Supreme Court Hearing Religious Freedom Case Involving Hallucinogenic Tea

The small church in New Mexico has been battling this case since 1999 when federal agents seized their tea. Ayahuasca tea is a sacred sacrament for members of O Centro Espirita Beneficiente Uniao do Vegetal. Because the tea contains DMT (dimethyltryptamine), the Bush administration, without regard to religious freedom, argues that because DMT is illegal, it cannot be imported or used in their religious ceremonies. It appears the justices are having problems swallowing the Administration's arguments, for good reason.

Church members want "just the right to practice their religious faith as Congress guaranteed," said Nancy Hollander, the lawyer for the church which has a congregation in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

I suppose we'll see just how much this country and this Supreme Court values religious freedom. Is it larger than a ruler who would squelch it? posted by Cyndy | link | | |
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