Rejected Religion Podcast

In Part 1, Mriganka gives an outline of the cultural, social, and religious history in Bengal, and the beginnings of the Theosophical Society in India - why Calcutta was so attractive to Helena Blavatsky and Henry Olcott, and who they were interested in as potential members. Mriganka also gives an explanation of particular terms that we use often in our conversation, such as the Brahmo Samaj sect and Ram Mohan Roy; the Bhadralok community; and the Bengal Renaissance - these are important to know about in order to understand the historical context of 19th c. India. Mriganka also discusses how the popularity of Mesmerism and Spiritualism in India formed the basis for the formation and propagation of the later Theosophical Society.We also explore the sensitive concept of Aryanism as it related to the Indian people involved, and how this term was used and understood by the Westerners, and by the indiginous Indians of Calcutta. This leads to a broader discussion of the agency of the Indian Theosophical Society members, and who was speaking with more authenticity.PROGRAM NOTESMriganka's academia.edu/ UvA page: (99+) Mriganka Mukhopadhyay | University of Amsterdam - Academia.edu(99+) (PDF) Mohini: A Case Study of a Transnational Spiritual Space in the History of the Theosophical Society | Mriganka Mukhopadhyay - Academia.edu(99+) (PDF) A Short History of the Theosophical Movement in Colonial Bengal | Mriganka Mukhopadhyay - Academia.edu(99+) (PDF) The Occult and the Orient: The Theosophical Society and the Socio- Religious Space in Colonial India | Mriganka Mukhopadhyay - Academia.edu(99+) (PDF) Occult's First Foot Soldier in Bengal: Peary Chand Mittra and the Early Theosophical Movement | Mriganka Mukhopadhyay - Academia.eduFacebook: Mriganka Mukhopadhyay | FacebookMohini Chatterji's Bhagavad Gita: The Bhagavad Gîtâ; Or, The Lord's Lay: Chatterji, Mohini M.: Amazon.com: BooksAnnie Besant's Bhagavad Gita: The Bhagavad-Gita (Text and Translation) (yogastudies.org)Mohini Chatterji and Laura Holloway's Man: Fragments of a Forgotten History: ManFragmentsOfAForgottenHistory_MChatterjiLCHolloway.pdf (theosophy.world)Michael Gomes The Dawning of the Theosophical Movement: DAWNING OF THE THEOSOPHICAL MO : Gomes, Michael: Amazon.nl: BoekenJoscelyn Godwin The Theosophical Enlightenment: Amazon.com: The Theosophical Enlightenment (S U N Y Series in Western Esoteric Traditions): 9780791421529: Godwin, Joscelyn: BooksTheme music: Daniel P. SheaOther music: Stephanie SheaNote: The 'other music' featured in this video was created by myself, Stephanie Shea, specifically for my own work using the Launchpad: DJ with Novation App, from Ampify Music. Under Ampify Music's license agreement, it states that all 'sounds' provided in their soundpacks are royalty-free, and that I/the user "own the intellectual property rights in your recordings of your musical work or compositions which use any Sounds and/or Tools."  Furthermore, other users of the same soundpack "acknowledge that other users may use the Sounds and/or Tools in their own musical compositions and you may not prevent other users from doing so." [see https://ampifymusic.com/soundpacks_legal/].  

In Part 2, Stewart offers a rich and very detailed discussion of the aristocratic elite group of the Élus Coëns. He discusses their formation, their Gnostic (world-hating) beliefs, their rituals, why the group dispersed and how it morphed into what is now known as Martinism. Stewart also discusses the underlying nationalism that seems to accompany Masonic research and what can be done to combat this. In closing, Stewart talks a bit about how the grimoire was found, and why it took so long to be able to access it for translation purposes.PROGRAM NOTESStewart's new book, The Green Book of the  Élus Coëns , offers an insight into a masonic society called  The Order of Knight-Mason Elect-Cohens of the Universe, one of the most elite and esoteric groups within masonic societies. The book is an English translation of the grimoire that this group used. Please visit the Lewis Masonic website for more details:Lewis Masonic - Esoteric > The Green Book of the Élus CoënsStewart Clelland's website: Stewart Clelland – Blog | Research Journal | (sjaclelland.com)Facebook: Stewart Clelland | FacebookMichael Barkun's book: A Culture of Conspiracy by Michael Barkun - Paperback - University of California Press (ucpress.edu)Theme music: Daniel P. SheaOther music: Stephanie SheaThumbnail art: 'Emblematic chart and Masonic History of Free and Accepted Masons / Ramsey, Millet, Hudson Steam. Lith. Co.' Library of Congress'Mason and Mystic Symbols on Blue' by Vera Petruk

