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
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