Nephorm,
The statement was made under the assumption that the content of thought isn’t important (relative to the process of thought) and that god is content, like time, pineapple-chunks and girlfriends.
This is of course only interesting as it relates to the question of ‘what’ we are.
[quote]jp_dubya wrote:
I place Scientology in the same lump as Mormon and Jehovah’s witness. Cults[/quote]
Funny you should mention it. Just a few rumours from an ex-Golden-Dawn style occultist.
L. Ron Hubbard, Gerald Gardner, Joseph Smith, H.P. Lovecraft, and Sigmund Freud were all members of the Ordo Templi Orientis and disciples of Aleister Crowley.
The whole gist of the Ordo Templi Orientis is to elevate the individual from human to “religious Genius” and have communion with “The Holy Guardian Angel”, which was an aspect of the soul in touch with “God” or was God, depending on how you look at it.
In order to receive their 3rd degree initiation, a member had to create a tradition that grew enough to have the potential to outlive them by three generations.
When L. Ron Hubbard decided to go for his 3rd degree, he created Scientology. Crowley didn’t like where L-Ron’s “tradition” was going and cut ties with him. The higher teachings of Scientology are basically stolen from the O.T.O. and dumbed down.
When Gerald Gardner went for 3rd degree, he created Wiccanism out of the lower initiate curriculum of the OTO and mixing it with some traditional British paganism.
Joseph Smith created The Church of Latter-Day Saints.
To earn his 3rd degree, Sigmund Freud created his school of Psychodynamic Theory.
H.P. Lovecraft just used all the rituals and such to write horror novels and never got his 3rd degree.
Finally some intelligent input rather than circular crap. In my honest opinion, the average occultist (not some satan worshipper as the term is misconstrued) has a better handle on the “truth” and his obligations to his fellow man than your average “religious” person. There are common threads of thought shared within both organized religion and occult study.
Another point in reply to some earlier mumbo jumbo - the occultist does not necessarily believe in a singular “god” but rather numerous “gods” and I use the term “god” very loosely - god is more likened in the occult sense to a “potency” within the universe. And evidence for more than one god can be found in your very own mis-translated king james bible. “elohim” which translated in the KJB to a singular (god) is in fact, plural.
[quote]AlbertaBeef wrote:
Joseph Smith died in 1844. Crowley was not born until 1875. So that would be a feat.
The average occultist is a loon. They most likely didn’t learn to be an occultist from their parents. They intentionally got themselves involved in stupidity.
The average person involved in traditional organized religion was brought up that way and only practices their religion half heartedly and is usually realistic about the whole thing.
Religious extremists are a differnt matter.
““Finally some intelligent input rather than circular crap.””
Rumors easily proven false are what you consider “intelligent input?” Regarding “circular crap” you don’t know what you are talking about (unless you are talking about your own opinions).
[quote]beebuddy wrote:
““Finally some intelligent input rather than circular crap.””
Rumors easily proven false are what you consider “intelligent input?” Regarding “circular crap” you don’t know what you are talking about (unless you are talking about your own opinions).[/quote]
I was referring to the quite intelligent post from nephorm - not the rumors.
[quote]
Joseph Smith died in 1844. Crowley was not born until 1875. So that would be a feat. [/quote]
Must’ve gotten my facts crossed. Stupid brain. J.S. was definitely a Kabbalist before creating LDS, though. Probably through a similar Order with a similar tradition.