From: Tagi@cup.portal.com (Thyagi Morgoth NagaSiva)
Newsgroups: alt.magick
Subject: Evil is a Four Letter Word here
Date: Wed, 23 Dec 92 09:35:09 PST
Organization: The Portal System (TM)

9212.23 e.v. [Happy kAOs Day kiddies! >:|]

[PUT ON YOUR FLAME-RETARDANT SUITS]


Ladislas writes:

I've tried to follow the thread about pentagrams and it made me wonder what
exactly "evil" is, in the minds of the posters.


Response:

Then take it to either alt.evil or alt.satanism.  This is a religious
topic, not a magical one.  This kind of crap wastes all our time and
will devolve alt.magick into alt.atheism.2.  Don't even bother posting
a response to this.  Just place a 'Followup to alt.evil' sign at the door
on your way out.  Thank you very much.


I'm going to post replies here to the rest of your writing, not because
I enjoyed reading them but because I think it is largely a load of crap
(yes, the entire 'pentagram' thread as well as most anything that is said
here ---- ok, except for Amanda's posting)...


Ladislas:

Most agree that christianity is "wrong" either because of the organizations
that support it or by its philosophy.  Someone said that satanism (LaVey's)
is better than xtianism because it uncovers the sacred lies (or some such).
Some agree that "evil" is strictly a xtian concept.  On the symbolism of
the inverted pentagram, some say it's a symbol that xtians identify with
"evil".


Response:

The language is perverted and ignorant.  Those who invented the 'inverted
pentagram' have one hand on your genitals and the other in your wallet.

A religious complex CANNOT be wrong.  Do some studying.
It makes about as much sense as saying that a farm can be funny.
While the two are sometimes used together, that phrase is a particular
which is quite ridiculous in association with agriculture.


Ladislas:

I have a few questions for those who followed the thread, those who commented
and anyone else who might be interested in the concept:

1) What is "evil"?  How can it be defined as a non-temporal concept?


Response:

Again, ask this in alt.evil.  They probably have a FAQ.

I say it is 'that which I don't like'.  In other words, it is a subjectively
defined evaluation of an object or event.  I've seen no logic in any
arguments to the contrary.  Those who do support such arguments are
uniformly on the side of disempowering the individual and sending society
into ruin through dualistic polarization and political powerplays.


THIS THREAD IS EVIL!!  KILL IT BEFORE IT GETS ANY OLDER!!!


Ladislas:

2) Since Good Ol' Jesus has become the scapegoat for some wackos' definition
   of "christian thought/law", where is it mentioned that Jesus labelled some
   act or thought "evil"?  (serious, documented responses only, please) 


Response:

Unless this somehow applies to magick, please leave religion out of this
newsgroup.  I hope that others will shout at you if you continue this thread.
Jesus was a cool dood.  Some people say that books are written about him.
What he said is largely irrelevant in the context you are asking about,
especially among a group of people who don't agree as to his authority.


Ladislas:

3) How does A. Crowley define "evil" (if he does) and how (if he defines the
   concept) does it relate to his "Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of
   the law" (please correct the phrase)?


Response:

I doubt he does.  If you wish to have this question seriously addressed
then start another thread and begin discussing 'black magick' or
'Crowley's ideas regarding sin'.  At least that would frame it in a
way which is approachable by mages.  As it is you've lumped Crowley
in here with religion and all you'll get are the quasi-Satanists and
Crowleyites that don't know up from down.


Ladislas:

I look forward to reading your answers and will post my own shortly.


Response:

Please do not post anything but a 'followups to' message.  I am doing my
job here, as I see it, to keep this newsgroup clean.


HOWEVER:

I am not above error.

If you really think that a discussion of 'evil' WITHOUT reference to
magick is somehow relevant to alt.magick topics, I'm willing to hear
why and how.  I think you'd better make it good.  You're likely to
catch more heat from this thread than arises from my fingers and
toes and I'll be happy to either join in or simply bypass the whole
affair.  Toodles...


Thyagi the evil one
Newsgroups: alt.magick