#seven principles

[religion-is-a-mental-illness]

By: Paul Mulshine

Published: Dec 28, 2015

Around this time of year, various journalists run sanitized versions of the creation myth of Kwanzaa. They report that it has roots in African culture and overlook the fact that founder Maulana Karenga has a past that discredits both him and his made-up holiday.

So, it was interesting to see this article in which the writer notes that Kwanzaa is even less popular than Festivus, that holiday made up for the Seinfeld show.

Click here for the in-depth article I did for Heterodoxy Magazine on Kwanzaa back then.

Below is my 2002 column on the subject:

--

ONE OF MY READERS called me the other day to inform me that the public schools in New Jersey aren't allowed to celebrate Christmas but are celebrating Kwanzaa.

This is intriguing. Christmas celebrates the legacy of Christ who, by all accounts, was a nonviolent man who believed that people of all types could learn to live in peace. Kwanzaa celebrates the legacy of an extremely violent man from California who has dedicated his life to spreading dissension among the races.

More on that later. First let's deal with the question of why schools can propagate a belief in Kwanzaa but not Christmas or Chanukah. For an answer, I called Ed Martone of the American Civil Liberties Union.

''Kwanzaa isn't a religious holiday," said Martone. "It's a cultural holiday. It doesn't have the same restrictions as Chanukah or Christmas."

I'll grant that there is a certain logic to the view. After all, once the government gets involved in religion, the potential conflicts among Catholics, Protestants, Jews, Muslims and atheists are so complex that perhaps we are better off avoiding them altogether.

But by that same logic, the public schools should not be pushing certain cultural practices. And the schools especially shouldn't be endorsing cultural practices created by a character with the beliefs and the background of Ron Karenga.

It is not easy to get a hold of the facts about the background of the creator of Kwanzaa. In fact, it is nearly impossible. The history of the founder of Kwanzaa has disappeared into an Orwellian time warp.

If you look up the name "Ron Karenga" on any of the many newspaper data bases that are available these days, you will read a glowing account of a deep-thinking philosopher who comes across as a sort of jolly Father Christmas for African-Americans.

You won't find any reference to murder or torture. Yet murder was a specialty of US, the paramilitary organization that Karenga ran in Los Angeles in the late 1960s.

As for torture, Karenga took that more personally. The accounts of his personal role in a particularly sadistic episode of brutality have been largely lost to history.

The episode seems to exist only on a few microfilmed pages of the Los Angeles Times. It took two days of research and phone calls to track them down.

Here is an excerpt from an article headlined "Woman describes two days of torture" on the May 1971 trial of Karenga for torturing two dissident members of his group:

''Deborah Jones, who once was given the Swahili title of an African queen, said she and Gail Davis were whipped with an electrical cord and beaten with a karate baton after being ordered to remove their clothes. She testified that a hot soldering iron was placed in Miss Davis' mouth and placed against Miss Davis' face and that one of her own big toes was tightened in a vise. Karenga, head of US, also put detergent and running hoses in their mouths, she said."

Karenga was convicted and served more than three years in a state prison.

This was not an isolated incident. In 1967, Karenga was accused of having his thugs beat up a student who asked him an impertinent question at a college forum.

In 1969, US got involved in a struggle with the Black Panthers for control of the black studies program at UCLA. All involved carried guns on campus. The US guys were quicker on the draw; they killed two Panthers in a shootout at the student center.

It would be nice to say that after Karenga got out of jail in 1975 he repented, saw the error of his ways and invented Kwanzaa as a means of atoning for his past.

Nice, but untrue. Karenga has never atoned for his thuggery, probably because no one ever asked him to. And his sole concession to repentance was his 1975 conversion to Marxism. For him, this was considered to be a sign that he had moderated his views.

Karenga invented Kwanzaa at the height of his gang days, in 1966. And he made it up not to bring peace among the races but to divide them. That's why he placed this alleged "harvest festival" in competition with Christmas, which he derided because of its ties to the hated capitalist system.

