Talk:Santo Daime/Archive 1

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too blindly 'pro'
I suggest that some reference to the less 'positive' side of this grouping/practice should be included. I personally know of a close friend of mine who was utterly altered in their outlook and aliented from all they had previously held when 'taken in' by a leader of one of their cells. He was fed ayahuasca every day for 2 weeks and the capacity for this super-potent hallucinogen to be used to affect the vulnerable makes it a dangerous substance, and his experience (in a modern western European country) puts the lie to the rosy depiction of Santo Daime contained in these pages. I will not alter this article myself yet as I suspect that it would be reverted. Howver, it IS important that a greater realism make itself evident on this issue in the near future.

Santo Daime not all it says it is
This is the first thing I've found on the web challenging this so called religion. The same thing happened to a friend of mine and as a result it has altered all future relations with him. He has been completely taken in by this crowd and now all previous opinions he may have held regarded science or the power of the individual has been replaced by blind faith and the power of the collective. He now views himself as a Shaman and that we he so called friends are no longer his equal. He is so deluded that he believes the world will come to an end in 2012 because of some prophesy made thousands of years ago. It's good to hear another discerning voice out there. Any advice on a course of action from anyone out there in the same boat would be greatly appreciated. I'd particularly like to hear from someone in Santo Daime as I am worried I am losing a close friend.

Religious Intolerance
Anything can be dangerous. Of course involving oneself in a shamanic, mediumistic spiritual work is going to alter ones outlook. Some people seem to have strong grudges against this tradition and like to characterize it as a cult. It is just one way -of many- of sharing a very ancient medicine.

Cross examining spiritual movements
As a long time member of the Santo Daime, I would like to add my support for the call in this discussion for a more critical examination of Santo Daime. Personally I am convinced that any organisation purporting to be motivated by spiritual ideals, should also submit to critical inspection. However, the use of entheogens towards spiritual and therapeutic ends is a subject that will remain controversial in Western and modern contexts for some time to come, seeing as it challenges ingrained notions of what spirituality and religion are about. The use of entheogens as tools for communing with the sacred, or revealing the unconscious mind is bound to have profound effects on peoples deepest convictions. Obviously, such experiences may be absolutely shattering to some, and furthermore their friends and relatives might find it difficult to understand the sudden changes that may occur. The jargon used by any in-group is bound to contribute to this confusion.

Over the years I have found Santo Daime to function is a reasonably orderly fashion. The main body of members are people who reject mainstream religion because of its authoritarianism. It is also undoubtedly true that those who are attracted to such powerful experience, consciously or unconsciously opt for them because they have issues. Considering this, it is quite remarkable that there is such a small number of incident on record concerning the Santo Daime. Individual cases of 'intimidation' are on record, however there are relatively few cases of people with long-term problems subsequent to their having participated in Santo Daime ceremonies. After an initial period of adjustment, most individuals will find that they are able to be critical, that they still possess their own judgement and independence. Thus, if an individual behaves strangely after having participated in such ceremonies, the cause may be an issue with which he is dealing, it may be an issue between the subject and his friends, colleagues and relatives who are unwilling or unable to support or sympathise with him. There is a general policy within the Santo Daime of not proseletysing, however a small number of individual members, particularly newcomers, may express opinions and exert influence on others without recognising the bad influence they have. This is an issue that must be dealt with by those in positions of responsibility within any organisation. That is why it is important that those of us who are concerned for the safety and health of participants express our concerns. In my opinion this does already happen within the Santo Daime. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 213.84.15.210 (talk) 13:06, August 30, 2007 (UTC)