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Crowleyanity and Appropriation

From: nagasiva@luckymojo.com (nigris (333))
Subject: Crowleyanity and Appropriation (was Jesus and Will...)
Date: Thu, 25 Nov 1999 13:43:25 -0800 (PST)

49991125 IVom Kennethmas

a correspondent wrote:
#> ...just because one makes use of certain symbols associated with 
#> a specific religion does not necessarily make one a member of
#> that religion.  

when one proclaims one's works to be the same as these religious
usages, it does little more than appropriate for the purpose of 
self-promotion.

#> Crowley used Hebrew Qabalah to analyze Liber AL....

no, he used warmed-over Christian cabalism, already once-removed
by virtue of an antagonism between Christians and Jews.

#> does that mean Thelema is a form of Judaism?  

or Christianity? remember "Yeheshua" from "The Book of Thoth".

#> And how about all that Yoga?  

yeah, how *about* that? how much was actually done, rather than
just written about? how much was part of the Indian lineages,
rather than purported after the fact so as to claim authority?
what is the usual structure of guru-chela relations and the
'pedigree' of Crowley's yogic achievement? I have seen no data
on this other than a claim to have spent some time with a guru
and written things that sound like a revision on Patanjali.

#> Does that make Thelema a form of Hinduism and/or Buddhism? 

or Theosophy? and once they start down this road, how can they
possibly get huffy about someone using names like "OTO" for
their mystical and magical organizations and achievements
and avoid hypocrisy?

the Reverend Rob :
# The Christian references abound in _Agape_ and other documents; 
# it isn't just a use of the symbol set in regards to Crowley 
# and Thelema.  Rather, there are numerous statements which can 
# reasonably be interpreted as statements of belief rather than 
# just attempts to pilfer a paradigm.

heh, if you want statements of belief, why not:
 
     The DEACON and all the PEOPLE: 
	I believe in one secret and ineffable LORD; and in 
	one Star in the Company of Stars of whose fire we are 
	created, and to which we shall return; and in one 
	Father of Life, Mystery of Mystery, in His name 
	CHAOS, the sole viceregent of the Sun upon the Earth; 
	and in one Air the nourisher of all that breathes.

	And I believe in one Earth, the Mother of us all, and 
	in one Womb wherein all men are begotten, and wherein 
	they shall rest, Mystery of Mystery, in Her name BABALON.

	And I believe in the Serpent and the Lion, Mystery of 
	Mystery, in His name BAPHOMET.

	And I believe in one Gnostic and Catholic Church of Light, 
	Life, Love and Liberty, the Word of whose Law is THELEMA.

	And I believe in the communion of Saints.

	And, forasmuch as meat and drink are transmuted in us 
	daily into spiritual substance, I believe in the Miracle 
	of the Mass.

	And I confess one Baptism of Wisdom whereby we accomplish 
	the Miracle of Incarnation.

	And I confess my life one, individual, and eternal that 
	was, and is, and is to come.

	AUMGN. AUMGN. AUMGN.
	---------------------------------------------------------
	"Liber XV (Book 15): Ecclesiae Gnosticae Catholicae 
	 Canon Missae (Gnostic Catholic Church Official Mass)",
	 by Baphomet XI (Crowley).
	__________________________________

what does this set of statements make those who call themselves
'Thelemites' and practice this Gnostic Mass? Crowleyites?

blessed beast!
______________________________________________________________________
(333) nagasiva@luckymojo.com; http://www.luckymojo.com/nagasiva.html

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