actually, these aphorisms look to my eyes like a version of taoism, or taoism stripped of its chinese cultural aspects. and of course, no, they don't correspond to the ten commandments, but of course their adherents may very well understand these aphorisms and the ten commandments in such a way that they are perfectly compatible. that said, the basic argument that their exclusion is discriminatory seems pretty straightforward.
doesn't it? On Tue, Nov 18, 2008 at 11:15 AM, Jim Devine <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > from HARPER'S WEEKLY: > >judges in Pleasant Grove City, Utah, were weighing a free-speech suit > filed by adherents to the Summum church. Members of the church claim that > the city is discriminating against them by displaying a red granite plaque > of the Ten Commandments in a public park but refusing to display a monument > inscribed with their own faith's Seven Aphorisms, which were communicated > via telepathy from divine beings to a man named Corky Ra. Ron Temu and Su > Menu, two Summum worshippers, argued that the Commandments were compatible > with the Aphorisms, as both were handed down to Moses on Mount Sinai. "If > you look at them side by side," said Su Menu of the two monuments while > sitting in a metal pyramid and drinking an alcoholic sacramental nectar > beside a mummified Doberman pinscher, "they really are saying similar > things."< > > the principles behind the seven aphorisms: > > I. THE PRINCIPLE OF PSYCHOKINESIS > > >This first great Principle embodies the idea that "All is Mind." It > explains that SUMMUM (which is the substantial essence underlying all the > outward manifestations and appearances which you know under the terms of > "the material universe," "the phenomena of life," "matter," "energy," > "space-time," "distance," "speed," "relativity," and, in short, all that is > apparent to your material senses) is SPIRIT. This SPIRIT may be considered > and thought of as A UNIVERSAL, INFINITE, LIVING MIND...< > > II. THE PRINCIPLE OF CORRESPONDENCE > > >This Principle embodies the idea that there is always a correspondence or > correlation between the laws and phenomena of the various levels of being > and life. This aphorism, "As above, so below; as below, so above," gives one > the means of solving many a mysterious paradox and hidden secrets of nature. > There are levels beyond your knowing, but when you apply the Principle of > Correspondence to them you are able to understand much that would otherwise > be unknowable to you. This Principle exists at the various levels of the > material, mental, and spiritual universes and is of universal > application...< > > [is this about fractals?] > > III. THE PRINCIPLE OF VIBRATION > > >This Principle embodies the idea that everything is in motion; everything > vibrates; nothing is at rest; facts which science endorses and which each > new scientific discovery tends to verify. Yet this Principle was enunciated > thousands of years ago by masters of old. This Principle explains that the > differences between various manifestations of matter, energy, space-time, > mind, and even spirit result largely from varying rates of vibration. From > CREATION'S copulation (SUMMUM), which is pure spirit, down to the grossest > form of matter, all is in vibration. ...< > > IV. THE PRINCIPLE OF OPPOSITION > > >This Principle embodies the idea that everything is dual; everything has > two opposing sides; everything has its pair of opposites, of which all are > ancient aphorisms. It explains the paradoxes that have perplexed so many and > have been stated as follows: "Thesis and antithesis are identical in nature, > but different in degree"; "opposites are the same, differing only in > degree"; "the pairs of opposites may be reconciled"; "in and out of bond > NOTHING and POSSIBILITY meet"; "extremes bond"; "everything is and is not at > the same time"; "every truth is partially false"; "all truths are a > paradox"; "there are at least two sides to every story," etc. It explains > that in everything there are two opposing points or opposite aspects > (complementarity), and that opposites are really only the two extremes of > the same event, with many varying degrees between them...< > > [calling Dr. Hegel...] > > V. THE PRINCIPLE OF RHYTHM > > > This Principle embodies the idea that in everything there exists a > measured motion to and fro; an outflow and inflow; a swing backward and > forward; a pendulum like movement; a tide like ebb and flow; a high tide and > a low tide. All things "come in and out of bond" between the two opposing > points which exist in accordance with the Principle of Opposition described > previously. There is always an action and a reaction; an advance and a > retreat; a rising and a sinking. This is in the affairs of the universe, > suns, worlds, humankind, animals, mind, energy, and matter. This law is > established in the creation and destruction of worlds; in the rise and fall > of nations; and finally in the mental states of humans. ...< > > VI. THE PRINCIPLE OF CAUSE AND EFFECT > > > This principle embodies the idea that there is a cause for every effect; > and an effect from every cause. It explains that "everything happens > according to law"; that nothing ever "merely happens"; that there is no such > thing as chance; that while there are various fields of cause and effect, > the higher dominating the lower fields, still nothing ever entirely escapes > the Law (destiny). The masters understand the art and method of rising above > the ordinary field of cause and effect, and by mentally rising to a higher > field they become causers instead of effects. The masses of people are > carried along obedient to environment, the wills and desires of others > stronger than themselves, heredity, suggestion, and other outward causes > moving them about like pawns on the chessboard of life. But the masters, > rising to the field above, dominate their moods, character, qualities, and > powers as well as the environment surrounding them, and become movers > instead of pawns. They help to PLAY THE GAME OF LIFE, instead of being > played and moved about by the environment. They USE the Principles instead > of being used. The masters obey the causation of the higher fields, but they > help to RULE on their own level....< > > VII. THE PRINCIPLE OF GENDER > > >This Principle embodies the idea that there is GENDER expressed in > everything -- the masculine and feminine principles ever at work. The NATURE > of the copulation of CREATION displays in this principle. This is a fact not > only of the physical level, but of the mental and even the spiritual levels. > On the physical levels the Principle presents itself as SEX; on the higher > levels it takes higher forms, but the Principle is ever the same. No > creation, physical, mental, or spiritual, is possible without this > Principle. An understanding of its laws will throw light on many a subject > that has perplexed the minds of humans. ...< > > http://www.summum.us/philosophy/principles.shtml > > [these sound so much like the 10 commandments that the latter could > simply be replaced...] > -- > Jim Devine / "Nobody told me there'd be days like these / Strange > days indeed -- most peculiar, mama." -- JL. > _______________________________________________ > pen-l mailing list > [email protected] > https://lists.csuchico.edu/mailman/listinfo/pen-l >
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