It may be true that Kwanzaa has evolved into a ceremony that has importance to a great number of well-intentioned people, people who have no knowledge of its creator's questionable history.

But Karenga himself continues to champion the holiday as an example of what he terms "cultural nationalism." This is the view that black people are a separate "nation" within a hostile country. During a visit to Newark in 1987, Karenga defined America as "an insane, socially decaying society." "We need a value system and a support system . . . because the world is organized against your Africanism," he told Newark residents.

Karenga remains a leading spokesman for the multicultural movement, a movement based on the idea that Americans should emphasize their differences rather than their similarities.

The idea of Kwanzaa fits firmly within multiculturalism. And however you feel about multiculturalism, you must admit that it is a political movement and therefore one that should not be supported with tax dollars.

As for Karenga himself, he should be given all the respect due a convicted torturer.

Call me an old fuddy-duddy, but I believe that once a man inserts a hot soldering iron into a woman's mouth, he should be excluded from public discourse for eternity. I may be wrong, however. Certainly, the people in California don't seem to share this view.

Karenga is now a professor at California State University in Long Beach.

That's California for you. By that standard, there's a university presidency waiting somewhere for Charles Manson when he finally gets out.

COMMENTS:

Note that I'm not arguing here that people shouldn't celebrate Kwanzaa. It's a free country and people can celebrate what they want.

I'm arguing that the media should not cover these celebrations without including the key facts about its founder. That's just basic journalism.

==

Why the Vice President of the United States feels compelled to pretend that her family has a long tradition of celebrating a fake holiday that apes African tropes and Judaism, concocted by a brutal felon and sociopath, and which was invented when she was two years old is a question worth seriously contemplating.

[mascrapping]

Kwanzaa Scrapbook Design Ideas

Kwanzaa is a wonderful holiday that celebrates African American culture and traditions. This holiday, which lasts from December 26th to January 1st, is a time for families to come together and reflect on their heritage. Creating a scrapbook is a great way to commemorate this special time and capture memories that can be treasured for years to come. In this blog post, we will explore some Kwanzaa…

[lavandamichelle]

Let’s Talk Kwanzaa: Unwrapping the Good Vibes

Alright, folks, buckle up for a ride into the coolest holiday you might not know enough about – Kwanzaa! It’s like the hidden gem of celebrations, packed with tradition, unity, and some serious good vibes. So, let’s spill the beans on what makes Kwanzaa so awesome. Kwanzaa Origins and Why It’s a Big Deal: Kwanzaa is like the ’60s baby of Dr. Maulana Karenga. Born in ’66, it’s got its roots in…

[frombehindthepen]

Kwanzaa: Culture and the Practice of Freedom

Kwanzaa: Culture and the Practice of Freedom #HabariGani #HappyKwanzaa #HerizaKwanzaa

“Kwanzaa, Culture and the Practice of Freedom: A Message and Model For Our Times“ Today, December 26 through January 1, 2023, is the celebration of Kwanzaa. This commemoration of community, culture, and family for African Americans, Africans, and those of African descent is based on the ideals of the first-fruit harvest. The Seven Principles (Nguzo Saba) of Kwanzaa include: Umoja (oo-MOE-jah) –…

[welshoot]

Genshin Impact Timeline: Analysis and Theory (Part 1: Ancient History)

[Ancient History]  [Mythic Period] [Archon War-Mondstadt] [Archon War-Liyue & Inazuma] [Archon War-Sumeru & Fontaine]

So the timeline of Genshin Impact lore is questionable at best and straight-up confusing at worst. However, I’ve been working on a fic series thingie that may never see the light of day that required me to do some digging, so here I am. I put the rest under-the-cut because it gets rather lengthy. Also this is all largely theoretical and gained from the process of analysis. I used the game itself and the Genshin Impact wiki to help me along. I will possibly add to this as updates with new information or information that corrects past misunderstandings crop up. There are definite spoilers below for pretty much all of the Genshin Impact storyline  and this is a VERY long post so please beware!

