Post #4024171

2026-07-23 01:49 UTC

"Magical thinking", as a term and a concept, exists because #magic is seen as forbidden. If magic were an accepted discipline in human society it would become formalized and tamed by the need for a collective set of ethics, as well as the necessity of interacting smoothly with the rest of society. But because mainstream Christianity has become terminally obsessed with mere secular dominion and absolute control over humanity, "Western" society regards magic as superlatively sinful and that attitude carries over into irreligious fields like science. Bigotry, most especially #antisemitism, plays a key role. One of the worst general slanders against Judaism is that Jews are doing evil magicks, am accusation that has been terribly inflamed by European occultists who feel at liberty to steal things from Jewish mystics. (cont'd)

Replies (1)

@mxchara@seattle.pink 2026-07-23 01:54

Aleister Crowley was an especially abundant appropriator and mimic of non-European traditions and he was especially fond of pasting bits and pieces of Kabbalah, which is the general name for Jewish mystical lore, into his ceremonial magick. Crowley was also a British bigot of the worst description so his thefts from Judaism have easily coexisted with the ancient British tradition of antisemitic hatred--which has had a decisive influence on the evolution of #Zionism. Modern-day Israel exists BECAUSE Great Britain was, and still is, bubbling and festering with antisemitism oozing from every pore of conventional British culture and society (e.g. #JKRowling and #HarryPotter.) The antisemitic cliches about malicious Jewish sorceries (forgive the blunt language) have been extremely durable. They currently pervade U.S. politics and especially right-wing conspiracy theories. (cont'd)

Open ##4024240