Sure, Dionysian worship is a whole lot of fun - but it’s still worship. I have no problem with people using entheogens in and out of ritual, engaging in sex, dressing up in costumes, throwing lavish feasts, dancing and running the woods at night - that’s all stuff you’re supposed to do for him! But it’s not all you’re supposed to do. There’s also prayer, making offerings, pouring out libations and a ton of other ritual and devotional activities that enable us to cultivate a strong reciprocal relationship with the divinity. Without that religious framework you’re just someone who’s out to have a good time. And there’s not a damn thing wrong with that - everyone could use blowing off a little steam now and again - but be honest about what you’re doing and where your motives are at.

And don’t tell me that these are the same things because there’s a world of difference between watching The Daily Show stoned while munching on some Cheetos and smoking in the woods after hours of intense ritual and ecstatic dancing in front of his ivy-draped masked idol. And if you can’t see that you’ve got no business calling yourself by his name.