The Seven Sovereigns

So, apparently at the start of everything in Teyvat, there were the Seven Sovereigns which apparently were the seven strongest elemental dragons for their respective element [Book: Byakuyakoku Collection Volume 2]. As a heads up, we do not have names for the majority of these dragons. These Seven Sovereigns had a king (who was first introduced as a plot point in Nahida’s second story quest) known as King Nibelung. (It is worth noting here that the name “Nibelung” likely comes from Wagner’s opera Der Ring Des Nibelungen but is also a name that appears in Norse legends and Germanic myths). These dragons ruled Teyvat and had elemental ‘Authorities’ until they were defeated by an individual referred to as the ‘Usurper’. It is highly implied that this ‘first usurper’ is the Primordial One. Notably, the Primordial One is often implied to be the Heavenly Principles, though, so far as I know, this has not been confirmed, though it is not a bad theory. Supporting this theory is Neuvillette’s comment that the first usurper (i.e. the primordial one) was the one who bested the seven sovereigns, while Focalors said it was the Heavenly Principles that stole the Seven Soverign’s authority. However, for the sake of simplicity, I will continue referring to this character as ‘The Primordial One’ rather than ‘The Heavenly Principles.’

The Primordial One apparently appeared out of nowhere and is highly implied to be an outlander, and as Nahida suggests at the end of the Sumeru Archon quest, the First Descender and thereby from another world, similar to the Traveler. A scribe in Enkanomiya used the name ‘Phanes’ for them and described how “the eternal throne of the heaven’s” appeared at the same time as the Primordial One [Book: Byakuyakoku Collection]. No matter where they came from though, they did battle with the seven sovereigns for what is implied to have been a lengthy period before they at long last won and, upon doing so, took part of the seven authorities from themself and their ‘4 shining shades.’ (NOTE: The best I can figure is that these ‘shades’ were created by the Primordial One from the Primordial One and are thus aspects of the Primordial One, though it is mentioned in some sources, such as the Byakuyakoku Collection, that the Primordial One would work the shades, implying that perhaps these shades were more like children, or helpers to the Primordial One.) These shades are/were able to operate separately from one another, as evidenced by Istaroth, a shade who held dominion over time and wind, coming to assist Enkanomiya when none of the other’s could hear the cries of the people of Enkanmoiya [Book: Byakuyakoku Collection Volume 2]. Additionally, these shades are implied to be of a ‘higher power’ than the Archons with Istaroth being labeled as a ‘higher power' than Raiden Makoto in Ei’s second story quest. Additionally, these shades may have even helped create at least some of the archons, as the thus far unnamed Shade of Life assisted in creating Egeria after the Sovereign Dragon of Water was defeated [Item: Fontaine Wind-Glider]. 

Seemingly, in the course of the forty year war between the Primordial One and the Sovereign Dragons, the Primordial one emerged victorious[Book: Byakuyakoku Collection Volume 2]. Most information states that, after the Seven Sovereigns were defeated, the Primordial One created heaven and earth in preparation for humanity [Book: Byakuyakoku Collection Volume 2 ]. Humans apparently came onto the scene approximately 400 years after the first appearance of the Primordial one and made a covenant with them [Book: Byakuyakoku Collection Volume 2 ]. The contents of this covenant are unfortunately unclear, though it is mentioned that the Primordial One had a plan for humans and that there was apparently one taboo: Succumbing to temptation. Interestingly, volume 2 of the Byakuyakoku Collection also mentions that the path to temptation is sealed. It is possible that ‘temptation’ refers to forbidden knowledge or something of that sort.

The Second One Who Came.