In Part 1, Stewart starts by talking about the diverse views of Freemasonry, and how influential Freemasonry has been to many other esoteric and occult societies. I also ask Stewart to give his opinions about why Freemasonry is a common target for conspiracy theorists, especially those found within UFO conspiracies. PROGRAM NOTESStewart's new book, The Green Book of the  Élus Coëns , offers an insight into a masonic society called  The Order of Knight-Mason Elect-Cohens of the Universe, one of the most elite and esoteric groups within masonic societies. The book is an English translation of the grimoire that this group used. Please visit the Lewis Masonic website for more details:Lewis Masonic - Esoteric > The Green Book of the Élus CoënsStewart Clelland's website: Stewart Clelland – Blog | Research Journal | (sjaclelland.com)Facebook page: Stewart Clelland | FacebookMichael Barkun's book, A Culture of Conspiracy: A Culture of Conspiracy by Michael Barkun - Paperback - University of California Press (ucpress.edu)Theme music: Daniel P. SheaOther music: Stephanie SheaThumbnail art: 'Emblematic chart and Masonic History of Free and Accepted Masons / Ramsey, Millet, Hudson Steam. Lith.' Co. Library of Congress'Mason and Mystic Symbols on Blue' by Vera Petruk

In Part 2, we wrap up our discussion of Jonathon's book by talking about the ironic fact that sovereign power is rarely attainable, and how the demonized are required for the sovereign to remain in existence. We also look at other spiritual warfare narratives in order to compare and contrast the present discussion with earlier discourses. We start with the millennialist concept of the rapture and tribulation, moving to the satanic panic, and then shift to the contemporary phenomenon of QAnon. PROGRAM NOTESDr. O'Donnell's website, includes information about Passing Orders: Demonology and Sovereignty in American Spiritual Warfare  S. Jonathon O'Donnell, PhD (drsjodonnell.com)Twitter: S. Jonathon O'Donnell, PhD 😈🏳️‍🌈 (@demonologian) / TwitterSean McCloud, American Possessions: Fighting Demons in the Contemporary United States  American Possessions - Sean McCloud - Oxford University Press (oup.com)Thomas Hobbes, Leviathan  Leviathan (Penguin Classics): Hobbes, Thomas, Brooke, Christopher, Brooke, Christopher, Brooke, Christopher: 9780141395098: Amazon.com: BooksMegan Goodwin, Abusing Religion: Literary Persecution, Sex Scandals, and American Minority Religions  Abusing Religion — MEGAN GOODWIN (megan-goodwin.com) Theme Music: Daniel P. SheaOther Music: Stephanie SheaThumbnail 'demon' image: Phoarto (pixabay free use)

In Part 1 of our discussion, Jonathon begins by talking about their approach in their book, and how this approach broadens the context of the discussion around demonology and spiritual warfare to include contemporary issues surrounding topics such as gender and sexuality, ethnicity, immigration, and heteronormativity. We then move the discussion to talk more in detail about the three demon-concepts that are most commonly used in spiritual warfare narratives - Jezebel, the Islamic Antichrist, and Leviathan. PROGRAM NOTESDr. O'Donnell's website, includes information about Passing Orders: Demonology and Sovereignty in American Spiritual Warfare  S. Jonathon O'Donnell, PhD (drsjodonnell.com)Twitter: S. Jonathon O'Donnell, PhD 😈🏳️‍🌈 (@demonologian) / TwitterSean McCloud, American Possessions: Fighting Demons in the Contemporary United States  American Possessions - Sean McCloud - Oxford University Press (oup.com)Thomas Hobbes, Leviathan  Leviathan (Penguin Classics): Hobbes, Thomas, Brooke, Christopher, Brooke, Christopher, Brooke, Christopher: 9780141395098: Amazon.com: BooksMegan Goodwin, Abusing Religion: Literary Persecution, Sex Scandals, and American Minority Religions  Abusing Religion — MEGAN GOODWIN (megan-goodwin.com) Theme Music: Daniel P. SheaOther Music: Stephanie SheaThumbnail 'demon' image: Phoarto (pixabay free use)

