I wasn't gonna comment on this, but I am ill and feeling cantankerous andthis just kinda got under my skin.
Have you seen Lon DuQuette's new Holiday Song?
Really? You didn't manage to work sentiments like that out in your 20's?
While I have always disagreed with his "Goetic Demons are part of the brain" shtick, I considered him one of the moderate and tolerant voices in Thelema. I was apparently wrong.
Lon, your writing is still excellent and clear, and I have to admit that your Guitar playing is top notch, but I am so terribly disappointed in you. I know there are others who feel the same, but they aren't coming forward because of your popularity and because by all accounts are a very nice guy.
Why do Thelemites so often feel the need to piss in other peoples cups to make their own water taste sweeter? For that matter, don't you think that Christianity had just a little bit to do with Dee and the origin of Enochian Magic, that thing that you just write a book about?
Seriously. I hate the goddamn war on Christmas crap when it comes from the right wing nutz, but I hate it even more when it comes from the left who should know better. When sentiments this sophmoric come from someone of Lon's age and experience, its just terribly disappointing.
As if the world would be better if Crowleyanity was the dominant religion. It probably wouldn't even be here at all.
17 comments:
It must be the month for feeling this way, honestly. 'Cuz I get exactly what you're saying.
Thanks for posting this.
Here is a bit of holiday cheer from another perspective:
Don't Browbeat Store Clerks (or anyone else) This Season
"I've quoted my mother's definition of a Christian before, and her wisdom bears repeating:
Being a Christian means fixing yourself and helping others, not the other way around.
Mom also said, when in doubt, be kind."
Replace "Christian" with "bona fide spiritual practitioner of any kind", and I think she's got it on the head.
Christianity bashing is annoying mainly because the bashers in question ignore the sheer amount of morons in another religions. There are Pagans who are just as dogmatic, close minded and bigoted as your generic stereotypical fundie. For example Pagan acquaintance of mine mentioned in a blog post about how she took part in a half assessed session of Enochian chanting at a pagan fair and was 'amazed to hear Enochian Magic discussed in non biblical terms' because she wrote it off as 'Christian' without doing one iota of research.
Also that song really cracked up, does Lon see the irony in calling Christianity 'racist' and 'woman hating' while following a religion founded by a guy who never really stopped being a typical bigoted Victorian who saw women as being nothing more than disposable pleasures?
He is fine at the guitar. The vibe is mellow. I don't think propaganda makes great music though. This is one of those cases.
the music & lyrics clash so loudly that it wears the nerves. i am so with you on this one! bashing by the right doesn't make it o.k. to bash from the left. 'be kind' is the way to go.
I am a huge Lon fan and have my anti-Christian issues. However, even I looked at that one, and cringed. Good video too though.
Ain't Necessarily So, makes a much better point.
The only thing I didn't find intolerably offensive is the music.
I like Lon and I know it's supposed to be in jest, but it ain't even funny. I don't mind provocative inflammatory art at all, if it succeeds as good art. This doesn't.
Great example for an OTO Bishop to set.
"In true religion there is no sect, therefore take heed that thou blaspheme not the name by which another knoweth his God."
-Crowley
Liber Librae
Not a very artful song, but I think it is more a response to "War For Christmas" bullying than a critique of Christianity. Regardless of that, the real issue in a response to it is power. If Lon Milo Duquette accuses Christianity of all kinds of things, so what? Is he denying Christians jobs or the right to vote? Is he forcing their children to go to inferior schools separate from Pagan kids? Is he forbidding marriage between Christians and Pagans? Is he lynching them? Is he passing laws that they can only live in certain neighborhoods or engage in certain occupations? Would he ever be a part of such a thing?
I think you see what I am saying. Before you get mad at someone's words, look at where the power lies in relationship to what they are saying. It is NOT the same for someone non-Christian to bash Christianity as it is for a Christian to bash non-Christians BECAUSE of where the power is. The power question is what gets lost in discussions about bigotry. Christians are not oppressed in this country. Witness the fact that Christianity is the only religion in the US that rates a national holiday. Was he hypocritcal? Perhaps. But I didn't see any Christians turning the other cheek in response to it either.
I didn't especially enjoy this song and doubt I will ever listen to it again. I don't have a huge axe to grind with Christianity. But do I get the fed-upness with the birthday of the man-god being shoved down my throat? TOTALLY.
A few years back, I picked up a DVD on a lecture about divination that Duquette gave at some event. He began this lecture by playing the Ukulele and singing a death curse directed toward then President Bush. After watching that, this piece is not that surprising. I just don't think he is really into that "peace on Earth, good will to all men" thing.
i found it rather whimsical myself. i say, he who has not been harmed by christianity should not throw stones at those who have. yes, there are many harmless christians--but then, what's the point? virtually none of them have followed christ' actual words for centuries--switching over to that fraudulent misogynist named saul long ago.
/s~
Lon now falls under the 'love his work despite his views' category alongside Dave Sim (come to think of it Lon's more of less the Dave Sim of the occult).
Ugh! I have heard the buzz about this but stayed out of it until today when I got a nasty voice mail in response to texting a friend "Merry Christmas." She referred me to this video as why we shouldn't say Merry Christmas. I find this to be plain mean spirited. It isn't funny. The lyrics are preachy and don't even fit with the rather nice music. Overall, it is just dickish. I am disappointed in Lon - though not surprised.
Response from AC2012.com:
http://ac2012.com/2009/12/12/lon-duquettes-holiday-greeting/
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