The Sacred Mushroom and the Cross

"The Sacred Mushroom and the Cross" is a provocative book by John Allegro that suggests early Christian stories and symbols might be rooted in ancient fertility rites involving psychedelic mushrooms. Allegro theorizes that early Christians used these substances to experience mystical visions, which influenced religious texts and ideas. The book challenges traditional views by proposing that some biblical stories are metaphorical or symbolic representations of shamanic, psychedelic experiences. While controversial, it offers a perspective that links religious origins to ritualistic drug use, emphasizing the possible role of altered states of consciousness in the development of religious belief.