LHP roundtable discussion

[I AM the Way]

www.cultofcthulhu.net/2010/12/left-hand-path-roundtable-discussion/

Take a look. Finally thought it was time to present what came out of the Left Hand Path Roundtable Discussion.


Awake!

Venger As'Nas Satanis
High Priest
Cult of Cthulhu

[iandiabhal]

I was reading the post by Venger on his disappointment with creating a successful Left Hand Path Roundtable discussion.

Let me propose a few ideas to the members of this forum.
One way of doing this, is to put a "proposed point" up for discussion.

Could be how do we advance the CoC in 2011?
Then, participants will present their ideas - not just quickie "one-liners" but some solid thoughts or a small essay with a little substance behind it
You would have 2 or three days to come up with ideas, post them - and then - we could discuss the various merits of the ideas presented.

Another interesting group exercise would be to do an active "year-end" SWOT analysis of the Cult - strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats -

Pretty much same drill as above each participant would have a day or so to list something under each category heading, and then we could compile the responses and see what replies and responses come to the top or themes predominate when they are tallied together and compared.

Then we have a better idea and grasp of what ideas and issues are perceived as more important, tactical or strategic.
The replies would then form a set of prioritized topics for discussion, rather than going all around the poles.
It could potentially present a broad picture and year-end snapshot of the organization and most importantly what the individual members think and perceive about its presence, performance and goals.

In fact it may be better to do a SWOT analysis - before discussing any ideas on advancing the CoC going into 2011. Then you would have some relavent facts and perceptions on, weaknesses, strengths, and opportunities on the horizon so you can better plan prioritize and coordinate future activities.

[iandiabhal]

I am going to start off here with a little analysis of a weakness that I have noted.
I keep up with Venger's postings and interviews around the internet, and one irritating weakness I have seen repeatedly is this continous coating off of "mickey mouse" accusations..goes like this...

"Oh..you guys worship - oooh - Cthulhu and think all that HP Lovecraft stuff like the fake Necronomicon is real?...nyuk, nyuk, hyuk, yuk, yuk, yuk.."
Ad nauseum.

Generally others start piping off and piling in and it goes off to the "Land of the Ludicrous" after this, and Venger is left furiously trying to explain what the Cult is really about, and on the defensive with a bunch of one-liner shitslingers who are determined to get him on the ropes, or to goad him into slinging obscenities or losing his cool - which he has to his credit - rarely succumbed to.

The problem - or weakness here - is that people seem to perceive or wish to paint the Cult of Cthulhu as some nutty or half-assed "H.P. Lovecraft Appreciation or Worship Society" gone overboard or looney instead of a valid and legitimate religious outlook - which it is.

Venger does an admirable job in defense of the Cult, but I think what is needed is some - much as I hate to use the term - more concise "mission statement".
It needs to be ratcheted up, and be made more bulletproof.
Rather than you, I or someone else saying what we individually and subjectively think - we present a more united front of what we are about...otherwise - inevitably it turns into point-by-point surgical nitpicking and disassembly of the whole notion..

A statement, that if someone challenges you as a Cult member with some silly one-liner accusation of it being a phony or mickey mouse religion in an online discussion forum - that you can come back with an objective reply to in 10 seconds or less.
Something tight, as well as consistant in its message and focus.
This also incidentally shows a more consistant, coordinated and well considered approach rather than engaging in stupid flame-wars on nitpicking points.

Something solid that explains what the Cult is really about.
Something unique, but easy to employ.
Even though many do not like the Church of Satan or their current leadership - their public response to their detractors, is a very admirable and highly effective example of how to quickly and effectively deal with "yeehaws" , the comedian set, armchair skeptics, shit-disturbers and peabrained simpletons without being put on the hot seat and defensive constantly wasting words and keystrokes.

You watch some of the old interviews with Anton LaVey - on TV talkshows of the time and note his cool demeanor and how he dealt with all of the silly commentary and stereotypical bullshit, and misperceptions that got thrown vigorously at him.
He, kept his cool and rationally explained and reiterated the philosophy in simple non-esoteric terms. Its harder to throw stupid ignorant commentary or silly-assed stereotypes at something that is objective and doesn't stray too far into the esoteric elements of the belief or religion.

Basically we are objectively about this <insert objective statement>
If you want to know more about what our esoteric belief system is about and consists of - then you have to read the book, and enlighten yourself.
It is a far more intelligent and crafty approach - because it flips the table on the detractor, and then rather than you being on the defensive - you put them on the defensive for not doing their basic damn homework before challenging you and making ignorant or uninformed, immaterial statements, assumptions or accusations...without the relavent facts in order.

An old lawyer's trick actually.

This keeps things from being dragged or propelled into "hearsay" and the subjective - which always ends up being akin to a "soup sandwich" with people who have no clue as to what the philosophy - much less the esoterica - consists of.
Stick to relavent, objective, observable facts - if you slip into esoterica, then you make the detractors job of attempting to muddle, rattle or slip you up easier.

Many who say they don't understand and want you to "explain" it are in fact attempting to lure you into a subjective trap..they don't really wish to truly understand - that is not their agenda - they simply just want to take the piss out of you...by then throwing objectivity at your subjective or esoteric points after you open yourself up to the attack. Seen happen painfully, time after time.

Sure, many of us admire HP Lovecraft, and Ia Cthulhu, but what is the point of what we are doing. You could retort on this - well who gives a damn what people think - but perception is important, because it relates to prestige and the will to power.

[ragnafa]

As far as the LHP Roundtable discussion goes, I enjoyed it very much. I definitely agree with Master Satanis on the point where it is said that existence is key, meaning that we are required to keep moving on with that same cycle. In my opinion that is major suffering. We don't get anywhere by just existing, we need to put our existence to good use.

Our universe is one fucked up warden that won't let us out of our cells. This is where I see the CoC coming into play, the more we continue to strive to awaken ourselves we will create an alchemical change in our DNA to ascend as Gods.

Awake....
Dreaming Wizard of the Terrible Darkness
Izratan'Sharaz

[I AM the Way]

Thanks for the replies, Ian.

What seemed cool at the outset of the LHP roundtable discussion was that our debate wasn't necessarily rooted in the Cult of Cthulhu or any particular avenue of Satanism. It was a small collection of LHP practitioners who were "manifesting" or actively engaging the paradigm as they saw it.

I knew there would be differences of opinion, as well as, various dimensions of understanding which had to be overcome, but I had hoped that a final consensus could be reached. Or, at the very least, we could see exactly where divergence was taking place. But a CoC specific roundtable would also be worthwhile.

The days of ignorant detractors are slowly coming to an end. I believe most informed critics are aware that our Cthulhu Cult is about Awakening and personal evolution within a Left Hand Path context, also known as, The Great Work. However, it never hurts to reinforce this meme both on and offline.


Awake!

Venger As'Nas Satanis
High Priest
Cult of Cthulhu

[boksmutant]

Good discussion. I like how you ended it

but what if suffering was the entire purpose of life on this planet? What if our conflicts were necessary because they were designed to be that way, and all the inhibitive laws we daily face are merely the filtering down of that design?

I had this very same thought while reading our Cthulhu Bible.
My idea was on how the lesser Gods use the technique of "apathy" to give us the feeling were not succeeding. So why struggle so hard.

A person could feel this sensation more than a few times a day.
As if moments of success are reserved for more monumental goals & not a general feeling we should carry with us.
This feels like the most basic & constant technique the lesser Gods use. But it is also individual how negativity effects us.

Awake!