Towards more flexible beliefs
With the world in fear and lacking confidence, the time has come to evolve the very structure of belief systems [ hereafter referred to as BS].
Once you become aware of the existence of dogma in the limitations of people around you, it’s a bit like noticing the arrow hidden in the FedEx logo, it’s the first thing you look for.When I am working in the corporate world, dogma shows up in almost every conversation.
“it’s very difficult to persuade new clients to come on board when the economy is so tough”
“when I have to deliver a presentation, it takes me several hours to compose the slides”
“it’s impossible to find good people today”
You get the idea.
In 1996, I had the good fortune to be exposed to the thinking and writing of Robert Anton Wilson. Michael Breen brought him in to teach the One Year NLP class to supplement Richard Bandler. The first thing Robert did was to make everyone present Discordian Popes.
The first principle of Discordianism is to understand the belief system is different to dogma. Dogma is fixed belief. Some organisations insist you hold to their dogma before you can join. Some go as far as disbarring you from membership if you will not hold to their dogma.
Discordianism has a belief system that is more flexible and adaptable. We hold catmatism to be the way of truth. Or more specifically your truth.
In this bonkers world, only the catmatic thrive. Having space to adapt belief gives the Discordian Pope the opportunity to create your own priesthood, ceremonies, rituals, cosmology and even choose your own sacraments.
One of the original branches of Discordians were the Javacrucians, who I think have been largely absorbed into the Starbucrucians. These tend to gather in their churches, with the green and black signs on the high streets of overdeveloped countries, from about 8.00am. They go to receive sacrament – perhaps a tall skinny latte – which they ask to be made with extra love. As with other occult traditions, they then raise their sacrament to the East, take a sip and declare “God – I needed that!” Then they’re usually OK for the next few hours.
A recent Papal guideline [ because no-one can issue a directive to 3.5 million different Popes!] offers a more catmatic approach to traditional confessions. Some organisations expect the flock to own up regularly to what they’ve done that breaks the dogmas and go away feeling wracked with guilt.
The suggestion has been made to shift the focus, so confession could be “bless me father, for I have been brilliant this week, let me explain how”. Then go away feeling fabulous.
In the same way, some organisations appoint saints after they have been dead for some years and only then after they have created miracles from beyond the grave. The catmatic approach could change her to appointing saints whilst the person is still alive and then expecting them to create miracles for the rest of their life.
