By Britt Moreno

CENTENNIAL, Colo. (CBS4) – People in a Bible study group in Centennial say they get high to better reach the almighty. They are called the Stoner Jesus Bible Study and they pass on Bible verses and joints.

Group member Mia Williams says, “We are just a bunch of stoners that come together and learn about Jesus and the Word of God.”

Longtime member Mark Button says the group has “really good spiritual conversations in this setting. We get really deep; deeper than I have ever gotten before. It’s the perfect setting.”

The “Tree of Sin” may be a lesson in the Bible, but this Bible study group views the marijuana plant as a blessing. For Button, weed helped pull him closer to God and away from an addiction.

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“God is what got me through that. Thanks to him, I’ve been sober eight years. I don’t drink or do hard drugs anymore. I do smoke marijuana sometimes,” Button said.

Pastor Greg leads the group in prayer and says they all believe in worshipping outside of church. They are all Christians as well as professionals or students. They admit there is a stigma attached to marijuana, but they also say some Bible studies offer wine and cheese, so they don’t understand the difference. One member says, “Marijuana has less calories and no one leaves drunk!”

Newest member JeTaun Brown says reading the Bible stoned enables people to relax and focus. She says, “I think you have a deeper thought process which makes you better understand.”

Button, who has always been a devout Christian, says he has heard the word of God “over and over and it never clicked (and now) it clicks.”

They study various sections of the Bible which they say have a direct link to smoking out. They say pot smokers are open-minded people and God’s word is also for open-minded people. For example, Pastor Greg says the Beatitudes teach the group “to be kind and loving and have mercy on other people; not to be judgmental and that’s why we like the 4/20 crowd because we are open minded.”

Britt Moreno anchors the CBS4 morning and noon newscasts and is the Wednesday’s Child reporter. She loves hearing from viewers. Connect with her on Facebook or Twitter @brittmorenotv.