New Religions for a New Age

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Meeting God in a Lake

Encounters with God
Corona Virus is Not God’s Punishment

to the Pain Gods

Audio clip New Religon for a New Age podcast

Here are my thoughts on the various new religions in the world today.  First, a quick review of my evolving religious view point.

In my 69 years on this earth, I have learned a few things, because I have seen a few things. I grew up in a very secular town, in a very secular era. The late 60s in Berkeley was a time when everything was being challenged, questioned, and debated, and the issue of God came up frequently. Was God still relevant in this modern era?

Most of my friends were agnostic at best, don’t recall having any Christian friends, Most were Jewish though and one was a Mormon. Most were white, but I had a few black friends as well, a few of them were Christian.

My mother was born a Southern Baptist, she was kicked out of church for asking the forbidden question, “If God created the universe, who created God?” the preacher was not amused and kicked her out for being a “free thinker” which to a Baptist was a very bad thing indeed, especially in Arkansas in the late 30s.

My father was a devoted atheist, grew up in Yakima in a Methodist family, but just did not see God anywhere. An economist believed in economic laws were materialistic and deterministic, God simply did not compute for him.  They told us it was up to us to determine what to believe because they disagreed. But in the end, it came down to this, “Do the right thing” but it was up to us to determine what that might be.

I went to a few church services, but it just did not stick, did not get the whole shebang, did not believe in the Virgin Mary, the crucifixion, and other Christian dogma felt it was all just an ancient, irrelevant fairy tales. I shared my father’s materialistic worldview and my mother’s skepticism regarding Church teachings. She was pleased though when I told her I had started reading the Bible.

For a while, I became a militant atheist, hung out at a, debating with Holly Hubert and the street preachers who were there. I shocked the Christian fanatics,  shocking them with my atheist stand-up comedy routines.

One day Jehovah’s witness came to my house. I told them I would love to talk with them, but I was late for a Satanist meeting and invited them to join me. They fled in terror.

Later in college, I had a roommate, who took too much acid and became convinced he was God. We spend many nights smoking weed and debating the existence or non-existence of God. He had grown up as a Jehovah’s Witness. His parents blamed us for their son’s descent into madness and promised to pray for us but said we would go to hell for the sin of questioning God’s will.

In college, I took a course on modern religions. As a sociology student, I studied the Unification church’s recruitment practices and went to their recruitment dinner, but wisely did not go to their weekend retreat, otherwise, perhaps I might have been converted and become a Moonie.

I even went to a Scientology center and took their free personality test and concluded it was all a scam. Liked to hang out with Hari Krishna dudes joining them for public chanting.

Started reading the bible in my world religion class but took me almost 30 years before I finished reading the bible, and all the other spiritual texts, on the eve of my 50th year. Started with the Book of Mormon and ended with the Koran after reading the Buddhist writings, the Hindu scriptures, the Confucian classics, and the Tao De Ching.

Had to finally skip over the entire genesis begat stories, saying to myself

‘What’s the point?’

Concluding the bible was badly edited. Just a collection of fairy tales, not fit for the modern world, but revelations fascinated me.

When I went to Korea in the Peace Corps, I became fascinated by the subtle interplay between traditional Buddhism, shamanism, neo-Confucianism principles, And the resurgence of aggressive Christianity, and the new religious fervor of Reverend Moon, the unification church, and other new religions.

Spend some time at Buddhist temples, even spend a few nights hanging out with the monks decades before the formal temple stay programs became popular among foreign tourists.

I had an encounter with shamanism when my uncle-in-law died, they did a shaman “kut” ritual. the shaman a female channeled his spirit. He came to the room, berated us all, cursed us all from his perch in hell, That was such a freaky experience We had to flee the demented scene.

I had a few mystical experiences, once in college, I saw God in a lake, But that was probably just the magic of the magic mushrooms, doing its mushroom thing.

Once while I was hanging out in Berkeley, I encountered a cosmic cat, I saw the divine spark In his eyes, as he followed me everywhere. I told my mother who was suffering from Alzheimer’s about the cosmic cat, she concurred he was indeed a cosmic cat.

Later in Goa, I encountered a cosmic dog who followed me everywhere. I asked the cosmic dog once

“Say, Cosmic dog, are you god? Bark once if yes, two if no.”

He barked once.

“Are you Allah? Bark once if yes, two if no.”

He barked once.

Are you your buddha? Bark once if yes, two if no”

He barked once.

“Are you the great spirit of the American Indians? Bark once if yes, two if no”

He barked once.

Are you Satan? Bark once if yes, two if no.”

He growled at me and I knew I had gone too far.

When I was in Thailand, I continued my exploration of Buddhism visiting most of the famous Buddhist sites there, later in Taiwan, Vietnam, and India as well.

When I lived in India became immersed in the spiritual energy all around me, I became a fan of the big Ganesh, he removed spiritual obstacles, allowing me to connect to the divine spirit all around me. I felt that cosmic vibe, just flowing through the world.

While in India, I attended a few Catholic services, other Christian services, went to Hindu temples, Jain temples, Sikh temples, and even a few Muslim pilmagame sites. I also fasted during Ramadan and went vegan to observe lent.

Now that I am an old man, I think back on what I have learned from my spiritual journeys. I think I can sum it up as follows:

I believe that the universe is alive, and I am part of the divine mind, the universe God if you would, flows through us all. If only we have the eyes, to see the divine all around us.

The Christian faith, like all other faiths, is just an attempt to discover the God of the universe. It is all the same path we are on, trying to connect to the cosmic overmind of the universe.

Whether you are an atheist, a Buddhist, a Christian, a Jain, a Jew, a Harri Krishna, a humanist, a Hindu, a Moonie, a Mormon, a Muslim, a Pagan or a Wiccan devote, we are all cosmic fools, seekers of the truth. The truth is out there for us to discover it for ourselves.

But in the end, it comes down to this simple principle, we have to decide to do the right thing, but that is a decision, only we can make deep in our soul.

Whether heaven or hell is awaiting us I do not know. Whether Jesus is the son of God I do not know. Whether Mohammed was the last prophet of God I do not know. Whether Allah is waiting for me, I do not know. Whether the grim reaper will be coming for me I do not know.

But I am ready for the final stage of my life. In the end, I also know this: I knew my wife in a prior life, and I will see her in my next life. That is the operation of fate, karma, and reincarnation, which I do believe in. The adage, what goes around comes around is a simple basic fact of the universe.

That is all that I know for sure. That is what I believe. In the end, always

“Do the right thing,”

and the rest will follow.

