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Critical Thinking and a Confused Society

Critical Thinking and a Confused Society

Every day, I am amazed at how often contradictory and conflated ideas are presented that go unchallenged in our society. For instance, how a clear truth can be twisted into a lie —

Truth: As eloquently affirmed in the U.S. Declaration of Independence, all humans are created equal. As such, each person has equal value, equal moral worth, and equal human rights. But this truth gets distorted…

Lie: All humans are equal in ability. This lie is manifested in hostility toward decision-making based on objective differences.

Here’s another one:

Truth: Affirmed in the U.S. Bill of Rights, we have freedom of conscience. We are free to believe anything we want to believe and should not be coerced by others to believe as they do. However, this truth also gets twisted …

Lie: All beliefs are equally valid or healthy. They are not! In fact, some beliefs are downright harmful. Yes — people are still free to believe them, but that does not make the beliefs valid.

These two lies have recently begun to be expressed with the sentiment “my truth” and “your truth” — the idea that everyone has their own version of truth and that all versions are equally valid. Moreover, we’re told that we don’t have the right to question anyone else’s version of “their truth.”

This is nothing more than a great fraud designed to get thinking people to be silent even when injurious and destructive ideas and practices are promoted.

Truth is how reality works. It is not based on opinion or a perception or a mere belief; truth is simply the way things are. Perhaps some get confused because they fail to see the difference between the “true” experience or perception of a person and the truth itself. For instance, it might be true that a person believes cigarette smoke helps their lungs work better, but it is not true that cigarette smoke actually helps their lungs work better. Many people fail to make this distinction and will say, “Who are you to judge? That is their truth.”

This deeply confused thinking is occurring more often, because people have lost the reality-based (truth) understanding of God’s law as design law. These are the laws upon which reality is built to operate — the laws of physics, health, love, freedom, etc. When we reject the reality (truth) that God’s laws are design laws and accept the lie that they are mere rules no different functionally than the ones that humans make up, rules that require enforcement by a ruling authority, then we are vulnerable to the idea that all perspectives and beliefs are equally valid. Why? Because there is no objective reality; it is all arbitrary opinion.

A Case Study

One would expect that physicians would be insulated from falling into this trap, given that their profession requires they understand the laws of health and seek to harmonize people with these design protocols. Unfortunately, this doesn’t seem to be the case. And when thought leaders begin practicing this distorted thinking process themselves, the corruption in our society only snowballs.

Last week, I attended a lecture by a leading world expert on medical marijuana research. I attended because I wanted to learn about the latest scientific research in this field. It was a three-hour symposium, but, sadly, the event had only a few minutes of actual science presented. And much of what was presented was contradictory and shallow.

For instance, not once during the lecture were the laws of health brought up — the idea that, while states can pass laws to make such substances legal, passing such laws doesn’t make them healthy. These substances are either healthy for the human body or they are not; our job as scientists is to examine the evidence and see what reality actually reveals.

For instance, there is no evidence that smoking or consuming marijuana is beneficial for mental health problems. While there is some evidence that CBD oil may have some benefit, CBD oil is not marijuana any more than nicotine is tobacco. CBD oil is one of 146 psychoactive compounds found in marijuana, but it is also found in hemp. It provides no mood altering high.

On the contrary, multiple studies show that marijuana use actually increases the risk of psychosis; increases anxiety; damages the brain’s memory circuits; worsens depression and bipolar disorder; increases inattention; decreases motivation and coordination; and even lowers IQ. Yet despite the unequivocal evidence that marijuana plays no role in treating psychiatric disorders, data reveals that the vast majority of medical certificates provided by doctors to patients for using medicinal marijuana are not for the few conditions for which it may have some benefit, but rather for mental health problems that it worsens!

In Massachusetts, where medical marijuana is legal, 90 percent of those receiving certificates from doctors for medical use do not have one of the eight allowable medical conditions. So who is getting the certificates?

