***** appoints Satanist to help lead monkeypox response

[Dakuwaqa]

'Witchcraft' is more or less a description created by the church to discredit and disempower the traditonal female role of herbalist, folk healer and spiritual advisor



Look understand that whilst belief in Jesus or Christianity or whatever may itself be benign or at least relatively harmless the church - an organised hierarchical structure - is a political entity and behaves largely as all such structures do, acting to constantly extend and consolidate it's power by whatever means necessary. Historically this has meant casting all those groups that might threaten, weaken or undermione it's power as the worst kind of evil no matter they actaully did... the history of the Christian church is absolutely full of the most brutal kind of violence often carried out on the thinest of pretexts against anyone or anything perceived as achallenge to it's authority.. I'm not being a twat or anti-Christian (I got many Christian friends and have many dealings with the local Methodist and CoE community) this is simply a part of church history that I've touched on before.

The article I linked there is not in any way unique, this is a well understood and documented phenomenon and you'll find a multitude of other sources - completely credibly - saying the same thing.

As pointed out by Rexy above this kinda affected use of provocative iconography is widespread in alternative scenes - goth, metal, the kink scene - and has nothing to do wioth actual worship of demons or the Abrahamic adversay - more like a kinda juvenile rebellion - a FU to the establishment.

And if you want to learn a bit about modern paganism and witchcraft I got friends do that kinda thing and I can guarantee it's nothing like you think... more like a combination of agony aunt and hanging round stone circles on the high days (solstices and equinoxs) burning herbs and giving thanks to the winds and the sun and the Earth, that kinda thing. Generally good, warm people if a little nerdy at times.

Looks like an interesting festival

I used to listen to a lot of Eat Static when I was a young man

Feels like a lifetime ago

Ott and Hallucinogen too

‘future dub’

I can’t tell you how happy that chapter of my life is over

[ShoulderRoll]

'Witchcraft' is more or less a description created by the church to discredit and disempower the traditonal female role of herbalist, folk healer and spiritual advisor



Look understand that whilst belief in Jesus or Christianity or whatever may itself be benign or at least relatively harmless the church - an organised hierarchical structure - is a political entity and behaves largely as all such structures do, acting to constantly extend and consolidate it's power by whatever means necessary. Historically this has meant casting all those groups that might threaten, weaken or undermione it's power as the worst kind of evil no matter they actaully did... the history of the Christian church is absolutely full of the most brutal kind of violence often carried out on the thinest of pretexts against anyone or anything perceived as achallenge to it's authority.. I'm not being a twat or anti-Christian (I got many Christian friends and have many dealings with the local Methodist and CoE community) this is simply a part of church history that I've touched on before.

The article I linked there is not in any way unique, this is a well understood and documented phenomenon and you'll find a multitude of other sources - completely credibly - saying the same thing.

As pointed out by Rexy above this kinda affected use of provocative iconography is widespread in alternative scenes - goth, metal, the kink scene - and has nothing to do wioth actual worship of demons or the Abrahamic adversay - more like a kinda juvenile rebellion - a FU to the establishment.

And if you want to learn a bit about modern paganism and witchcraft I got friends do that kinda thing and I can guarantee it's nothing like you think... more like a combination of agony aunt and hanging round stone circles on the high days (solstices and equinoxs) burning herbs and giving thanks to the winds and the sun and the Earth, that kinda thing. Generally good, warm people if a little nerdy at times.

One of the foundations of Western civilization is Judeo-Christian ethics and morality. People should probably think long and hard before turning their back on that or "inverting" the beliefs of their forefathers

As for modern witchcraft, a better place for anyone to start researching is Gerald Gardner and wicca. Gardner was influenced by one Aleister Crowley, who even he himself would not class as a good and warm person.

I get that to some it's cool to be a rebel just to be a rebel. But painting Satanists in a "fluffy bunny" light is a mistake in my opinion. Probably one that the real Satanists would like to encourage.

[ShoulderRoll]

Looks more like he's into the kink scene.

I've read some commentary that S&M comes from Satanic rituals. Particularly performed on children.

