1. How is The Church of the Entheogenic Saints organized? Do you have a hierarchial structure with prophets and apostles?
The Church of the Entheogenic Saints does not adhere to traditional religious hierarchies in order to prevent the centralization of power and the oppression that arises from these systems.
We have not incorporated legally, as we do not engage in activities like financial transactions, entering into contracts, or own property. Nevertheless, we fully exercise our religious freedoms as a church.
2. What is the concept of priesthood in your church? Is it inclusive of all genders and races?
We redefine priesthood to move away from historical power dynamics that exclude marginalized groups. To us, priesthood is an inherent quality in everyone and is activated through the pursuit of healing, equality, and justice.
3. Do you have a Temple?
The purpose of the Temple was to create a space large enough where the church could altogether be “endowed with power from on high” by taking our Sacrament.
Since we are a small church this allows us to conduct our Sacramental services in a home setting, which we find intimate and sufficient for our needs.
4. Why is your church named “The Church of the Entheogenic Saints”?
We are members of the Smith-Rigdon movement, commonly referred to as “The Restoration”. In the early days of our movement we had a great focus on apocalypticism, thus we were called “The Church of the Latter Day Saints”.
Today we have outgrown our apocalyptic tendencies, but have decided to continue including what we value most in our name, particularly our relationship with our Sacrament.
5. What is your church’s logo?
Our logo is the keystone of an arch found in the Kirtland Temple, which is where many of the first Sacramental experiences occurred.
The Temple itself was inspired by Greek revivalist architecture, and this symbol appears to be a kykeon, which was a drink which was part of ancient Greek ceremonies such as the Mysteries of Eleusis.
6. What is your Sacrament?
While the early Restoration likely used multiple different entheogens, today the Church of the Entheogenic Saints solely holds psilocybin mushrooms to be our sacred Sacrament.
While we encourage it be taken in a communal and ritualistic setting, this is not mandated. Ultimately the sacrament is a pathway for you to connect with the Divine.
7. Is your Sacrament a part of the Restoration tradition?
Yes. We believe that entheogens played a crucial role in early Restoration visionary experiences. Our “Papers, Podcasts, and Articles” page details this history in more depth.
8. Why did the early Restoration movement suspend using entheogens?
After the Kirtland Safety Society failed much of the membership left, and the church relocated to Independence, Missouri, and then again to Nauvoo, Illinois. During these times Joseph Smith Jr. temporarily suspended the use of entheogens, as the mindset and setting wasn’t good for the church to have an entheogenic experience.
We believe it wasn’t until the church was more established in Nauvoo that Joseph Smith Jr. considered employing entheogens in worship practices. We believe that the Nauvoo Temple ceremony as originally created by Joseph Smith Jr. would have included an entheogenic aspect, but this was not implemented due to his death.
The Restoration’s relationship with entheogens after this was sporadic, with noteworthy instances including Frederick M. Smith, the Peyote Way Church of God, and many Ex-Mormons converting into The Divine Assembly.
9. Is the Sacrament legal?
The law protects sincerely-held religious beliefs and practices through the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) as long as they are safe and central to your sincerely-held religious beliefs.
Members of The Church of the Entheogenic Saints hold partaking of our sacrament as being central to our religious experience. Additionally, we believe that our Sacrament played a key part in the formation of the Restoration movement.
That being said, if a member of our church were to be religiously persecuted by the government they, as individuals, would need to illustrate how the Sacrament is central to their own personal spiritual practice. In order to prove this, members are encouraged to continually ponder on and write about their relationship to and experiences with the Sacrament. The church has also established a library of these sacred texts called “Endowments of the Saints”, which is a collection of these experiences that are publicly available. Members may submit to add this to the library, and the membership confirms or rejects its addition every April 6th.
To further show that these are sincere beliefs and forms of worship, you may ask for a membership card. This card will have both an issue and expiration date, as these help prove that this is an active belief for you that requires renewal.
The Sacrament should never be used outside of a spiritual context or be shared with individuals under 21.
10. How can I obtain the Sacrament? Will the church sell it to me?
The Church of the Entheogenic Saints does not distribute the sacrament; members independently organize sacramental ceremonies.
The church officially only sponsors worship services which help connect people to one another.
11. What do you believe about God?
Our first Article of Faith says:
“We believe in the Divine, which is known by many names and encountered in various forms across all cultures and peoples of the world.”
Since the Divine manifests in so many different ways, our members are not compelled to have one particular model or understanding of God. In fact, we find that this diversity of thought helps give us a clearer picture of the Divine, as taught in the parable of the Blind Men and the Elephant.
12. Does your church identify as Christian?
Unitarian-Universalism started as two separate Christian denominations, yet today it is not an entirely Christian religion. Likewise, we recognize that the Restoration started out as a Christian denomination, but today The Church of the Entheogenic Saints is not entirely Christian; some of us may identify with the term “Christian”, but others do not.
13. Does your church identify as esoteric or occultic?
Again, there are some within our church which identify with these terms, but the church does not mandate anyone to adopt them into their own spiritual identity or practice.
14. What is your church’s relationship with sacred texts?
The Restoration has always been a bit of an enigma with it’s scriptural canon as well as its understanding of scripture, and The Church of the Entheogenic Saints is no exception. We value wisdom that we can find in all texts and strive to understand them within their cultural and historical contexts. We encourage studying all Restoration texts as well as texts from other traditions.
The Restoration has a vast library of sacred texts, many of which have been canonized by various sects and others which are held in esteem simply by their merits.
15. What is your stance on Queer and polyamorous people and families?
Our church affirms the worth and dignity of Queer and polyamorous families, and celebrates them in our fellowship with them.
16. How can I join The Church of the Entheogenic Saints?
Detailed information on joining our church can be found on this page.
17. Do I need a membership card?
While not required, a membership card can provide additional legal protection in cases of religious persecution.
18. Are members required to pay tithing?
Our church does not accept donations, as we believe that when money gets involved in religion it commodifies Divinity and the feeling of the transcendent sacred.
Instead, we encourage members to financially support or volunteer at local charities and within their communities if they are able to.
19. How can members of your church officiate weddings?
All members are empowered to officiate weddings. Should legal documentation be required by the government, the church can provide necessary documentation; just reach out through our contact form.