Number of Certificates

  • ALS 11
  • Parkinson’s Disease 41
  • Glaucomas 227
  • HIV/AIDS 265
  • Crohn’s 276
  • Multiple Sclerosis 347
  • Hepatitis C 403
  • Cancer 756
  • Other conditions (mostly psychiatric) 22,130

Why do doctors write these certificates for mental health disorders when the evidence demonstrates it will only worsen the condition? The patient reports it helps them — it is their “truth” and who is the physician to disagree.

During the symposium, it was noted that in Colorado, deaths by opiate overdose have decreased ever since medical marijuana was legalized. It was suggested this was due to people with chronic pain conditions needing less prescription pain meds, as marijuana reduces pain perception. However, no evidence was presented to support this conjecture. Moreover, the vast majority of people who overdose on opiates are not patients with chronic pain receiving prescription pain medication from their physician, but those with opiate addiction who are using illegal drugs. However, this was also never discussed.

It was also pointed out that in states in which medical marijuana has been legalized, Medicaid costs for opiate medications have gone down. It was suggested that legalizing marijuana, therefore, could lower healthcare costs. But it was not pointed out that the reduction in Medicaid costs for pain management was due to the fact that states don’t pay for medical marijuana; thus, the cost was simply shifted to the individual patient to purchase his or her own marijuana. So, the reality is that there is no evidence that healthcare costs would actually be reduced.

But worse, no evidence was presented on the potential health problems from the chronic smoking of the marijuana plant, such as whether cancers and lung disease could increase.

The presentation went back and forth between social and medical issues, such as legalization and health benefits, but these are two separate issues. For instance, everyone today knows that there are no health benefits from tobacco smoke, yet society has decided to keep tobacco as a legal substance available to adults. Two separate issues that are clearly understood when it comes to tobacco, but with marijuana, such clarity is lacking.

Many people are smoking marijuana, falsely believing it is not harmful and has no health risks. No matter how much they believe they are being helped, it doesn’t mean they are.

Yes, every person is free to believe what they want, but please don’t confuse that truth with the lie that all beliefs are equally healthy; they are not! The challenge for each of us is to develop, by practice, the ability to discern the true from the false (Hebrews 5:14).


REFERENCES:

Lucatch, A. et al. Cannabis and Mood Disorders, Current Addiction Reports, September 2018, Volume 5, Issue 3, pp 336–345.

Lev-Ran, S. et al., The association between cannabis use and depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis of longitudinal studies, Psychological Medicine Volume 44, Issue 4 March 2014 , pp. 797-810

Pacek, R. et al., The bidirectional relationships between alcohol, cannabis, co-occurring alcohol and cannabis use disorders with major depressive disorder: Results from a national sample Journal of Affective Disorders, Volume 148, Issues 2–3, June 2013, Pages 188-195

Feingold, D., et al., Cannabis use and the course and outcome of major depressive disorder: A population based longitudinal study, Psychiatry Research, Volume 251, May 2017, Pages 225-234.

Bally, N., et al., Cannabis use and first manic episode, Journal of Affective Disorders, Volume 165, 20 August 2014, Pages 103-108.

Lev-Ran, S. et al., Bipolar disorder and co-occurring cannabis use disorders: Characteristics, co-morbidities and clinical correlates Psychiatry Research Volume 209, Issue 3, 30 October 2013, Pages 459-465.

Crippa, J. et al., Cannabis and anxiety: a critical review of the evidence, Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical and Experimental, Volume24, Issue7, October 2009, Pages 515-523.

Hser, Y., et al., Reductions in cannabis use are associated with improvements in anxiety, depression, and sleep quality, but not quality of life, Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment Volume 81, October 2017, Pages 53-58.

Wilkinson, S.  et al., Marijuana Use is Associated with Worse Outcomes in Symptom Severity and Violent Behavior in Patients with PTSD, J Clin Psychiatry. 2015 Sep; 76(9): 1174–1180.

