The Psychedelic Gospels: The Secret History of Hallucinogens in Christianity

good material. easy to follow. has a storyline. and lots of great examples and several color plates

The Psychedelic Gospels accomplishes its stated goal, doesn't make strategic mistakes, and brings additional evidence of mushrooms in Christian art, with intelligent, informed, broad discussion.This book is ready for Wouter Hanegraaff to read. Hanegraaff is leading critical historical scholarship in Western esotericism, and he is calling for critical scholarship on the history of psychedelics in Western esotericism. Brown shows a Boehme woodcut with mushroom elements.Brown provides valuable contributions to studying how religions come from psychedelics and then corporate religion tries to manage or compete against psychedelics, sometimes suppressing the very root inspiration of religion.Brown raises the right questions about Wasson, and takes a critical, informed look at the Wasson/Allegro contention, so that's no longer blocking research. That logjam has now been cleared.This book is written as a travel adventure format. It is chatty and yet impressively broad and relatively well-informed on psychedelic history and latest research developments and controversies, including Irvin, Letcher, Hatsis, and Hoffman. Discusses the reception history of McKenna and Allegro, and gives balanced critical assessment of Wasson and of Allegro.We must not let Wasson hold back any longer, research into psychedelic history within Christianity. We must not let Allegro hold back the psychedelic theory of religion.Letcher and Hatsis have fixated on Allegro's particular model of how to think about the mushrooms in Christianity, as if we must pick between only two, shallow explanatory-theory options, "there are no mushrooms in our own religion" vs. "secret fertility cult hiding their mushroom use in the figure of Jesus".Brown's thinking doesn't get stuck inside the over-specific John Allegro description of what mushrooms in Christianity meant in the cultural context.Brown has contributed several useful mytheme decodings:{bones} = nondying{Purification of lips by ember}A {full-height spear held by the god} separates the scene into mortal vs. immortalBrown points to the Egodeath site for discussion of the psychedelic theory of religion. The Egodeate site has content through 2007. The Egodeath Yahoo group covers through the present.Brown considers ahistoricity and psychedelics, but doesn't consider the Egodeath theory as a whole. There is a paragraph about consciousness, yet no mention of loose cognitive binding and metaperception per the Egodeath theory. No mention of Heimarmene or Eternalism or freewill.Shallow pop sike treatment of the snake as being vaguely "identified with" psychedelics -- but Eve sees and rightly blames the snake for bringing her the ingesting of mushrooms.This book adheres to the typical scope, typical focus on shallow recognition of the sheer presence of mushrooms in Christianity, or psychedelics in religion. Gives lip service to cognitive approach and cites Benny Shanon, but doesn't mention anything like the theory of loose cognitive association binding.Brown makes the usual comments about meditation that the Moderate psychedelics "advocates" make, equating meditation with psychedelics. But meditation or contemplation comes from psychedelics; psilocybin (not meditation) is the authority and point of reference for religion. Functionally, meditation serves as a way of avoiding psychedelics, which are too effective.Brown's next step after this book is to gather and assess art evidence of mushrooms in Christianity. Even before we make additional important progress there, though, it is suddenly already time to ask: given the fact of mushrooms in Christianity, what of it?The article _Wasson and Allegro on the Tree of Knowledge as Amanita_ advises to put aside the shallow argument about a single mushroom tree, and focus research instead on the question: To what extent are psychedelics in Christianity?But moving on to the next phase after Brown's next project, after books in this genre have piled up, and after piling up more than enough evidence of the sheer presence of psychedelics in all of our religions, then what? Brown doesn't reach that far. Given that there are plentiful mushrooms in Christianity, what of it? Given that there are plentiful psychedelics throughout religion, what of it?The Egodeath theory explains that once the esoteric psychedelic tradition is reinvigorated, this will lead to an eager and fearful uncovering and revelation, which delivers salvation and gnosis: Mushrooms in Christianity will lead to transformation from literalist ordinary-state Possibilism (possibility-branching-steering) to analogical psychedelic Eternalism (pre-existence/noncontrol; frozen spacetime block). Esoteric (inner) Christianity must be available, as well as exoteric (outer) Christianity.Brown advocates amending the Controlled Substances Act to permit psychedelics for certain purposes, and centers where people legally ingest psychedelics under supervision. The Egodeath theory advocates full repeal of drug Prohibition back to the 1913 nonexistence of laws against psychoactives; eliminate the schedules.Brown's declared position on Jesus' historicity is literalist; historicist: Brown asserts that Jesus *ingested* mushrooms, not that Jesus *means* mushrooms.Allegro's camp asserts that Jesus represents mushrooms.Brown points to the Egodeath site. The Egodeath theory asserts: The Eucharist is psychoactive mushrooms, is Christ in the likeness of flesh, the only means by which the mind is transformed. The Jesus figure depicts by analogy, the experiential dynamics that result from mushrooms. Greek and Bible mythology describes transformation from Literalist Ordinary-state Possibilism to Analogical Psychedelic Eternalism.-- Michael Hoffman, the Egodeath theory

