So.

Obviously I've been talking a lot about how "I founded a Mystery Cult" over this past week. Well, I think as things continue to grow, I should dig in a little more. To that end, myself and my fellow initiated to our burgeoning organization crafted an articulation of values.

Now, as I want this to be freely accessible, here's a Google Docs version for those of you using screenreaders. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1LuD0M74cShnweEo03rY91op-6lfVSEn6/view?usp=sharing

Now, to answer another question likely knocking around your brain:

Why a *cult*, of all things? And WHY IN THE WORLD would you *call it that*?!

Well, at first that was a bit of a joke. *At First*

Now, well, I guess you could say it's something, like, akin to a reclaimed slur.

Originally the space came together in order to give myself and a couple other people I knew would be interested a place to talk about Weird Philosophy: like Kabbalah, Chaos Magick, Fictional Realism, Many Worlds Theory. You know, Weird Philosophy.

Then, well, I've got a lot of friends, and I've always kind of been a "the more, the merrier" sort (two dozen+ headmates, remember).

So, I just kept inviting people.

You know something about Plural systems and trans people?

A lot of them *really like* Weird Philosophy.

Then, well, it sort of turned out that there were some really strong thrulines in many of the things that people were sharing. Along many paths we had found a lot of the same answers. Things... Well, things just kept getting more serious.

It seems that this was something a lot of people had been missing. There's a strong preference against spirituality in a lot of Leftist circles.

Trans people and people who talk to voices in their heads (not off the "approved cast" list) don't fit in well with a lot of faiths.

And, Who knows, maybe it's the pineal gland feeding us a steady stream of DMT, but a lot of people need a Faith of some kind in their lives. So far as I know we haven't found a "cure" for religion yet.

Frankly. After this week, I don't care if it's delusion, I hope we never do.

I needed it *too*.

But, well, that's question 1. Why *call it a cult*?

Well, believe it or not? Running an ethical New Religious Movement isn't easy? It's not something, so far as I know, that there's much literature on.

We decided on a few guidelines to that end ourselves.

One of the most important things on that list was making sure people are made *very* aware of what they're getting into. Cult is an *intentionally provocative and discomforting* choice in phrasing. To warn *away* people who want no part of that kind of thing.

You see, the *bad* kind of cult? They don't really tend to call themselves that! Because what makes them bad isn't their kooky faith: it's the *abuse*.They *manipulate* people.

Scientology doesn't give you your "first initiation" they give you a "free personality test."

I figure, in explicitly calling it what it is (cult connotes abuse, but it also connotes other things) we do two things:

Warn the unready, and comfort those who would turn their mind to the idea.

Plus, come on, wasn't it super dorky when I called it a "New Religious Movement"?

Now for the last bit: Swim Club? HUH??

That's easy. It's leftovers. I originally called the server the "Mystic Swim Club" after the Campbell quote "The psychopath drowns in the same waters in which the Mystic swims with delight."

It just stuck. *shugs*

So, yeah, I don't think I'm significantly crazier than I was before? And if I am, it's apparently a mass delusion. I'm pretty charismatic at times, I guess.

Not that charismatic.

And, I'm not joking. I'm not making light of anyone's trauma (I have my own).

I just... I founded a dang ol' cult y'all! I'm still kind of confused how it happened, even after writing it all out like this.

I am happy to answer whatever questions you may have here or in my (always open) inbox.

Including "How do I sign up?"

Either way, thanks for reading.

Oh, and I'm realizing now this thread got long enough to look like a possible transcription of our articulations at the top.

Um... This isn't that! There's a lot more words that aren't mine alone. Look at the pictures or follow the GDocs link. This is the why, but not the what.