Showing My Prejudices

[poliphilo]

The trees along King's Rd are turning. Some are now bright yellow all over, others have patches of red. Those that are not yet rusting look sorry for themselves.

I sit in the waiting room at the health centre while Ailz goes through diabetic clinic. First I read the publicity pamphlet for the Alpha course, which aims to turn turn run-of-the-mill people into happy, shiny Christians. It carries endorsements from Cliff Richard and Old Beardie the archbishop of Canterbury and some smooth chopped catholic and- oh my God- Hercule Poirot. Yes, folks, Hercule Poirot- I mean actor David Suchet- has had his life turned round by Alpha and has celebrated by shaving off the moustache.

I scan the pictures of happy shiny faces (so many, I had not thought death had undone so many) in search of black ones. On the second run-through I find my first example- miniscule- and then another- so tiny you almost need a magnifying glass.

Then I read Emmel- the glossy "magazine of Muslim lifestyle". After the white-bread wilderness of Alpha it is nice and warming to look at pictures of people with a bit of colour in their cheeks. Emmel is liberal. It has pieces about criticising Islam and how good it would be to have female Imams. I'm thinking of taking out a subscription.

Seriously.

Comments

[jackiejj.livejournal.com]

When Kate was a toddler, my husband toyed with the Theosophical Society. Because Kate would get restless at their little meetings, I mostly took her outside and walked her around the parklike lawn near the old house where the meetings were held.

After the talks, the group would gather at the back of the room where Oz books were sold for $1.50 and slippery elm bark was sold for coughs.

Then there would be a pot-luck supper using unfluoridated water. Most everyone wore sandals.

Except that there was no singing, I thought it was a fine fun group, and they were very kind to Kate.

I didn't learn a thing about their beliefs, but I bought Kate every Oz book--one a meeting.

--I've not heard about the Alpha course, but I don't want to be shiny and happy.

I know how that's done: brainwashing.

Remember the Moonies? They kept their converts up until two in the morning, then gave them hot chocolate and brownies to keep them jacked up and restless on caffeine. Then they'd start their meetings...

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

When I spot a shiny happy believer I turn and walk smartly in the the opposite direction.

I did a lot of reading in and around Theosophy about fifteen years ago. It's a blend of Western occultism and Eastern religion and its early leaders- beginning with Madame Blavatsky- were the most extraordinary collection of mystics, social reformers, paedophiles and crooks.