the 1970s one of my students, a reformed drug addict

and born-again Christian, said to me during a conference, "I used to be f**ked up on drugs, but now I'm f**ked up on Jesus!"

[RKP5637]

8. Exactly!!! I was just think of posting similar and then I saw your post. The root cause is an

addictive personality. Take away one addiction and often another replaces it ... I think we all have addictive personalties in one way or another, often societal pressure and peer pressure causes one to choose what society thinks is acceptable behavior.

[physioex]

2. WOW...I never thought about it that way.

Yes even W. could be classified in those terms.

[Johonny]

3. I remember listening to an 80s celebrity talk

that talk about how at the peak of their fame they were doing drugs and having sex every night. Eventually they crashed from the addictive lifestyle. But lucky for them they found god. Now instead of that destructive lifestyle they go to church 1 or 2 times a day and are totally cured of addiction.

Now I know what your thinking...

[Warpy]

4. Psychedelics were scary as hell for some people

who weren't prepared for and couldn't handle that loss of ego when they were peaking.

I know a few who retreated into Jesusland, too, as a defense against that kind of fear.

[Laochtine]

7. I just got

Thirsty

[RKP5637]

9. +1, n/t

[frank380]

5. That really isn't such a stretch.

The endorphins experienced in religious ceremonies are not that different than other drugs.

[RKP5637]

10. Excellent point!!! Very excellent point!!!

[democrattotheend]

11. I know Christianity helped some drug users

I used to volunteer at my synagogue's homeless hospitality program, and one time, I was invited to sit in on an AA meeting. Several of the men made statements along the lines of "it's because of Jesus Christ that I don't do drugs no more." It was a powerful statement that made me rethink my absolute opposition to using government funding for social services programs that have a religious component. I felt like Christianity had been a powerful positive influence for some of the men that a secular program might not have.

[Terra Alta]

12. I don't know about that, but I've heard people say they are high on Jesus.

Whatever floats their boat I say.. I'm a Christian but I don't feel the need to broadcast it at every opportunity.

[Zorra]

13. "Before I found the Lord, I was all messed up on drugs.

Now that I've found the Lord, I'm all messed up on the Lord!"
---Cheech and Chong, 1972

First skit

[renie408]

14. It's like alcoholics that go from being hooked on alcohol to being hooked on AA.

I have a couple of friends who went from being addicted, over the top partiers to being addicted, over the top Christians.

I guess it is better to be addicted to religion. Though they are a lot less fun at parties now.

[KathieG]

15. I think that for some, it's just another addiction.

[Stinky The Clown]

16. Addictive personalities need addictions

More than a few recovering heroin addicts dabble in Christianity. So do some percentage of recovering alcoholics

All major religions do specific outreach to the addicted.

Religion is far safer than chemical use of any sort. Sometimes it is a bridge to a sober life. Sometimes it is permanent support for sobriety. No matter what, it beats being a drunk or a druggie.

[mindwalker_i]

17. The real question is, are the end results the same?

If somebody is on drugs, they lose touch with reality, or it becomes different, or something. Things are not the same on drugs, which is why people do them. Religion is similar in that it masks reality. One believes the world is different than if they just went on evidence along. Religion is a form of escapism, arguably similar to drugs.

So maybe the war on religion isn't such a bad idea

[pstokely]

18. They just traded one addiction for another

Like that Megadeath guy