Good book

So grateful for this illuminating account - what a fun, fascinating and profound read! I love the author's approachable, personal voice... like being taken on an adventure with them as they uncover a mystery thousands of years in the making. What they uncover is profound, powerful... and shows us how much of the historical stories we've been taught as fact have been bent, erased, edited and shaped in service & bias of the teller. An important book at an important moment, as we begin to re-define our cultural narratives as people & planet. This book shines a light on eras of history & societies when entheogenic practice was woven into the culture... societies that birthed some of the greatest inventions, creations and beauty in all of human history. As we re-introduce earth medicines back into our modern society, may we learn from those who have come before us and welcome them with reverence, intention and respect, in the service of a more beautiful, soulful culture.

The Psychedelic Gospels is an exciting read for the psychedelic scholar and the casual reader alike. Jerry and Julie Brown offer a comprehensive exploration of mushroom use in early Christianity through the lens of sacred cathedral art. Backed by years of research, travel, and devoted study, the Browns present an intriguing interpretation of mushrooms' role in the history of the Christian Church.The Browns' expertise in the history of psychedelics is a rich launching pad for their thesis that magic mushrooms were used throughout the history of Christianity. Before diving into their more recent research, the Browns present an accessible primer on psychedelic history (which is arguably as old as the species itself). They cover everything from the Mysteries of Eleusis to the Good Friday experiment. This offers readers a great context in which to understand the Browns' ideas about mushrooms. Further, they give the reader a clear and fun narrative of their research process. This is helpful for young scholars stepping into the realm of deep field research. They write of their adventures through the churches and cathedrals of Europe, thoughtfully inspecting paintings, frescoes, windows, texts, etc. Without getting technical or dry, they manage to explain how their thesis grows and evolves as they accumulate sources.Another helpful feature of the book is the collection of rich color photographs of the Browns' evidence.The Browns make a particularly important contribution to the psychedelic conversation in their critique of the work of R. Gordon Wasson. They reveal some interesting facts about Wasson that are important to consider for the student of psychedelic history.With further research and verification, The Browns' findings are potentially revelatory with regard to the history of religion and human development. Appropriate for students of history, art, religion, drug culture, and anyone who ponders the intersection of nature and spirit.Happy reading!

10+

A wonderful journey through the origins of Christianity seen through the lens of entheogenic medicine. Much already researched and written, this merely confirms the belief of many, written as a beautiful travelogue following the path of Gordon Wasson, but with so much more. Beautifully written with fascinating photography showing what appears evidential in that the use of Psychedelic medicine has played a crucial role within religion. Is it time to write a different bible?

I enjoyed the feeling of being there with the Authors as they found what they were looking for in the works of art they encountered on their travels. Many thanks to them for sharing this journey

The premise of this book is probably rather controversial which makes sense given that it shakes the foundation of one of the world's major religions.However, when approached with an open mind this book has many great points to support this premise. Even more so when able to see some of the evidence in real life, which I was fortunate enough to be able to do last summer, I have to thank the authors for inspiring a great road trip by the way.Besides laying out arguments and “looking through Soma eyes” what makes this book great is the relationship between the authors, Jerry and Julie Brown. As readers we get to travel along with them on this journey and through many wonderful anecdotes and stories, this book is much more than scientific research, it's a fascinating story about a married couple traveling together while looking into a very interesting aspect of Christianity's origins.“We drove by fields of golden sunflowers bordered by elegant rows of poplar trees. We loved the absolute freedom, untethered from televisions and telephones, from grinding cycles of bad news. The unpredictability of changing plans at a moment's notice to chase down rumors of enigmatic frescoes. But most of all, we relished the adventure of traveling with a purpose. To be sure, it is liberating to put a knapsack on your back, to be a vagabond, wandering any way the wind blows. But for us it was much more rewarding to be on a quest, ears, and eyes ever alert for clues, for a glimpse of angels in the architecture.”This is what makes this book such an enjoyable read, a combination of a personal journey and compelling evidence.The overall message of this book is as intriguing as it is profound, posing a valuable question about our history and culture. I would recommend it to anyone even if they're skeptical about the premise.

Good read for anyone into this