Shrooms and the divine

The thing is...I operate on the principle that things have to rise to a certain level before I have need to invest in them, even if it's just time. I am open-minded regarding Scripture and what its possibilities are, because I know for a fact that the Book is practically oozing stuff no one has ever recognized before. But for someone to suggest the presence of some unusual or unexpected concept...let's just say I require proof of concept. Everyone should.

In this case, any Bible verse that gives any indication that mushrooms are even remotely in view would be the first rung.

Milkman said:

So, I'd be very interested in a opinion/review from anyone who has not only "studied under" Dr. Allegro or has followed his career and also fully read his works and those who disagree with him as well

How about Erich von Däniken?  I've read Chariots of the Gods. [:D]

MJ. Smith said:

I remember nothing of the Judaic/Christian connections ... a true absolute blank in my memory.

Pot usage affects short-term memory.  [;)]

My wife's cousins belong to a local "Christian" Church. Their seventeen year old son attended a camp put on by this group two years ago in which mushrooms were part of the worship service. He returned hearing voices and acting very erratic. He has been in therapy and even committed once since that time. It is sad to see this kid and the family have to go through this knowing what a good kid he was.

Kent said:

My wife's cousins belong to a local "Christian" Church. Their seventeen year old son attended a camp put on by this group two years ago in which mushrooms were part of the worship service. He returned hearing voices and acting very erratic. He has been in therapy and even committed once since that time. It is sad to see this kid and the family have to go through this knowing what a good kid he was.

These days, the Christian King's name is Rodney...and his mantra is "can't we all just get along?" Altered states tend to heavily reinforce this concept.

"Make love, not war, maaaaaan." Ergo, Love is a temple, Love a higher law...sisters...brothers...one love where all colors blend into one. In this mindset, we won't just "all get along", we will all cease being separate and become a great big wonderful One. Take another puff, eat another button or brownie, and just blend in, maaaaaaan.

Except...CLEAR THINKING is a fundamental tenant of worshipping YHWH. Ezek. 44:21; Lev. 10:9, 10, 11 Why? That one may retain the ability to make distinctions. Inebriation not only tends to reduce this capability; it practically removes any sense that it is necessary, or even good. But His holiness despises "blendling" because blending is the opposite of being holy. Holiness is purity achieved through separation, and presence of mind is required to achieve it. It also requires focus on revelation, not reliance on imagination. Imagination is the hallmark of altered states. Because imagination is conflated into creativity, which is conflated into equivalence with Creation--a good thing!--so then imagination is lauded as a great religious ideal. But like a number of other things that YHWH reserves, creativity per se is not a universal good. It is the provenance of pantheons and gnosticisms which are creatively imaginative when it comes to what constitutes valid, viable religion and descriptions of the unseen. Purpose and knowledge can be acquired through the imaginative examination of creation rather than the examination of revelation. Eisegesis LOVES imagination. Never mind that a big part of the alteredness comes through chemical warping of that which is Designed to be straight. Prophecy is unrevealed revelation, and only the mind capable of making distinctions can "see" that which is revealed yet concealed. Prov. 25:2. The "vision" of Scripture is not "seeing what isn't there"; it's seeing what is there but hidden. Prov. 29:18. No drug-stoked shaman or priest has ever seen such things, otherwise they would be known--and they are not. The drug-addled approach cannot work because it has not worked.

The peace of unity is not a Rodney King utopia of "getting along" oneness; it is a function of distinctions made and attained (thus becoming like "the" One) rather than artificially and deliberately blending away all distinctions so that there is nothing that could possible offend...for that offends YHWH deeply. 'Shrooms are not His pattern of worship. Indeed, "do not learn the ways of the nations" for "the customs of the people are a delusion". Jer 10:2, 3; Lev. 20:23. Such things bear a distinct and inevitable spiritual downside.

And then, as you point out, there is the physical downside.

Josh said:

I agree that mind-altering substances shouldn't be used to "understand" God.

That's pretty much what I was confining my comments to.

Josh said:

Let's not throw the baby out with the bathwater. 

What?? Not even if it's a red-headed step-child? I've heard of studies where this leads to a need for fewer diaper changes and more restful sleep.  [|-)]

Josh said:

I've seen studies that show that psilocybin ('shrooms) may help correct some mental disorders - acting almost like a reset button.

Were you on a "vision quest" when you "saw" this study? [I]

Josh said:

...multiple scoliosis...

For those with more than one backbone, this is an especially debilitating condition...unless the curvatures are in opposite directions, in which case they cancel each other out.

Josh said:

Also, there is increasing evidence that shows marijuana helps with many diseases, such as cancer, multiple scoliosis, epilepsy, glaucoma, and dementia.

Yes, it helps with all of these...and from what I hear, it's also a blessing for those who are have RD (recreational disability). I hear that almost as many people have RD as have ED...which is like half the population (according to the Center for Disease Control...or commercials--I forget which).