Month: March 2018

Recently, I boosted a page on Facebook with a link to the post on this website called “What they are saying about Psychedelic Christianity.” Some people who saw the post took on the role of critics, taking me to task for what they thought I must have said in the book which they haven’t read. I, along with some others, replied to what they said. Here are the comments and replies (capitalizations and punctuation as they appeared):

Maureen Delaney wrote: Everything you need to know about God and His great love for you can be found in the Bible. He sent His Son, Jesus, to die on the cross for your sins; that if you would accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, repenting for your sins and obeying Him, you would spend eternity in Heaven with Him. This author is a deceiver and his book will lead people astray.

Dave Pilkington replied to Maureen Delaney as follows: After years of watching mankind murder rape and destroy each other. The only thing this Mythical God can think to do is to send his son down to earth to be Tortured and crucified. Well that took a lot of thought didn’t it.

So how did that ridiculous act help Mankind? What exactly has it done to stop Murderers Rapists the physical abuse of young boys by Church members young girls some as young as 11 sold to old men to Rape and beat. Terrorist blowing innocent people up. So Jesus’s death has achieved Nothing. We are still a Barbaric race. There are so many different beliefs in Religion so many Gods Who is the True God? Islam the so called Religion of Peace preaches There can be only one God and that’s Allah. What ever part of the world you are born that’s the religion you are taught. So who is the true God? that’s if there is a God. It’s going to be a real bummer if you have been praying to the wrong one.

Maureen Delaney replied to Dave Pilkington: Christianity offers a deep and personal relationship with God through His Son Jesus Christ. Jesus paid the price for man’s sins on the Cross with the shedding of His precious blood. Mankind is guilty of every evil wickedness that is known; Jesus, not only redeems us, but gives us the power to change. I am speaking of true Christians who follow and obey Him, not those who claim to be Christians and continue in rebellion against God.

I replied to Dave Pilkington: If you think it is a myth, then try to understand it in mythical terms. It seems to me you are trying to have it both ways — condemning it as a myth (but myths can convey truth, can’t they?) and interpreting it literally to condemn it as nonsensical. The story is that God became human in order to understand what it is like to suffer as a human. I think Maureen is right to point out that it is unfair to judge an entire religion based on the sins of some its followers, especially when that religion teaches that we are all sinners. The question is whether the great Christian themes of forgiveness and the duty to love one’s neighbor are true and worthy ideals we should do our best to follow.

I then asked Maureen Delaney: What makes you think I am a deceiver?

She replied: The Greek word for sorcery is pharmakeia. Unless needed for medical reasons, it is an abomination to God. The-end-of-time.blogspot.com will give you more information. You are so wrong and leading others astray.

I replied: If you think the etymology of the word settles the issue, why do you think it is OK to use drugs for medical reasons? Where in the Bible does it say that it is an abomination to use drugs for reasons other than the ones you would deem to be medical? Is taking the wine in Holy Eucharist done for medical reasons?

She replied: Please read the end-of-time.blogspot.com. If you need drugs to find God, then you have a very big problem. The Bible explicitly says that you must be born again to inherit the kingdom of God. 1 Cor. 12 speaks of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and the supernatural gifts that Holy Spirit gives. This leads to greater revelation of God and His Kingdom. If you think that God in any way promotes the use of drugs to find Him you are greatly deceived. People using drugs under a doctor’s care are using it because of the pain they are dealing with, not because they think it will help them find or understand God.

And I replied: Well, psychedelic experiences made me more interested in religion, and now I am a Christian. I looked at the blogspot, and it seems to me overly concerned with criticizing others for falling short.

Another critic, James McCullough, made this remark: Don’t believe in false teachings that tickle your ears.

I replied: Right! And don’t believe in ones that don’t tickle your ears either!

Doris Caver trenchantly commented: There are books that I know not to read. The two words in the title are oxymoron.