At some point in time, while Enkanomiya was still part of a single unified human nation that spanned the entire world and after the creation of humanity, but before the Archon war, ‘The Second One Who Came’ (also referred to as the ‘Second Throne in Heaven’) came from ‘beneath the firmament” [Book: Byakuyakoku Collection Volume 2, Artifact: Flower of Paradise Lost- the Amethyst Crown]. It is worth noting here that the second one who came is referred to as ‘Invaders’ indicating a plural group rather than a singular person in the Amethyst Crown artifact from the Flower of Paradise Lost set. It is possible that, since Apep implies Nibelung was revived or returned after defeat, that the Second One Who Came and King Nibelung joined forces against the Primordial one and that this is when the divine nails were used for the first time, but that is merely conjecture. However, we do know that King Nibelung apparently gained access to Forbidden Knowledge and seemingly introduced Forbidden Knowledge to Teyvat in an attempt to beat the Primordial One and “gain the right to shape this new world” [Nahida’s second story quest, Book: Byakuyakoku Collection Volume 2]. While The Second One Who Came ended up fighting the Primordial One for unclear reasons, this war ended up ravaging the heavens and earth, with the Primordial One apparently ending up victorious. It was during this war that Enkanomiya sank beneath the waves [Book: Byakuyakoku Collection Volume 2]. After emerging victorious from this battle, the Primordial One used Divine Nails (like the ones in Dragonspine and the Chasm) to heal the land from the damage done by the Forbidden Knowledge. This could be when the divine nails were sent into Dragonspine into the ancient civilization of Sal Vindagnyr, the Chasm, Tsurumi Island, and the Eternal Oasis. However, if that is the case, then Khaenr’iah would have been appearing around this time since the ‘Scribe’s box’ item from the Dragonspine quest mentions ‘a new nation without gods’ and Khaenr’iah is the only nation without gods that is known to have existed [The Scribe’s Box: Dragonspine quests].  Interestingly, during this war, the Primordial One’s Authority that had been initially taken from the Seven Sovereigns ended up getting damaged, making it so that they could no longer suppress the original order of the world. In order to ���continue to subdue and control the resentments and loathing of this world,” the Primordial One was forced to create the gnoses with the assistance of someone referred to as ‘the one who came after’ [Neuvillette’s Character Story: Vision]. It is worth noting here that it is unclear if ‘the one who came after’ is the second one who came or yet another descender, possibly the third one whose body has been suggested to have formed the gnoses [Fontaine Archon Quest]. Interestingly, the people of Enkanomiya did attempt to return to the surface, which is when they learned the Primordial One had been victorious. However, they also learned that the Primordial One had supposedly placed a ban that sealed Enkanomiya from the surface. An NPC in Enkanomiya called Eboshi asserts that the Primordial One/Heavenly Principles did not want anyone who knew the true history of the world to be on the surface, hence the ban. However, the ban is only referred to as a ‘heavenly order’ and the Second One Who Came was apparently connected to the heavens as well, meaning the order may have come from them rather than the Primordial One.

[moonsidesong]

ibis paint adding and removing AI slop in the span of less than a full day is so wild. Also scary?!?! Bullying corporations out of this stuff really does have to be the norm nowadays, huh...

[duskittycat]

i noticed nintendo hasn't drawn any attention to shiver's winning streak like they have in in-game dialogue relating to previous games' splatfests... really hope it's not because they're trying to pretend there isn't a blatant imbalance w splatfest teams

[creature-wizard]

Someone on facebook just tried to tell me that all 6,000 religions in the world follow the 7 hermetic principles....

Yeah, there's been a lot of New Age/New Age-adjacent goobers pushing that. IDK, maybe tell them that if they love Hermeticism they might enjoy Dr. Justin Sledge.

[problemswithbooks]

Do you think Cat was being genuine when she told Violet that Xaden is incapable of love? Maybe her gift let her see Xaden’s truest feelings? I think that was such an interesting part of the fight, and it seems to be overlooked by most of the fandom.

It's likely the author didn't mean it to be genuine, and only having it be Cat being an asshole. That or from Cat's PoV she does believe it, but that's because Xaden never loved her because she's a bitch.

