Rejected Religion Podcast

Dr. Dylan Burns is Assistant Professor of the History of Western Esotericism in Late Antiquity at the University of Amsterdam.In Part One, Dylan begins by sharing the Gnostic story or revelatory myth that takes place in four acts, so to speak, and the evidence of this story found in texts such as the Nag Hammadi codices. We then move the discussion to the definitions of the terms 'gnostic', 'gnosticism', and 'gnosis' and why these terms are somewhat controversial in the academic realm. REFERENCESDr. Dylan Burns - Did God Care? Providence, Dualism and Will in Later Greek and Early Christian Philosophy : Did God Care? – Providence, Dualism, and Will in Later Greek and Early Christian Philosophy | BrillCo-editor: Nag Hammadi and Manichaean Studies Online (brill.com)AncientEsotericism.org :: Network for the Study of Esotericism in Antiquity | A Thematic Network of ESSWEHHP | History of Hermetic Philosophy and related currents (amsterdamhermetica.nl)Academia.edu page: (99+) Dylan Burns | University of Amsterdam - Academia.eduSelected Articles:(99+) Apocalypses amongst Gnostics and Manichaeans | Dylan Burns - Academia.edu(99+) Providence, Creation, and Gnosticism According to the Gnostics | Dylan Burns - Academia.edu(99+) Weren’t the Christians Up Against a Gnostic Religion? G.R.S. Mead at the Dawn ‎of the Modern Study of Gnosticism‎ | Dylan Burns - Academia.eduAncient Esoteric Traditions: Mystery, Revelation, Gnosis | Dylan M. Bu (taylorfrancis.com)Other Resources:The Secret Book of John (Apocryphon of John) (gnosis.org)Gnostic Society Library: Gnostic Scriptures and Fragments (gnosis.org)Gnostic Society Library: Gnostic Scriptures and Fragments - Bruce Codex (gnosis.org)Nag Hammadi Library (gnosis.org)The Dead Sea Scrolls(99+) The gnostic bible | Constantin Gherghinoiu - Academia.eduTheme Music: Daniel P. SheaOther Music: Stephanie SheaPhoto Credit Dylan Burns: Jeff Berlin Green 

Korshi Dosoo is the leader of the junior research group project 'The Coptic Magical Papyri: Vernacular Religion in Late Antique and Early Islamic Egypt' at the Julius Maximilian University of Würzburg. Formerly ATER (lecturer) at the University of Strasbourg and post-doctoral researcher on the Labex RESMED project Les mots de la paix. His PhD thesis, 'Rituals of Apparition on the Theban Magical Library' was completed in 2015 at Macquarie University, Australia. His research focuses on magic and lived religion in Egypt from the Ptolemaic to Mamluk periods as revealed by papyrological and epigraphic sources. In this interview, Korshi begins by explaining what magical papyri are, where they came from, how they were used, and how people would obtain these texts. He also discusses his views about the concept of magic, and whether ancient people thought differently about 'magic' than contemporary people do. Our conversation then moves to modern occult practices and ritual magic, in particular, the use of a text taken from the Theban Magical Library Codex that is now known as 'The Headless God' or 'The Bornless Rite.' Korshi also shares his experience as 'impromptu' translator of a mysterious copper plate, thought by authorities to be written in Coptic, that was originally believed to be linked to an unsolved murder case from 1970, and his involvement in the podcast dedicated to this case, 'The WVU Coed Murders.' While some might think that the scholary study of ancient languages and texts to be far removed from everyday life, this example shows the importance of academic research for real-world issues. Korshi is also part of a team that produces 'The Coptic Magical Papyri Podcast,' where interested people can learn more about this special area of research. REFERENCES Dr. Korshi Dosoo:(99+) Korshi Dosoo | University of Würzburg - Academia.eduCoptic Magical Papyri Website (podcast link available there): Coptic Magical Papyri (uni-wuerzburg.de)Facebook page: Coptic Magical Papyri | FacebookPodcast Episode - Appalachian Mysteria: Mared and Karen: The Magical Plate Decoded: Appalachian Mysteria: Mared and Karen: The Magical Plate Decoded on Apple PodcastsAbout Mared & Karen: About Mared & Karen | WVU Coed MurdersBooks and Scholars Mentioned: Dr. Bernd Christian Otto (magic): (99+) Bernd-Christian Otto | Universität Erfurt - Academia.eduDamon Zacharias Lycourinos (magic): (99+) Damon Zacharias Lycourinos - Academia.eduZora Neale Hurston (anthropology): Zora Neale HurstonMichael Cecchetelli: The Book of Abrasax: Cecchetelli, Michael: 9780990568728: Amazon.com: BooksJake Stratton-Kent: The Headless One — HADEAN PRESS (hadeanpress-eu.com)Hans Deiter Betz: (99+) The Greek Magical Papyri in Translation, including the Demotic Spells | Roy Kotansky - Academia.eduCharles Wycliffe Goodwin: (PDF) Fragment Of A Graeco Egyptian Work Upon Magic Download eBOOK (bookarchive.net)Sir James Frazer: goldenbough.pdf (templeofearth.com)Allen Greenfield: The Complete Secret Cipher of the Ufonauts by Allen Greenfield (goodreads.com)  Music: Stephanie Shea