I replied as follows: The word “psychedelic” was coined by Dr. Humphrey Osmond in 1956 to describe what he had experienced as a result of ingesting LSD and mescaline. He used two Greek roots, “psyche,” a noun, and “deloun,” a verb, to form the adjective or noun “psychedelic.” Psyche means “the soul, mind, spirit; breath; life, one’s life, the invisible animating principle or entity which occupies and directs the physical body; understanding” Deloun means “to make visible, to reveal.” How is any of that the opposite of Christianity?

Doris Caver did not reply.

Another critic, Sandy Carr, posted the following comment: Galatians 1:8. Paul writes But though we, or an Angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. This article is another gospel and has nothing to do with the gospel preached by Christ and the Apostles.

To which I responded by asking: What have I said that you think is contrary to the gospel?

Sandy Carr’s answer: We have no need for drugs to enhance our experience with God. The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit is enough. We have all we need and it is very clear in the Bible. You are adding to the Word when you suggest any thing more. And what I quoted from Galatians is true. You are preaching another Gospel.

I replied: I don’t claim that we need drugs to enhance our experience with God, but I do claim that psychedelic substances can cause experiences that are just like the kind of thing that happened to Saul on the road to Damascus, and there is nothing in the Bible that I am aware of that says otherwise. Who are you to say what is and what is not the work of the Holy Spirit?

In response, Sandy Carr reiterated: You are adding to the gospel and leading people in the wrong direction by even suggesting that.

Another commenter, Mark Wright, directed the following remark to Maureen Delaney, and perhaps Doris Caver and Sandy Carr also: Read it before you condemn it.

I responded: Thank you for that, Mark!

And Maureen Delaney responded: Read the Bible and you will have all the truth you need.

To which Mark Wright replied: I’ve read the Bible, its not for me I’m afraid. I just felt moved to comment after reading some of the posts, no tolerance or debate, or the willingness to share or discuss. It’s this attitude by some Christians that puts people off.

Malcolm Cooper remarked: I want some of the drugs that he’s been on.

Betty Gutierrez posted the following comment: Narrow is the gate to heaven and wide is the road to destruction. Only one way to heaven And that is through my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Jeffrey Zablotsky then posted this: And then he told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.” 😉

By the way, everyone who is reading this, you do know that you can comment on this website, under Contact Us?

Readers are getting excited about Psychedelic Christianity! Order your copy today! https://www.amazon.com/Psychedelic-Christianity-Ultimate-Goal-Living/dp/1785357476/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1536523911&sr=1-1&keywords=psychedelic+christianity

“Jack Call plunges deeply into concerns of meaning and purpose. ‘What’s the point?’ he asks. If there is only one ultimate goal, that points to ‘an eternity that scares me . . . frozen, motionless, stale and suffocating.’ Instead, he paints a vibrant picture of hope for ‘absolutely fresh newness, as on the day of Creation, with solids that look like they have just gelled from liquid, and liquids that look like shining solids, and everything breathing and squirming with life.’ Wow!

This book deepened my understanding of the kingdom Jesus spoke of; it deepened my faith. My own experiences of ‘spiritual ecstasy’ have come through REALLY good music and nature. It was fascinating to read how Jack Call’s psychedelic experiences have given him deeply beautiful spiritual insights.
I hated to have the book end. I know I will read it again.”
Barbara Kremins, Regisered Nurse, retired

“. . . a breath of fresh air at a time when many folks are losing their religion. The book offers bold and refreshing takes on age-old questions in a modern context. . . . I highly recommend this book for believers, non-believers, and those that are undecided. The author has built a large tent for all of us to be together in peace.”
Bruce Olav Solheim, Ph.D., Distinguished Professor of History, Playwright, Citrus College, Glendora, California

“Bravo!! Loved it. This book contains marvelous insights.”
The Rev. Bill Garrison, Rector, St. Matthias Episcopal Church, Whittier, California

“Written with humor, clear language, and a practical approach to the spiritual journey,  Psychedelic Christianity does its readers a great service by reflecting on what many of us have probably thought or wondered, but few of us have the context and rigor to evaluate on our own.”
Michael Dennis, Moderator, First Congregational Church of Los Angeles

