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> anything with that powerful an effect on the mind is concerning. I find that statement absurd, anything with an effect that powerful should be cherished! Wou

> anything with that powerful an effect on the mind is concerning. I find that statement absurd, anything with an effect that powerful should be cherished! Would life be desirable if it were stripped from all emotions, as they too have a powerful effect on the mind? Even if you agreed to that, it wouldn't be feasible as we are biological creatures and not pure rational beings. Denying that our biological self exists, with feelings and all, doesn't solve anything. The spiritual experience you describe is just another part of the human condition, I don't quite believe that 9 out of 10 people on LSD would become preachers, but I see how it can lead to a better understanding of religion. This doesn't require superstition, quite the opposite. When you know that those effects are caused by LSD or substances contained in Mushrooms, ferns or cacti, you don't need a higher power as an explanation for this peculiar state of mind. You might however find yourself coming to conclusions about life that other people on similar states of mind (whether induced by drugs or other means is irrelevant here) had before you, and who used the vehicle of religion to transport them. So yes, psychedelics, as well as most drugs, should not be taken lightly, but banning them is like razing the Niagara Falls because someone might fall over the edge.

Houshalter 11y ago
I believe those 9 people wasted their lives. Religion isn't remotely rational and is a plague on society. The fact that a single experience with a drug can cause people to completely devote themselves to it is terrifying. What if it became widespread and our society became super religious? What other irrational things can it convince people of? I don't know if they should be banned or not. I'm just saying they are not safe
- Rotten194 11y ago
  That's an incredibly narrow-minded view, and I'm not a religious person either.
  - Houshalter 11y ago
    Call me narrow minded if you like. The implications of such a drug are terrifying. Do you want a society that is far more religious? Where people are completely devoted to their religions and actually believe in them? And on a personal level, would you want to take such a drug? Knowing it can convince you of something irrational and change your entire life path for the worse?
- pantalaimon 11y ago
  What goal is there in life other than living a happy, a good life? Why do you condemn people that find something different to help them with that than you? There is a difference in having a spiritual experience and merely following a ritual for the sake of the ritual. It anything, more widespread LSD usage would make people less religious by your definition.
  - Houshalter 11y ago
    Who says they lived a happy life? Who says they wouldn't have lived a happy life otherwise? We don't know that. All we know is that the drug made them become obsessed with something irrational. Would you take something like that? Would you want something like that to become widespread? Do you want a society that is far more religious and devoted to their religion?
    - c23gooey 11y ago
      > We don't know that. All we know is that the drug made them become obsessed with something irrational. Please provide a link to said study where the words you use above are quoted from. Otherwise you making just as much assumptions as pantalaimon

Houshalter 11y ago

I believe those 9 people wasted their lives. Religion isn't remotely rational and is a plague on society. The fact that a single experience with a drug can cause people to completely devote themselves to it is terrifying. What if it became widespread and our society became super religious? What other irrational things can it convince people of? I don't know if they should be banned or not. I'm just saying they are not safe

Rotten194 11y ago
That's an incredibly narrow-minded view, and I'm not a religious person either.
- Houshalter 11y ago
  Call me narrow minded if you like. The implications of such a drug are terrifying. Do you want a society that is far more religious? Where people are completely devoted to their religions and actually believe in them? And on a personal level, would you want to take such a drug? Knowing it can convince you of something irrational and change your entire life path for the worse?
pantalaimon 11y ago
What goal is there in life other than living a happy, a good life? Why do you condemn people that find something different to help them with that than you? There is a difference in having a spiritual experience and merely following a ritual for the sake of the ritual. It anything, more widespread LSD usage would make people less religious by your definition.
- Houshalter 11y ago
  Who says they lived a happy life? Who says they wouldn't have lived a happy life otherwise? We don't know that. All we know is that the drug made them become obsessed with something irrational. Would you take something like that? Would you want something like that to become widespread? Do you want a society that is far more religious and devoted to their religion?
  - c23gooey 11y ago
    > We don't know that. All we know is that the drug made them become obsessed with something irrational. Please provide a link to said study where the words you use above are quoted from. Otherwise you making just as much assumptions as pantalaimon