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Doreen Virtue´s friend "Jac" talks about her experiences in the Golden Dawn, or rather a modern American version of this 19th century British esoteric order. "Jac" later became a Christian fundamentalist, so don´t expect any objectivity. Put somewhat mildly.
But...
When I listened to this video, I couldn´t help noticing the parallels between the Golden Dawn system (or this particular version of it) and certain forms of Tantrism. The masculine and the feminine must be balanced, the only way to worship a deity is to *become* the deity, Isis is a symbol of primordial matter (among other things), complex rituals are important and yes, it´s all secret (or nearly so).
I recently linked to a video in which Doreen Virtue and her friend Jac discussed (and attacked) Steven Spielberg´s recent film "Disclosure Day". In that video, Virtue claims to have had an alien abduction experience as a child! In the video linked above (from two years ago), Virtue says that she isn´t sure whether it was a dream or a real experience. However, in the more recent video, she seems to be suggesting that it was real but (of course) demonic (not literal aliens).
About half of the 2024 video is all the usual fundamentalist Christian pep talk (I´ll get back to it in a moment). The other half is more interesting. For instance, Virtue talks about her involvement with controversial ufologist Steven Greer. Apparently, she partially financed his movie "Sirius". During her New Age period, Virtue used to believe that she was a mermaid from Sirius (!!) and would even pray to the Dog Star. Jac assumed she was from Orion, was into Alternative Egypt, Golden Dawn ritual magic, Crowley and so on. Sure, her experiences (or delusions?) do sound disturbing and "demonic". But...
Isn´t the fundamentalist Christian worldview both Virtue and Jac have adopted equally disturbing? First, the demons seem extremely powerful. They can manifest or create physical objects, including cars and buses. And perhaps UFOs? Indeed, their deception is literally everywhere. Second, God seems strangely aloof. Why didn´t God stop the demons from attacking Doreen Virtue *when she was an innocent child*? Or Jac for that matter. Why doesn´t God show himself to people during near-death experiences? Instead, the evil spirits seem to have full control over all or most NDEs!
And if you don´t believe in Christ - in the right way - you will end up in "the lake of fire" and be tormented forever, vividly described by Virtue at one point in the video. A scenario which simply becomes worse when the oblivious nature of God is taken into account.
It´s almost as if Virtue and Jac have just replaced one delusion with another one. Delusion. Or deception...
This doesn´t mean anything, but it´s a funny (and somewhat weird) co-incidence. Yesterday, I was strolling in the local parkland-or-very-managed-woodland, reflecting on the Upanishads, Enneads and what have you. At one point, I wondered if there is a compassionate divine savior somewhere in the "pantheist" cosmos. Krishna, perhaps?
*Immidiately after that* a European robin appeared and started flying/"dancing" around me. Eh? I usually don´t see robins in that part of the park. Or ever, really. When I asked ChatGPT about robins and folklore, it turned out that this particular bird is associated with...Christ?! The robin wanted to ease Christ´s suffering on the cross and therefore removed one of the thorns from the crown of thorns on his head. That is, both the bird and Jesus are "compassionate saviors". This lore seems to be English.
A sign from God that I should convert to Anglicanism? But then it struck me that some Hindus consider both Jesus and Krishna to be avatars of Vishnu. Indeed, the Hare Krishna leader Prabhupada even claimed that Christ and Krishna were the same person?!
I didn´t know that Doreen Virtue is an alien abductee. I´m not joking. She actually says so in this video. Of course, Virtue now believes that the experience was demonic.
Yes, Doreen Virtue is on the war-path against Steven Spielberg´s "Disclosure Day". She and her friend "Jac" does say some interesting things. For instance, is the deer in the movie really a Wiccan symbol? But overall, it´s all very predictable.
I didn´t know US Christian fundamentalists considered He-Man to be demonic. Or maybe I did, but forgot about it. But yeah, there is a shape-shifting witch in the story, so there´s that. I assume the clip above is from the 1980´s? Cultist BS, if you ask me.