“According to Luke, Jesus says about the Kingdom of Heaven that it isn’t something to be found down the road, but is already here. Similarly, Thomas reports Jesus as having said that the Kingdom of Heaven is already on earth, but that men do not see it. In Psychedelic Christianity, Jack Call echoes these profound and yet puzzling proclamations. Psychedelic Christianity is Jack Call’s most recent exploration into connections he and others have made between insights gained by way of psychedelic and ‘traditional’ religious experience. This is a connection first suggested in God is a Symbol of Something True (2009), and pursued further in some detail in the follow-up   Dreams and Resurrection (2014). A highly trained philosopher, Jack Call (Ph.D., Claremont) takes great care to present clear and convincing arguments, and as someone who has walked the walk, speaks with authority about both psychedelic and religious experience. One of the aims of this book is to show how Christianity, how its system of archetypes that constitutes its intelligible framework, can work toward healing the spiritually blind, so that they many now see the Kingdom of Heaven that has been here all along.”
Kurt Smith, Ph. D., Professor of Philosophy, Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania

“Jack Call’s Psychedelic Christianity offers readers a kaleidoscope of profoundly personal experience and emergent theology — hoping for ‘glorious joy’ in life after life while exploring this life, focusing on human desire for moral, sensual and intellectual beauty in the here and now. Not ‘an aging hippie,’ Call shoots from the hip; he is both self-reflective and frankly straightforward in opinion (e.g. opposing politicized Christianity). Scripture is generously cited.”
Deanna Wilcox, Executive Director, Kids-Net LA, Inc., a non-profit in service to young foster children

“I was brought up with little religion. My mom and dad are non-practicing Christians, and my stepfather is most likely an atheist. What little I know regarding Christianity, I have learned from my grandmothers, and I have picked things up here and there. I admit, I am an agnostic and am still trying to figure this all out. That’s part of the reason why I wanted to read this book. The other being I’ve never taken an LSD trip. As someone who is afraid of death and what happens after, this book has brought some comfort. If anything it has taught me a little more about Christianity from a completely different viewpoint. As a scientist, I like things that make logical sense. Not everything does, but the author did an excellent job of using logic in many of his arguments. I enjoyed this, as I felt the author was using more than blind faith to justify his views, and to me that is important. Evidence and thought. As a philosopher, the author has a way of keeping the reader intrigued by using evidence and logic. Some may find the reading a bit dense at times, but others will also appreciate the preciseness of the language used.”
Paul Swatzel, Professor of Mathematics, Citrus College, Glendora, California

“Psychedelic Christianity is an entertaining and lucid evaluation of the usefulness of hallucinogens in achieving insight into key questions that underlie a spiritual quest. These include our relationship to a higher deity and what is expected of us. The argument leads us to examine the ultimate question concerning the goal of existence. Jack Call argues that while this goal has already been reached, it is not the end of the road. All in all, a fresh examination of the overlap between substance-induced spiritual experiences and Christian teachings, and the revelations that one may have on the other. Psychedelic Christianity is an innovative and provocative read that feeds the inquiring mind.”
Rick Brown, Ph.D., Psychology Dept., Citrus College

“A challenging read but worth it. A philosophical inquiry into the nature of God, with the author’s experiences with psychedelic assistance in opening to the wonder of the Divine.”
Cathy Dehaven, hospice RN (ret.)

“This book will not be everybody’s cup of tea nor rest easily with their way of thinking. Having been a psychiatric nurse, an ordained priest, a psychic and a Counsellor-Psychologist I am not attracted to try this route for myself for I have seen too many adverse reactions, but before there be any words of condemnation I suggest the reader attempt to place their religious scruples and prejudices to one side to consider just what Jack Call is saying alongside the suggestion of psychedelic chemical use and evaluate where the practice has led him. It might surprise them.”
Rev. John Littlewood, BSc (Hons), Cert Pastoral Theology (Cambs), Cert Theology (Cambs)