Moses was stoned when he set Ten Commandments, researcher claims
by Elizabeth Stewart and agencies
Published March 5, 2008 by the Guardian UK (//http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/mar/05/religion.israelandthepalestinians)
We all know that Moses was high on Mount Sinai when God spoke to him, but were the Ten Commandments a result of divine inspiration alone?
An Israeli researcher is claiming in a study published this week the prophet may have been stoned when he set the Ten Commandments in stone.
According to Benny Shanon, a professor of cognitive psychology at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, psychedelic drugs formed an integral part of the religious rites of Israelites in biblical times.
Writing in the Time and Mind journal of philosophy, he says concoctions based on the bark of the acacia tree, frequently mentioned in the Old Testament, contain the same molecules as those found in plants from which the powerful Amazonian hallucinogenic brew ayahuasca is prepared.
"The thunder, lightning and blaring of a trumpet which the Book of Exodus says emanated from Mount Sinai could just have been the imaginings of a people in an altered state of awareness," writes Shanon. "In advanced forms of ayahuasca inebriation, the seeing of light is accompanied by profound religious and spiritual feelings."
References in the Bible where people "see" sounds, is another "classic phenomenon", he said, citing the example of religious ceremonies in the Amazon in which drugs are used that induce people to "see" music.
Speaking about his article on Israeli public radio, he added: "As far as 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."
Moses was probably also on mind-altering drugs when he saw the "burning bush", suggested Shanon, who admitted to dabbling with such substances.
Speaking of his own experience of ayahuasca during a religious ceremony in Brazil's Amazon forest in 1991, he said: "I experienced visions that had spiritual-religious connotations."
not sure what I make of this, but it's an interesting read, sent to me by a friend...does seem a little biased against the idea of seeing God being a valid thing, or seeing God with aya's aid...and this from a researcher who's drunk the stuff!
I don't see the bias you mention. Maybe I need to re-read.
To me, it just points out that a major religion MAY HAVE incorporated psychedelic sacraments into their worshipping practices thousands of years ago. Nothing more or less, imo.
On the other hand, that claim could/should give credibility to modern day groups or individuals who wish to use the same sacraments in their worship without fear of legal reprisal.
lw
I forgot to mention that I personally see the union of people through the use of psychedelics to be capable of producing supernatural events or maybe just a supernatural connection with cosmic consequences.
lw
Moses may have been stoned or tripping on drugs. But there are other influences as well. There are traditions of fasting for long periods which can lead to hallucinations. But they did use substances as well sometimes. I can just see the look on today's super conservative christians at the thought that their holy people were stoned out hippies. LOL!
A little off topic but many of today's young people hold the term "hippie" in low regard, particularly conservative young people. A hippie now days in their eyes is someone who believes in global warming, tries to save the planet, recycles or something like that. They may get stoned but they look down on "hippies" or whatever they think hippies are.
Even grown up acid heads I know talk bad about "hippies", but back in the day, we all would be comsidered hippies. I don't mind the term, I wave my freak flag proudly.
Punk rockers think of themselves as the antithesis of hippies, but the ones I know seem to be just like we were back in 67. It's the age old quest of young people for freedom and authenticity. I didn't like punks until I got to know some. Many of them have turned out to be amongst my best students. Once exposed to great music of any kind they expand their horizons without rejecting what they have already found. It's a neat thing, the openess takes me back. They have a surprizing amount of direction. One guy, from being a junior high misfit with black fingernail polish is now a really good bass player by anyones standards, works at our store and is planning to go to guitar maker school next year. People talk about how bad kids are now but the ones I meet are often quite amazing. They have good instincts, make smart choices and have plans. I really love mentoring these kids and watching them grow.
Yes, it's funny how many of the people who think they look down on hippies would be called a hippie themselves way back then. Nowdays, hippies are punks or some other name/catagory but it's all the same.
It's nice that you are in a position to mentor young people today.
I kind of liked the original topic.
lw
Btw...... IF the early Israelites used active sacraments, wouldn't there be at least an oral tradition remaining? How and why would that practice be covered up? Or have "they" tried to keep it secret?
lw
Quote from: "JRL"Even grown up acid heads I know talk bad about "hippies", but back in the day, we all would be comsidered hippies. I don't mind the term, I wave my freak flag proudly.