Steenkamp, M. et al., Marijuana and other cannabinoids as a treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder: A literature review, Depression and Anxiety, Volume34, Issue3, March 2017, Pages 207-216.

Scott, C. et al., Association of Cannabis With Cognitive Functioning in Adolescents and Young Adults A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis, JAMA Psychiatry. 2018;75(6):585-595.

Meier, M. et al., Persistent cannabis users show neuropsychological decline from childhood to midlife, PNAS October 2, 2012 109 (40) E2657-E2664.

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I just want to tell you how blessed I have been reading “The Remedy!” It has become a daily part of my devotional relationship with God. In it I have found a God of love and a God that loves me! The bible has come alive for me! It is the first time that I can say that I have felt hope fill my heart as I have read God’s word. This is good news I can share! Thank you, Dr Jennings! Thank you for your heart for others. I can’t put into words how this has set me free! It has strengthened my trust and love for God.

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Testimony 49

I came into the church at 21, but that is as far as it went. I was so confused about what love is. I couldn’t find it in the bible, because I am not a person that can read between the lines. I have no logic. I have read many, many books; trying to figure out the crux of the matter. They were helpful, but something was still missing. I have become very frustrated to the point of crying out to God, “Where can I go?”  I needed some basics.

I found two books, written by Timothy Jennings, MD, to be very helpful. God showed me that I had lived my whole life in fear. I didn’t even see it. Now, I do. God is so good.  I discovered the “The Remedy”  Dr. Jennings new book, “The God-Shaped Heart!” Oh, I was so excited, I purchased them right away.

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I am from Central America. Most of my family is scattered in different parts of the world and all have the same view of God that I had growing up; a distant, exacting, and ready-to-punish-us-with-tragedy type of God. So, I have been translating lessons for my family and, to my surprise, they have also been sharing them with others! I can already see the difference. My brother has often said, “Thank you for sharing, I have never heard it this way!” My other family members are taking an amazing turn from a message of “repent or burn” towards a loving God, pleading to us that we won’t reject him because he loves us eternally.

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Testimony 67

I was introduced to Come And Reason by a friend of my mother-in-law, who gave me several CD’s of Dr. Jennings. The clarity of the message and recognition that God’s is a God of love was so clear, advancing beyond Dr. Maxwell’s message. However, grappled with Maxwell saying God used emergency measures for the fallen world. Now after several years of being a regular listener of the Come And Reasoning bible study class and attending Jennings’ meetings in Dallas/Fort Worth, TX, things are becoming clearer for me. Design law versus imposed law has added so much to my personal understanding of theology. This message has really impacted my work in counseling so many people miserable because they are searching for and trusting human governments to create order and peace or believing in a God who says love Me or I will kill you. I am grateful that I have an alternative view to offer my clients that makes sense. I teach a bible study class on a semi-regular basis and I value the materials that Come And Reason so freely offers to aid me in presenting this vital message. Thank you for continuing to provide advancement in our very limited understanding of a Infinite God that is rational and believable.

Dr. Roger D, Arlington, TX, USA

 

Testimony 40

I was brought up in a different faith and have been petrified my whole life of God. I believed that I would burn in hell for eternity. When I was 12 I started pursuing the things of this world, but for the next 45 years the Spirit was always calling me, as I knew there was a God through nature. I could see the vast sea of stars in the universe and knew there was something bigger out there. Five years ago, through a Revelation seminar, I was blessed to learn about God’s character and government.

Then I found Come and Reason Ministries and have come under some extreme pressure when I speak about the ministry. One time a member sent me an internet article titled “Whats wrong with Tim Jennings?” I asked her what she thought of it and she said “I don’t know, I didn’t read it.”