 

Meeting God in a Lake

 

In my 64 years around the sun
I encountered God four times
At least I thought it was God
But could never be sure

The first time I met God
I had taken magic mushrooms
And had gone to a lake

And soon was tripping inside my head
Lost in inner space

Zoning out tuning in
Dropping down the proverbial rabbit hole

And then in the middle of my madness
I felt oneness with the universe
My body melted away

And I joined the universe
All boundaries dropped away

And I knew that the universe was alive
and I was part of the Cosmos
And the Cosmos was part of me

And I wondered at that moment
If I was face to face with God

I asked God to reveal himself to me
And nothing happened

Just laughter as the whole universe
Burst into laughter

And the madness began to fade
And I slowly came down from the high

And became aware of myself
And I was no longer one
With the universe

I felt profoundly moved by the experience
Felt that I had achieved perhaps nirvana
Or felt the presence of God

The feeling faded over time
And my quest to find God resumed

But I knew that I would never again
Come so close to the divine essence
Of the very Universe

Cosmic Cat from Berkeley

I next encountered the divine
Many years later in Berkeley, California
I had gone home to be with my Mother

While taking leave from my job
in the Foreign Service

I had two weeks there by myself
My wife came later
near the end of the trip

every morning I woke up
had coffee
Did yoga

Spoke to my mother
Who was sliding into dementia
Day by day losing her reason

Then I would go out
And explore the city
Go to a museum
Go to one neighborhood
And just be there

Rediscovering the Bay area
After years of being away

Having dinner with old friends
Seeing movies etc

Every morning a black cat came to visit
The cat was friendly and waited for me
And then would join me in my morning rambles
Following me to the bus stop

I started talking to the black cat
He looked at me with the spark of divinity

In his dark eyes
I called him the cosmic cat

He seemed to like that
He would look at me
And I opened up to me
Told the cat all my dark secrets

As I walked the streets
Of the old neighborhood

Every morning and every evening the cat
Would be there to greet me
And to carry on our endless conversations

Then I had to leave
And in our final conversation
I asked the cosmic cat

Say, Cat are you just a cat
Or are you a demonic cat
Are you possessed by God
Or by Satan

The cat looked at me
And I realized that God
Was indeed residing in the cat

But that god was residing everywhere
All I had to do was open my mind
And the rest would follow

So I said Goodbye to the cosmic cat
And he purred and came up to me
And I felt the comforting presence of the Divine

As I said goodbye to the cosmic cat
And said goodbye to my mother
As this was the last time
That we would be able to really talk

I told my mother about the cosmic cat
She smiled and said that the cat
was there for me and her

to comfort us both in our hour of need
and that the cat
was indeed a cosmic cat

 

Five years later
After I had last talked to God
In the form of the cosmic cat

Who I hung out with in Berkeley
I found myself in Bombay, India

Where I was involved with another women
And contemplating whether to leave my wife
For the promised excitement of the other women

I did not know what to do
So I went to Church
And on the way home

I stopped on the side of the road
And prayed to God
to provide me a sign

What should I do
I asked God
And then I felt it again

God seemed to be everywhere
And nowhere
And I found myself down
the rabbit hole again

I had a vision of an old man
Sitting by the side of a bed
Looking at an old women

And realized that
I was seeing the future
And the women
in my vision was my wife

And then I knew the answer
that God was giving me

I had to find my way
Back to my wife
And rekindle the love
that we shared

I looked up
and saw my wife’s face
In the sky

I went home and wrote
A long poem for my wife

She was in the military
And in Korea
And I was with the State Department
Stationed in Mumbai, India

And I called her up
And began talking to her
For the first time
In a long time

And I told her what was on my mind
And told her that we had to decide
Would we continue as a couple
Or would we continue to drift apart

Somehow I finished the conversation
And fell asleep with the peace and contentment
Of God’s presence filling my heart and soul

The feeling of being connected with God
Faded over the time
But the conviction that God had spoken to me
Never really left me

I asked God
whether God was the God of Jesus
Or Allah or Brahmin
And I realized
that God is God

And the universe is God and I am God
And that was the end of the story
And my last time I prayed to God

 

The Cosmic Dog from Goa

My final time with God
Happened a year later
I was staying down in Goa
With my wife

Enjoying being with her
After our reconciliation
We stayed at the Taj Mahal Goa
Living like a King and Queen

Just for a few days
High up on a hill
Overlooking the beach

Every morning I went
down to the beach
And did yoga by the water
While contemplating life

And every morning
I saw the same Dog
Not just a Dog
But a cosmic Dog
Filled with the divine spark of God

And the Dog recognized me
And spoke to me and I knew
That God was present once more
In the face of that cosmic dog

Kindred spirit
perhaps to the cosmic cat
that had saved my soul
in Berkeley so long ago

I told the dog everything
And he just looked at me
With those soulful eyes of his
And I knew he knew that I knew
That he was possessed by God

God had sent him to me
To make sure
that I was on the right path

That the reconciliation that God had promoted
Was on track that I was back with my wife
And that everything was the way it should be

Again I asked God
whether he was Jesus or Allah
Or Brahmin or Ganesh or Buddha

God the cosmic dog
just stared at me
I finally asked him directly
Say if you are God the God of Jesus
Bark once

The Dog looked at me and barked
I said well if you are
Allah bark twice
The dog barked twice

Well are you Buddha
then bark three times if yes
The God Dog barked three times

Hmm well are you Satan
The dog growled at me
And I knew I had gone too far

Finally, I was at peace
And for the next three days

The God Dog
was my constant companion
And I knew God for the final time
In my life

Buddha Cat of Edsall Road

 

I had another encounter
With the divine recently
Another Cosmic cat perhaps

Perhaps not
who knows what cats are

are they aliens
from another dimension
or was he channeling God ?

I called him the Buddha cat
For the cat loved
Sitting in a meditative pose

Not moving
Just starting at me
With his soulful deep eyes
Boring into my soul
exploring all my secret thoughts

the Buddha cat does not move
does not react, as he is so deep
into his interior mediation
truly in tune with the cat universe
and the cosmos as well

the Buddha cat
seems to be one with God
one with Buddha, Allah, Ganesh
and the billion names of God
Known and unknown

The Buddha cat can teach us all
About the art of meditation

As he zones inward
And loses his soul
Joining the cosmos
And becoming the Buddha cat

The Buddha cat
Lives in a modest Town house
In a modest suburb

The Buddha cat reminds us all
To look for God in the everyday
All around us
If we but have eyes
To see God everywhere

published in The HyperTexts

Dreaming of a New Religious Paradigm

 

Among the various new age movements, the one that I like the most is “Dudeism”.

I am a Dudist. Dudeism is one of the fastest-growing new religious movements. It is based in Thailand and follows the philosophy expressed in the movie The Big Lebrowski.  I brought it all together in my proposed new religion, “Jakeism” which I came up with in a dream.

Jakeism Spreads Around the World

When I retire and move to California one night I have a vision that changed my history and the history of the world. In my vision, I meet Buddha who tells me that I have been appointed to unify the world around a new religion for the new age. I would draw upon the best of Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, Christianity, and Islamic thought.

My religion would preach love, tolerance, self-awareness, self-discipline, and care for the planet and other people. It would also preach sexual and personal liberation from the outdated concepts of sexuality. Marriage would be the union of two or more adults of either gender who wished to share a life. Children would reside with their mother but the father would be expected to pay child support and play an active role in raising the children.

And we would use marijuana in our services as a way to get into our inner selves.

And lots of talk about dreams and desires and living the dream fulfilling one’s destinity as one saw it.

We would have services where we would read the great spiritual classics of all faiths and then talk about how to apply the lessons to our lives.   The basis of the faith would be drawing upon all traditions but would be an amalgamation of the best of Buddhism, Hinduism, Native American traditions, New Age spirituality, Wiccan, Pagan, Christianity, Islam, Daoist, and Confucian thought.  We publish a guide to spiritual traditions that lists 1,000 core books that we use as the basis of our religious traditions.

I write this all down publish a manifesto online and suggest that like-minded individuals get together in my house in Berkeley to discuss it.

The first meeting attracted 12 people the following week 25 and within a month we had over 100 people gathering within one year we had a movement that grew in time and the Church of Jake spread across the country and the world.

The services are soon legendary.  We start with yoga and meditation, then the priest and priests – always two =  stand up and read several different passages from various traditions and show a video clip or two as well.  The Dharma talk lasts a half hour or so.  Then we break into small groups that discuss the talk in detail amongst themselves.  Then we invite people to comment on what it means to them and how they will implement in their life.

Everyone would be asked to share with their group members something that they felt grateful for and a problem that they were facing.  The priests would walk about facilitating the conversation.

