Should We Search for God, or LSD?

I came upon a fascinating article in the National Post the other day. The title of the article read, “Is Micro-dosing LSD a Solution to the ‘Crisis of Meaning’ in Modern Life?” The article went on to describe a study completed by two University of Toronto Ph.D. students, who conducted a large formal study from 909 participants in 29 countries.

“Micro-dosing” is described as the regular consumption of small amounts of psychedelic drugs, which included LSD.

The article went on to say that micro-dosing has become similar to a religion, based not on a god, but on a desire for self-enhancement. The study found that those who micro-dosed were less prone to depression, were less anxious, more focused, and even scored higher on what they called, “the wisdom scale.” In this study, “wisdom” was measured as being in touch with one’s feelings and having a good sense of humor about oneself.

We could stop here and see that wisdom has been redefined. Biblically speaking, especially from the book of Proverbs, having wisdom is to have skill in living. It requires the ability to choose those things that result in long term good, avoiding those that result in long term harm. From a biblical perspective, being in touch with our feelings have absolutely no effect on one’s ability to be wise.

But that is not the part of the study that interests me. The article suggested that a society that has been hollowed out of meaning must now be medicated with hallucinogenic drugs in order to survive. And that is both fascinating and horrible at the same time.

The real question the National Post did not address, is whether a society can survive the long haul without a belief in God.

It is God who defines what is ultimately valuable.  In his book, “The Universe Next Door”, author James Sire suggests that every worldview must ask and answer 8 essential questions. They are as listed below:

1. What is prime reality, or what is really real?
2. What is the nature of external reality?
3. What does it mean to be human?
4. What happens to a person at death?
5. Why is it possible to know anything at all?
6. How do we know what is right and what is wrong?
7. What is the meaning of human history?
8. What personal life-orienting commitments are consistent with this worldview?

Clearly, a world without God cannot answer these questions in any definitive way. Without God, we are left as hollowed human beings who are devoid of the basic building blocks of meaning. Given the reality of secular western societies, the authors of this study suggest we shouldn’t search for God and meaning, but for hallucinogenic drugs! Simply self-medicate until your soul’s craving for meaning is dulled, and the pain of meaninglessness goes away!

The article in the National Post is affirming for all true, believing and confessing Christians. We may face despair as a moment, but never as a way of life.  We know that Christ is not only our Saviour, but He is more. In 1 Corinthians 1:30, Paul writes, “And because of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God….” Indeed!

Dr. John Neufeld
Bible teacher, Back to the Bible Canada