AISB, I don't like the word 'genius,' 'coz it's used too promiscuously nowadays, so I don't wanna say Clark Ashton Smith WAS a genius. But I can't doubt he HAD genius. Similarly, I don't like the word 'maverick,' 'coz etc, but I'm happier to say CAS was a maverick. If someone ignorant of him were asked to read, say, 'The Dark Eidolon' and then guess where and when he had lived and what his background and education had been, I don't think they'd get very close to the truth. CAS is not good evidence for environmental inevitabilitism. He was heretically heterodox, not obtusely orthodox. Inter alia, he didn't have any time for organized religion. So it puzzles me that a CAS fan can think like this:

** I don't disagree that it's problematic to claim not to be sexist and racist while enjoying the benefits of being a white male. What I will say is that, intellectually, I oppose overt sexism and racism, because I think they are stupid and unfounded. To what degree I succeed in eliminating such bigotry in my own behavior is another matter. **

If the Lord Jesus had thought like that, he wouldn't just've ACCEPTED crucifixion, he'd've supplied the cross, nails and hammer. And ordered his disciples to take care of the strippin', whippin', spittin', crownin', escortin', nailin' and erectin', thus saving the Romans further fuss'n'fluster. I'm not religious myself, so I don't believe in the Lord Jesus. And I don't believe in Original Sin neither, whether it's the original sin of being born human (as Christianity preaches) or the original sin of being born white male (as Antisexiracism preaches).....

N.B. Please don't see this as an attack: I am GENUINELY puzzled that a fan of a maverick like Clark Ashton Smith could so readily accept the dogmas of an organized religion. Not that I think such fans are rare, tho' I've never seen a CLEARER expression of the religion they follow. And OK, it's not a TRADITIONAL religion, tho' it's certainly retained all the ancient traditions of hypocrisy, manipulation and moneygrubbing.

Final thought: In terms of issues around semantics/thealogy, 'overt sexism and racism' should be 'DELIBERATE/WILLFUL sexism and racism'... Covert sexism and racism are in fact an increasing concern of the Kult and some in the hierarchy are undoubtedly hoping to leverage early research like this into something more practical'n'portable. (Engaging issues around theology with Xtians, I've sometimes felt I understand their religion better'n they do. I'm feeling the same here.....)

My dear young friend - two items: you clearly do not understand the Christian Religion, but then, most practitioners don't either - if it matters to you, I can commend Robert Graves' "King Jesus", wherein he deliberately (read the postscript first) omits the footnotes, all of which can be found if needed by the diligent; In this novel he reveals far more than most can handle, and opinions, most of which I share, for which, if openly espoused would lead one to stake or the arena -

Secondly, re "genius" - I always liked Schopenhauer's statement - Talent hits a target no one else can hit; genius hits a target no one else can see.
And I would add, that by his "seeing" our vision is enlarged.
my very best to you in your quest - question everything -

calonlan Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------
> My dear young friend - two items: you clearly do
> not understand the Christian Religion, but then,
> most practitioners don't either - if it matters
> to you, I can commend Robert Graves' "King Jesus",
> wherein he deliberately (read the postscript
> first) omits the footnotes, all of which can be
> found if needed by the diligent;

Sorry, canolan -- AISB, I'm not religious. So ex cathedra pronunciamenti de haut en bas don't work on me. If you want to point how you THINK I've 'misunderstood' Christianity, I will do my best to avoid straying from the Path in future.

As for Graves: GOODBYE TO ALL THAT is almost a classic and THE WHITE GODDESS and GREEK MYTHS are v. interesting, but he was not a good scholar. Good scholars do not claim certainty about inherently uncertain things. They leave that to amateurs and ego- and theomaniacs.

> Secondly, re "genius" - I always liked
> Schopenhauer's statement - Talent hits a target no
> one else can hit; genius hits a target no one else
> can see.
> And I would add, that by his "seeing" our vision
> is enlarged.
> my very best to you in your quest - question
> everything -

InCLUDing the advice to 'question everything'? (As the Cretan might have asked...)