In Part 2, we continue our discussion by looking at how the women were received and perceived within Thelema. Manon explains her term "proximal authority" and how this relates to Leah, Jane, and Marjorie. We then move to how the women were discussed in the media, their reception outside of the official organization, the legacy of each of the women, and their impact and influence on our culture. PROGRAM NOTESThe Thelemic Women's History Project: The Thelemic Women's History Project | FacebookDr. Manon Hedenborg White on Academia.edu (multiple articles): (99+) Manon Hedenborg White | Södertörn University - Academia.eduThe Eloquent Blood: The Goddess Babalon and the Construction of Femininities in Western Esotericism: Amazon.com: The Eloquent Blood: The Goddess Babalon and the Construction of Femininities in Western Esotericism (Oxford Studies in Western Esotericism) (9780190065027): Hedenborg White, Manon: BooksWomen of Thelema: Selected Essays: Women of Thelema: Selected Essays – Zero Equals Two!Leah Hirsig's Diaries to be published: Leah Hirsig’s Magical Diaries To Be Published – Zero Equals Two!Lukas Vogel, Babalon: Babalon: Vogel, Lukas: Amazon.nlJane Wolfe - Red Flame: Jane Wolfe (Red Flame Thelemic Journal #10 & 11) ~ Dark Star MagickBlog about Marjorie Cameron: Marjorie Cameron | American artist, poet, actress and occultist (vamzzz.com)The Confessions of Aleister Crowley: http://www (the-eye.eu)Upcoming Zoom Lecture 17 JUNE: The Eloquent Blood: The Goddess Babalon - Dr.Manon Hedenborg White by Zoom | FacebookTwitter: Manon Hedenborg White (@Dr_ScarletWoman) / TwitterInstagram: Manon Hedenborg White (@dr_scarletwoman) • Instagram-foto's en -video's Theme music: Daniel P. SheaOther music: Stephanie Shea

In Part 1, Manon shares a bit of information about her project (funded by the Swedish Research Council), and what motivated her to start looking into the lives of three women within Thelema, and how the project has been going so far. She then gives an extensive biographical background of each of the women she's researching - Leah Hirsig, Jane Wolfe, and Marjorie Cameron - how they came to Thelema, and their fascinating roles within this group. PROGRAM NOTESThe Thelemic Women's History Project: The Thelemic Women's History Project | FacebookDr. Manon Hedenborg White on Academia.edu (multiple articles): (99+) Manon Hedenborg White | Södertörn University - Academia.eduThe Eloquent Blood: The Goddess Babalon and the Construction of Femininities in Western Esotericism: Amazon.com: The Eloquent Blood: The Goddess Babalon and the Construction of Femininities in Western Esotericism (Oxford Studies in Western Esotericism) (9780190065027): Hedenborg White, Manon: BooksWomen of Thelema: Selected Essays: Women of Thelema: Selected Essays – Zero Equals Two!Leah Hirsig's Diaries to be published: Leah Hirsig’s Magical Diaries To Be Published – Zero Equals Two!Lukas Vogel, Babalon: Babalon: Vogel, Lukas: Amazon.nlJane Wolfe - Red Flame: Jane Wolfe (Red Flame Thelemic Journal #10 & 11) ~ Dark Star MagickBlog about Marjorie Cameron: Marjorie Cameron | American artist, poet, actress and occultist (vamzzz.com)The Confessions of Aleister Crowley: http://www (the-eye.eu)Upcoming Zoom Lecture 17 JUNE: The Eloquent Blood: The Goddess Babalon - Dr.Manon Hedenborg White by Zoom | FacebookTwitter: Manon Hedenborg White (@Dr_ScarletWoman) / TwitterInstagram: Manon Hedenborg White (@dr_scarletwoman) • Instagram-foto's en -video's Theme music: Daniel P. SheaOther music: Stephanie Shea

In Part 2, we move into modernity, where Rune discusses the impact of a radicalized Protestantism that has had a disruptive impact on animist traditions, and the negative psychological effects that a disconnection from the land can cause. We then move to a discussion of how we can experiment in different ways to re-traditionalize ourselves with this knowledge before delving into the more controversial issue of extremist groups appropriating animist symbology for racist and nationalistic agendas. In keeping with the modern theme, Rune offers a very interesting story of the troll Tyr and how he can help us relate to each other in better ways on the Internet. We close by talking a bit about Rune's various platforms, and his book about the Nordic Animist Year/ calendar that he created. PROGRAM NOTES:Nordic Animism (NA) Website: Home Page (nordicanimism.com)NA YouTube Channel: Nordic Animism - YouTubeNA Facebook: Nordic Animism | FacebookNA Instagram: Nordic Animism (@nordic.animism) • Instagram-foto's en -video'sGraham Harvey Links: "Animism: Respecting the Living World" by Graham HarveyAnimism: Respecting the Living World: Harvey, Graham: 9780231137010: Amazon.com: BooksIrving Hallowell Links: Culture and Experience (Second Edition): A. Irving Hallowell: Amazon.com: BooksBear ceremonialism in the northern hemisphere: Hallowell, A. Irving: Amazon.com: BooksTyson Yunkaporta: Sand Talk: How Indigenous Thinking Can Save the World: Yunkaporta, Tyson: 9780062975645: Amazon.com: BooksThe Nordic Animist Year THE NORDIC ANIMIST YEAR - Books and Calendars - NORDIC ANIMISMArticle "Ragnarok is Coming': RAGNAROK IS COMING! Nordic Scholars: Ancient Viking prophecy speaks to our time. (nordicanimism.com) Theme Music: Daniel P. SheaOther Music: Stephanie SheaCover art used with permission from www.nordicanimism.com 

