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The Properly-dressed Occultist: pentagram and a semi-automatic

A brief note to readers of GeeksWithGuns...

Being 'out'

I am conflicted about being "out" as an occultist. Part of the practice is to be silent. Still, I see all the crosses on people's necks and the WWJD bracelets and think, "Hey, that's healthy that our Christian brothers they can express their spiritual path like that without being shunned (or attacked)."

So I've started wearing pendants that relate to my practice: pentagram/pentacle, Golden Dawn cross, hexagram, copper ingot, various tarot card amulets, a Tree of Life (QBLH). So far no one has gotten violent with me, although evangelicals frequently express concern (the nice ones) and hostility (the bottom feeders). It's the ignorant and violent mouth-breathers that worry me the most.

The underlying problem

The underlying problem is that American culture has inherited from our forefathers a predominant Calvinist outlook, although it tends to have more influence in our social and political lives. For the he more dangerous (to non-Christians) forms combined with Fundamentalism. This combination results this kind of thinking:
  1. All things must be of either God or "the devil"
  2. [Fill in the blank] is not of God.
  3. Therefore, [Fill in the blank] must be of the devil. (read: Satanic)
  4. Satanic things must be destroyed (moral crusades, the Fundamentalist jihad) before they weaken [ Morals | Democracy | the United States | Good Christians].
This is known as the paranoid style in American politics, described by Lorman Ratner in his sociological monographs. It is related to the phenomenon of Red Scare, McCarthyism, etc.

Unfortunately, many fine people come down in the Satanic camp (according to the above logic): les-bi-gay folks, occultists, pagans, witches and others who deviate from the mainstream. Moral crusades with political power are, IMO, exceedingly dangerous. Witch hunt, anyone? Genocide and hate/fear-crime are real, and people have been exterminated en masse (or individually murdered) because of their sexual, religious, racial and/or political status.

This is why I support the idea of concealed carry (CHL/CCW), especially for members of minority groups, including minority religions. Groups like the Pink Pistols and Jews for Preservation of Firearm Ownership are on the right track. And Oleg seems so stoked and talented that he's an inspiration. This is why I consider the legal carry of a sidearm to be both my duty and my right. In the short term, the only thing the ignorant understand is power. Once the ignorant see minorities effectively and legally defending themselves I suspect gay-bashing and religious hate crimes will fade. No amount of "hatecrime bill" protections will work, IMO. Only power in the short term, and love and education in the long term.

Call to action

Be a good citizen by adding your diverse and unique experience to the mix. Pray hard and follow your path. Be civil and assertive. Empower yourself and take responsibility for your future. Love your brother. Embrace and assist the ignorant. Arm yourself and carry yourself with compassion and dignity.

L.V.X.,
Frater Mus

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