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Casting Crowley as the evil crazed Satanist is basically like if people in 50 years were to watch a bunch of Marilyn Manson videos and decide he was really an e

Casting Crowley as the evil crazed Satanist is basically like if people in 50 years were to watch a bunch of Marilyn Manson videos and decide he was really an evil vampire. It's part of the marketing. On the other hand, this > using veiled language meant to offend is frequently the opposite of the case. Frequently, the veiled language is used to obscure the nature of some rituals which many "uninitiated" would likely find offensive. It strikes me as rather disingenuous to proactively pretend otherwise, frankly.

armitron 8y ago
Crowley had a mischievous streak and delighted being in the spotlight. His writing style was infused by sarcasm and was all over the spectrum of using poetic and sexual language to both offend and veil. I do not think you are correct in your assessment as clearly he couldn't care less about offending people. An example is when he refers to masturbation as "child sacrifice": “For the highest spiritual working one must accordingly choose that victim which contains the greatest and purest force. A male child of perfect innocence and high intelligence is the most satisfactory and suitable victim.” His sense of humor wouldn't be out of place today. Crowley was a visionary genius who tapped into the 21st century and one could say helped bring it into existence. To portray him as nothing more than a sexual deviant or charlatan does not do the man justice.
- imhelpingu 8y ago
  I'm not disputing Crowley's influence, but you are mischaracterizing the "veiled" language. Masking a reference to ritualistic masturbation with an edgy joke is a pretty good example actually. > To portray him as nothing more than a sexual deviant Getting a little ahead of ourselves though, aren't we. You know, if you really want to push the issue, we can discuss how much he loved animals and how that might have influenced his work.
- yesenadam 8y ago
  Crowley was a visionary genius who tapped into the 21st century and one could say helped bring it into existence. What makes you say that?
- selimthegrim 8y ago
  What about Crowley and the climbing expedition? I can’t imagine that story paints him in the best light.

armitron 8y ago

Crowley had a mischievous streak and delighted being in the spotlight. His writing style was infused by sarcasm and was all over the spectrum of using poetic and sexual language to both offend and veil. I do not think you are correct in your assessment as clearly he couldn't care less about offending people. An example is when he refers to masturbation as "child sacrifice": “For the highest spiritual working one must accordingly choose that victim which contains the greatest and purest force. A male child of perfect innocence and high intelligence is the most satisfactory and suitable victim.” His sense of humor wouldn't be out of place today. Crowley was a visionary genius who tapped into the 21st century and one could say helped bring it into existence. To portray him as nothing more than a sexual deviant or charlatan does not do the man justice.

imhelpingu 8y ago
I'm not disputing Crowley's influence, but you are mischaracterizing the "veiled" language. Masking a reference to ritualistic masturbation with an edgy joke is a pretty good example actually. > To portray him as nothing more than a sexual deviant Getting a little ahead of ourselves though, aren't we. You know, if you really want to push the issue, we can discuss how much he loved animals and how that might have influenced his work.
yesenadam 8y ago
Crowley was a visionary genius who tapped into the 21st century and one could say helped bring it into existence. What makes you say that?
selimthegrim 8y ago
What about Crowley and the climbing expedition? I can’t imagine that story paints him in the best light.