I have always wanted to find out for myself the truth about God, so I stayed with the Design Law construct and have been liberated to understand the big picture. Once we consider Design Law, all other Bible stories and prophecies seem to fit perfectly. It is truly beautiful to see people grasping how God operates this Universe of Love and the liberation it has provided in their lives. It blows my mind to see how consistent Design law is with what our founders believed. I hear statements like “This makes so much sense.”

Tom W., Mt. Pleasant, MI, USA

 

Testimony 59

I’m a native Ghanan, but am currently in France for my master’s degree. Prior to this, during my final years at undergraduate studies in Ghana, I was introduced to your ministry and I’ve been immensely blessed by what you share, especially about the Design and Imposed Laws. God richly bless you for that.

One of the first things I did when I arrived in France was to buy all four of your books. They not only helped me, but those I shared them with. I shared the message with an atheist student and I marveled at how God worked mightily in his life. Today this person shares the Love of God with others and debunks theories of who God is not. I want to share what you present in your “Heavenly Sanctuary and Investigative Judgment” pamphlet, because the message brought rest to my soul and I live today as a healthy person.

God bless you so much and your ministry.

Michael A., Ghana

 

Testimony 71

When I was 9 years old, I remember setting at our devotional table with a hunger and thirst for God that wanted more, deeper, BETTER. I can remember literally crying and pounding on the table, “I know these teachers didn’t mean to give us error. They taught what THEY had been TAUGHT, but didn’t ANYBODY READ THE BOOK?!?!?” It mattered to me then. It mattered to me as a teenager. It matters now as I teach bible classes. It didn’t have to be so hard as I watched so many give up and lay God’s great plan and gift of salvation aside as being “impossible.” Then, a friend sent me a link to Come And Reason’s website. I grew excited. YES! FINALLY! Then another friend told me to stay away, saying her son had just broken up with a girl because she was involved with Come And Reason and that “Tim Jennings preaches a false gospel.” But, AFTER many years of developing an authentic and, dare I say FUN relationship with Jesus, through the Holy Spirit I see this message has been around a LONG time, since the apostle Paul, Ellen White, Graham Maxwell, Ray Foucher, and yourself (though I admit, you’ve made me back up, rewind and replay the clips, and get out my well-worn Bible on a few things.) I’m so thankful I have found LIGHT during these DARK days. I am not alone.

Vicki DiNitto

Testimony 50

After coming into contact with Come And Reason Ministries, I can finally say that many of my unanswered questions have fallen into place. I discovered that my view of God’s Law was “imposed laws and rules” with “imposed punishments” and that this was the major culprit of my many unanswered questions. Thanks be to God for using you and those around you to help us who have struggled with this “infection” of thought. I have now rejected the “imposed law” concept to fully embrace “Design Law”… to look thru “Design Law,” instead of “imposed law,” is a relief.

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We really appreciate your views on the judgment and they make good sense considering our free choice.

Anonymous

 

Testimony 41

I have been blessed by your ministry. I have experienced personally, and deeply resonate with, the God of love and the beautiful picture of God’s character that you present. I have seen your seminar series on YouTube, read ‘The Journal of the Watcher’ book, used your mobile app, and also listen/study the bible study lesson with you each week. I concur with many of the thoughts and perspectives that you share. I understand your conclusions on natural laws vs imposed law and the legal/penal substitution (incorrect diagnosis). This makes perfect sense to me.

Bless you for all you do.

Melissa L.

 

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Testimony 54

I had a lot of pressure, as a pastor’s kid, to conform and be “good.” I was good at being “good.” I thought my life was going along well until it all started falling apart and I could not figure out why! In my search for “why is this happening to me, God?” I came across your book, “Could it be this Simple,” and God started revealing to me the many distortions I held about His character, His principles, and how He has designed His universe to operate. I remember thinking, “Wow, I have had this all backwards.” I was happy and angry all at the same time. Happy to have the light of truth break through the darkness, revealing a wonderful, beautiful way of understanding God and His plan for His children, and angry, because I felt deceived and cheated by the church, my family, and myself!

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