A Christian YouTube channel tries to play the role of "voice of reason" vis-à-vis the ongoing UFO hysteria in the United States. But note the Biblicist dogmatism! Still, an interesting contribution.
An analysis of the Star Wars-related TV series "The Mandalorian" from the viewpoint of anthropology and religious studies.
OK, so I have a few objections...
I never watched "The Mandalorian", so I have zero opinions on that one, but what about the anthropology? It simply can´t be true that the strictest religions are the most succesful ones. The most extreme cults (say the Exclusive Brethren or Heaven´s Gate) are always much smaller than the less strict ones (say the Presbyterian Church USA or some New Age network). Or take the Catholic Church. Most Catholics aren´t monks or nuns, obviously. The strictest monastic orders are the smallest ones (the Carthusians). Maybe the *illusion* of strictness is more succesful than outright "liberalism", but that´s a different proposition entirely. The illusion of strictness is good for identity politics, just blending in with broader society isn´t. To maintain the illusion, some "creds" have to be thrown in, but not nearly as many as in a *really* and grimly strict group. "Fish on Friday" isn´t the same thing as veganism or fruitarianism.
Or what about "the routinization of charisma"? The first generation of a religious group might be super-committed, but in order to survive beyond that initial charismatic push, it needs to create institutions which overtime will become bureaucratic, et cetera. It struck me when watching the video that some of the strict religious groups mentioned probably solve the problem by becoming free riders on the rest of society. How hard is it *really* to be an Orthodox Jew if you don´t have to do military service, get welfare money for your large family, and so on? I´m sure the Amish are free riding in some way, too. It´s just that US media are too uncritical and romantic in their attitudes towards them, so we haven´t heard anything about it.
Finally, a complaint about "fictive kinship". Sociologists and anthropologists usually assume that this somehow overrides biology. But does it? First, most fictive kinship systems seem to be practiced within the same population, which means that there *is* a level of genetic kinship between the participants. Group selection could explain this. Second, even when "fictive kinship" is practiced more broadly (say in a missionary religion), the converts will tend to marry other people of the same faith, which means that the kinship ties will become genetical in the normal sense over time. Again, no mystery for evolutionary theory.
In the science fiction TV series "The Mandalorian", one of the characters apparently adopts a baby of an *entirely different species*, treating him as his own son. Which is *highly* unlikely from an evolutionary viewpoint. Showing us that it´s indeed science *fiction*...
This content-creator, who calls himself Shaku Joshin, promotes a peculiar form of Buddhism. The group calls itself Amidaji International Temple, Amidaji for short. It seems to be a small breakaway faction from the Japanese Pure Land denomination Jodo Shinshu. Many members (including the founder) are White. This could be a thing, since Amidaji very strongly implies that their little sect are the only true Buddhists. White people telling Asians how to practice the Dharma? OK, bruh.
What struck me most when listening to Shaku Joshin is that he has almost exactly the same mentality as a evangelical or charismatic Christian. Indeed, he was one in his younger days. It´s all in there. The strong emotional investment in a loving savior-figure? Check. Except that the savior in this case is Amitabha Buddha (called Amida in Japanese) rather than Jesus. The evangelistic mindset? Check. The constant attacks on co-religionists for getting it wrong? Check. The sectarian attitude that your path is the only path to salvation, everyone else be damned? Check. While the content-creator doesn´t seem to believe in hell, he does regard this world as rather hellish, so being stuck here rebirth after rebirth might as well be damnation.
There are even doctrinal similarities. Pure Land Buddhists do teach a kind of salvation by faith and grace. Many have remarked on the similarities between this and Protestantism. But just like evangelicals attacking each other, Shaku Joshin claims that only Amidaji teaches *real* salvation by faith/grace alone. I encountered a similar small group of White American Amidists on the web about ten years ago, and I can´t help wondering if this is the sequel! Maybe the two groups actually are connected somehow.
I used to think that White American Buddhists are very tolerant and liberal (or at least pretends to), but here we have an explicit exception. I can´t say Quasi-Japanese Buddhism with a Bible Belt psychology is much of an improvement, though...