[Dakuwaqa]

One of the foundations of Western civilization is Judeo-Christian ethics and morality. People should probably think long and hard before turning their back on that or "inverting" the beliefs of their forefathers

As for modern witchcraft, a better place for anyone to start researching is Gerald Gardner and wicca. Gardner was influenced by one Aleister Crowley, who even he himself would not class as a good and warm person.

I get that to some it's cool to be a rebel just to be a rebel. But painting Satanists in a "fluffy bunny" light is a mistake in my opinion. Probably one that the real Satanists would like to encourage.

You’re a fluffy bunny

Religions garbage, satanism is a kink and you’re a bum

[_Rexy_]

I've read some commentary that S&M comes from Satanic rituals. Particularly performed on children.

I was heavily involved in the BDSM scene in my earlier years. Not saying what you read is bull****…although in my opinion it is. Regardless; I’ve never seen or been a part of any sort of “ritualistic play” or event. Everyone gets carded and ID’d. It’s harder to get into a BDSM event than it is to vote in your country

but from the looks of his photos, he’s a rope bunny, probably a rigger. Likely into suspension. Different crowd than the D/S/S/M I took part in, but same aspects really. It’s the age players that always creeped me TF out, not the riggers, bunnies, painsluts, etc.

From his hashtags I also assume he’s gay? Which also a different kink scene.

the irony is the pronouns and all the BS we’re seeing now started in the kink community, and the people in the community are disgusted by it. The first rule has always been not to push this **** in your normal Lives and/or on people not involved. Hell, most people in the BDSM community are actually ************* or **********s lol

[Citizen Koba]

Looks like an interesting festival

I used to listen to a lot of Eat Static when I was a young man

Feels like a lifetime ago

Ott and Hallucinogen too

‘future dub’

I can’t tell you how happy that chapter of my life is over

Yeah... I'm off there tomorrow a.m in the campervan. Heard good things but I've not been before. I got a stewarding gig there on the back of a bit of stewarding I did at Northern Green Gathering a few weeks back. Seems like they liked me.

Usually I get in to festivals on an artists ticket running laughter yoga sessions but this one just fell into my lap so I thought why the hell not? Plus the boys are at school so Ms K has to stay home this time and I'm off the leash. Be the first time I've been to a festival on my lonesome for years although I do know a few other people going, friends of friends and stuff and I expect I'll run into folk I know from other festivals.

[Citizen Koba]

One of the foundations of Western civilization is Judeo-Christian ethics and morality. People should probably think long and hard before turning their back on that or "inverting" the beliefs of their forefathers

As for modern witchcraft, a better place for anyone to start researching is Gerald Gardner and wicca. Gardner was influenced by one Aleister Crowley, who even he himself would not class as a good and warm person.

I get that to some it's cool to be a rebel just to be a rebel. But painting Satanists in a "fluffy bunny" light is a mistake in my opinion. Probably one that the real Satanists would like to encourage.

Do you know anybody who describes themselves as a witch or a wiccan? Have you been to any of their events or ceremonies? I'd say first hand experience is a pretty good place to start if you're gonna research something. Problem with researching things using second hand sources is that everyone got their own angle even if it can give you a broader perspective. Crowley was a bit of an asshat and probably a narcisist but also not the diabolic evil that some christian ministries painted him as. He was a mystic and occultist but not a satan worshipper as he's been portrayed although he did seem to get a kick out of being provocative. I don't know much about Gardner TBH but even a brief search ain't showing up anything particularly evil unless you're particularly offended by his penchant for naturism.

And yeah, sure, People should think long and hard about their personal values and morality anyway... too few people do. What they shouldn't do - IMHO - is take the word of any organisation or follow the dogma of any book or any individual, be that a religious minister, a new age guru or some kinda mystic like Crowley. One's personal philosophy can only be understood by deep personal reflection on the experiences of one's life though of course the wisdom and advice of others can help you find your own personal path whatever it may be. What I'm saying is that no church, denomination, sect or religion has a monopoly on ethics and morality. History doesn't stand still man and Christianity - or at least the institutions it fathered - have been the source of both immense cruelty and misery around the world as well as undoubtedly of great benefit to millions of believers..