I've finally figured out a reason to start a religion. I'll get to that reason in a minute. Temple of the Mirror Explanation of name: Arbitrarily selected from Sufism, which includes a concept of "polishing the mirror", or continual refinement of the self and its nature. Godhead: The Universe Holy text: Undetermined. Yet to be written. Organization: Projected 1 officer, title undetermined. Church bodies can meet in members' homes, in taverns, or anywhere it's legal to meet. Tithe: None Core beliefs: - The Universe exists - Humans exist within the Universe - The purpose of life is the perpetuation of life (e.g. perpetuation of species) within the Universe Answering social issues: - Environmentalism: seek the most naturally-harmonious ways of meeting human needs - Rights: all human beings are equal, and entitled to basic human and civil rights at least; personal liberty is respected - Marriage: discouraged - Parenting: if you choose to reproduce, the perpetuation of species comes above all else. In other words, no half-assed or selfish parenting. - Sexuality: homosexuality is openly accepted, and in light of growing population problems .... - Education: immensely helps perpetuation of humanity - Drugs: endorse marijuana, psilocybin, LSD, peyote, alcohol Church symbol: I haven't drawn it yet, but it will be four equilateral triangles arranged to a compass rose; two triangles will be scored according to elemental symbolism, associated to the "compass points" according to common pagan and Hermetic symbology; circle at center of compass rose with pentacle in middle. Symbolic explanation: Four triangles indicate four primary elements--earth, water, fire, air; circle represents spirit, self-awareness, or whatever one chooses to call the unique element of the human intellectual capacity. The 4-5 relationship is repeated again in the pentacle, with the top point representing spirit. Reading list (partial): Emma Goldman, Albert Camus, Aldous Huxley, Aleister Crowley, J.G. Frazer, Max Weber, Marx & Engels (I'll build the rest of the reading list later) The whole point of it is that by ensconcing certain social issues within the church, we can protect them from oppression. An anti-gay law, for instance, would pose a First Amendment difficulty. And I probably would only seek members in order to codify those things I wish to protect in society, so rather than joining my church, I would encourage other people to form their own, fulfill the legal requirements to be registered as a church, and thus you can protect a good deal of liberty that others would take away. thanx, Tiassa Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!
Sorry about the glitch above, I must have quoted you to respond then somehow things got sent without my responce....Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image! Anyways, Tiassa, I think that your intentions are well, but you might be potentially suggesting the recipe for disaster. I have thought about this option before, a place where I would be accepted for who I am, where I would be conversing infinitly with super wise people who are open to all possibilities, where I would be happy and satisfied, where I would use a public forum to enhance my own viewes and build on them, but your option is impossible politically if applied in this world. Someone will try to be the boss, there will be fighting, some will try to put down others ideas because it threatens their own ideas.....ect. In no time, I would back out of the club and pondering again... I thought, I didn't fully understood Socrates statement, but I think your question triggered the solution: "He who will fight for the right, if he would live even for a brief space, must have a private station and not a public one".. Thanks for making me understand the value of this Socratic wisdom about preserving the private station.
Tell it to Dr. King In the context of our discussion, I would ask you to consider Dr. (Rev.) Martin Luther King, Jr. While I hardly pretend myself to be of such stature, it's still a fair consideration. Is it a shame, then, that Dr. King didn't understand? Besides, I'm too lazy to actually do it Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!. thanx, Tiassa Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!
Re: Tell it to Dr. King Yeah and neah... At least he understood the ... fear is indeed the pretense of wisdom and not real wisdom But maybe he didn't understand the: Real wisdom is foolish one... I dunno Tiassa...what do you think???
I'm startin' my own church. Church of the Feline. They already are pretty sure they're gods anyway, might as well get a tax rebate for feeding the beggars. (Cat food would be considered a tithe, you see...that's tax deductable, isn't it?) I like yours too, but mine would probably have to include a lot more stuff like laying around in the sun and sleeping than yours seems to involve. Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image! Maybe my church and yours can get together for parties though? :m:
I think ... I think I'm glad that Dr. King was apparently so stupid. thanx, Tiassa Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!
