The Mushroom in Christian Art: The Identity of Jesus in the Development of Christianity [Paperback]

Rush's book is one of the most revealing and creative works I have
read on the identity of Jesus. Although some of the images
presented may not be mushrooms, there are so many obvious mushrooms
that they lead to very serious questions: Why are the mushrooms in
the art and why have the art historians neglected to mention this
motif? Rush takes a bold and controversial step in his interpretation
of the mushroom, but his discussion of the Stations of the Cross, as
originally related to finding, processing, and consumption of the
holy mushroom, does seem plausible, certainly more plausible then
that of the story proffered as historical fact by the Catholic Church.
Was Jesus really a mushroom, the path to God, and not a living,
breathing human being?
At first this seemed ridiculous, but after all the information is
presented, I believe Rush is correct. I highly recommend this work
to anyone who is serious about understanding Christian art and the
origins of Christianity,
this will be a very difficult read for the true believer.

As an artist, and knowledgeable in Christian icons, I must say this is one of the most creative interpretations of Christian art I have ever come across. A few of the mushroom motifs are a bit questionable but the existence of the mushroom in Christian art is undeniable. He also makes an outstanding case for the identity of Jesus; this will most certainly be a difficult read for the true believer. I can also understand why Psillytom wrote his review, for the Catholic Church, out of political and economic necessity, would have to trash this work and Dr. Rush along with it. Rush, however, appears to subscribe to the primary messages of Jesus (he does not come across as an atheist), that is, human decency, know thyself, seek knowledge, and personal responsibility. And aren't these the important themes anyway? It really doesn't matter if Jesus was a real person or a mushroom, just be a decent person - and you don't need a priest or church to accomplish this. The other important point is that it is the artists who have kept the messages of human decency, know thyself, and personal responsibility alive - not the Catholic Church. This is a must read for serious scholars in Christian art as well as those seeking the truth.

I have not read the book yet, but I just ordered it and will read it as soon as I receive it. After I read it I will review it and inject personal experience into the review. The reason I am writing this is because before last Wednesday, Feb. 27 2013, I was an agnostic atheist. After this date I have a firm belief in Jesus as the omnipresent co-creator spurring each moment from the previous in tandem with our own higher consciousness. God exists too, for God is the higher power responsible for the whole multiverse. I consumed Jesus' flesh and during the trip I received the crazy notion that Jesus is real, which I struggled with due to my previous, rational code of belief. This message was sent to me through a series of synchronicities(verifiable acausal moments of alignment in reality with inner thoughts) and a feeling that was truly undeniably christ-like.
Remember, before this experience I was an atheist. During the trip I felt as if Jesus was ever-present, loving, and imbued into everything. I even spoke in tongues which I detested before hand as quackery. Ever since then things have been more vibrant, music has sounded crisper, cleaner, more complex and more meaningful. An inner will has arisen in me that has driven me to disregard the illusions of the lower consciousness like sadness, hate and anger, and rise only to the higher levels of love, peace, and acceptance of myself and all things. One thing I learned is that synchronicities are reflections of your higher self. The higher you rise, the more reality reflects you. It takes off the blinders and allows you to see for the first time. Jesus(mushrooms) heals the blind. And I assure you I am fully aware that anyone who has not had this experience would think I am crazy for saying these things. I would have believed the same thing a week ago. Try a large dose of shrooms with an maoi. You will meet Jesus and attain Christ consciousness in the most profound of ways. Doubt only acts as bars.