This month's episode is the first in a 2-part series about chaos magic. Dr. Christian Greer talks about the history of modern magical groups and how these earlier groups led to the birth of the chaos magic current. Christian begins by talking about why the topic of magic (in all its forms) is relevant as an area of research and study. He then gives a brief history of modern and contemporary ritual magic groups, and how these, along with other influential movements of the time, informed the major figures associated with chaos magic. We then move the discussion to talk about the larger chaos magic current in more detail. PROGRAM NOTESChristian's  academia.edu page: (99+) J. Christian Greer | Harvard Divinity School - Academia.eduInstagram: @angelheadedhipstersarchive • Instagram-foto's en -video'sAlex Owen's The Place of Enchantment: The Place of Enchantment: British Occultism and the Culture of the Modern, Owen (uchicago.edu)Marco Pasi's 'The Modernity of Occultism': (99+) The Modernity of Occultism: Reflections on Some Crucial Aspects | Marco Pasi - Academia.eduChristopher Partridge's 'Occulture is Ordinary' + handbook: Occulture is Ordinary (Chapter 6) - Contemporary Esotericism (cambridge.org)Theodor Adorno's 'Theses Against Occultism': Ralph Dumain: "The Autodidact Project": T.W. Adorno's "Theses Against Occultism"John Carter, Sex and Rockets  (Jack Parsons): Sex and Rockets: The Occult World of Jack Parsons: Carter, John, Wilson, Robert Anton: 9780922915972: Amazon.com: BooksAdam Gorightly, The Prankster and the Conspiracy (Kerry Thornley): The Prankster and the Conspiracy: The Story of Kerry Thornley and How He Met Oswald and Inspired the Counterculture: Gorightly, Adam, Robert Anton Wilson: 9781931044660: Amazon.com: BooksKenneth Grant 'Typhonian Trilogies Series': Typhonian Trilogies Series by Kenneth Grant (goodreads.com)Austin Osman Spare at Hermetic Library: Austin Osman Spare - Hermetic LibraryThee Temple of Psychick Youth (TOPY), Thee Psychick Bible : THEE PSYCHICK BIBLE (archive.org)Christopher Partridge (editor), The Occult World: The Occult World - 1st Edition - Christopher Partridge - Routledge BoOther scholars mentioned in this episode - (Theosophy) (99+) Mriganka Mukhopadhyay | University of Amsterdam - Academia.edu(Thelema) (99+) Manon Hedenborg White | Karlstad University - Academia.edu(Kenneth Grant) (99+) Henrik Bogdan | University of Gothenburg - Academia.eduTheme Music: Daniel P. SheaOther music: Stephanie Shea 

Guests: Dr. Jonathon O'Donnell; Brennan Kettelle, MA (res); Tommy Cowan, MA (res) In this special Spotlight episode, my guests and I discuss Netflix's Midnight Mass from various perspectives. We start out with our 'first impressions' of the show, then move to discuss our own talking points based upon each of our own research interests and specialties - religion and demonology in U.S. politics, monster theory, queer-coding of vampires, the nature of angels and demons, vampire history, religion and society, intertextuality, (religious) identity - these topics and more are covered in this panel! Find these great people on social media - Twitter:S. Jonathon O'Donnell, PhD 😈🏳️‍🌈 (@demonologian) / TwitterTommy P Cowan (@TommyPCowan) / Twitter Instagram: Jonathon O'Donnell (@demonologian) • Instagram-foto's en -video'sBrennan Kettelle (@_restingwitchface) • Instagram-foto's en -video's@the_art_of_distraction • Instagram-foto's en -video's Facebook: Jonathon O'Donnell | FacebookBrennan Kettelle | FacebookTommy Cowan | Facebook Academia.edu: S. Jonathon O'Donnell | University College Dublin - Academia.eduS. Brennan Kettelle | University of Amsterdam - Academia.eduTommy P Cowan | University of Amsterdam - Academia.edu  Theme Music: Stephanie Shea