The thing is, I always had an issue with how RY wrote Cat and Xaden's past relationship. I've come to realize that while a lot of men enjoy the trope of a virgin love interest, so they have no sexual competition, a lot of woman enjoy the idea of a man whose never loved anyone he was involved with before, so they never have romantic competition.

And, honestly, if that's what RY wants, fine, but I think she over did it quite a bit. It was really gross to me that Xaden said he was fine watching Violet kill Cat and stopped her only because it'd make Violet sad. I know Yarros has said Xaden's not the hero, but it makes Violet look stupid to not be concerned that he's so willing to watch her kill a woman who he spent nine months with and possibly knew as a child during the rebellion. He doesn't have to love her, but it's crazy that he doesn't even seem to like her at all. To me it's a huge red flag that he's so okay with his ex being killed. Sure, he loves Violet now, but if they broke up and he moved on would he be similarly alright with her being chocked to death?

As far as my own headcanon, I say she did see his lack of care through her ability. I don't think she said what she did to warn or out of concern for Violet. I still think she was trying to get under her skin. But her knowing that Xaden never even cared anything for her despite months in a relationship and possibly at least meeting years before as young teens makes her actions make a lot of sense.

You could argue that she should be able to read him currently and see his love for Violet but I counter that he has really good shields, where he didn't before. So, unlike in the past, when Xaden was still homing the technique, she can't tell he loves Violet. If that's the case, it feels way easier to get him back--just be sexy and competent and he might decide she's a better choice.

Or if you want to be a bit less charitable to Xaden, you could argue how he feels about Violet doesn't look like love to Cat's Gift. In many ways you could say Xaden is not in love with Violet--he's obsessed with her. He does not love her, he needs her. He has said he'd let the world burn to keep safe--pretty much damn everyone, including all the Marked Ones who love him, just for her. And that's what he does in a way at the end of IF by turning Venin. It's love, sure, but it's a pretty over the top version of it.

So, in a way you could see Cat as correct--Xaden can't love anyone, at least not in a healthy way.

[overlyimmersed]

Yknow what pisses me off?

The "correct" answer, the one that gets you the most affection points, is "Of course."

I'm not fuckin' telling him that his best friend of more then a millennia is playing favorites! Bitch! I don't even actually believe Harlequin feels that way!

Who wrote this?! What cynical Helbram hating prick was in charge of this dialog?!

*Affection Points* Why would he respond to this with affection?!

I'm not fuckin saying that... at fuckin gunpoint I'm not saying that to him. Genuinely fuck whoever wrote this.

edit: and when you pick the only decent answer "You're both important to him" Helbram's response is "I reject such an ambiguous answer." HOW IS THAT AMBIGUOUS!? IT'S JUST TRUE!!

[chernobog13]

HAPPY KWANZAA!

[polyphanes]

PSA/FAQ: The Kybalion is Not a Hermetic Text

Whether you love me or hate me for my routine reminders that The Kybalion isn’t a Hermetic text (as I’ve said abundantly both on my blog, witter, Reddit, and elsewhere), I beg your patience for my making yet another post about it.  Hopefully, this will be the post-to-end-all-posts about the subject for me, since not only do I want to supersede my other post I made about it some time ago (which I…

[blerdyotome]

Big Announcements from Seven Seas—Includes Classic BL Manga Series, Gravitation Collector's Edition

[blueheartbooks]

Unlocking the Mysteries of Existence - A Journey Through "The Kybalion"

"The Kybalion: A Study of The Hermetic Philosophy of Ancient Egypt and Greece" by Three Initiates is a timeless masterpiece that unveils the profound teachings of Hermeticism, an ancient and esoteric philosophical tradition that has captivated seekers of wisdom for centuries. This enigmatic book delves into the fundamental principles governing the universe, offering readers a glimpse into the secrets of creation, transformation, and spiritual enlightenment.

