So, the journalist maybe didn't say it respectfully, but there is a strong possibility in there. John was originally proselytizing in Rome, but the Romans got

So, the journalist maybe didn't say it respectfully, but there is a strong possibility in there. John was originally proselytizing in Rome, but the Romans got pissed off at him, so he was exiled to the island of Patmos. Amanita Muscarias grew on that island! And if you read trip reports (or, trip yourself?) you'll find that Amanitas give very extreme religious imagery. So if you compare the imagery from modern day Amanita trips with what was written in revelations... you realize that it's very possible that St. John was writing a trip report. And because of that day's lack of understanding about drugs and those experiences are produced, he would chaulk it up to a message from God. ## edit: more links http://www.erowid.org/plants/amanitas/ http://www.erowid.org/plants/amanitas/ http://www.erowid.org/archive/rhodium/pdf/amanita.muscaria.review.pdf http://www.erowid.org/archive/rhodium/pdf/amanita.muscaria.r... However any references to amanitas or mushrooms are not in the wiki article for the Book of Revelations.