Nemenhah ITO - Sacred Order of Lehb
Office of the Tehk Tiwehkthihmpt
5 May, 2014
Current Policy on the use of Psycho-Active Substances in Public Ceremony
Since the so-called "War on Drugs" is always going to qualify as a "Compelling Government Interest" under the Strict Scrutiny Rule, it becomes necessary to set Official Church Policy with regard to the use of substances we consider to be both "illicit" under the law, and "having a history of injurious abuse," as Sacraments of the Nemenhah Church. These substances are almost always "psycho-active." In other words, they alter the mental state of the participant in such a degree as to necessitate special assistance during ceremony. Such substances cause the participant to be placed in a peculiar state of vulnerability requiring the ceremonial practitioner to provide special care and circumstances to ensure the safety of the participant. Such practitioners require particular skill sets that, in the opinion of this Office, may only be acquired through significant personal mentoring with Elders of such Indigenous Religions as incorporate such substances into the practice of their religion.
Whereas, the Nemenhah have no Elders with such skill sets, and whereas, the Nemenhah is not seeking to acquire such skill sets, or to disseminate them to our Ministers, it is the Official Policy of the Church to authorize no use of psycho-active substances in any form in any Ceremony of Healing performed or facilitated by Nemenhah Lay or Commissioned Vocational Ministers. It is the Official Policy of the Nemenhah to advise and strongly influence persons with interest in such substances to seek the services of a practitioner with solid credentials and competence in ceremonies where they are employed. Although there are Nemenhah Ministers with some experience in the use of certain of the popular substances used in such ceremonies, and who do utilize them in their private, personal ceremonies, it is the opinion of the Church that none of them have taken the time or made the sacrifices necessary to obtain and perfect the skill sets necessary to competently facilitate such services for others. Interested parties should seek elsewhere for competent ministry outside the Nemenhah ITO. This is only wise and prudent, and complies with the Nemenhah Ethical of Code Conduct.
Nemenhah Ministers are strongly advised that use of such substances is forbidden in public Nemenhah Ceremony. Although they are free to consecrate whatever items into their Sacred Medicine Bundles as they feel moved upon by Spirit to include, all Nemenhah Ministers are hereby advised that the consecration of illicit, psycho-active substances will not be recognized by the Nemenhah, and that their use will not be defensible under the preponderance of evidence provided by the Church.
The Office of the Tehk Tiwehkthihmpt of the Sacred Order of Lehb
President of the Nemenhah Church
Office of the Tehk Tiwehkthihmpt
5 May, 2014
Current Policy on the use of Psycho-Active Substances in Public Ceremony
Since the so-called "War on Drugs" is always going to qualify as a "Compelling Government Interest" under the Strict Scrutiny Rule, it becomes necessary to set Official Church Policy with regard to the use of substances we consider to be both "illicit" under the law, and "having a history of injurious abuse," as Sacraments of the Nemenhah Church. These substances are almost always "psycho-active." In other words, they alter the mental state of the participant in such a degree as to necessitate special assistance during ceremony. Such substances cause the participant to be placed in a peculiar state of vulnerability requiring the ceremonial practitioner to provide special care and circumstances to ensure the safety of the participant. Such practitioners require particular skill sets that, in the opinion of this Office, may only be acquired through significant personal mentoring with Elders of such Indigenous Religions as incorporate such substances into the practice of their religion.
Whereas, the Nemenhah have no Elders with such skill sets, and whereas, the Nemenhah is not seeking to acquire such skill sets, or to disseminate them to our Ministers, it is the Official Policy of the Church to authorize no use of psycho-active substances in any form in any Ceremony of Healing performed or facilitated by Nemenhah Lay or Commissioned Vocational Ministers. It is the Official Policy of the Nemenhah to advise and strongly influence persons with interest in such substances to seek the services of a practitioner with solid credentials and competence in ceremonies where they are employed. Although there are Nemenhah Ministers with some experience in the use of certain of the popular substances used in such ceremonies, and who do utilize them in their private, personal ceremonies, it is the opinion of the Church that none of them have taken the time or made the sacrifices necessary to obtain and perfect the skill sets necessary to competently facilitate such services for others. Interested parties should seek elsewhere for competent ministry outside the Nemenhah ITO. This is only wise and prudent, and complies with the Nemenhah Ethical of Code Conduct.
Nemenhah Ministers are strongly advised that use of such substances is forbidden in public Nemenhah Ceremony. Although they are free to consecrate whatever items into their Sacred Medicine Bundles as they feel moved upon by Spirit to include, all Nemenhah Ministers are hereby advised that the consecration of illicit, psycho-active substances will not be recognized by the Nemenhah, and that their use will not be defensible under the preponderance of evidence provided by the Church.
The Office of the Tehk Tiwehkthihmpt of the Sacred Order of Lehb
President of the Nemenhah Church
