Whoops: Indiana’s anti-gay ‘Religious Freedom’ act opens the door for the First Church of Cannabis

[CatWoman]

In a classic case of “unintended consequences,” the recently signed Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) in Indiana may have opened the door for the establishment of the First Church of Cannabis in the Hoosier State.

While Governor Mike Pence (R) was holding a signing ceremony for the bill allowing businesses and individuals to deny services to gays on religious grounds or values, paperwork for the First Church of Cannabis Inc. was being filed with the Secretary of State’s office, reports RTV6.

Church founder Bill Levin announced on his Facebook page that the church’s registration has been approved, writing, “Status: Approved by Secretary of State of Indiana – “Congratulations your registration has been approved!” Now we begin to accomplish our goals of Love, Understanding, and Good Health.”

Levin is currently seeking $4.20 donations towards his non-profit church.

According to Indiana attorney and political commentator Abdul-Hakim Shabazz, Indiana legislators, in their haste to protect the religious values and practices of their constituents, may have unwittingly put themselves in an awkward position with those who profess to smoke pot as a religious sacrament.

Shabazz pointed out that it is still illegal to smoke pot in Indiana, but wrote, “I would argue that under RFRA, as long as you can show that reefer is part of your religious practices, you got a pretty good shot of getting off scot-free.”

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2015/03/whoops-indianas-anti-gay-religious-freedom-act-opens-the-door-for-the-first-church-of-cannabis/

[marym625]

1. Awesome!

I bet they have everything ready to go in Arkansas too!

K&R

[RKP5637]

2. Outstanding! I hope this works! n/t

[Renew Deal]

3. Are animal or human sacrifices now legal in Indiana?

What about polygamy and child brides?

[jmowreader]

9. It sure looks that way

[Vincardog]

20. Animals are sacrificed every day. Try driving buy a Tyson plant some time. or human sacrifices

Human lives mean nothing to the fundgamenticals ie Women's life for her fetus.

[calimary]

33. What about Wicca? Is there a Church of the Gooey Chocolate Bon-bon?

The Church of the Salted Caramel Truffle?

I volunteer to be High Priestess!

[jimlup]

4. I would hope the Pastafarians would establish a church infrastructure there as well.

[pinboy3niner]

29. May be confusion between them and the Passdajointfarians

[angrychair]

5. great ideas...

"The Holy Temple of Caligula" need I say more

Or

"LGBTIQ church for Peace" my religion is being and supporting LGBTIQ people and rights

Or

"Satan is Love Church of the Beast" blood orgies on Wednesday and sacrifice babies on Friday. (Baby dolls...not real babies)

Just some ideas to screw with Indiana.

[Ghost in the Machine]

6. Hope it doesn't turn out like the Ethiopian Zion Coptic Church in Miami Beach

Ethiopian Zion Coptic Church
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethiopian_Zion_Coptic_Church

Peace,

Ghost

[Chipper Chat]

7. I hope 'to god' someone starts a restaurant in Indianapolis

and posts a sign in the window saying "Due to our religious beliefs we will NOT serve CHRISTIANS."
IT WILL BE LEGAL IN INDIANA!

[lobodons]

12. We serve Christians

On the menu that is, for religious purposes of course.

[Chipper Chat]

24. With a huge lion head on the cover of the menu.

(I know I know I'm being kinda rough here)

[vkkv]

8. Sure, since discrimination is also ILLEGAL !! n/t

[Zorra]

10. First Wiccan Temple of the Sacred Mushroom Goddess would be my first choice. nt

[47of74]

11. The First Church of Iowa Beer and Wine

Hmmmm.

[Ruby the Liberal]

13. Gotta love it.

I'll send 'em $4.20 to help offset the filing fees and what not. Good on them!

[Contrary1]

14. I love this comment from the linked article...

"Hehehe, can't wait for the court case, where the Defense opens with verses from Genesis, saying how God provided the Earth with all the seeds and plants for food.

Then the Defense could rest and watch the Prosecution go nuts, trying to say the verses are not what God meant. Then the Defense can come back with just about any verse from Leviticus and ask if those too can be misinterpreted.

I will pay good money for a seat in that courtroom. In fact, I believe I'll indulge in a little Church of Cannabis offering right now."

I hope to have a good seat too. Even better, getting picked for jury duty.

[villager]

16. Scopes II

Give me that old time religion...

[BeanMusical]

22. Lol, that would be quite a show.

[smirkymonkey]

15. I hope this becomes a trend just to make a mockery of this law and

to show Christian fundamentalists that they are not the only group to be "protected" under so-called "religious freedom" laws. It would serve them right.

[AllyCat]

17. Then I will found the First Church of Organized Labor.

It is part of our beliefs that we have bargaining rights and a union contract

[SoLeftIAmRight]

21. I like the way you think

good one

[valerief]

30. I ***LOVE*** this!!!!!

[GoCubsGo]

18. Time for a Rastafarian church to open, as well.

They're kind of sort of Christian, less for the fundies to attack.

[cstanleytech]

19. I wonder how the governor is going to try to close that loophole or all the other ones

that people may claim their religion protects them from under this law.

[BeanMusical]

23. Groovy!

[Contrary1]

25. Mr. Levin is calling himself the "Grand Poobah of the First Church of Cannabis"

It just keeps getting better.





Grand Poobah Levin


"...for the First Church of Cannabis, this law is an opportunity.

"I don't plan on breaking any laws. This church is not about breaking laws. This church is about getting to the very edge and encouraging our Statehouse to go forward and allow us to practice religious freedom," Levin concluded.

Timing for all of this could not be worse with the city hosting the NCAA Final Four next week."

http://www.wthr.com/story/28634396/clamor-over-religious-freedom-law-gets-louder

[DinahMoeHum]

26. "And G&d said: Let the earth bring forth grass. . ."

- Genesis 1:11

[salin]

27. gives a whole new meaning to pass the plate/tray during service.

too funny.

[niyad]

28. oh, this is going to be fun!

[zonkers]

31. I don't want to join but I would like to buy the tshirt. (Dead serious)

[calimary]

34. I DO want to join AND I'd buy the t-shirt!

Menopause, y'know...

[appleannie1]

32. Love it.

[blackspade]

35. Sign me up.

[chknltl]

36. God ordered some to be stoned!

I think he said it, or maybe someone said it for him. I'm not sure who he wanted stoned so i'd suggest letting anyone in Indiana who felt the need to be stoned to get in touch with this Church!

[NightWatcher]

37. He's got a gofundme and is on his way to raising funds for a leaseon a building

http://www.gofundme.com/q6fqmaa

[panader0]

38. Well, if their registration has been approved, how can the gov't stop them?

Just hilarious....

[B Calm]

39. Finally a church I could see myself joining!

[Half-Century Man]

40. Did they just open the door for the dreaded Sharia law to be voted in if Muslims could get

a majority in some city?

Because they certainly made it possible to vote some religions out of town by hostile christians.

[Baclava]

41. Rastaman!

$4.20