From: genexs@mhv.net (gene santagada) Mon May 5 22:29:26 EDT 1997
* This Message by - jsailing@netonecom.net (Jasmine Sailing)
* Since I'm agitated by this, and seem to be the only cper (other
* than Bruce) who is, I'm going to put my comments about this up
* on my own web site, with mailto info for anyone else who is
* bothered by...
As usual Jasmine, you bring up many good points. For the sake of brevity, I only quote you once; but if I misunderstand you, I'm sure you will let me know.
First off, it's dubious claim that the HG victims acted on their own. These people were under the domination of a powerful leader. Much information about the internal working of this "cult" (for lack of a better term) is coming to light. Much of this is contrary to the image projected on their web site. In HG, thinking for one's self, and having opinions, was contrary to their central tenants. Questioning teachers, or "guides", was taboo. Individuality was another concept they disliked. In addition to this, even thinking was considered a risky endeavor. I read one comment from a former member who said he became obsessed with the notion that he thought too much. He felt the very fact he was thinking too much about thinking to much was part of his problem (I'm not joking). Among themselves, members had contests of who could think the least! Elaborate depersonalizing techniques were employed to keep their cult free of independent thinking, individuality, and inquisitiveness.
Some factors of the HG debacle is textbook cliche Freud. The leader Applewhite was a self loathing homosexual. When Applewhite was younger, he suffered terribly at the hands of our intolerant society, because of his sexual orientation. This was a great influence on development of his "religion". Enforced celibacy and sexual mutilation was practiced by this group. How much more sexually self loathing can you get? A sort of god-like asexual androgynous angel was the highest form someone could attain. You got brownie points in the hereafter if you tried to look and act like this. The alimentation of sexual feeling, and erasure of gender was sacramentalized.
IMHO, this sort of behavior is psychopathology, and not religion. Although HG may fit a dictionary definition of a religion, and had the trappings of religion, many theologians would classify it otherwise. One of the things I personally find shocking is an utter lack of spirituality. In place of a sense of wonder we get Star Trek. Instead of the ineffable, we get mother-ships. Instead of angles, we get big headed, paternalistic, androgynous Munchkins , who seem more interested in terra-forming than our puny problems. And to help us through our complex lives, and shade us from the tyranny of culture, we are given a blend of new age confusion and Pulp SF. I feel very sorry for these people. I do not mean to be disrespectful of this tragedy; but I find the things these people held as gospel to be utter nonsense and downright silly.
I do not feel they died for any great cause. The fact that they did not harm outsiders is poor reason to cut HG slack.
Damaged people sometimes hand the keys of their lives over to someone they trust has all the answers, especially when life has been tough going. For many of us on this list, life--at times--has been an ordeal. And who is not weak? The followers of these people had the misfortune of picking someone who was a danger to themselves and those around him. In other words, he was crazy. I feel recent history supports my hypothesis.
I once had a great talk with a Christian fundamentalist. The reason we struck up a conversation was the books we were carrying. After a while, he explained that he been a heroin addict for years, and this lead to his life falling to pieces. He was contemplating suicide, when, Jesus came into him (well, this is what he claimed). He now had a good job, was happily married, and had a beautiful baby daughter. (He showed me the pictures.) He took great comfort in his religion, and felt it saved his life. Should I ridicule his fundamentalism? I support someone's right to choose suicide. But I hope that person has checked out all other options. They should make sure they are making a rational decision. When this man's life was in ruins, what would have happened if he stumbled into HG? Oh, he liked my Joe Campbell books, and was not interested in converting me.
I think you are correct when you state the HG group suicide is an improper nomination for the Darwin Awards. But I do not think the nomination impugns esoteric religions. Nor do I feel its fair to shout "Nazi skinheads" at people who think it is a proper submission, and likewise for those who are making fun of HG. But I agree that people who somehow feel the HG victims deserve what they got are clueless jerks.
You went on to say:
* Or how about giving the award to people who are stupid enough to
* let themselves get overly caught up in a Beltane ritual, therefore
* getting stampeded into the fire and charring to death? If the
* cretins hadn't believed they should be dancing around a fire for
* Beltane it would've never happened.
Ha! I never followed the Darwin awards. You know more (and care more) about them than I do. Your opinion deserves more consideration than mine. But it seems a high degree of irony is a necessary qualifier. I part company with you here: I think anyone who accidently kills themselves in a ceremony celebrating Life is a solid nomination! =)
Thank you,
Gene
Later...