This episode is a special 'listener response' to episode 17's 'esoteric in art,' with guest Michael Carter. Michael is an artist and teacher living in Los Angeles, CA. He holds an MFA from Claremont Graduate University in CA, shows his work in live performances, gives lectures, and and exhibited works in both the U.S. and Europe.  Michael's personal interest in Theosophy plays a large role in his own research into the spiritual dimensions of abstract art.  This discussion includes Michael's personal opinions and research about the history of spiritual movements as they relate to the category of modern abstract art, as well as his own personal background as an artist and spiritual 'seeker.' We also discuss his essay regarding metaphysical art, where he explains his ideas about the two cateogories of art, and his own work with a pendulum. We also talk about Jack Burnham's ideas about kinetic art, then move to a discussion about the condition of the Theosophical movement today, including his own opinions about whether or not today's artists feel comfortable expressing their own spiritual questioning as it is reflected in their art. Plus much more!PROGRAM NOTESMichael Carter -website: HOME - Michael Carter StudioTwitter: Michael Carter (@MichaelKCarter) / TwitterInstagram: Michael Carter (@michaelcarter.studio) • Instagram-foto's en -video'sEssay "Form Following Spirit: An Investigation of Recent and Near-Recent Metaphysical Art" in Speculative Arts Research,  Issue Four, November 2021: SAR.04.pdf (speculativeartsresearch.com)The Spiritual in Art: Abstract Painting 1890-1985: The Spiritual in Art: Abstract Painting 1890-1985 by Maurice Tuchman (goodreads.com)Beyond the Visible - Hilma af Klint: Beyond the Visible - Hilma af Klint :: Zeitgeist FilmsWebsite Lita Alberqerque: Lita AlbuquerqueJoseph Beuys: ‘Honey is Flowing in All Directions’, Joseph Beuys, 1976 | TateJack Burnham -All Systems Go: Recovering Jack Burnham’s ‘Systems Aesthetics’ – Tate Papers | TateRitual Aesthetics: Salt Flat and Systems – In Focus | TateJack Burnham (1931–2019) - Artforum InternationalDissolve into Comprehension | The MIT PressTheme Music: Daniel P. SheaOther Music: Stephanie Shea 

Interview Highlights: Brennan begins by talking about the figure of Lilith as she has been portrayed in historical myths and legends; and then moves to more modern interpretations of Lilith as a 'dark feminine' archetype, and as a feminist. Our discussion then shifts to how Lilith can be linked to queerness, and how the poet Renee Vivien used Lilith as a muse in her work (even more so than the figure of Satan/Lucifer who was extremely popular in turn-of-the-century France, where Vivien lived and worked). Find Brennan at: S. Brennan Kettelle | University of Amsterdam - Academia.eduInstagram: Brennan Kettelle (@_restingwitchface) • Instagram-foto's en -video'sMusic: Stephanie Shea

Karen Swartz (Åbo Academy University) Interview Highlights: Karen shares some of her preliminary research findings regarding four women - Marie Steiner von-Sivers, Ita Wegman, Edith Maryon, and Judith von Halle (not three as I mistakenly mention in the interview) - all deeply involved within the Anthroposophical Society over the past decades and in the present day. While doing research for her PhD, Karen found that narratives surrounding these influential women were often curiously different in nature than those surrounding men. Additionally, their efforts were often not mentioned, or if they were, they were downplayed, as if to suggest the women involved did not play a pivotal, leading role in the work of the Society. She has now started a new project to explore this new area in greater detail. Karen notes how the status of the women who were involved in personal relationships with Rudolf Steiner also declined when they were no longer "favored" by him. Dr. Manon Hedenborg White's term "proximal authority" is referred to in this case, and Karen explains how she sees this perspective playing out in her case study. We also discuss how Judith von Halle's claims to Steiner's authority has caused upset within the Society, and the problematic response of the group to her attempts to forge her own autonomous path (that differed from how the group responded to men making similar claims). This discussion highlights an important issue of how women's roles/efforts/works are often marginalized and minimized as compared to men's, and how this case study can open up further important discussions. For example, why are these women spoken about as if they aren't fully autonomous, capable adult women as their male counterparts are (with reference to the women being referred to as 'helping angels'). What are the larger implications of this case study with regard to gender and authority?  Theme music: Stephanie Shea

