LHP: Is a community needed??

[dybmh]

If you think it does, it's because you haven't understood what I've been saying.

You said, "No" community is not required for religion.
You also said, "religion is defined by community"

Unless you can explain *how* a religion can be defined by this unrequired attribute, it's a contradiction.

 

[dybmh]

That's an aspect of the left-hand path, sure.

...but ask yourself what differentiates LHP religions from other belief systems and ideologies that advocate "freedom". That difference is where you'll find community.

... if you bother to reflect a bit before you respond this time, that is.

There aren't other belief systems which advocate for freedom the same way as the LHP. Name one.

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

You said, "No" community is not required for religion.

No, I didn't say that.

It seems like you're incapable of talking to me without misrepresenting what I'm saying. The fact that it seems like your misrepresentations aren't intentional is the only reason I haven't put you on ignore.

... but you are misrepresenting me, and my patience has run out. I'm done.

 

[dybmh]

No, I didn't say that.

It seems like you're incapable of talking to me without misrepresenting what I'm saying. The fact that it seems like your misrepresentations aren't intentional is the only reason I haven't put you on ignore.

... but you are misrepresenting me, and my patience has run out. I'm done.

I've quoted you several times.

 

[crossfire]

Yes, you've posted this video in the past, thank you.

If I understand, the underlying principle Mr. Cambell is presenting is LHP is non-conformist? Therefore a community is not required to practice?

Yes, especially in regard to the cultural nomos.

 

[crossfire]

If they're following in some established tradition, then they are.

If they aren't following in an established tradition - i.e. they authored their belief system from whole cloth - why call them "Pagan"?

Pagan can refer to members of a group of people/culture who have been colonized by a foreign group that has taken over that group/culture's political system, but do not conform to the colonizing group's new religion and keep "the old ways." Pagan is analogous with politically incorrect in this respect. Most left-hand paths are also considered as politically incorrect.

 

[amorphous_constellation]

A solitary pagan practicing syncretism is not reliant on a community.

Yeah, I guess not. However, I guess I imagine that if there was a bunch of people doing it, they could hypothetically create a network based on idiosyncratic experience or belief. I don't know how they would go do that, because one wonders how they would even meet each other in numerous enough numbers, to start something like that. It does seem somehow possible though

A religious hermit does not require others and is also not mentally ill.

When I imagine the original animist priest, I often imagine a person who sort of self-isolates. And I think that the biblical characters were influenced by the notion as well, from the prophets to new testament figures.

I often seem to post about the hermit tarot card, and recently about how, if you place him next to the pope card, facing the pope, it seems they are staring down each other in a competition. The pope has disciples in his card, and the hermit has none. But if they are competing, it may suggest that there a two religious or spiritual modalities that are being debated.

 

[Brickjectivity]

Some people (especially those on the LHP) use religion as a tool for sorting out their madness. One example would be working the Qliphoth.

I'd have no problem with considering that to be religious activity.

 

[Brickjectivity]

A religious hermit does not require others and is also not mentally ill.

I understand what you are saying. I think it is difficult to know ourselves unless there are people around us to test us. For example: can you know that you are forgiving and compassionate when you are by yourself for years on end?

 

[PearlSeeker]

I understand what you are saying. I think it is difficult to know ourselves unless there are people around us to test us. For example: can you know that you are forgiving and compassionate when you are by yourself for years on end?

"Self-knowledge involves relationship. To know oneself is to study one self in action with another person. Relationship is a process of self evaluation and self revelation. Relationship is the mirror in which you discover yourself — to be is to be related."

(Bruce Lee)