At its core, "The Kybalion" explores the Seven Hermetic Principles, which are the foundation of Hermetic philosophy. These principles include the Law of Mentalism, the Law of Correspondence, the Law of Vibration, the Law of Polarity, the Law of Rhythm, the Law of Cause and Effect, and the Law of Gender. Through the wisdom contained within these principles, the book takes readers on a profound journey of self-discovery and understanding of the universe.

One of the strengths of "The Kybalion" is its ability to present complex metaphysical concepts in a clear and accessible manner. The Three Initiates, who remain anonymous, have crafted a text that is both profound and practical. Each principle is explained with examples and analogies, making it easier for readers to grasp the depth of Hermetic wisdom. The authors also emphasize the interconnectedness of these principles, highlighting how they work in harmony to shape our reality.

What sets this book apart is its focus on the practical application of Hermetic principles in everyday life. It encourages readers to harness the power of their thoughts, emotions, and actions to transform themselves and their circumstances. By understanding and aligning with the Hermetic Laws, individuals can achieve personal growth, spiritual evolution, and a deeper connection to the cosmos.

"The Kybalion" also delves into the concept of mental transmutation, which is the process of consciously shifting one's thoughts and emotions to create a more positive and harmonious life. This idea is particularly relevant in today's world, where the importance of mindfulness and the law of attraction is widely recognized.

However, it's important to approach "The Kybalion" with an open mind and a willingness to contemplate its teachings deeply. Some readers may find the ideas challenging or even contradictory to conventional beliefs. Yet, therein lies the beauty of Hermeticism—it invites exploration and introspection, encouraging individuals to question and seek their own truth.

In conclusion, "The Kybalion" is a profound and enlightening work that has the power to transform the lives of those who delve into its pages. It serves as a timeless guide to understanding the mysteries of the universe, the power of the mind, and the path to spiritual awakening. Whether you are a seasoned seeker of esoteric wisdom or a newcomer to Hermeticism, this book offers a valuable and life-changing journey into the heart of ancient philosophical teachings.

"The Kybalion: A Study of The Hermetic Philosophy of Ancient Egypt and Greece" by Three Initiates is available in Amazon in paperback 12.99$ and hardcover 20.99$ editions.

Length of the book: 198 pages

Language: English

Rating: 10/10

Link of the book!

Review by: King's Cat (its a Paw-e-some! book!)

[ljaesch]

Seven Seas Entertainment Licenses The Evil Queen's Beautiful Principles Light Novel Series

Seven Seas Entertainment has announced, through its Airship light novel imprint, the license acquisition of The Evil Queen’s Beautiful Principles light novel series by Reia and Haduki Futaba. This new fantasy isekai series about reincarnation, royalty, and revenge is by the creative team behind Accomplishments of the Duke’s Daughter (light novels and manga also from Seven Seas). In a world of…

[fictionalized-lesbian]

Get to know me (me)

I was tagged by @unjust-dust Thank you, this was so fun <3

Three ships: Oh man. Okay, Morticia/Larissa (Wednesday), Evelyn/Celia (The 7 Husbands of Evelyn Hugo), and literally every possibly pairing from Ocean’a 8 (such a gay movie).

First ever ship: Probably Chansaw (Heather Chandler/Veronica Sawyer) from Heathers: the Musical. I was deeply obsessed at 13.

Last song: Lilith by Halsey ft. SUGA. My little sibling loves BTS and I’m trying to stay up to date.

Last movie: Kill Bill Volume 2

Currently reading: A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Marten. I just finished the show and I feel weird not having read the books. (ALSO. NO ONE TOLD ME HE HASN’T FINISHED THE SERIES YET AND NOW I’M QUESTIONING WHAT I SIGNED UP FOR)

Currently consuming: A blackberry (emo raspberry)

Currently craving: A reason to wear a Victorian blouse and waistcoat and look hot as fuck.

Tag 9 people: I don’t think I actually know 9 people on here. I wish I did, sorry! If you see this and want to do it, say I tagged you.