Then we have a communal lunch followed by smoking maurijuna and drinking wine or beer.   Hard drugs were prohibited to dudeists.   Most dudeists were either vegan or vegetarian but fish and chicken would be served to those who ate meat products.

The total service would last two to three hours.

Many congregations started off with a morning hike followed by a vegetarian vegan breakfast before services starting at 10 am with everything wrapping up at 2 pm.  Larger congregations held two services one in the morning and one in the evening and most congregations held services every Sunday.

Several dudeist phrases soon become common.  Dudeists addressed everyone as Dude.  The head priest was called the Head Dude, and the priest was called the Mama Dude.   Being called “Undude” was a serious offense and only used to call out being an asshole or a jerk.    Don’t be a Jerk was one of the other tenets of Jakeism/dudeism.   Being called an asshole or a jerk was also a huge insult amongst the dudeist with the phrase “that is undude, dude” being a particularly harsh comment.

Within ten years 25 percent of people on the West Coast were dudeists and it was the fastest growing religion on the planet.

I was asked to found the first dudeist university, naturally in Berkeley which was considered the spiritual home of Jakeism/Dudism often called the Jakeism/Dueist Mecca.

Jakeism Sweeps the World

One day I woke up

and realized that God

had commissioned me

to form a new religion

for the new era.

 

For lack of a better term,

I began calling it Jakeism.

 

I brought together elements

of Buddhism, Confucianism, Christianity,

Hinduism, various new teachings,

 

native American traditions,

Pengnician

and mystic traditions

from Muslim traditions.

 

I taught the essential unity

of religious thought

and related it to today’s

spiritually empty life.

 

I publish a list of spiritual works

everyone should read

and forms a large part of my services.

 

I called upon people

to embrace a new concept of spirituality

to reconnect to the essential

goodness in humanity

and to reject

the false promises of materialism.

 

In the most controversial part

of my doctrine,

I called for sexual liberation.

 

I said that sexuality

was God’s gift to mankind

 

that women should

be in charge of sex –

they should initiate sex,

and they should tell

their lovers what they want.

 

Regarding drug use and alcohol use,

I preached that drugs should be legal

but that people

should only indulge in natural drugs

 

– marijuana, alcohol

and avoid manufactured drugs.

 

I self-publish

“A New Religion for a New Age”

and invite people to come over to discuss

 

my teachings

in weekly meetings

at a public park in Berkeley.

 

The first lecture had 100 people attending,

soon there were hundreds

, and we formed a church

and raised funds to buy a meeting spot.

 

I am called simply Jake

and my followers become

known as Jokes.

 

the first service

set the foundation

for other services.

 

We started with some group chanting,

and some yoga and Tai Chi.

 

Then after a half hour,

I began to speak

about my basic philosophical orientation

 

and read excerpts

from the great spiritual works

of mankind always drawing

from Buddhist, Christian,  Hindu,

New Age, and Muslim traditions.

 

After about a half-hour

I invited members

of the audience to reflect

 

upon the teachings

and in small groups

discuss amongst themselves

 

what it means to them

and how they will

incorporate the day’s lesson

into an action plan.

 

Each group reported back

and we ended with a communal potluck meal

including wine and later smoking weed.

 

Politically I was progressive

and proud of it but also preached

that each person should find

his or her own political space

 

and should respect the views of others.

 

As an optional event, we began having open debates

where we would bring together diverse viewpoints

and discuss big issues.

 

These conversations were recorded

and put on my web page.

 

The total service took about two hours

and I held services

Saturday, Sunday, and Wednesday nights.

 

We also preached that people

should get out and enjoy

the great outdoors

 

and I led hikes throughout the bay area

that were open to all –

 

on the hikes the participants

had a chance to get to know

their fellows and enjoy the great outdoors.

 

The two-hour hikes were held on Saturday

and Sunday mornings starting at 8 am

and finishing by 11 am

when we would reassemble for the services.

 

The hikes were held throughout the Berkeley Oakland area

with people assembling at the church at 7 am

for informal carpools to the sites.

 

The hikes finished by 10

and people were dropped off at the church

by 10:30 and invited to stay

for the service if they wished.

 

Each service was recorded

and saved on my website

(one of the first religious websites on the web)

 

On my website

I had links to all the readings

and a list of what I considered

the best religious

and spiritual writings of all time.

 

I also had my favorite music playlists

, and trail guides

for the twice-weekly hikes.

 

Paying for the website

and the services I asked for donations.

 

Once we had a few services

and it looked like this was going to take off

 

I formed a church

and invited my key followers

to form a church committee

to help manage the church.

 

I quit my day job to devote myself

to the church

and asked for donations

for me to be able to do so.

 

But I vowed to live a simple life.

and so Jakeism was born

 

and spread rapidly

throughout the West Coast

at the end of the century.

 

By 2030

it had become a major force

as millions of people

were forming their own Jake churches

loosely affiliated with

Mother Church in Berkeley.

 

Social conservatives denounced

my movement

as the biggest threat to traditional values

 

and noted my support for gay rights,

my openly living with two bisexual women,

my public advocacy for drug legalization,

 

my opposition to the various wars

and military adventure,

and my leftist ‘woke” political views.

 

However, the movement continued

to grow as it meant

something to people

 

and was the fastest

-growing religious movement.

in the world.

The Church of the Cosmic Bird

On Sam Adam’s 70^th birthday, he went to Tilden Park with an old friend from high school.  He had returned to his hometown after his wife had died.  He was feeling lonely and out of it.  He went to the park, took mushrooms, and had an event that changed his life and the world as well.

He came to a field where he saw a giant black owl.  The owl told him that Gaia had chosen him as the goddess of the Earth to find a new religion for a new era. Throughout the afternoon, the bird guide told him and his friend the foundations for the new religion.

The bird would serve as their spirit guide in setting up the new faith.

The faith would combine the best features of the old religions but be a new faith based on respect for all living creatures, respect for the earth, ecological new age teachings, and a philosophy promoting sexual healing among other principles.  It would also draw from elements of Dudeism drawn from the movie, the Big Lebowski.

The faith would also feature smoking marijuana and drinking mushroom tea as part of their spiritual practices. Their philosophy of sex was that sex was a good thing; adults were naturally polygamous and bisexual and should live in multiple partnered relationships with their children.

The services would consist of readings from great religious texts followed by a sermon and reflection ending with a call to action by the church members who would be called brothers and sisters.  A priest and Nun couple would lead the congregation.  Members would address each other as brothers and sisters or as Dudes.  Excerpts from the movie, the Big Lebowski were also frequently shown during services.  During the service, members would sip mushroom, marijuana tea, wine, coffee, and herbal tea,

Every member would also volunteer two hours per week and would donate their time and money to charity.  The services would end with a communal breakfast followed by a five-mile hike and sauna experience.

Sam went home, posed a YouTube video describing his vision for a new religion, and promoted his re-interpretation of classic religious texts.  He announced that he would lead a weekly service followed by a walk to the temple in the hills where the Bird guardian lived.

Ten people showed up the first week, twenty the second week and within two months they had a flourishing new church.  The church spread widely throughout the world and was called by believers the Church of Gaia and by detractors the Church of the Birdman or as “Dudeists”.   Berkeley became the new mecca of the Church.

They were denounced for promoting a pro-gay lifestyle, heathen lifestyle, neo-pagan beliefs, veganism and vegetarianism, and alcohol and drug use.  But the faith spread rapidly as it combined new age elements with traditional elements drawn from unitarian and universal church doctrines as well as Buddhist, Christian, Dudist, Islamic, Native American, New Age, Pagan, and Wiccan traditions.

