Biblical Moses was high on drugs: Israeli researcher

[kang]

This is not intended to be “ITAG III” (or four, I’ve lost count), but I can predict that is what it is going to turn into…

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080304/od_afp/israelreligionoffbeat;_ylt=AsL9yVbUQp8DYrmXv3rlTBA EtbAF

JERUSALEM (AFP) - 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.

Was Moses’ vision of god on Mount Sinai and the burning bush:

1) Supernatural (he actually saw god and a burning bush)
2) A legend or myth
3) An hallucination

An hallucination caused by drugs is “reasonable doubt” to the claim that Moses actually saw god. It is well known that certain drugs cause religious like experiences.

No doubt the qualifications of this researcher will be questioned. Perhaps someone can address a couple of the claims he made. Was drug use an integral part of religious rites back then? It’s common in some other religions, it’s not hard to imagine that it was used then, but imagining it is certainly not evidence. How about his claim that the bible says people see sounds? Does the bible really say that? That would seem to confirm drug use, as that is a common drug induced hallucination.

What is the most reasonable, logical explanation for Moses’ visions? Discuss why you believe your answer is the most reasonable.

[livi]

I think he "burnt my fingers, man!" on that bush. Complaining to God that "are you kidding! This watch shows the time in New York, London, Paris and Gstaad! God replying "well, here its worth twenty bucks!".

[Joeaksa]

Suppose he "parted the waters while high" as well? Something smelly about this one...

[sjf911]

I always new drug use would end the world (civilization). Never thought it would be the consequences of someone else's drug use thousands of years ago. So, the middle east will vanish in a nuclear war someday because Moses got high.

[Sapporo Guy]

high or not ... he did come up with the 10 commandments

ahhh, don't forget about fermented grapes and what not


Back to topic:
It's not just Moses doing the crack but all according to this article:
"Such mind-altering substances formed an integral part of the religious rites of Israelites in biblical times"

[trekkor]

Trollapalooza '08?

"Hi, I don't believe in the Bible or Moses, but here's what he did"-

love, Kang





KT

[frogger]

Feel the love.

[Mule]

The truth finally comes out! Moses was a rastafarian!

[legion]

Moses believed Haile Selassie was the second coming of Christ?

That gets circular real fast...

[72doug2,2S]

The Atheology in this thread is strong.

[jluetjen]

You guys actually pay attention to a psychology professor? For a bunch of well grounded science guys, you seemed to overlook a couple of key points in this guy's scientific findings...

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,

Moses was probably also on drugs when he saw the "burning bush," suggested Shanon, who said he himself has dabbled with such substances.

OK. So this soberly eminent and respected scientist issues a press release to say that he's got two beliefs and a guess, about the behavior of a historical personality (which conflicts with the historical record) and of which he has no supporting physical data except for the logic that "Hey -- I used to do drugs, so Moses must have too!" ???

His logic sound like something from "Fast Times at Jerusalem High"

What a waste of time.

[livi]

Lets just wait for Moses to chip in and come clean on the subject. Did you or did you not do drugs back in the days?!!

[sjf911]

Originally Posted by livi

Lets just wait for Moses to chip in and come clean on the subject. Did you or did you not do drugs back in the days?!!

Needs to be validated with a lie detector test and a urine specimen. Hair samples can also be helpful.

[trekkor]

Ah yes, those guesses. Those stinkin' guesses.

Funny how those always get presented as fact, isn't it?



KT

[livi]

Its not guessing! Its a religious vision!

[svandamme]

Lol Trek, now you calling the Bible funny or what?

[sjf911]

Originally Posted by trekkor

Ah yes, those guesses. Those stinkin' guesses.

Funny how those always get presented as fact, isn't it?



KT

Kind of like "god" you mean? Just guesses, no evidence.

[RWebb]

I assume there was some research that got a news wire interested in the first place. Any one could find his univ. and send him an Email asking for the study he did.

Nonetheless, unless he finds Moses body and does an assay for drugs - a not inconsiderable feat - the conclusion must still be conjecture.

Even if one COULD do that, it would not mean that drugs caused the vision. A Tricky God might even wait until he found a druggie to implant the vision in... (just like a Tricky God would plant fossils everwhere to "test" his followers' beliefs....)

[teenerted1]

RIIIIGHT.....whats a cubit?

[frogger]

Originally Posted by teenerted1

RIIIIGHT.....whats a cubit?