"...you know what I'm craving? A little perspective. That's it. I'd like some fresh, clear, well seasoned perspective. Can you suggest a good wine to go with that?" - Anton Ego, Ratatouille
For those of you who aren't parents, Ratatouille is a Pixar film.You want quotes from Citizen Kane, read a blog by a guy with no kids.
The good witchdoctor advised me to quit whining. I deserved it. I had gotten a little emotional over the attack on Christianity by Lon. Joe pointed out a lot of shit he goes through, putting up with shit outta Christians, and basically said if I have to put up with this level of bullshit, you can handle Lon calling Christianity a few names.
I agree.
However... It's still major fucking bullshit, whether they're Christians attacking Joe and his family or Thelemites attacking Christians in song. The bullshit has to end. I see all the "Coexist" bumper stickers out there, and it wasn't even a week ago that I posted an article that indicated a quarter to a third of Christians are incorporating beliefs and practices from other religions here in America. There are people out there, a lot of us, who are trying to change the world and make it better. Hate, from any source, just makes it worse.
My own heart is hate-filled. I have a deep and abiding hatred that evil should be done within the world, regardless of its source. I don't hate the perpetrator, I hate the evil itself. I expect more from humanity than we usually give. I'm not perfect, I do things I later hate too. I apologize and try to make it right when I slip up and make the world a darker place instead of a lighter one.
Lon said on the page where the song can be purchased, "I hope no one is too offended. This is all in good fun." I suppose I'm in the "too offended" crowd, and I don't think lumping all of Christianity together based on the actions of some of its adherents is acceptable from someone who's doing the Great Work. I don't think that we who have been through the Black Phase of the Work should think this is "in good fun." I have higher expectations from people who want to sell the world an 8-hour DVD series that will take them "Beyond the Secret" by teaching the Great Work.
I've got perspective on the scene. Lon's hatred of Christianity is really a reflection of the hatred many Christians show Joe and many others by telling them they're going to hell. It's intolerance. It's hate. It's human. He doesn't like that Christianity has been used to perpetuate hatred, yet he's ok doing it himself.
Do I get as pissed about people who use Christianity to spread hatred? No, I do not. I get more pissed. They're a fucking embarrassment. They inspire the kind of bullshit Lon posted. Christians like that are just asking to be taken out by their counterparts of other beliefs. Their counterparts are equally ignorant, unilluminated, spiritually dense humans who justify their hatred instead of seeking to expunge it from their hearts.
And I know I'm probably a hypocrite. I generally try to live up to my standards, but I fail like everyone else. That doesn't mean the standards are wrong, it just means I failed to live up to them.
Head for the Red: The ongoing adventures and insights of a magician's attempts to accomplish the Great Work.
And so rationalizations remain the same. Yup, I have a reason to hate now! hurray for me! God bless me! Its my way. Please let me revel in my rationalizations!
ReplyDeleteI have never seen you toss out your Bible for the horrors contained within it nor for the abuses done under its name and under the name of your God.
Why? Because there is also great wisdom there. You'd be an idiot to reject your religion over its flaws.
Yet according to your EVM post, you're throwing out Lon's work for want isn't in it. For what he did in a moment (perhaps continuing) of less than brilliance.
yes yes but he attacked YOUR religion. That is just unacceptable.
Fear is fear and you are wallowing in it.
You still love him, and that's ok. I won't support him in any way.
ReplyDeleteDo a little research on your hero some time. This little slip of his, which you agreed was inappropriate, is the tip of an iceberg that goes deep.
I have no doubt on the internet I can find claims that he is a child molesting satanist that touches ducks and pokes badgers with spoons. Yawn.
ReplyDeleteI have no doubt some accusations are true. Some are false and some are malicious. Some are true and yet been overcome later in life.
So what?
Thelemites are fond of saying they are the only religion whose members dislike their prophet (Crowley).
I have never known one to claim perfection or seek it. They are bashed all the time as women hating. Yet produce some bad-ass women that I would not want to take on in a magickal fight. Three of which I can think of off the top of my head. None of which would tolerate being treated as outsiders claim women are treated. One of which has that nice cozy adept feel that I get from my mentor.
I am sure if you dug deep enough into my life, you'd find something to discredit my claim to doing the work. I am sure I could hirer a PI and find dirt on you, Jason, my mentor, or nearly anyone else. So what?
The only difference is that his flaw rubs against your fears. Which reveals as much about you as it does him.
Feel free to wallow. I have wallowed too. It is part of the Work, as long as you don't get stuck there.
What is it I'm afraid of? Someone hating christianity?
ReplyDeleteI'm just disappointed, that's all. And pissed. Anger can be a response to fear, but it can also be a response to an affront against righteousness. That's the difference between anger and wrath, I suppose. The hatred spoken of in the Bornless rite is a "good" hatred, right?
I'm not a fan of this particular song, but I think it's meant to be satire. Lon could also be playing a character here, as songwriters often do, and as Lon has done before. After all, I am sure Lon himself does not "love to get drunk in the car," even though this is the theme of another of his songs. This song just doesn't work as well, that's all.
ReplyDeleteIt is a really good thing that you have been so self-searching about your own strong reaction to this piece. It's a sign of someone who is truly working at self-perfection, and I bow to that, for sure.