Ordination Training, 5th Trinity Church

[elfwreck]

[incomplete very rough draft]

These are considered to be one example of an acceptable training course; individual programs and resulting titles may be tailored to the postulant by his/her mentor and/or the council.

What’s expected of a priestess of Eris: An understanding of the contents of Principia & several other (unspecified) Discordian works

Comments

[tyrsalvia]

http://www.discordian.com/reading.html

That's the reading list I have at the moment. It's not fully complete of course, but there are a few things not on your lists that you might want to add. In particular, _Finite and Infinite Games_ by James P. Carse and _The True Believer_ by Eric Hoffer are, I think, essential.

My only big question with this is how tightly controlled you expect to make the catma. As well you know, you and I have somewhat different philosophies regarding the Erisian semi-faith, and yet we're both dedicated and, yes, serious about what we're doing. I think as part of this training program, it would be good for someone to have exposure to multiple different veins of Discordian thought that don't just originate with their own immediate friends.

Also, you suggested they should attend a religious service from one other religion. I think you should up that to five other religions.

[tyrsalvia]

Oh.. one other question. When this does get off the ground, of course I'd like an official ordination. As a new program, would there be a way to prove I've completed all the coursework already, and perhaps make up any required work I've missed in the course of my life study?

I do consider myself clergy already, and I'm working on an overt training program for such. I have an AA in speech communication, and I'm working on my BA in same. After that, I'll either be going to the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology or Starr King divinity school. I've read most of the books on your list, seen most of the films, and completed most of the coursework you outline.

[elfwreck]

I 'spect that most people, at the beginning, are gonna get credit for life experience and stuff they've already read, done, and so on. No point in making people re-read or re-watch movies (except maybe Fight Club, which changes drastically on the second watching, and a bit more on the third).

And yeah, we've got our differences, but I assume Eris can handle that. I know what Eris has shown me is the One, True, Correct & Only way to be a Proper Discordian; the rest of you Improper Discordians are just gonna have to live with your incomplete understandings. If She showed you something else, that ain't my problem. If Eris wants me to change your mind, I'm sure She can find a way to let me know

[elfwreck]

I don't expect to make it tightly controlled... I want it loose & open, and anyone who gets through a program determined by their mentor or the council (which are both currently very, very fuzzy concepts) is qualified to modify, create, or mangle programs for others.

But I can't tell the IRS, "Any devout Discordian who wants to teach Discordianism and train priests and suchlike is qualified to create preeestly training programs for any other devout Discordians who are willing to pay attention to them." It makes bureaucrats twitchy.

They want lists; I can invent lists. I might even decide to follow the instructions on the lists.

Just take the phrase "much individual variation is permissible" with the most Erisian interpretation you can imagine. (Wouldn't want to discriminate against illiterate technophobic Discordians, but the plan would need some rather serious changes for them.)

[telarus]

I've been hoping you'd update this! I love it (in it's current form, and probably will as soon as it's changed too). I'd also really like to work towards getting it up and running, so please, keep updating, or mail me @ telarus@gmail.com

I think that a "large emough" group of us can ignore the whole "Discordians must stick apart" for "just long enought" to get this up and running!
I'd like to be there to help.