Sam was the head of the faith and was called Uncle  Sam.  His second wife, Maria Lee, was called Aunt Maria.  The bird prophet continued to guide the faith as Uncle Bob Aunt Maria and a few others were able to understand the Bird and his words of wisdom.  The bird lived in their house in Berkeley Hills.

He led the faith for thirty years and when he died the faith had 300 million followers and was the fourth-largest faith in the world.  True to his faith doctrines most members lived in group marriages which were finally recognized due to the constant lobbying by the church membership mushroom use was also legalized, and members were vegan and vegetarian, and all used marijuana, mushroom tea, and wine during services, other drugs were forbidden. They also had a list of 10,000 spiritual texts which they used during services and read frequently.

The church promoted the California sex consensus which called for a woman to be in charge of sexuality and called for sexual and spiritual liberation.

the Church of the Dude launched at a Bowling Ally Big Lebowski

Jason Lee was a big fan

Of the cult classic movie

The “Big Lebowski.”

 

Which chronicles

The life and time

Of the “Dude”.

 

Who is mistaken

For a bad dude

By some other dudes

 

But in the end

As all Dudes do

He abided

While bowling

 

Jason met at the bowling ally

Sam Jackson who was also

A devotee of all things Dude

And one of the founders

Of the Church of the Dude in Thailand.

 

Recently he returned to his hometown

In search of spiritual redemption.

 

As they bowled and bonded

They decided to form

The Church of the Dude

Launching it at Albany Bowl.

 

The news went viral

Dudists all showed up

Watching the movie.

 

Then bowling

And hanging out.

The Church of the Dude

Was launched.

 

Spreading rapidly among

The hipster set.

 

CO-Pilot Background info on the movie The Big Lebowski

 and on the Church of the Dude which is a real thing

 “The Big Lebowski” is a 1998 independent crime comedy film written, directed, produced, and co-edited by Joel and Ethan Coen¹. The film stars Jeff Bridges as Jeffrey “The Dude” Lebowski, a Los Angeles slacker and avid bowler¹.

The story revolves around “The Dude” who is mistaken for another Jeffrey Lebowski, a wheelchair-bound millionaire²³. The Dude seeks restitution for his ruined rug and enlists his bowling buddies to help get it⁴. The millionaire Lebowski’s trophy wife is supposedly kidnapped, and the millionaire commissions The Dude to deliver the ransom to secure her release¹. The plan goes awry when the Dude’s friend, Walter Sobchak (played by John Goodman), schemes to keep the ransom money for the Dude and himself¹.

The film is known for its eccentric characters, comedic dream sequences, idiosyncratic dialogue, and eclectic soundtrack¹. Despite receiving mixed reviews at the time of its release, it has since become a cult favorite¹. In 2014, the film was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant”¹.

1en.wikipedia.org2www1.123moviesme.online3themoviedb.org4imdb.com

The Church of the Dude, officially known as The Church of the Latter-Day Dude, is a religion, philosophy, or lifestyle inspired by “The Dude”, the protagonist of the Coen Brothers’ 1998 film “The Big Lebowski”¹.

 

The Church was founded in 2005 by Oliver Benjamin, a journalist based in Chiang Mai, Thailand¹². Dudeism’s stated primary objective is to promote a modern form of Chinese Taoism, outlined in Tao Te Ching by Laozi (6th century BCE), blended with concepts from the Ancient Greek philosopher Epicurus (341–270 BCE), and presented in a style as personified by the character of Jeffrey “The Dude” Lebowski¹.

 

Dudeism advocates and encourages the practice of “going with the flow”, “being cool headed”, and “taking it easy” in the face of life’s difficulties, believing that this is the only way to live in harmony with our inner nature and the challenges of interacting with other people¹. It also aims to assuage feelings of inadequacy that arise in societies which place a heavy emphasis on achievement and personal fortune¹.

As of May 2017, an estimated 450,000 Dudeist Priests have been ordained worldwide¹. Despite its use of comedic film references and occasional criticism of religion in its traditional sense, its founder and many adherents take the underlying philosophy somewhat seriously¹.

Please note that while Dudeism draws heavily from the philosophy presented in “The Big Lebowski”, it is a legitimate religious movement with its own beliefs and practices¹. I

PS I became a Dudist. their web page is hoot.

 

“everything is Illuminated”

Jake Lee was a mystic philosopher

In Berkeley, California

One day he realized

 

“Everything is Illuminated, everything is one

Enlightened he formed a new religion

Based on the unification of every religion

 

The new age faith, “Dudeism”

Swept across the world

POETIC BOOK TITLES

Jonathan Safran Foer Illuminates everything

Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt

Lairdism

Lairdism is a religion founded by best friend, Robert Sicular, who on an ACID trip realized that Laird Williamson was God.  Lairdism spread among his circle of friends.  But unfortunately, it never really took off.

Church of the Three Bs Beer, Blues and Baseball

Another friend of mine founded a fake new Church in the 1980s called the Church of the Three Bs – Beer, Blues and Baseball

members would get together from time to time to drink beer, go to blues concerts and baseball games.  it took never really took off.

Flying Spaghetti Monster

The Flying Spaghetti Monster was founded as a joke religion to counter the rise of Christian fundamentalists.  Rastafarians as they call themselves worship the Giant Spaghetti monster who secretly controls the universe.  This one did take off.  Co-PIlot provides the background:

• Flying Spaghetti Monster (Rastafarianism):

• This is a parody religion that promotes a light-hearted view of religion. It originated in opposition to the teaching of intelligent design in public schools in the United States. The deity of this religion is the Flying Spaghetti Monster, and its followers are known as Rastafarians. You can find more information here and here.
• Flying Spaghetti Monster – Wikipedia·

• Church of the SubGenius

• 

  

Another parody religion is the Church of the Sub Genius based on the teaching of JR Bob Dobbs,  a sort of everyman kind of like the cartoon character, Homer Simpson..

: This is another parody religion that satirizes better-known belief systems. It focuses on J. R. “Bob” Dobbs, a purported salesman from the 1950s, who is revered as a prophet by the Church. The Church of the SubGenius teaches a complex philosophy involving gods, conspiracies, and the pursuit of “Slack.” More details can be found here and here.

• R. “Bob” Dobbs – Wikipedia

• Unification Church (Moonies):

• Founded by Sun Myung Moon in 1954 in Seoul, South Korea, this new religious movement is derived from Christianity. Its members are called Unifications or Moonies. The church is known for its mass weddings and unique Christian theology.

Unification Church – Wikipedia

I have a few true stories about my encounters with the Unification Church, aka the Moonies  I first became aware of the Moonies when I took a sociological research class in college in 1978 at the University of the Pacific. For our group term paper we researched the recruitment practices of the unification church which were becoming quite controversial .

We went to SF to one of their centers and went to their free dinner and pretended to be interested noting how they tried to recruit us to join them.  We did not go to their weekend retreat in Booneville based on our professor’s recommendation. We got an A on the paper.

In 1982, when I got married in South Korea we had to register our marriage at the local government office.  The clerk there was suspicious and asked us if we were Moonies. He said that the Moonies had held a mass marriage rally the day before and they were overwhelmed with foreigners coming into register their marriage.  When we told him we were not Moonies, he became quite friendly and welcoming to us.

The founder of the Church died a few years ago, and the movement has been in disarray as his children have been fighting for control of the movement which is closely tied to right-wing political figures in Japan, South Korea, and the United States.

Co-pilot provided more background information

The assassination of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in July 2022 brought to light the controversial ties between Abe and the Unification Church, also known as the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification. The suspect, Tetsuya Yamagami, reportedly targeted Abe due to his connections with the church, which Yamagami blamed for bankrupting his family through excessive donations made by his mother2.

