Discordianism

Discordianism is a modern, Chaos-based religion founded in either 1958 or 1959. It has been described as both an elaborate joke disguised as a religion, and as a religion disguised as an elaborate joke. Some of its followers make the claim that it is "a religion disguised as a joke disguised as a religion." It can be viewed as a simple rejection of reductionism and dualism, even falsifiability — not in concept different from postmodernism or certain trends in the philosophy of mathematics. It has also been described as "Zen for roundeyes," and converges with some of the more absurdist interpretations of the Rinzai school.

Organization

:If organized religion is the opium of the masses, then disorganized religion is the marijuana of the lunatic fringe. —Kerry Thornley in the introduction to the 5th edition of Principia Discordia

Related Topics:
Opium - Marijuana - Fringe - Kerry Thornley - Principia Discordia

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The very idea of a Discordian organization is something of an oxymoron. Nevertheless, some structure is indicated in Principia Discordia. The most general group, presumably including all Discordians (and potentially others), is The Discordian Society, whose definition is "The Discordian Society has no definition" (Principia Discordia, page 00032). Within the society are sects of Discordianism, each under the direction of an "Episkopos" (Greek, "overseer", source of English bishop and episcopalian), who receives direction directly from Eris, presumably via his or her pineal gland.

Related Topics:
Oxymoron - Discordian Society - Principia Discordia - Sect - Greek - English - Eris - Pineal gland

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:Some Episkiposes have a one-man cabal.

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:Some work together.

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:Some never do explain.

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:-marginalia from Principia Discordia, page 00032

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Discordians who do not form their own sects, whether they belong to someone else's sect or not, make up the Legion of Dynamic Discord, and may be referred to as Legionnaires. Would-be Discordians are told on page 00032,

Related Topics:
Sect - Legion of Dynamic Discord - Legionnaire

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:If you want in on the Discordian Society

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:then declare yourself what you wish

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:do what you like

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:and tell us about it

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:or

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:if you prefer

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:don't.

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: 

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:There are no rules anywhere.

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:The Goddess Prevails.

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POEE

The sect of Discordianism founded by Malaclypse The Younger and Omar Khayyam Ravenhurst is known as the Paratheo-Anametamystikhood Of Eris Esoteric (POEE), and the Principia Discordia tells us much about POEE in particular, as well as Discordianism in general.

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For example, page 00022 contains – along with a hand-copied quotation by Lichtenberg: "This book is a mirror. When a monkey looks in, no apostle looks out." – some details about the structure of POEE. In particular:

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:POEE had 5 DEGREES:

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::There is the Neophyte, or LEGIONNAIRE DISCIPLE.

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::The LEGIONNAIRE DEACON, who is catching on.

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::An ordained POEE PRIEST/PRIESTESS or a CHAPLIN.

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::The HIGH PRIEST, The Polyfather.

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::And POEE =POPE=.

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:POEE Legionnaire Disciples are authorized to initiate others as Discordian Society Legionnaires. PRIESTS appoint their own DEACONS. The POLYFATHER ordains Priests. I don't know about the =POPES=.

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On page 00036 of Principia Discordia, we learn that "A =POPE= is someone who is not under the authority of the authorities," and that "Every man, woman and child on this Earth is a genuine and authorized Pope." See also Discordian Pope.

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According to the Principia Discordia, POEE is "a tribe of philosophers, theologians, magicians, scientists, artists, clowns, and similar maniacs who are intrigued by Eris goddess of confusion and her doings." Furthermore it states that "POEE subscribes to the Law Of Fives of Omar's sect" and "POEE also recognizes the Holy 23."

Related Topics:
Principia Discordia - Philosophers - Theologians - Magicians - Scientists - Artists - Clowns - Maniacs - Eris - Law Of Fives - 23

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Paratheo-Anametamystikhood can be taken to mean "equivalent deity, reversing beyond-mystique".

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