Trump´s new appointee for head of the US Navy, a certain Hung Cao, is apparently a fairly fundamentalist Christian. Rebecca Watson (Skepchick) decided to investigate his conspiratorial claim that a place known as Lover´s Point in Monterey has become some kind of center for Wiccans and other Neo-Pagans. Watson soon realized that there were more Christian missionaries in the area than anything even remotely witchy.
Apparently, the closest thing to an evil witch at Lover´s Point is Watson herself, since she´s an atheist feminist and sometimes scuba dives there!
Breitbart News complains about "Silicon (Valley) blasphemy". OK, a couple of things. One: Your leader just compared himself to Jesus Christ. Two: How is an AI Jesus who charges by the minute any different from, you know, any other commercial jesusy product peddled by American Protestants for the past 50 years or so? Three: See one and two.
Good grief! Christians can´t even agree on when to commemorate / celebrate Easter. Here are links to two Wikipedia entries on the Memorial and Quatrodecimanism.
Billy Graham seems to have been...I don´t know...an unofficial American diplomatic envoy? His contacts with genocidal maniac Efraím Ríos Montt in Guatemala are well-known (and scrubbed from Wiki´s Billy Graham entry!), but I never heard of his North Korean exploits until now. For whatever reason, *they* are briefly mentioned on Wiki. Hmmm...
Here is Wikipedia:
>>>In a 1999 speech, Graham discussed his relationship with the late North Korean leader Kim Il Sung, praising him as a "different kind of communist" and "one of the great fighters for freedom in his country against the Japanese". Graham went on to note that although he had never met Kim's son and then-current North Korean leader Kim Jong Il, he had "exchanged gifts with him". [The link to the source doesn´t work on my computer]
And here is Gemini:
Can you tell me more about Graham´s relation with North Korea?
Billy Graham’s relationship with North Korea was one of the most surprising and debated chapters of his career. Despite being a staunch anti-communist who once called Communism "the greatest challenge the church has ever had to face," he became a rare bridge between the West and the "Hermit Kingdom."
His connection was deeply personal: his wife, Ruth Bell Graham, had attended a missionary school in Pyongyang in the 1930s (before the Korean War), which gave the family a unique emotional tie to the region.
1. The 1992 and 1994 Visits
Graham visited North Korea twice, in 1992 and 1994, meeting directly with the nation's founder, Kim Il-sung.
Preaching in Pyongyang: Graham was the first foreign religious leader allowed to preach in North Korea since the war. He spoke at the Bongsu Church (one of the few state-sanctioned churches) and lectured at Kim Il-sung University.
The "Messenger" Role: During his 1992 trip, Graham carried a verbal message from President George H.W. Bush to Kim Il-sung.In 1994, he did the same for President Bill Clinton during a period of high nuclear tension. This effectively made him an unofficial diplomatic envoy.
A "Cordial" Relationship: Kim Il-sung reportedly welcomed Graham warmly. Graham presented the dictator with a copy of his book, Peace with God.
2. The "Kim Il-sung as God" Controversy
Following his 1992 visit, North Korean state media (Rodong Sinmun)claimed that Graham had praised Kim Il-sung as "the saint of all saints" and even suggested he was "God who rules the human world."
The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) immediately and forcefully denied these reports, stating that the quotes were state propaganda and did not "even remotely resemble" Graham’s theology. Graham maintained that while he was respectful of the leader, his focus was strictly on the Gospel.
3. Diplomatic and Humanitarian Impact
Graham's visits opened a small window for humanitarian work that continues today:
Samaritan’s Purse: His son, Franklin Graham, took over the mantle, visiting the country multiple times. Through his organization, Samaritan’s Purse, the Grahams have provided millions of dollars in medical equipment, food, and disaster relief to North Korea.
Back-Channel Diplomacy: Many historians believe Graham’s 1994 visit helped pave the way for former President Jimmy Carter’s landmark trip later that year, which temporarily defused a nuclear crisis.
Why did he go?
Graham was often criticized for "legitimizing" a regime known for extreme religious persecution. His defense was consistent: he believed that to reach the people, he had to speak to the leaders. He once said:
"I didn't go as a politician; I went as a minister of the Gospel... I think there's going to be some changes."
