Psychedelics in Monotheistic Traditions: Sacramental Practice and Legal Recognition

An interdisciplinary symposium bringing together scholars of religion, legal experts, and contemporary psychedelic religious leaders to explore the legal recognition of religious psychedelic use in Jewish and Christian communities. Sessions will draw on methodologies of religious studies, law, and the humanities, and will cover topics including:

o   Biblical, theological, philosophical, and mystical bases for the present-day religious use of psychedelics.

o   Forms of psychedelic use in Jewish, Christian, and Muslim communities today

o   Legal pathways to recognition including religious exemptions, decriminalization, rescheduling, and federal and state legislative initiatives

o  Critical issues including safety, ethics, diversion, representation, access, and justice.

The symposium is co-chaired by Professors Noah Feldman and Jay Michaelson, and is sponsored by the Julis-Rabinowitz Program on Jewish and Israeli Law at Harvard Law School and the Harvard Study of Psychedelics and Culture, with the participation of the Center for the Study of World Religions at Harvard…