The Unification Church, founded in South Korea by Sun Myung Moon, has long been associated with conservative political figures and movements, both in Japan and internationally. The church’s influence in Japan dates back to the Cold War era when it aligned with anti-communist efforts. Abe’s grandfather, Nobusuke Kishi, was also known to have connections with the church3.

Following Abe’s assassination, the Japanese government has taken steps to investigate and potentially disband the Unification Church due to its controversial fundraising practices and the impact on its followers. The church has faced numerous lawsuits and public scrutiny over its methods, which have included charging followers large sums of money for spiritual merchandise2.

Japan to Disband Controversial Unification Church Tied to Abe Assassination | TIME

https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/national-international/unification-church-at-center-of-abe-assassination-under-increased-scrutiny/3775817/?form=MG0AV3

EXPLAINER: The Unification Church’s ties to Japan’s politics | AP News

 Scientology:

Founded by L. Ron Hubbard, Scientology is a set of beliefs and practices that are often described as a cult, a business, a religion, or a scam. It involves concepts like the theta (spiritual being), auditing, and the controversial figure Xenu.

Scientology beliefs and practices – Wikipedia

I also have a story to tell about the Scientology movement.  When I was in high school, I took as a lark a free personality test at a local Scientology center.  The tester came out and told me that I was totally messed up and they could help me. Amused, I went to another center, took the test but changed all my answers and they told me the same thing. They started calling me at home begging me to come to their center for their assistance.  I finally told them I was not interested and besides, I was a minor and could not legally sign a contract for their training program.  I concluded that it was all a scam.

• Hare Krishna (ISKCON):

I first encountered the Hari Krishnas in Berkeley which had an active chapter.  Later when I was in India I met a lot of Hindu believers including Hari Krishna devotees Ganesh, and Jain followers.

The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), commonly known as the Hare Krishna movement, was founded in 1965 by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhu Pada. It is a Western outgrowth of the Bengali bhakti yoga tradition and focuses on the worship of Krishna.

• Hare Krishna (ISKCON):

Who Are The Hare Krishnas: Origin, Beliefs, And Philosophy – Yaduraj

Korean Cults

Korea has been a fertile ground for new religious movements, cults in other words. The most infamous are the Moonies but there are many others as well

Co-pilot provided more background information

1. Shinchan (New Heaven and New Earth)

 

1. Founded by Lee Man-hee, this group gained international attention during the COVID-19 pandemic when it was linked to a significant outbreak in South Korea. The group believes that Lee is the second coming of Jesus Christ.
3. JMS (Jesus Morning Star):
5. Led by Jeong Myeong-seok, this group has been involved in numerous controversies, including allegations of sexual abuse. The Netflix documentary series “In the Name of God: A Holy Betrayal” covers this cult extensively.
7. Salvation Sect (Evangelical Baptist Church of Korea):
9. This group came into the spotlight after the Sewol ferry disaster, as its leader Yoo Byung-eun was linked to the tragedy. The sect has been accused of corruption and poor management practices.

 

1. Providence (Jesus Morning Star):
2. Another group led by Jeong Myeong-seok, it has been involved in numerous controversies, including allegations of sexual abuse. The Netflix documentary series “In the Name of God: A Holy Betrayal” covers this cult extensively.
4. All About Cults in Korea: Deception, Persuasion, and Self-Proclaimed Messiahs | Expat Guide Korea

The Cults of South Korea – The Diplomat

Rajneesh Puram

I visited Rajneesh Puram in 1982 with my Father. I had just finished the Peace Corps in Korea and my father picked me up in Seattle and we drove to the Bay area after spending a few days in our summer cabin near Yakima. We drove back through Eastern Oregon and stopped off at Rajneesh Puram which was in the news and had a vegetarian lunch there.  The Ragness servers were friendly but a bit weird. The Netflix documentary listed below provided a lot of details about the controversial cult.

Co-Pilot provided background information.

Sure! The Rajneesh cult, also known as the Rajneesh, was founded by Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh (later known as Osho) in India. In the early 1980s, the group relocated to the United States and established a commune called Rajneesh Puram in Wasco County, Oregon, near the small town of Antelope. The group purchased a 64,000-acre ranch and transformed it into a thriving community with its own infrastructure, including a fire department, police, restaurants, and even an airport.

The Rajneesh became infamous for their controversial practices and conflicts with local residents. They were involved in a series of legal battles, and their activities included a bioterror attack in 1984, where they poisoned salad bars in local restaurants with salmonella, sickening over 700 people. The group also faced allegations of voter fraud, wiretapping, and assassination plots2.

The story of the Rajneesh and their time in Oregon is documented in the Netflix series “Wild Wild Country,” which provides an in-depth look at the rise and fall of Rajneesh Puram. You can watch the documentary here.

For further reading, you can check out these articles:

• Rajneesh Puram – Wikipedia
• Wild Wild Country: How a Cult Overwhelmed a Tiny Oregon Town
• Wild Wild Country: How a Cult Overwhelmed a Tiny Oregon Town – People.com
• What happened to the Rajneesh’ Oregon paradise? Photos show decay, rebirth – oregonlive.com

 Revival of the Norse religion

The Norse religion has been undergoing a revival in Germany and Norway.  Co-Pilot provided background information.

Absolutely! The revival of the Old Norse religion, often referred to as Heathenry or Asatru, has gained traction in recent years. This modern Pagan religion draws inspiration from the pre-Christian beliefs and practices of the Germanic peoples, particularly those of the Viking Age.

Key Aspects of the Revival:

1. Beliefs and Practices: Heathenry is typically polytheistic, centering on a pantheon of deities from pre-Christian Germanic Europe, such as Odin, Thor, and Freyja. Rituals, known as blots, are performed to honor these gods, ancestors, and spirits of the land. These rituals often involve offerings of food and drink.
2. Cosmology: The religion adopts an animistic view of the cosmos, where the natural world is imbued with spirits. The world tree, Yggdrasil, and various realms like Midgard (the human world) and Asgard (the realm of the gods) are central to Norse cosmology.
3. Ethics and Values: Heathen ethical systems emphasize honor, personal integrity, and loyalty. Community and kinship are also highly valued.
4. Modern Movements: The revival has led to the formation of various organizations and communities, such as the Ásatrúarfélagið in Iceland and the Troth in the United States. These groups often gather for communal rituals and celebrations.

Further Reading:

• Old Norse religion – Wikipedia

Religion of the Roman Empire

There has been a revival of interest in both the ancient Roman and Greek religions in recent years. I see a similarity in the revival of interest in the Norse religions, and Hinduism as well.

CO-Pilot provided background information

The religion of the Roman Empire was polytheistic, meaning they worshipped multiple gods and goddesses. The Romans adopted many gods from the Greeks, such as Jupiter (Zeus), Juno (Hera), and Neptune (Poseidon), and also incorporated gods from other cultures they encountered. They believed in maintaining good relations with the gods through rituals and sacrifices to ensure the prosperity and success of the empire2.

Revival of Roman Religion

There have been modern attempts to revive the Roman religion, known as Reconstructionist Roman religion. Organizations like Nova Roma aim to restore classical Roman religion, culture, and virtues. They celebrate Roman festivals, perform rituals, and promote the study of Roman culture and philosophy4.

Ancient Greek Religion

Ancient Greek religion was also polytheistic, with a pantheon of gods and goddesses such as Zeus, Athena, Apollo, and Artemis. The Greeks believed in performing rituals and sacrifices to honor the gods and ensure their favor5. Greek religion influenced Roman religion and other cultures around the Mediterranean.

