Psychedelics and Religious Liberty in the United States

Navigate the legal landscape of psychedelic use in the U.S. through religious protections with this self-paced, 4-lecture course.

  • 100 Enrolled
  • Beginner
  • Last updated Sep '23
  • English
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Course Description

This self-study course aims to educate individuals on the legal use of psychedelics in the United States, specifically through religious protections. The course consists of 4 lectures, each between one and two hours long.

The course features a panel of experts who will provide information on the legal process of obtaining religious protection for the use of psychedelics, as well as insight into existing federally protected psychedelic-using religions in the United States and how they received that status. The course is designed to be flexible and accessible, allowing participants to learn at their own pace with lifetime access to video lectures.

The course is ideal for individuals curious about the legal use of psychedelics and the potential to start a religion for legal protection.

What you’ll learn
  • Understand the legal use of psychedelics in the United States through religious protections.
  • Learn about the process of obtaining religious protection for the use of psychedelics.
  • Gain insight on existing federally protected psychedelic using religions in the United States and how they obtained that status.
  • Understand the potential to start a religion for legal protection for the use of psychedelics.

This course provides an in-depth examination of the legal use of psychedelics in the United States through religious protections. Participants will learn about the process of obtaining religious protection for the use of psychedelics, as well as gain insight on existing federally protected psychedelic using religions in the United States and how they obtained that status. The course is designed to be flexible and accessible, allowing participants to learn at their own pace with lifetime access to the video lectures. By the end of the course, participants will have a better understanding of the legal landscape and potential options for using psychedelics within the legal framework in the United States.

You will learn:

  • What is Bwiti?
  • Roles in Bwiti initiation/treatment
  • Instruments in Bwiti: ngombe, mogongo
  • What is an Nganga
    • Maboundi/Yombo
    • Maboundi/Yombo
  • Sustainability/reciprocity

You will learn:

  • History of the Fang tradition
  • Dissumba vs. Dissumba Fang
  • Ombwiri/Mbumbayano Fang
  • The kambo
  • State of Fang Bwiti in Gabon
  • Impact of Westerners coming to work with the sacred wood

You will learn:

  • History of the Missoko tradition
  • Various branches of Missoko initiation:
    • Miobe/Mioba
    • Ngonde Na Dipuma
    • Sengedia
  • The impact of logging on the tradition
  • What the future of Bwiti could look like in Gabon

You will learn:

  • History of Dissumba
  • Various branches of Dissumba initiation:
    • Abanji/Mabanji
    • Ilombo
    • Ombwiri
    • Ombudi
    • Loro
  • The ngombe (sacred harp)
  • Healing rituals involved in her tradition
  • Training to serve the wood
    • What does it involve?
    • How long does it take?

instructor-image

Tatayo

Instructor

About Instructor

Tatayo (“Fruit of the Wind”) first arrived in Gabon in 1971 at the age of 21 and became a Gabonese citizen. In 1979, he became the first white person to be initiated into the Bwiti Fang tradition in Gabon. In 1994, he was initiated into the Misokko tradition. As a guide for numerous expeditions and missions, including those of National Geographic, the BBC, and others, Tatayo is considered to have “opened the door” to westerners in Gabon.

Frequently Asked Questions

Please see below for start and finish dates/times. This course is currently being offered live and dates/times will change throughout the year.

FREE

This course includes

  • Lectures 4
  • Duration 6 Hours
  • Skills Beginner
  • Language English
  • Availability Always
  • Certificate No
Psychedelics and Religious Liberty in the United States Course Image