Calling All Thelemites

[Sfonzarelli]

but now I see Crowley as a rebellious child, and nothing more. In his youth he was forced to study the Bible, and as a consequence he later rebelled as far from Jesus as he could be

And whose fault is that? I consider myself a Christian but the fact that people use "Christianity" as a pretense for abusing their children makes it understandable that said children would try to rebel against "Christianity", and even mistake a scarequotes-less Christianity for "Christianity".

However, he did nothing new.

Exactly. He was just reiterating various indigenous religious practices that "Christian" churches have tried to wipe out through force. (Including authentic Christianity itself)

People have worshipped themselves or their flesh in one way or another for thousands of years.

And there's a reason for that. Have you ever heard the legend about why the Shaolin monks started practicing kung fu? A kung fu master found them in their temple, wasting away because all they did was sit and meditate and didn't take exercise or take care of their bodies in any way. The idea of gaining spiritual enlightenment from self-abuse and self-neglect is absurd.

[maxomai]

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.

Well, since we're all being called out, here's my introductory post.

Name: maxomai
Thelemite: Yes, since I was 13. I'm an initiate of OTO to at least III*.
Disclaimer: Anything I say here is my opinion and mine alone, and not necessarily shared by OTO or my Lodge.

And now:

Tannhaus: Look, I sympathize with where you're coming from, but as a brother, I am going to ask you to consider where you're going wrong. Thelema is normal? AL II:17-19. We're being "picked on" or "bashed?" Even if I agreed with you on this point, which I don't, consider AL II:59,60. I might also suggest a quick read of "Men Amoungst the Ruins" or "Ride The Tiger."

Quick note to the anti-Thelemites: human sacrifice and cannibalism are a blind for something else. No, I won't tell you what it is. I will tell you that it is perfectly legal. If you're going to make accusations to the contrary, you'd better damn well have some solid proof.

Side note: I found it very amusing that Bree was studying Enochian for the Equinox, since I was doing the exact same thing myself.

That's all I've got until I get home from work.

Love is the Law, Love under Will.

[Sfonzarelli]

AL II:17-19. [...] AL II:59,60.

What does AL stand for?

Edit: Oh, duh. Nevermind

Double Edit: So I think I agree with you. I still find it kind of unsettling that you express your point through appeal to authority, though

[tannhaus]

Tannhaus: Look, I sympathize with where you're coming from, but as a brother, I am going to ask you to consider where you're going wrong.

And as a brother, I disagree with you

And I'm wondering just how long it takes you to realize who I am...

I thought sooner or later I'd see someone stumble in here that I knew

[maxomai]

Tannhaus: Look, I sympathize with where you're coming from, but as a brother, I am going to ask you to consider where you're going wrong.

And as a brother, I disagree with you

And I'm wondering just how long it takes you to realize who I am...

I thought sooner or later I'd see someone stumble in here that I knew

Well, that was a quick response. And to be blunt, even if I do know you personally and work with you regularly, still I disagree with you as stated.

[tannhaus]

Well, that was a quick response. And to be blunt, even if I do know you personally and work with you regularly, still I disagree with you as stated.

Agreed. I disagree with you as much as before. I was just interested if you could figure out who I am. You've never met me in person.

[ravensgrace]

I mean, Christians sit down and pretend to DRINK THE BLOOD AND EAT THE FLESH of the human incarnation of their God.

Some do it standing up, but seriously, what a generalization. Apparently, you didn't realize there are different denominations.

[tannhaus]

Some do it standing up, but seriously, what a generalization. Apparently, you didn't realize there are different denominations.

Well, I personally don't know of any that don't celebrate communion at some point. They could be out there, but I just don't know of them.

[Sfonzarelli]

Some do it standing up, but seriously, what a generalization. Apparently, you didn't realize there are different denominations.

Well, I personally don't know of any that don't celebrate communion at some point. They could be out there, but I just don't know of them.

Some don't, but it's a small minority.

[ravensgrace]

Did he accept the christian idea of a man in the sky dictating everything?

This is not a Christian idea. In fact, I don't think there is a single Christian who believes this concept of God. Actually, it reads like my old atheistic attempts at describing Christianity, before I learned anything about God.

[ravensgrace]

Quick note to the anti-Thelemites: human sacrifice and cannibalism are a blind for something else. No, I won't tell you what it is. I will tell you that it is perfectly legal. If you're going to make accusations to the contrary, you'd better damn well have some solid proof.

Why not just tell them? I'm sure you could find a way to state it without being overly graphic.

[twjaniak]

Some do it standing up, but seriously, what a generalization. Apparently, you didn't realize there are different denominations.

Well, I personally don't know of any that don't celebrate communion at some point. They could be out there, but I just don't know of them.

There are also varying degrees of belief in what is known as the "Thre Real Presense" of Jesus in the Sacrament. Some view it as a symbol but others as a physical and spiritual reality. From the earlier years of the church, the debate of whether or not Christians were cannibals was countered with the argument that, whereas cannibals ate the flesh of the dead, the reception of the Eucharist neither killed Jesus, nor diminished him in anyway.

[tannhaus]

There are also varying degrees of belief in what is known as the "Thre Real Presense" of Jesus in the Sacrament. Some view it as a symbol but others as a physical and spiritual reality. From the earlier years of the church, the debate of whether or not Christians were cannibals was countered with the argument that, whereas cannibals ate the flesh of the dead, the reception of the Eucharist neither killed Jesus, nor diminished him in anyway.

Understood...and, if you notice, I DID account for that part in my original statement. To some it's symbolism...to others it's literal.

But, this is all going off on a tangeant. The point I was getting at with the original statement was that there are plenty of things in Christianity that look pretty dang weird to anyone not of the religion...and that no religion is really any weirder than another. They're all equally weird...which makes them all normal.

[sovietkitsch]

The point I was getting at with the original statement was that there are plenty of things in Christianity that look pretty dang weird to anyone not of the religion...and that no religion is really any weirder than another. They're all equally weird...which makes them all normal.

I agree with this. When people bash Tom Cruise for his scientology beliefs, it really irritates me. Sure, what he believes might seem wacky, and the church seems to want to make money, but how does that differ from me being raised a strict catholic - being taught the concept of creationism and the priest coming round the congregation rattling a collections plate?

It only seems weird when its not what you're used to.

[TheChessboardWoman]

I agree with this. When people bash Tom Cruise for his scientology beliefs, it really irritates me. Sure, what he believes might seem wacky, and the church seems to want to make money, but how does that differ from me being raised a strict catholic - being taught the concept of creationism and the priest coming round the congregation rattling a collections plate?

It only seems weird when its not what you're used to.

I think people bash Tom for his behaviour in regarding his religion (IE jumping on couches and being a total crazy-lunatic-arseface.) On the other hand, you rarely, if ever, hear any bashing toward John Travolta or Beck, both scientologists. The difference? They do not act like crazy people.

If a crazy person were Christian and bible-thumped, people would call them on it. It's the same for every religion.