Ancient Egyptian Religion

Ancient Egyptian religion was centered around the worship of many gods and goddesses, such as Ra (the sun god), Isis (the goddess of magic and motherhood), and Osiris (the god of the afterlife). They believed in an afterlife and performed elaborate burial rituals to ensure the deceased’s safe passage to the next world6.

Revival of Ancient Religions

While there haven’t been significant revival attempts for ancient Greek and Egyptian religions, there is a growing interest in studying and understanding these ancient belief systems. Many people today are fascinated by the mythology, rituals, and philosophies of these ancient cultures.

For further reading, you can check out these resources:

• Religion in ancient Rome – Wikipedia
• Roman Religion – World History Encyclopedia
• Ancient Greek Religion – World History Encyclopedia

• https://www.britannica.com/topic/Greek-religion?form=MG0AV3
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reconstructionist_Roman_religion?form=MG0AV3
• https://www.novaroma.org/nr/Main_Page?form=MG0AV3

Mormon Church

Growing up one of my friends was a Mormon.  He gave me the Book of Mormon which I read. I told him that it read as sci-fi novel.  Over the years I met a number of Mormons as there are quite a few in the Foreign Service and I met them overseas as Mormon misisonaries are everywhere.

Jehovah’s Witness

My college roomate, Jeff, grew up in a Jehovah Witness family. one thing that i remember is that Jehovah witnesses do not exchange gifts on Christmas or birthdays. On his birthday, we gave him birthday presents which he said were the first birthday presents he had ever received as his parents did not celebrate birthday or Christmas as Jehovah Witesses.  He took too much LSD one night and became convinced he was the reincarnation of Jesus Christ.  If he had been handsome and charistmatic, he could have formed a cult but since he was neither  he just became another sad LSD victim.

Co-pilot provided more background information

Jehovah’s Witnesses are a Christian denomination known for their distinct beliefs and practices. Founded in the late 19th century by Charles Taze Russell, they emphasize the imminent establishment of God’s Kingdom on Earth and reject traditional Christian doctrines like the Trinity and the immortality of the soul2.

Key Beliefs and Practices:

• Non-Trinitarian: Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that God (Jehovah) is distinct from Jesus and the Holy Spirit, rejecting the concept of the Trinity4.
• Jesus Christ: They view Jesus as God’s son and a created being, not co-equal with God4.
• Scripture: They use their own Bible translation, the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures.
• Holidays and Celebrations: They do not celebrate traditional Christian holidays like Christmas and Easter, nor do they celebrate birthdays2.
• Evangelism: Known for their door-to-door evangelism, they actively preach and distribute literature2.

Differences from Mainstream Christianity:

• Trinity: Mainstream Christians believe in the Trinity, where God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are one entity. Jehovah’s Witnesses reject this concept4.
• Jesus’ Divinity: Christians believe Jesus is both fully God and fully man, while Jehovah’s Witnesses see Jesus as a created being4.
• Salvation: Mainstream Christianity teaches salvation through faith in Jesus Christ alone, whereas Jehovah’s Witnesses emphasize faith, good works, and preaching efforts4.

Demographics:

• As of 2024, there are approximately 9 million Jehovah’s Witnesses worldwide6.
• They have a presence in most countries, with significant populations in the United States, Mexico, Brazil, and Italy7.
• In the U.S., they make up less than 1% of the adult population.

Church of Satan

Growing up in the Bay Area, the Church of Satan, based in San Franciso was quite controversal.  It still is. they are currently trying to get permission to supply religious chaplans to serve in Floridian schools after a recent law authorizing religous chaplans in Florida schools.  They are also trying to become certified to serve as chaplans in the US military.

Many years ago i was driving with a visiting high school friend to Montecello. On the way back, we amused ourselves listening to AM Jesus stations.  One was blathering on about the Jesus diet when it faded out and was replaced by the Rolling Stones Satanic anthem Sympathy for the Devil. the two stations battled it out but Satan won in the end which we felt was a fitting metaphor for re-entering the DC metro area after a visit to Southern Christian dominated Virginia.

Co-pilot provided the following background information

The Church of Satan, founded by Anton Szandor LaVey in 1966 in San Francisco, is a religious organization dedicated to LaVeyan Satanism. Contrary to popular belief, members of the Church of Satan do not worship Satan as a supernatural being. Instead, they view Satan as a symbol of individualism, pride, and enlightenment1. The Church promotes humanistic values and encourages members to embrace their natural instincts, which they believe have been wrongly suppressed by traditional Abrahamic faiths.

Contemporary Jewish Religion in The U.S

When I did my DNA testing a few years back, it confirmed family lore that I am part Jewish on my father’s side of the family as one of my great grandfathers was a Russian Jew living in Norway.  many of my friends growing up were Jews.  as one of them put it, he was part of the international conspiracy of communists and jews as his father was a member of the communist party.  I  also had what we called back in the day a “Jewfro” due to my curly black hair.

I wrote a poem about visiting the Holocaust museum,  after finding out I was Jewish.

Thoughts on Visiting the Holocaust Memorial Museum in DC

Never Again -published in April 2022 20^th Yom HaShoah PSH special edition

Thoughts on Visiting the Holocaust Memorial Museum in DC

San Adams

Had never been

To the Holocaust Museum,

 

Despite the fact

He had lived

And worked in DC for decades

 

One day after he retired

He said to himself

It was long past time

To finally see the holocaust museum

 

He went the week

After Charleston,

When the mob had chanted,

Jews will not replace us.

 

The museum affected him deeply

He had just confirmed

Through DNA

 

That he had at least 10 percent

Jewish ancestry

Among the 18 other nationalities

Swirling among these bloodlines

 

Sam Adams was concerned

Those elements of antisemitism

We’re emerging among

The MAGA crowd.

 

But he dismissed

The fears that Trump

Was another Hitler

As liberal hyperbole

 

It could not happen here

A new holocaust

Would never happen

But now he was not so sure

 

Neo-Fascism Must Be Defeated Again In this day and age of fake news And neo-fascism rising yet again It is important to bear witness To the undeniable fact That the holocaust can never come again That is what we must vow every day Never again

 

The rest of the poems I submitted are on my blog page.

 

Holocaust Remembrance in The Trump Era

While touring the Holocaust Museum

For the first time in his life,

Sam Adams

 

Encountered three young white MAGA boys.

Wearing Red hats and making

Sexually suggestive jokes About Jewish women

While they were touring the Holocaust.

 

One wondered if the Nazi guards

Were given an opportunity

To have sex with Jewish women

Before they were killed

 

Sam Adams was very angry

And wanted to confront the MAGA boys.

But finally decided what the hell

 

It probably would not

Make a difference,

They might think that he was just

An old Jewish man.

And dismiss his complaints.

 

The Holocaust Museum

Moved him deeply

Because he had just confirmed

Via DNA testing

 

That he indeed was part Jewish.

Maybe 10%.

He wondered what happened

To his Jewish Cousins

He didn’t even know he had.

 

And he vowed to himself.

That he would do

All he could to make sure

 

The world would

Never see another Holocaust.

 

 

Holocaust Remembrance in the Biden Era

 

Sam Adams thought naively

That when Biden was elected

That the US had turned a corner.

 

The Trump-inspired

Anti-Semitism, discrimination,

Fear, hatred, and xenophobia

 

Would gradually

Fadeaway

As a dark memory

 

And that Americans

Would regain a sense of compassion,

Decency, hope, and love

 

And a sense

That we are all in this together

As Americans.

 

Unfortunately, Sam thought

The MAGA Madness had not gone away,

Perhaps it was getting worse.

 

He was concerned that the recent

Anti-Asian violence could spread

Out of control.

