The Sacred Mushroom and the Cross
Cover of the first edition | |
| Author | John M. Allegro |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Subject | Language, Fertility cults, Christianity, Ancient Near East |
| Publisher | Hodder and Stoughton Ltd |
Publication date | 1970 |
| Publication place | United Kingdom |
| Media type | Print (Hardback) |
| Pages | 253 (third edition) |
| ISBN | 0-349-10065-9 |
The Sacred Mushroom and the Cross: A Study of the Nature and Origins of Christianity Within the Fertility Cults of the Ancient Near East is a 1970 book about the linguistics of early Christianity and fertility cults in the Ancient Near East. It was written by John Marco Allegro (1923–1988).
The book argues that Christianity and other religions originated from ancient fertility cults involving psychoactive mushroom rituals, claiming Jesus was a mythological figure created under the influence of psychoactive substances. The idea has been widely ridiculed by scholars. The book was met with controversy, sparking a media frenzy upon its 1970 release, leading to the author’s resignation, with critics describing it as bizarre, difficult to follow, and academically unsound.
John Allegro’s theories have seen renewed interest, with some scholars and authors calling for their reconsideration. His work has been reprinted with added commentary, and figures like Carl Ruck and Terence McKenna have supported or echoed aspects of his claims.