In Part 1, Rune and I talk about what animism is and how we can understand it, especially in relation to other religions such as Heathenry and (Neo)Paganism. We also discuss why this animist knowledge was rejected in the first place by looking back in history, and Rune explains important animist concepts, such as Ragnarok and Yggdrasil (the world tree), and how these concepts are extremely important to an animist understanding of our world. PROGRAM NOTES:Nordic Animism (NA) Website: Home Page (nordicanimism.com)NA YouTube Channel: Nordic Animism - YouTubeNA Facebook: Nordic Animism | FacebookNA Instagram: Nordic Animism (@nordic.animism) • Instagram-foto's en -video'sGraham Harvey Links: "Animism: Respecting the Living World" by Graham HarveyAnimism: Respecting the Living World: Harvey, Graham: 9780231137010: Amazon.com: BooksIrving Hallowell Links: Culture and Experience (Second Edition): A. Irving Hallowell: Amazon.com: BooksBear ceremonialism in the northern hemisphere: Hallowell, A. Irving: Amazon.com: BooksTyson Yunkaporta: Sand Talk: How Indigenous Thinking Can Save the World: Yunkaporta, Tyson: 9780062975645: Amazon.com: BooksThe Nordic Animist Year THE NORDIC ANIMIST YEAR - Books and Calendars - NORDIC ANIMISMArticle "Ragnarok is Coming': RAGNAROK IS COMING! Nordic Scholars: Ancient Viking prophecy speaks to our time. (nordicanimism.com) Theme Music: Daniel P. SheaOther Music: Stephanie SheaCover art used with permission from www.nordicanimism.com  

In Part 2, we jump back in with a more controversial topic, that of John Lamb Lash, and how his interpretation of the concept of Gnosticism has become intertwined with the Mandela Effect. We explore whether or not conspiracy theories are dangerous to society, but also note their more playful quality as we re-visit the old pranksters, the Discordians. We then move on to the topic of memory, how memory affects history, how remembering something actually creates new experiences and can affect our future memories, and what the reward could possibly be for people who believe in the Mandela Effect. Aaron also shares some interesting content regarding a possible PRE-Mandela Effect, and we close with Aaron sharing some other information about his work as a writer and editor of fantasy fiction.PROGRAM NOTESAaron J. French, "The Mandela Effect and New Memory" (99+) (PDF) The Mandela Effect and New Memory | Aaron French - Academia.edu"'The Mandela Effect' is the perfect film for our age of distrust and doubt" in The Conversation  'The Mandela Effect' is the perfect film for our age of distrust and doubt (theconversation.comErik Davis, High Weirdness: Drugs, Esoterica, and Visionary Experience in the Seventies  High Weirdness | The MIT PressMicheal Barkun, A Culture of Conspiracy: Apocalyptic Visions in Contemporary America  A Culture of Conspiracy by Michael Barkun - Paperback - University of California Press (ucpress.edu)Karen M. Douglas et al., "The Psychology of Conspiracy Theories" The Psychology of Conspiracy Theories (sagepub.com)Jan-Willem van Prooijen & Mark van Vugt, "Conspiracy Theories: Evolved Functions and Psychological Mechanisms" Conspiracy Theories: Evolved Functions and Psychological Mechanisms (sagepub.com)Matthew Dillon, "The Heretical Library: The Nag Hammadi in American Religion and Culture" The Heretical Revival: The Nag Hammadi Library in American Religion and Culture (rice.edu)Trailer Steins;Gate Steins;Gate | Anime Trailer [HD] | 2011 - YouTubeWiki fanpage Steins;Gate Steins;Gate Wiki | FandomTake the Mandela Effect Test HOME - Test Mandela EffectAaron J. French on Soundcloud Aaron J. French | Free Listening on SoundCloudAaron J. French Author Page Facebook Aaron J. French | FacebookTheme Music: Daniel P. SheaOther Music: Stephanie Shea