 

And underlying

all that racism and xenophobia

Was anti-Semitism

 

Sam thought

If Trump becomes president again,

There’s a strong possibility

 

We could end up

with another Holocaust.

 

Perhaps this time targeted against

Asians, communists, blacks,

Coastal elites, democrats, Drug users,

foreigners, Hispanics, Gays,

Mexicans, Muslims, and socialists

 

Of course, Jewish people

Would eventually

be rounded up

 

Underlying all racism

Lies a deep vein

Of anti-Semitism

 

Sam Adams felt depressed.

Realizing the Magna Madness

Was not over.

 

And another holocaust

Another final solution

Could emerge

 

As America embraced

American Style fascism

Under a resurgent Trump

Or his successor demagogue

https://nationaltoday.com › yom-HaShoah

Yom HaShoah -. April 27, 2022. History reminds us of not only what has passed, but it also narrates tales of sufferings and victories, and this is why we celebrate Yom HaShoah, which takes place on Nisan 27. If the 27th is adjacent to the Jewish Sabbath, the date shifts by a day. This year, it begins at sunset on April 27 and ends at sunset …

 

Yom HaShoah 2022 – Holocaust Memorial Day – יום השואה …

https://www.hebcal.com › holidays › yom-HaShoah-2022

Yom HaShoah 2022 / יוֹם הַשּׁוֹאָה 5782 Holocaust Memorial Day ️. Yom HaShoah for Hebrew Year 5782 begins at sundown on Wednesday, 27 April 2022, and ends at nightfall on Thursday, 28 April 2022. Yom HaZikaron HaShoah ve-laG’vurah (יום הזיכרון לשואה ולגבורה; “Holocaust and Heroism Remembrance Day”), known colloquially in Israel and abroad as Yom HaShoah …

Yom Hashoah 2022 – Calendar Date

https://www.calendardate.com › yom_hashoah_2022.htm

Yom Hashoah for the year 2022 is celebrated/ observed on sundown of Wednesday, April 27th ending at sundown on Thursday, April 28. Yom Hashoah also called Holocaust Remembrance Day commemorates the lives of the Jewish people who died in the Holocaust of World War 2. This day is remembered in the Hebrew calendar on the 27th day of Nisan.

Yom Hashoah 2022: A Day to Remember | Touro University

https://www.touro.edu › news–events › events › yom-HaShoah-042822.php

Yom Hashoah 2022 ~ Justice After the Holocaust …

https://www.torat-el.org › events › yom-HaShoah-2022-justice-after-the-holocaust

Register Now: Yom HaShoah 2022 Events – Kupferberg …

https://khc.qcc.cuny.edu › blog › register-now-yom-HaShoah-2022-events

National Yom HaShoah UK Commemoration 2022

https://yomhashoah.org.uk

National Yom HaShoah UK Commemoration 2022. Please join us on the evening of Wednesday 27 th April as Yom HaShoah begins, for an online, live National Holocaust Commemoration event, which you will be able to watch here. You can watch last year’s National Holocaust Commemoration, along with other educational content on our YouTube channel.

History Corner – Yom HaShoah 2022 – Temple Emanuel – Rochester

https://emanuelrochester.org › history-corner-Yom-hashoah-2022

History Corner – Yom HaShoah 2022. By Carl Wetzstein. In the past, I’ve written about my experiences in the Holocaust and also spoke about Righteous Gentiles, people who helped save Jews during the Holocaust. The accounts of the Righteous Gentiles were second-hand, based on books and articles that I read. This History Corner is based on …

Yom Hashoah – Holocaust Memorial Day – Israel

https://www.twinkl.com › event › yom-hashoah-2022

Yom Hashoah April 27, 2022 – April 28, 2022. Homepage » Teaching Topic & Event Resource Calendar » April » Yom Hashoah. What is Yom Hashoah? Yom Hashoah is the annual day of remembrance of the victims of the Holocaust. It is the Jewish Holocaust Memorial Day, observed by Jews worldwide.

Co-PIlot provided more background information:

Sure thing! The Jewish community in the U.S. is diverse and vibrant. As of 2020, there are about 7.5 million Jews in the U.S., making up approximately 2.4% of the total population2.

Islam in the U.S.

the Muslim community is the fastest growing religious group in the US after the “nones”  they played a huge role in the last election, many of them leaving the Democratic party and voting for Trump despite his record of hostility to the Islam community.

During my FS career, I  had many Muslim friends, particularly when I served in India.

Co-PIlot provided more details:

Rise of Christian Nationalism in the United States

Christian Nationalism is on the rise in the U.S. and around the world, with perhaps 30 percent of Americans self identifying with the movement which is closely linked to the Republican Party and Donald Trump’s MAGA movement.

Some in the movement advocate dominism calling for Christians to take over the seven key mountains and rule the world in accordance with God’s will, ushering in the end days.

CO-Pilot provides more background information on this growing movement.

certainly! Christian nationalism is a political ideology that advocates for the fusion of Christianity with a nation’s civic and political life. It seeks to establish or maintain a legal and cultural fusion of Christian religion with a nation’s character2. This ideology has been gaining traction both in the United States and globally.

In the United States

Christian nationalism in the U.S. has been particularly prominent in recent years. It often involves advocating for policies that privilege Christianity in the public square, such as displaying Christian symbols on public property, promoting Christian values in public schools, and opposing abortion and LGBTQ+ rights2. This movement has been linked to the rise of the MAGA (Make America Great Again) movement and has found significant support among white evangelical Christians.

Globally

Christian nationalism is not confined to the U.S. It has been observed in various countries around the world, including Brazil, France, Italy, Poland, Hungary, and Russia3. In these countries, Christian nationalism often aligns with right-wing populist movements and can lead to exclusionary and sometimes violent actions against religious and ethnic minorities. For example, in Brazil, former President Jair Bolsonaro garnered significant support from evangelical Christians by intertwining nationalism with Christian faith3.

Concerns and Criticisms

Critics argue that Christian nationalism is fundamentally at odds with a pluralistic society, as it seeks to define a country as Christian, thereby marginalizing non-Christian populations. It can also lead to antidemocratic and violent behavior, as seen in events like the Capitol insurrection in the U.S1. The ideology is often linked to racist, misogynistic, authoritarian, and homophobic views.

Conclusion

The rise of Christian nationalism poses significant challenges to democracy and social harmony both in the U.S. and globally. It highlights the need for vigilance in protecting the separation of church and state and ensuring that all citizens, regardless of their religious beliefs, are treated with equality and respect.

• Contemporary Atheism in the US:

Note: I grew up in perhaps one of the most secular cities in one of the most secular States in one of the most secular eras, the 60s and 70s in the Bay Area.  Yet even in the Bay Area there are almost no public officials who are openly ”atheist”  My father was one of the few elected officials who was not publically a Christian. He was an atheist and my mother was a lapsed Southern Baptist.

• About Three-in-Ten U.S. Adults Are Now Religiously Unaffiliated | Pew Research Center
• Demographics of atheism – Wikipedia

Co-Pilot provide additional background information.

• In the United States, the percentage of people identifying as non-religious, often referred to as the “nones,” has been steadily increasing. According to a 2021 Pew Research Center survey, about 29% of U.S. adults identify as religiously unaffiliated, which includes atheists, agnostics, and those who describe their religion as “nothing in particular”. This is a significant increase from 16% in 20061.
• Global Atheism:
• Globally, the number of people who identify as atheists or non-religious varies widely by region. According to a 2012 Pew Research Center study, 16% of the world’s population is not affiliated with any religion. This includes both atheists and agnostics2. The highest concentrations of non-religious people are found in countries like Sweden, Vietnam, Denmark, Norway, and Japan.

