Posted on 03/04/2008 6:46:14 AM PST by crusty old prospector
High on Mount Sinai, Moses was on psychedelic drugs when he heard God deliver the Ten Commandments, an Israeli researcher claimed in a study published this week. Such mind-altering substances formed an integral part of the religious rites of Israelites in biblical times, Benny Shanon, a professor of cognitive psychology at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem wrote in the Time and Mind journal of philosophy.
"As far Moses on Mount Sinai is concerned, it was either a supernatural cosmic event, which I don't believe, or a legend, which I don't believe either, or finally, and this is very probable, an event that joined Moses and the people of Israel under the effect of narcotics," Shanon told Israeli public radio on Tuesday.
Moses was probably also on drugs when he saw the "burning bush," suggested Shanon, who said he himself has dabbled with such substances.
"The Bible says people see sounds, and that is a classic phenomenon," he said citing the example of religious ceremonies in the Amazon in which drugs are used that induce people to "see music."
He mentioned his own experience when he used ayahuasca, a powerful psychotropic plant, during a religious ceremony in Brazil's Amazon forest in 1991. "I experienced visions that had spiritual-religious connotations," Shanon said.
He said the psychedelic effects of ayahuasca were comparable to those produced by concoctions based on bark of the acacia tree, that is frequently mentioned in the Bible.
Sorry - I should have added a sarcasm tag. One does not need hallucinogens to know the unerring Word of God.
Apparently, Benny has had a flashback.
Moses God wants us to cut off our what?.
Just wondering if there are guidelines for what we’re not supposed to do. Plants to avoid, animals that are off limits.
I don't believe that the Torah lists any forbidden plants. Plants are neutral, in the sense of not being milk or meat. Animals are addressed at length all over the Torah, as well as the mixing of meat with milk products.
Regarding plants with hallucinogenic properties, I'd say that this is addressed as part of an overall approach to prayer - it is forbidden in Judaism to pray while intoxicated, since that is disrespectful to G-d. The source of the intoxication isn't addressed, but no matter the source the injunction is clear. One must come to G-d with a clear mind (well, as clear as is possible - most liberals don't have a clear mind when they are stone cold sober, but that's a different matter).
I hope that this helps.
I am not saying the Moses was high, but drugs have been a part of mystical religious experience forever. Just because it is not accepted in society today does not mean that has not occurred in the past.
See above - drugs have no part in Judaism. Other religions-for sure (peyote is a prime example).
I've never read any evidence to suggest there even is such a thing as mass hallucination. Each person's hallucination is 'individual'. . .like dreams.
Just imagine, this 'mass hallucination' would have to come to a large group of people all at the same time, and that this would have had to happen multiple times.
Sorry, just not possible.
ROTFL!
Check your spelling, check your grammar, check your facts.
Check for innuendo, check for double meaning, check for sarcasm.
Free republic is a tough neighborhood:)
ping
The 1st words Sudenten wrote were to the effect that “he’s not defending this” or “he doesn’t believe this”.
So, that is the qualifier. That’s why 1 doesn’t have to get bent out of shape about what he postulated subsequently.
However, I do think Sud’s reply to you was a bit over the top itself.
This fool will meet his maker someday and beg for forgiveness.
He’s too smart for that. He wouldn’t dare.
That’s the irony of these liberal home-grown West-haters.
What a pile of nonsense. He was favored by God, not high on drugs!
Wives are not allowed WHAT?
Burning bush: Fraxinella or gas plant. Emits a combustible vapor which ignites under the hot sun, but does not consume the bush. Native to Middle Eastern lands. Which does not explain the conversation with God.
Thank you for clearing that up. I didn’t know, obviously (and didn’t look it up before foot-in-mouth disease hit).
Doesn’t the Orthodox Easter always happen a week before the rest of us Catholic-based people do Easter? (Oops, or is it after - I’m forgetting without any Orthodox around to remind me.)
Easter os March 23. Passover is April 20 this year.
I’ve been wondering about that. Where does BO come up with that from the Sermon on the Mount?
The researcher sounds promising. Perhaps when he finds Moses’ grave we will begin to listen to him.
Way to limit the argument!
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