Me too. I always kind of identified with the hippie movement though I don't wear my hair long anymore. It's surprising that older acid heads would go along with the anti-hippie thing. They must have been around in the 70's when it was still in flower. And an acid head presumeably would be left leaning. That may be assuming too much but I'd think so.
But, it's just a word. Another term you use to hear a lot was "head" meaning someone who used dope of some type, usually pot or acid. Haven't heard that one in a while.
Been thinking about the Israelites and sacraments. If you have been around observant jews at all you see how many rituals there are. THey have rituals for everything. maybe theres a clue in there. I don't know about "them" keeping secrets, but......
When I was in Israel with my daughter I met an Hasdic rabbi and we spent the sabbath with his family. He took a liking to me, the secular, non hebrew reading hippie. He said "When you come to our schule, wear your dancing shoes." Over dinner we had quite a conversation, and he was talking about the pineal gland and its place in spiritual illumination..............
Well, it would appear "they" maybe do know something deeper about the human nature than appears on the surface, eh? (And by THEY, I meant any large group of people accused of a conspiracy.)
Lots-o ritual for sure.
Thanks for bringing it back to topic, guys.....
lw
I've often been tempted to devote some study time to learning about some of the more arcane cabbalistic aspects of the Hebrew practice... The extreme symbolism has always intrigued me and seems to hint at an avenue that accomodates entheogen usage.... That's so enlightening that the guy would discuss the pineal and things of that nature in the context of spiritual enlightenment....
Right on, sal.
Why would the inclusion of drugs in ritual lessen the spiritual values and lessons gleaned?
If the burning bush represents an active sacrament ingested by moses prior to retrieving the ten commandments, the moral imperatives gleaned by the experience are in part due to the same burning bush, imo. Rather than lessen the spiritual connotation of the act due to drugs being involved, I'd rather elevate the worth of active sacrament in the spiritual experience.
Btw, I'm happy to discuss this topic in any forum, but imo, we are speaking of matters on da mountain, imo.
lw
And what a mountain it is. Did anyone say that sacraments would diminish the veracity of the revalation? It would be a hard argument to make around here fo sho. But I think that the truths don't reside in the drugs, but ib the territory the drugs give acsess to. So the question is are there other ways to get to the same place?
jrl: Cen wondered in the initial post if the fact of psychedelic use by the ancient "elders" would lessen the spiritual significance of the acts in question. I think...
I believe there are many ways to reach the same place as psychedelics, such as fasting and yoga. However, only the psychedelic practitioner is liable to be jailed for his/her religious beliefs. And as our founding fathers were fairly clear in their views on our right to practice as well as not be subjected to religious beliefs, I'd like ot see this injustice undone.
lw
Well yes. Of course. I wasn't making a case for anything, I am a devout psychedelian. But I did do some research:
//http://www.luminist.org/archives/hachish.htm
Thanks for the link, mon.
lw
Lot of good stuff on the Luminist site. He was an LSD prisoner.
Quote from: "laughingwillow"jrl: Cen wondered in the initial post if the fact of psychedelic use by the ancient "elders" would lessen the spiritual significance of the acts in question. I think...
lw
I didn't wonder that, LW, sorry for the confusion. I wondered if the writer of the article was a little biased against such a thing. That's how I read it, anyway.
Ah, so.....
MAybe the guy was minimalizing the acts in question due to the psychedelic influence. That seems to be about the reaction I'd expect from the general public, including many who have dabbled in the sacraments.
lw
Every time I recheck this thread, I find myself smiling at that beautiflly wrought line from bro JRL: " I'm a devout psychedelian" :lol: ---- That's just one of those great ones imho... Sorta like when Wavy quipped :If 'ya can't laugh at the world, rhen it's just not funny anymore"... Hey JRL.... Duly note that I'm gonna plaigarize that great utterance 8) 8) -------------sal
Feel free, as long as you deposit the royalties in my Swis bank account.