Ladder/Raft, or, Read The Book, Then Burn It

[Phox]

For me, the PD was something of a catalyst.  That is, when I read it, it wasn't really one of those "Eureka" moments.  It sort of brought together a lot of thoughts and philosophies I already had, but hadn't quite pieced together.  It was like, I realized I was always a Discordian.  I just hadn't ever had a proper title for it.  It crystallized for me so many of the reasons I left the Christian faith of my youth for a more expansive, self-regulated and self-determined religion/spirituality. 

This. I do, however, have no qualms with stating that I am a Discordian. In fact, I need to print out some more pamphlets to hand out to those fundy Christian a-holes who always seem to think I need religion. 

[Hoopla]

Yeah, saying your're a Discordian to a Christian fundie, and then having to explain it, always makes for a much different religious conversation than it might standardly be.  It always seems to throw off all but the completely mind-numbed sort.

[Cramulus]

True! It's fun to watch their gears turn. They want to proselytize to you but they don't know where to start. Last time a Jehovah's Witness came to my door, they gave me an awkward "Uhh I never heard of that! I hope that works out for you!"

[LMNO, PhD (life continues)]

Most religious people I talk about it with (not just xtians) usually try to play it off as, "oh, it's more of a philosophy."

As if that means it's somehow a lesser idea than a religion, or something.

[Misery's Feed Trough]

Seems to me that the difference between religion and philosophy is that religions have mascots.  Otherwise, they're kind of trying to do the same thing.  Figure out and explain what all of this crap around us is all about. 

[Hoopla]

Most religious people I talk about it with (not just xtians) usually try to play it off as, "oh, it's more of a philosophy."

As if that means it's somehow a lesser idea than a religion, or something.

When I am talking to a rabid christian, I tend to claim I actually believe in Eris as a genuine goddess... for kicks.  I'm a bad widdle boy.

[Phox]

Most religious people I talk about it with (not just xtians) usually try to play it off as, "oh, it's more of a philosophy."

As if that means it's somehow a lesser idea than a religion, or something.

When I am talking to a rabid christian, I tend to claim I actually believe in Eris as a genuine goddess... for kicks.  I'm a bad widdle boy.

Me too. Good spot o' fun, innit? 

[Hoopla]

Most religious people I talk about it with (not just xtians) usually try to play it off as, "oh, it's more of a philosophy."

As if that means it's somehow a lesser idea than a religion, or something.

When I am talking to a rabid christian, I tend to claim I actually believe in Eris as a genuine goddess... for kicks.  I'm a bad widdle boy.

Me too. Good spot o' fun, innit? 

That it is indeed.

[M. Nigel Salt]

I am definitely still a Discordian after however many years it's been, and to me that means looking for new information and perspectives; constantly seeking to surprise myself and others.

Why am I not surprised?

 

[Telarus]

Most religious people I talk about it with (not just xtians) usually try to play it off as, "oh, it's more of a philosophy."

As if that means it's somehow a lesser idea than a religion, or something.

When I am talking to a rabid christian, I tend to claim I actually believe in Eris as a genuine goddess... for kicks.  I'm a bad widdle boy.

Me too. Good spot o' fun, innit? 

Hahaha, me too. Well, I guess technically, I start to "believe it" while I have the discussion. I'm used to working in that model for certain things.

[geekdad]

For me, the PD was something of a catalyst.  That is, when I read it, it wasn't really one of those "Eureka" moments.  It sort of brought together a lot of thoughts and philosophies I already had, but hadn't quite pieced together.  It was like, I realized I was always a Discordian.  I just hadn't ever had a proper title for it.  It crystallized for me so many of the reasons I left the Christian faith of my youth for a more expansive, self-regulated and self-determined religion/spirituality. 

As for the book itself, it's been awhile since I've read it.  But there are parts that resonate with me in particular and I suspect they are the same passages that resonate with many of you.  Nonsense as Salvation, Sermon on Ethics and Love, the Sacred Chao (text)/Reality grids, and of course Greyface. 

I still think of myself as a Discordian.  I don't really go around telling other people I'm a Discordian.  I generally avoid the discussion of religion around friends and family as it doesn't seem to be a very fruitful discussion. 

Anyway, not sure where I'm going with this anymore so I'll stop right about here. 

This sums up my feelings and past exactly.

As far as philosopies as ladders analogy, I like it but don't think it quite fits.

There are times that instead of it being a ladder it's a compass, showing where to go. Each ideology or philosophy has a compass that points in different directions (with similar ones pointing to similer places). It depends on yourself to know what direction you want. If you go too far in one direction, then you pick up a different philosophy that points closer to the place you want to be.

Now that I've taken that analogy to the breaking point I'll also stop.

[flipdog]

For me, the PD was something of a catalyst.  That is, when I read it, it wasn't really one of those "Eureka" moments.  It sort of brought together a lot of thoughts and philosophies I already had, but hadn't quite pieced together.  It was like, I realized I was always a Discordian.  I just hadn't ever had a proper title for it.  It crystallized for me so many of the reasons I left the Christian faith of my youth for a more expansive, self-regulated and self-determined religion/spirituality. 

As for the book itself, it's been awhile since I've read it.  But there are parts that resonate with me in particular and I suspect they are the same passages that resonate with many of you.  Nonsense as Salvation, Sermon on Ethics and Love, the Sacred Chao (text)/Reality grids, and of course Greyface. 

I still think of myself as a Discordian.  I don't really go around telling other people I'm a Discordian.  I generally avoid the discussion of religion around friends and family as it doesn't seem to be a very fruitful discussion. 

Anyway, not sure where I'm going with this anymore so I'll stop right about here. 

This sums up my feelings and past exactly.

As far as philosopies as ladders analogy, I like it but don't think it quite fits.

There are times that instead of it being a ladder it's a compass, showing where to go. Each ideology or philosophy has a compass that points in different directions (with similar ones pointing to similer places). It depends on yourself to know what direction you want. If you go too far in one direction, then you pick up a different philosophy that points closer to the place you want to be.

Now that I've taken that analogy to the breaking point I'll also stop.

so it's more like a hill, or maybe a mountain, in that you can go up, have a look around, but then go back down again in whichever direction you choose. whenever my mind has had a new bending, i usually go down in a slightly differing direction, because if i go back down to where i was before, it's a bit disorienting.

[Slyph]

Truly, I'm pleased that you have explained to me that I don't have to live my life by the Principia Discordia. Shit, dodged a bullet there eh?

[Telarus]

Truly, I'm pleased that you have explained to me that I don't have to live my life by the Principia Discordia. Shit, dodged a bullet there eh?

It's really fun to do for short periods, just don't make it a habit.

[Ratssinis]

Truly, I'm pleased that you have explained to me that I don't have to live my life by the Principia Discordia. Shit, dodged a bullet there eh?

It's really fun to do for short periods, just don't make it a habit.

I can agree with that, seems every-time you come back and look there's a little more to it then before. Which I guess makes Discordia a pretty unique ladder, what with the getting taller and taller thing... Maybe its a human ladder?