Interview Highlights: Thomas begins by giving some background on Violet Mary Firth, later known as Dion Fortune. He describes her somewhat rebellious nature, and how Fortune did not always agree with the notion that certain things should be kept "secret". However, she did stress the need to be careful and skeptical of those who purport to have the "truth". Thomas then moves to the topic of initiation and how this was viewed by Fortune. To her, initiation was becoming involved in a cosmic process of the 'right-hand' path, or a path of service. The goal of the initiate is to completely surrender individual consciousness and achieve a cosmic union with the Divine Mind. How does one do this? You can contact Thomas at thomas.vanbreda@outlook.com should you have any specific questions.Theme music by Stephanie Shea

To view Tommy's presentation, please follow this link to the YouTube Channel Lynchland (Tommy's presentation is in Part IV, near the beginning of the video):  Twin Peaks | The Return Online Conference - YouTubeInterview Highlights: Tommy begins by talking about his own motivations to create a presentation for the Twin Peaks online conference. We then move the discussion to talk about several concepts that were important in the work and life of William Burroughs that have a connection to Twin Peaks: possession, the number 23, and the atomic bomb. I then ask Tommy's opinion about the character of Sarah Palmer, and whether or not she also might have known that she was also possessed. A little history of Twin Peaks and its occult connections is also added to the mix! Tommy P. Cowan at Academia.edu: Tommy P Cowan | University of Amsterdam - Academia.edu Correspondences Journal (Tommy is an associate editor): Correspondences – Journal for the Study of Esotericism (correspondencesjournal.com)  Theme music: Stephanie Shea

Video uploaded on YouTube on August 18, 2021Interview Highlights: Joel begins by sharing how he came to write about Grant Morrison's Batman RIP, and then we dive into many Buddhist concepts that Morrison uses in their story. As Joel explains these concepts, he also points out how Morrison uses them differently than a Buddhist practicioner would - this due to the great influence of Western occult ideas (such as initiation, the Abyss, and ego-death) taken from Aleister Crowley, among others. Our discussion points out that in fact, Morrison draws on many different sources in the creation of their Batman story, and this leads to some interesting thoughts about the notion of occulture, and creativity. You can find the pre-publication draft of Dr. Joel Bordeaux's chapter here: (PDF) “The Dark Knight of the Soul: Death as Initiatory Ordeal in Grant Morrison’s Batman R.I.P.” | Joel Bordeaux - Academia.eduFull Title: 'The Dark Knight of the Soul: Death as Initiatory Ordeal in Grant Morrison's Batman RIP. From The Assimilation of Yogic Religions Through Pop Culture, edited by Paul Hackett. Lanham: Lexington Books, 2017. AND Joel's lecture for the HHP Centre here: Taking the Left Hand Path to Tibet, by Dr. Joel Bordeaux || HHP Student Association - YouTubeLinks: Academia.edu page: Joel Bordeaux | International Institute of Asian Studies, Leiden - Academia.eduIIAS profile page: Joel Bordeaux | IIASHumanities Commons profile page: Joel Bordeaux – Humanities Commons (hcommons.org)YouTube Channel: Joel Bordeaux - YouTubeTwitter: Joel Bordeaux🌹জোয়েল বোর্দো (@JoelBordeaux) / TwitterOTHER RESOURCES OF INTEREST: 'The Occult and Comics' by Kennet Granholm: (PDF) The Occult and Comics | Kennet Granholm - Academia.edu'Occulture is Ordinary' Keynote speech from Christopher Partridge: Christopher Partridge, “Occulture Is Ordinary” | Contemporary Esotericism Research Network (contern.org)Music: Stephanie Shea