Ecumenical Engagement and Faithful Support for the Decriminalization of Entheogenic and Psychedelic Medicines: A Resolution of Witness

SUMMARY

This resolution calls on the United Church of Christ to stand in solidarity with religious communities, academic researchers, and medical providers throughout the United States and across the globe in demanding that psychedelic and entheogenic plant and fungus-based medicines be decriminalized and made available for further research by scholars and healers for their beneficial and therapeutic capacities.

BIBLICAL, THEOLOGICAL, AND HISTORICAL GROUNDING

God’s message of love and healing as revealed in scripture involves an intimate, interdependent relationship between human and plant life. The Bible instructs that the Creator intentionally positioned human beings and plants together for mutual thriving. Throughout the biblical narrative God gives instruction through the prophets that plants may be used for healing and revelation.

Theologies of liberation encourage interrogation with prophetic integrity all policies and behaviors (including legal statutes) that may threaten human flourishing. The United Church of Christ has an established history of standing on the side of those in need of healing and healthcare. (19) Recently, the Thirty-Fourth General Synod of the United Church of Christ passed a resolution, “Faithful Advocacy For Intersectional And Transformational Healing In Harm Reduction.” This present Resolution also seeks to enhance access to medicines that can specifically empower this work.

An entheogen is a psychoactive compound, typically from natural sources such as plants or fungi, that can alter consciousness and evoke spiritual and mystical experiences. (8) Entheogens specifically belong to a class of compounds that scientific studies have shown to be non-addicting.  Thousands of years of knowledge from traditional medicine practices outlined the dose, efficacy, and preparation of many natural medicines and have demonstrated that entheogens are a powerful tool for healing various conditions. (9) There is early evidence that these substances can provide unique interventions for patients with mental health conditions that do not respond well to standard psychopharmaceuticals, including treatment-resistant depression, generalized anxiety disorder, end-of-life distress, substance use disorder and PTSD. (28,29)

The archaeological, anthropological and sociological record contains a near-universal, global relationship between human spiritual life and entheogenic plants and fungi.(5,6,7,8,9,10) These records include the use of entheogens by the people of the Bible. Ecstatic states of consciousness and mystical experiences have certainly played a role in the history and development of Christian theology and revelation. Today, research has shown these substances possess a unique capacity for alleviating human misery.

TEXT OF THE MOTION

WHEREAS the Bible informs a belief that the Creator placed plants (including fungi) into human life for the purpose of human thriving, that they may be used for physical, mental, spiritual and emotional healing (1,2,3,4); and

WHEREAS the prevailing academic research demonstrates that entheogenic compounds possess worthwhile capacities and a strong safety profile, for treating and alleviating human pain and misery; and

WHEREAS current research indicates that many entheogenic medicines may be of life-saving therapeutic value for individuals with mental health conditions that do not respond well to standard psychopharmaceuticals (28,29); and

WHEREAS the United Church of Christ has demonstrated an historic commitment to scientific rigor and an ongoing commitment to the value of the medical sciences; and

WHEREAS medical research studies are currently administering entheogenic compounds in hospice and other end-of-life settings for the alleviation of end-of-life distress, and UCC chaplains are already receiving training in supporting patients who are choosing to receive these medicines; and

WHEREAS the use of entheogens has demonstrated a capacity in the context of Christian life and worship toward sustaining personal meaning and spiritual significance, and faithful people of the United Church of Christ have testified to the benefits of entheogenic substances for healing and revelation; and

WHEREAS the United Church of Christ is committed to alleviating the suffering of victims of war (including military veterans - where on average 44 perish daily in America from suicide and self-injury mortality), and those suffering with addiction and depressive disorders; and

WHEREAS the United States of America has elected to declare these useful medicines illegal and have imposed draconian sentencing laws; and

WHEREAS these laws often specifically target and overwhelmingly harm indigenous faith communities and other marginalized religious populations; and

WHEREAS the United Church of Christ has established itself in solidarity with victims of the carceral state and victims of the “war on drugs,” and presently advocates for reduced penalties for non-violent offenders as per 2 Corinthians 2:5-8,

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Central Pacific Conference of the United Church of Christ urges the states of Washington and Idaho, as well as federal legislators to immediately work toward the decriminalization and legalization of entheogenic substances similar to what has already been implemented in the state of Oregon.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the United Church of Christ encourages advocacy by all settings of the church for the decriminalization and legalization of entheogenic substances in solidarity with our ecumenical faith partners and communities of faith throughout creation.

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the Central Pacific Conference of the United Church of Christ encourages all clergy, laity, and congregations to work together to advocate for the further study of the therapeutic benefits of these substances, and study the value of these substances in our shared religious life together.

FUNDING: The funding for the implementation of the Resolution will be made in accordance with the overall mandates of the affected agencies and the funds available.

IMPLEMENTATION: The Officers of the Church, in consultation with appropriate ministries or other entities within the Central Pacific Conference, will determine the implementing body. The Central Pacific Conference shall submit a resolution to the Thirty-sixth General Synod of the United Church of Christ in 2028 asking the General Synod to affirm this resolution of witness.