While the "changes" Graham hoped for (in terms of religious freedom) never fully materialized, his visits remain a unique example of "faith-based diplomacy" during the Cold War era.
Did he praise Kim Il-sung as a "different kind of Communist" and a national liberation hero?
Whether Billy Graham actually praised Kim Il-sung in those specific terms is a matter of significant historical debate, largely because of the "he-said, she-said" nature of North Korean state propaganda versus the official records of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA).
Here is the breakdown of those specific claims:
1. The "Different Kind of Communist" Quote
It is widely documented that Graham spoke of Kim Il-sung with a level of personal warmth that shocked his Western critics. He did occasionally suggest that Kim was a leader who deeply cared for his people’s well-being, which some interpreted as labeling him a "different" or more humanitarian type of leader.
However, it is important to distinguish between Graham’s diplomatic politeness and ideological endorsement. Graham was desperate to maintain access to the country to continue his ministry, so he often avoided criticizing the regime's brutality in public, choosing instead to focus on Kim's "personality" and "hospitality."
2. The "National Liberation Hero" Claim
The claim that Graham called Kim Il-sung a "hero of national liberation" or a "great revolutionary" originated primarily from North Korean state media (KCNA).
The Propaganda Angle: The North Korean government was notorious for "ghostwriting" quotes for visiting dignitaries. They regularly published reports claiming that Graham—one of the world's most famous Christians—had recognized the Juche ideology or praised Kim Il-sung as a god-like figure.
The BGEA Denial: Graham’s team consistently refuted these reports. They argued that the North Korean government twisted Graham’s standard diplomatic pleasantries (e.g., acknowledging Kim’s role in Korean history) into full-blown ideological endorsements.
3. The Evidence of Praise
While he denied the most extreme "God-like" quotes, Graham did make several public statements that were highly controversial:
Social Order: Upon returning from Pyongyang, Graham noted he was impressed by the "health" and "discipline" of the North Korean people, famously remarking that he saw no crime or drugs in the streets—a comment that critics said ignored the reality of a totalitarian police state.
Religious Freedom: He was criticized for suggesting that there was a degree of religious freedom in North Korea based on his visits to the Bongsu and Chilgol churches, which many experts considered "show churches" designed to deceive foreigners.
Summary of the Relationship
Aspect
Graham's Public Stance
Critics' Perspective
Goal
Evangelism and "building bridges."
Legitimizing a dictator.
Tone
Diplomatic, focusing on "mutual respect."
Naive or complicit in propaganda.
Theology
Remained strictly Christian.
Accused of staying silent on human rights for access.
Ultimately, Graham walked a razor-thin line. He never renounced his Christianity or his belief that Communism was fundamentally flawed, but he was willing to use flattery and diplomatic "softness" to ensure he was the one Westerner Kim Il-sung would actually listen to. Whether that was "wise diplomacy" or "compromise" remains a point of contention among historians today.
Does this clarify the distinction between what he actually said and what the North Korean media claimed?
Was Billy Graham (yes, *that* Billy Graham) a covert anti-Semite, pro-Muslim, and irenic towards Catholics and Mormons? This fundamentalist YouTube channel believes that Graham was too soft on non-believers. Apparently, fundamentalists wanted to separate from him and even called him "Billy Balaam"! The worst part is the anti-Semitism...from the secret Nixon tapes?!
Me and another blogger have a kind of love-hate relation to this Adventist YouTube channel, called Scriptures Illustrator. Their anti-Jesuit conspiracist video is actually quite interesting (although I haven´t double-checked all its claims - at least not yet).
The Jesuit state in Paraguay seems to have been "progressive" since it protected the Natives from slave raiders, but according to the video, the Society of Jesus gladly participated in the slave trade elsewhere, including Japan.
Since the video was produced by an Adventist, the background theme is that the (Catholic) Jesuits were part of a kind of Anti-Christ system which works itself out, slowly but steadfastly, over the course of human history. Until Judgement Day, perhaps?
