APPENDIX 2: CHRISTAFARI ON MESSIAN DREAD, DECEMBER 2001

I am sorry, but I have held my tongue on this matter for far too long. Does Messian Dread Smoke Marijuana? YES. He has told me so emphatically. He actually e-mailed me with a rebuke for my writing in the Dub Sound&Power insert stating that no drugs were used in the recording of the album. He told me that he wished that I smoked weed so that I could come to Amsterdam and meditate (get high) with him. I have been evading FAQs on the Christafari site for years regarding this issue and it is not going away so I feel that I finally must address it. I am not one to air somoeone's private laundry publicly, but this subject can no longer be ignored.  

This is not the first time that this issue has been discussed between Messian Dread and I. Although we agree in certain areas, we sharply disagree in others. There are also vast differences in our ministry approaches and our doctrine. But the essentials are still in place and I love this brother. He has read the pre-release of my book on Rastafari and is very familiar with my FAQ section on Marijuana at http://www.christafari.com./  

Why am I saying all of this? First of all, it is in response to all of the questions that have been posted above and the various FAQs that I have evaded in the past years. Secondly, it is to set the record straight, I love this man, and am blown away by his music. It is some awesome DUB music. However, I do not feel comfortable selling an album on our site by an artist who is known to smoke weed without apology and repentance.  

I had wished that Messian would be honest with his fan base and not evaded the subject in his FAQ section. I even asked him to further clarify in a new FAQ if he smoke marijuana and his response sounded like that of a politician.  

I guess that I am just overly sensitive regarding this issue because of the past that I have come out and the music that I play. In addition to this, the two main things that distinguish Christian artists from Rastas is the rejection of the deity of Selassie and the refusal to smoke marijuana.  

Lastly, I must respond to those who state that his circumstance is different from ours because he has been raised in a country were Ganja is legal. For there are some in that claim that in the Netherlands smoking marijuana is just like drinking Coffee or Alcohol.  

I TOTALLY DISAGREE. OUR DRUMMER IS FROM HOLLAND. IN HOLLAND, MARIJUANA IS CONSIDERED A SIN BY THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. YOU MUST REMEMBER THAT EVERYTHING IS LEGAL IN HOLLAND. IF YOU TAKE THIS ARGUMENT TO ITS EXTREME THEN PROSTITUTION, OPIUM, HEROIN, AND CHILD PORNOGRAPHY IS OK ALSO. A LINE HAS TO BE DRAWN SOMEWHERE. AND JUST BECAUSE MARIJUANA IS ONE OF THE SO-CALLED SMALLER SINS IN COMPARISON TO OTHERS THAT I MENTIONED, IT DOESN'T MEAN THAT IT SHOULD BE OVERLOOKED.  

AT BEST, MARIJUANA USE IN HOLLAND IS VIEWED BY THE MOST LIBERAL CHURCHES AS GETTING DRUNK IS VIEWED BY A CONSERVATIVE CHURCH IN THE U.S. AT WORST IT IS A SIN AS ALL OTHER DRUGS.  

I KNOW THAT I AM PREACHING TO THE CHOIR, BUT YOU SHOULD READ ALL OF MY FAQS ON MARIJUANA. YOU WILL REALIZE THAT THE LEGAL ARGUMENT IS JUST ONE OF THE MANY ARGUMENTS THAT ARE STATED. AND ANY ONE OF THE ARGUMENTS SHOULD STAND ON THEIR OWN AS REASON ENOUGH TO QUIT SMOKING.  

Yes, we all sin. Yes, we all blow it. But we should never use that to justify our struggles or minimize a sin issue. If you believe that he is justified, then support him, after all he declares to be a Christian and agrees with the essentials of the Protestant faith. If you think that he is a carnal Christian that is living in sin, or even doubt his salvation, then pray for him. Overall, what he needs is love and prayer.  

Blessings in Christ,

Mark Mohr

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