Thelema as a 'recognized religion'
-
93,
Typing the words 'recognized religion' left me with some reservations, mostly because it implies some form of acceptance by others, and all the baggage associated with the term 'religion'. I actually prefer the little sunshine comment of 'a system of spiritual philosophy'.
Anyway, since the current media magnetic storm, which I also loathe, is enough to jar this post out me which has been at front of mind for a while, I wonder if there are any thoughts on Thelemic acceptance, in those social contexts. For example, if I were to tell my employer, I need the first 2 weeks of April off work to celebrate the Holy Days, and this is a religious holiday so don't dock my pay or vacation or fire me, or, I choose to wear a rich head dress and other Thelemic wares to work as part of my 'religion'. And lets say I did these things in a corporate, or other 'mainstream' environment...how long would I have a job? A King may choose his garment as he will, except maybe if it put him on the breadline or the head block.
Not that these things are needed...at all. But still, why should I feel the need to be underground, or that I would be persecuted and penalized for practicing and expressing my 'religion' in the 'mainstream'?
-
Even when I worked a corporate job (for a famous office equipment company as a sales rep/account manager), I was not underground. I accepted the six paid holidays, and one personally observed paid holiday, as they were; included where (by the time I left) 15 vacation days (I earned vacation hours based on years with the company and hours logged in), six non-paid sick days, and five non-paid personal days. I didn't have to schedule my sick days or personal days provided I called them before one half hour prior to the shift. No questions, no complaints (plus if I worked weekends, I could "make up" my personal days and keep going with them).
People who cared to ask knew I called myself a Thelemite. They'd ask because I wear several necklaces (I Unicursal Hexagram, a septagram, and whatever amulet I may be interested in at the time). I'd explain it was the true religion of Aleister Crowley, that in my view it was a continuation of the ancient Rosicrucian traditions. I observed the many holy days as I felt comfortable with at the time, some times even scheduled a personal day and just upped my hours and sales for it. I even invited some of my cowan friends/co-workers to enjoy my feasts with me (depending on what I was doing).
My bookshelf is in my living room. My walls are decorated with various esoteric artifacts. I have always maintained one room strictly for ritual use (currently it is a curtained off section of my indoor patio). My landlord has seen it, some curious friends have been allowed to see it, I even had two officers of the law (State Troopers) who where investigating neighborhood break-ins see it. Very interesting and friendly conversations.
I no longer work "for the man." My "purposeful life" (as my last supervisor called my life-style) has led me to the owning/operating of three private businesses. I'm not a wealthy man, but I'm a liberated man. The fact that while I was working "for boss man" was to serve the purpose of earning and acquiring what I do for a living now is what liberated me.
I suggest you stop hiding.
Just my opinion. -
@HRUMACHIS said
"But still, why should I feel the need to be underground, or that I would be persecuted and penalized for practicing and expressing my 'religion' in the 'mainstream'?"
This question, with which you ended, is another way of asking the following:
"Why should I act in a way that makes me effective in my life and takes me down paths I choose to follow, instead of choosing behaviors that will sabotage me?"
For most people, this is a practical question - effective life management - not a human rights question, IMHO.
OTOH, if you want to frame it as a human rights question specifically, then you are adopting the role of other civil rights warriors over the years: You have to be willing to pay the price, whatever it is. The victory in these matters is not necessarily for you, but is especially for those who come after you.
-
"
For most people, this is a practical question - effective life management - not a human rights question, IMHO.
"Thats just it - 'life management' means hiding in this world if you are Thelema. While all the Abrahamic and Islam can excercise in society according to their faith. Thelemic lives should be a continuum, not a series of compartments.
-
@HRUMACHIS said
"But still, why should I feel the need to be underground, or that I would be persecuted and penalized for practicing and expressing my 'religion' in the 'mainstream'?"
IMO it depends on your goals, short-term and long-term. If you really have to be "underground" to get on with your business (Thelema), and what you really want is to get on with said business, so be it.
-
@Jim Eshelman said
"
This question, with which you ended, is another way of asking the following:"Why should I act in a way that makes me effective in my life and takes me down paths I choose to follow, instead of choosing behaviors that will sabotage me?"
For most people, this is a practical question - effective life management - not a human rights question, IMHO.
OTOH, if you want to frame it as a human rights question specifically, then you are adopting the role of other civil rights warriors over the years: You have to be willing to pay the price, whatever it is. The victory in these matters is not necessarily for you, but is especially for those who come after you."
Either way, the connection you're making is understanding the Nuit-side of context.
The idealist, or the less mature, or the ego-attached side of us wants to act as if the reality of context doesn't exist. And that side feels deprived of comforting illusions when faced with the task of letting those go to be replaced with "the needs of the situation".
IMHO the joy and luxury described in TBOTL is about the stuff we get to experience and share in (not possess!) once we let go of attachment to the idea of possessing joy and luxury on our individual terms.