Following the Way (Psychedelic Christianity)

[Transform]

I have no idea whether there is any higher power. I am here for bluelight, to moderate impartially. If you would like to debate the merits of religion, you may continue the trainwreck that was this thread here in P&S.

If you would like to discuss psychedelic christianity then you may do so in this thread. I have just removed 57 posts from this thread, any further derailment will dealt with swiftly. If anyone sees such behaviour in any thread in PD, please use the report feature.

If you are unsure what you would like to discuss then may I suggest you not post in this thread. Obviously there is room for discussion by atheists but I ask that you are respectful of OP's wishes.

 

[Rorthron]

a certain verse spoke to me. Jesus says "Worship me in secret, and so shall my Father reward you (in secret as well as openly)." That's Matt 6:4.

I'm not a Bible scholar in any possible way, but that verse stroke me as I did not remember ever reading such a thing about "worshiping in secret" in christianity. And, as far as I can see, I am right. The KJV, says something like "that thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly". and most other translations all agree on this fact. The greek word "ἐλεημοσύνη" (in the original version) means alms giving or may imply charity. Not worshipping

 

[Viṣakaṇṭha]

I'm not a Bible scholar in any possible way, but that verse stroke me as I did not remember ever reading such a thing about "worshiping in secret" in christianity. And, as far as I can see, I am right. The KJV, says something like "that thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly". and most other translations all agree on this fact. The greek word "ἐλεημοσύνη" (in the original version) means alms giving or may imply charity. Not worshipping

The Gnostic Gospels and non-canonical texts seem to be a bit more open towards the idea of the esoteric transmission of ideas. The Gospel of Thomas begins with "These are the secret sayings which the living Jesus spoke and which Didymos Judas Thomas wrote down". Some scholars date Thomas at an earlier date than the four canonical gospels.

My favorite piece of scripture relating to the validity of psychedelics within a Christian subtext is also from a non-canonical source...The Gospel of Philip states, "Those who say they will die first and then rise are in error. If they do not first receive the resurrection while they live, when they die they will receive nothing." I generally read the Gospel of Philip extensively during my annual Easter Sunday heroic dose trip.

 

[Efoj]

The Gnostic Gospels and non-canonical texts seem to be a bit more open towards the idea of the esoteric transmission of ideas. The Gospel of Thomas begins with "These are the secret sayings which the living Jesus spoke and which Didymos Judas Thomas wrote down". Some scholars date Thomas at an earlier date than the four canonical gospels.

My favorite piece of scripture relating to the validity of psychedelics within a Christian subtext is also from a non-canonical source...The Gospel of Philip states, "Those who say they will die first and then rise are in error. If they do not first receive the resurrection while they live, when they die they will receive nothing." I generally read the Gospel of Philip extensively during my annual Easter Sunday heroic dose trip.

As far as I know, these Gnostic Gospels are quite influenced by Platonic thought, which was still widely taught at the time. So it's funny that you quote reminds me of Plato's Phaedo:
And I [Socrates] conceive that the founders of the [Eleusian] mysteries had a real meaning and were not mere triflers when they intimated in a figure long ago that he who passes unsanctified and uninitiated into the world below will live in a slough, but that he who arrives there after initiation and purification will dwell with the gods.

R. Gordon Wasson and Albert Hofmann, in "The Road to Eleusis" (among many others) argue that an important part of the Eleusian Mysteries was the use of an unknown psychedelic. Of course, these mysteries were highly influential to Greek thought and later to Christian thought, both in esoteric gospels and the canonic ones.

Of course, the Eleusian Mysteries would be banned and wiped out, after about a millenium of nearly uninterrupted yearly rites, by Christian emperors and kings in the 3rd century AD. History and its plot twists...

 

[regal]

Any psychedelic in my opinion is great for catholic, or any religious style meditation. Introspection is a POWERFUL thing. .

Being raised a Catholic, I advise caution with psychedelics. The Catholic guilt trip is bad enough sober.

 

[f33lg00d]

Y'all need to get a grip on reality, very delusional thread.

 

[Folley]

I was raised Christian, so much so I went to a private Christian school as a kid. I have to say, there is a LOT of misguidance in the Christian church. If you believe in God, you surely believe in some form of "the devil". Obviously "he" (it? they?) would do anything in it's power to infiltrate major religions and keep people from "the truth"


I mean, does "the way" really NEED to be Christian? I consider myself a strong believer but I couldn't identify as Christian, it's just as outdated and corrupted now as Judaism was in Jesus's time