Wicca Religious Movement

I once took a quiz online by beliefnet to determine what religion I am most in tune with. the top choice was Wicca, New Age or Buddhism, the least compatble was fundamentalism, mormonism and Islam.  that sounds about right, LOL.

followers are called witches and warlocks and gather together in Covens.

CO-Pilot provided background information.

Wicca, also known as “The Craft,” is a modern pagan, earth-centered religion. It was developed in England during the first half of the 20th century and introduced to the public in 1954 by Gerald Gardner, a retired British civil servant. Wicca draws upon ancient pagan traditions and 20th-century Hermetic motifs for its theological and ritual purposes1.

Core Beliefs and Practices:

• Duo theism: Wiccans typically venerate both a Goddess and a God, often referred to as the Triple Goddess and the Horned God.
• Rituals and Festivals: Wiccans celebrate both lunar cycles (Esbats) and solar cycles (Sabbats), which include festivals like the solstices and equinoxes.
• Nature Reverence: Nature plays a central role in Wiccan beliefs and practices, with rituals often held outdoors and involving natural elements like fire, water, earth, and air.

• The Wiccan Rede: A popular expression of Wiccan morality, often summarized as “An it harm none, do what ye will.”

New Age Religious Movement

Very big in California particularly during the 60s and 70s. I have been heavily influenced and consider myself a New Age type. Co-pilot provided more background information.

Co-PIlot provided backgroud information

The New Age movement is a broad and eclectic range of spiritual or religious beliefs and practices that emerged in Western society during the 1970s. It draws heavily from esoteric traditions, including Spiritualism, Theosophy, and various forms of occultism4.

Core Beliefs and Practices:

• Holistic Divinity: The New Age movement typically accepts a holistic form of divinity that pervades the universe, including human beings.
• Personal Transformation: Emphasis on personal transformation and healing, often through practices like meditation, yoga, and alternative medicine.
• Age of Aquarius: Many New Age believers anticipate a coming “Age of Aquarius,” a period of enlightenment and spiritual awakening.
• Syncretism: The movement is highly syncretic, incorporating elements from various religious and spiritual traditions.

Both Wicca and the New Age movement emphasize personal spiritual experiences and a deep connection to nature. They offer alternative spiritual paths for those seeking a more individualized and nature-focused approach to spirituality.

Asian Religious Traditions in the U.S.

Also big in the West Coast since the 1950s.  Many of the beatnit writers were Buddhists. If I had to choose one religion for me it would be Buddhism.

I have been heavily influenced by Buddhism which I first learned about in a college World Religions class, one of the best classes I took as an undergraduate. I became fascinated by Buddhism after I went to Korea. Lately my Korean born wife has become more of a Buddhist frequently quoting Buddhist masters who are popular on You Tube in Korea.

Co-pilot provided background information:

Absolutely! The growth of Buddhism and other Asian religions in the U.S. is a fascinating topic.

Buddhism in the U.S.

Buddhism has seen significant growth in the United States, particularly since the mid-20th century. The increase in Asian immigration, especially after changes in U.S. immigration laws in the 1960s, played a crucial role in this growth1. By the 1980s, many Buddhist communities had sprouted across the country. Today, Buddhism is practiced by millions of Americans, with notable concentrations in states like California and Hawaii1.

Other Asian Religions

Alongside Buddhism, other Asian religions such as Hinduism, Sikhism, and Taoism have also gained a foothold in the U.S. The Pew Research Center reports that Asian Americans have contributed significantly to the diversity of the U.S. religious landscape3. For instance, Hindus and Buddhists together account for about the same share of the U.S. public as Jews (roughly 2%). Additionally, many Asian Americans identify with Christianity or have no particular religious affiliation2.

Factors Contributing to Growth

Several factors have contributed to the growth of these religions:

• Immigration: The influx of Asian immigrants has brought their religious traditions to the U.S.
• Cultural Exchange: Increased interest in Eastern philosophies and practices, especially during the 1960s and 1970s, has led many Americans to explore these religions.
• Community Support: The establishment of temples, meditation centers, and cultural organizations has provided a supportive environment for practitioners
• Note: Korean American churches have played a huge role in the Korean diaspora in America with most Korean immigrants belonging to a Church where they meet fellow Koreans.

Impact on American Society

The presence of these diverse religious traditions has enriched the cultural and spiritual landscape of the U.S. It has also fostered greater understanding and appreciation of different cultural practices and beliefs.

Native American Traditions

My mother’s parents were part Cherokee and spoke Cherokee and followed some of the Cherokee religious traditions, including paying attention to dreams.

Native American spiritual and religious traditions are incredibly diverse, reflecting the rich cultural heritage of the many different tribes and communities across North America. Here are some key aspects:

Core Beliefs

• Animism: Many Native American traditions believe in animism, the idea that all things—animals, plants, rocks, rivers, and even weather—have a spirit.
• Great Spirit: A central figure in many Native American religions is the Great Spirit or Creator, who is seen as a guiding force in the universe.
• Connection to Nature: Nature plays a crucial role in these traditions, with a deep respect for the earth, often referred to as “Mother Earth.”

Rituals and Ceremonies

• Rituals: These can include ceremonies for healing, coming-of-age, and seasonal changes. For example, the Sun Dance is a significant ceremony practiced by several Plains tribes.
• Storytelling: Oral traditions are vital, with stories passed down through generations that explain the creation of the world, moral lessons, and historical events.
• Shamanism: Many tribes have shamans or spiritual leaders who act as intermediaries between the physical and spiritual worlds.

Symbols and Art

• Totem Poles: Used by tribes such as the Haida and Tlingit, these poles are carved with symbols representing clan lineage, stories, and cultural beliefs.
• Dreamcatchers: Originally from the Ojibwe tribe, these are used to protect individuals from bad dreams.

Community and Values

• Generosity: Acts of giving and sharing are central values, often demonstrated through ceremonies like potlatches.
• Respect for Elders: Elders are highly respected for their wisdom and knowledge, and their teachings are integral to the community’s spiritual life.

Adaptation and Revitalization

Despite the challenges posed by colonization and modernization, many Native American communities have worked to preserve and revitalize their spiritual traditions. This includes both a return to traditional practices and the adaptation of new forms of expression.

Q-Anon

Finally, we should mention the Cthulu cult which played a big role in the fiction of HP Lovecraft.  Some believers in the occult believe that HP Lovecraft was writing true stories not fiction.

Co-Pilot provided background information.  can you tell me about the Ctuhulu mythos of HP Lovecraft?

The Cthulhu Mythos is a shared fictional universe created by H.P. Lovecraft; an American writer known for his works of horror fiction. The mythos is centered around ancient, cosmic deities and other worldly horrors that exist beyond human comprehension1. Here are some key elements:

Key Elements of the Cthulhu Mythos:

1. Cthulhu: The central creature in Lovecraft’s seminal short story “The Call of Cthulhu,” first published in 1928. Cthulhu is depicted as a gigantic, octopus-like being that lies dormant in the sunken city of R’lyeh1.
2. Great Old Ones: A pantheon of ancient, powerful deities from space who once ruled the Earth and have since fallen into a deathlike sleep. These beings include Cthulhu, Nyarlathotep, Azathoth, and others1.
3. Cosmic Horror: Lovecraft’s stories emphasize the complete irrelevance of mankind in the face of these cosmic horrors. The human mind is unable to fully comprehend the existence of these entities, leading to madness and despair1.
4. Necronomicon: A fictional grimoire that appears in many of Lovecraft’s stories, containing knowledge of the Great Old Ones and other forbidden lore.

Further Reading:

The Complete Cthulhu Mythos Tales

 

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