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This work may be offensive to some. It will be found especially offensive and hateful to those who have bought into the Victimization Syndrome 1 and to those who suffer from a martyr complex. This work will attempt to discuss our public image, what we can do about it and why we are failing to change our perceptions within our society.
First, how does society see us? Well, there seems to be a dichotomy in the mass mind. On one hand, we are seen as the wicked satanist from the Christian Inquisition - evil people seducing children, raping livestock and indulging in drug filled blood orgies of the frustrated libido of Western Culture. At the same time, we are also viewed as harmless kooks - new age, crystal wearing, tree hugging fuzzy bunnies who are slightly off, a little slow and who foolishly believe that their own beliefs are as valid as that of Christiano-Capitalism. Seldom are we seen as people.
Progress has been made towards correcting this view through traditional methods of protest. Unfortunately this will eventually lead us to the same place as Black Rights, Women's Rights and Gay Rights - yet another group focusing on its own victimization wailing about every perceived wrong, shrill voices competing and overriding each other in an effort to reach an ear that has become accustomed to the background noise. Essentially, we are destined to fuel resentment from the"normals" who aren't actively discriminating against us but identify with the status quo. Please do not read this as saying that the civil rights groups should cease or desist in their watch. What I am saying is that this is not enough.
Let us take some theoretical examples. What would the effect be on our society if all of the Christians were rounded up and thrown into jail? Well, several hospitals would no longer be in operation. Youth Hostels, Soup Kitchens, Family Assistance and the like would also disappear. Another example, what would happen if the Masons were seized and locked away? Again, several hospitals (some serving specialized needs such as Doernbecher's in Portland which helps disabled and handicapped children who cannot otherwise afford care) would be closed or severely curtailed. Financial institutions would also be hurt as key members were no longer available. Now, what would happen if every Thelemite (or whatever you wish to call yourself) were rounded up and locked away? Let us see, some bookstores would notice a decrease in the Occult Book sales.
All in all, the net result on society would be nil. Thelemites tend to perform their charity as an individual (those that dare to counter the prevalent selfish mindset). This is all well and good, but bear in mind that individuals are anonymous and replaceable within society. Conversely, those who are recognized by society are considered as exceptions to the group, rather than examples of that group. That is, when a Thelemite is recognized as having given to a cause, society will view the Thelemite as an exception to the normal Thelemite (who, of course, are rogues and scoundrels).
What we need to do is form groups for the sole purpose of contributing to society. Furthermore, these groups must be dedicated to Society and not just Thelemites. Too many minority groups form groups that cater to their sub-group and then have the audacity to be surprised when society perceives them as not being beneficial. How many times have you heard that the United Negro College Fund has helped blacks rather than the United Negro College Fund has helped society?
The issue becomes even more complicated when you add the Civil Rights Activists to the mix. Bear in mind that the average person does not consider themselves to be bigoted and for the most part they are not. When an activist group starts to protest against a vague target (for example, Germans are anti-semetic, Straights hate Gays, Whites oppress Blacks), Joe and Jane Normal look guiltily at their own behavior. When they find no major infractions, they begin to feel resentment. Now when an activist group starts to scream, the public rightly scrutinizes the group that the activists claim to represent. If the only visible community work benefits the group directly (for example a Thelemic College Fund), then the group is seen as selfish and the complaints of its activists are viewed as also selfish - a bunch of sniveling crybabies trying for another piece of candy.
Until we, as a group, prove empirically to society that we care, why should we expect society to care about us? While there may be a certain romance to being a fringe group posturing our defiance against a society we claim to refute (while reaping the benefits of said society), it is time to grow up and change the fantasy of a free, open society into a reality.
"I'm cleansed of the system except when my amp needs electric power" - Dead Kennedy's
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This essay was written quite some time ago (1997) and endeavors to address what Thelemites need to do to become a valued & integral part of society -- all the better to mould it into our desired form.