Carl A. P. Ruck

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Carl A. P. Ruck (born December 8, 1935, Bridgeport, Connecticut) is a professor in the Classical Studies department at Boston University. He received his B.A. at Yale University, his M.A. at the University of Michigan, and a Ph.D. at Harvard University. He lives in Hull, Massachusetts.

Entheogen theory

Carl Ruck is best known for his work along with other scholars in

shamanistic
rituals. His focus has been on the use of entheogens in classical western culture, as well as their historical influence on modern western religions. He currently teaches a mythology class at Boston University that presents this theory in depth.

The book The Road to Eleusis: Unveiling the Secret of the Mysteries, co-authored by Ruck with

Eleusinian mysteries was most likely the ergotism causing fungus Claviceps purpurea
. Furthermore the book introduced for the first time the term "entheogen" as an alternative for terms such as "psychedelic", "hallucinogen" and "drug" that can be misleading in certain contexts.

The Apples of Apollo: Pagan and Christian Mysteries of the Eucharist (2001) explores the role that entheogens in general, and

.

In January 2003 Ruck came to public attention commenting on a book by the cannabis activist Chris Bennett. He was quoted in The Guardian,[1] and then wrote an article for The Sunday Times.[2] His later work explored entheogenic connections to the Roman cult of Mithras.

Bibliography

Further reading

References

  1. ^ The Guardian The Guardian 6 Jan 2003 6 January 2003 "There can be little doubt about a role for cannabis in Judaic religion," Carl Ruck, professor of classical mythology at Boston University said. Referring to the existence of cannabis in anointing oils used in ceremonies, he added: "Obviously the easy availability and long-established tradition of cannabis in early Judaism _ would inevitably have included it in the [Christian] mixtures."
  2. ^ “Was There a Whiff of Cannabis about Jesus?” The Sunday Times, January 12, 2003 Archived July 2, 2014, at the Wayback Machine.

External links