When reading about Aleister Crowley in books or on the internet, there is a lot of contradictions & misinformation. It's very confusing. Some say he simply advocated a philosophy and theology that was different from the mainstream Christian beliefs and some say he worshipped the devil. To those who are familiar with Crowley & his life & work, do you think he was evil, a brilliant thinker, crazy, or all of the above?
2006-09-01 06:26:21 · 11 answers · asked by Red 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Yes to all. If you read his work for yourself, you can see the brilliant parts, the progressive thinking, the turning away from the evils of traditional religion, the strong desire to remove guilt from sexuality and the deep flaws of a man who drove himself to and perhaps over the brink of insanity.
Magic Without Tears is a good start. After that, I would recommend Colin Wilson's Nature of the Beast as a good biography.
You will begin to realize- once you note that Crowley's heyday was the early 1900's- that his work is responsible for the later popularity of Tarot, astrology, Kaballah, talismans (lucky charms) and do-it-yourself rituals along with Satanism, Wicca, modern Paganism and much more.
Can you read with a critical mind? Can you look at written material without taking it deeply into your mind. If you can't, don't read Crowley. He writes very persuasively and authoritatively, even when he is writing about his most insane ideas. It isn't really dangerous to read it, but believing it could cause you some trouble. But it explains a lot about New Age beliefs.
Good luck.
2006-09-01 06:47:36 · answer #1 · answered by anyone 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Aleister Crowley no doubt was brilliant and thorough, haughty and insufferable. He called things like he saw them. He prided himself on being able to shock everyone from his mother onward.
He did not worship the devil, as the Christians understand the devil. He did take for himself the title "The Wickest Man Alive" and "666, The Beast". With that said, he also wrote that "Every man and woman is a star" and "Do what Thou Wilt shall be the Whole of the Law."
Crowley was an accomplished yoga adept. His control over his mind and body he fearlessly chronicled. Sometimes he failed. His addiction to opiates and cocaine is well-known. His open enjoyment of sex was even more scandalous, at the time.
Crazy? I don't think I can judge. Useful, somewhat. His 777 is the best book out there on correspondences.
He was never initiated into any regular Masonic Lodge. He seems to have bought his diploma down in Mexico. I know, I know, the anti-Masons like to bring up Crowley as a Mason. I don't believe he would ever have done Entered Apprentice or Fellowcraft work.
He died overweight, addicted, and alone. Someone correct me if I am wrong about that. Myself, it is not a lifestyle I would choose, but he pushed himself beyond all society's norms.
Time to go listen to Ozzie's "Mr. Crowley" (the one with Yngwie on it) just for oldtime's sake.
2006-09-01 06:40:16 · answer #2 · answered by NeoArt 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
There is a thin line between sanity and madness.
I think he was an addict. I think he was brilliant . I feel he made huge contributions to the occult and what is referred to as the Craft. There are some that will swear he was evil others will say misunderstood. Who is really to say. While I am not crazy about all his work, I appreciate the contributions he made.
Blessings )O(
2006-09-01 06:35:31 · answer #3 · answered by Epona Willow 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I'm not sure but it seems that Christians assume anything non-Xian has to do with devil worship. I would take WHO wrote any articles on his being a devil worshiper with that in mind. There are probably many different theologies that don't believe any of the Xian myth, including the Satan part. I would think he was just some non-Xian author.
2006-09-01 06:34:41 · answer #4 · answered by strpenta 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Al was an important religious leader in his time, and just like so many religous leaders now, he used all his powers to get money, have affairs and influence politics.
Religions come in all shapes but the leaders seem pretty much the same: greedy, petty and bigoted.
2006-09-01 06:34:01 · answer #5 · answered by newsgirlinos2 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
He was a seeker of power!
It caused him to go deeper and farther!
He died, not understanding!
2006-09-01 07:01:16 · answer #6 · answered by Grandreal 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think he was evil - maybe weird - but people label things "EVIL" when they don't understand or are scared.
2006-09-01 06:28:50 · answer #7 · answered by ηιgнт ѕтαя 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
ALL of the above!
2006-09-01 06:28:21 · answer #8 · answered by david s 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
http://www.illuminati-news.com/art-and-mc/aleister_crowley1.htm
2006-09-01 07:29:30 · answer #9 · answered by LIZARD 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The answer to this entire, long question is......"Yes"
2006-09-01 06:29:16 · answer #10 · answered by Augustine 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