© fra Wyrmfang 2013
In the FAQ it is bluntly stated that “Our community is completely a-political, and political addresses are not allowed inside our society”. With respect to the fact, that all human action and thought can be seen as political – not necessarily the least when it claims to be a-political – this rule can quite well appear as self-refuting. However, what this means in practice is only that taking part in political discourses is not allowed by the mouth of the Star of Azazel or when one can be associated with the Star of Azazel in an obvious way. Why so? Isn´t there a common ground both behind political idealism and the idealism of the Star of Azazel in trying to create the world a better place by one´s own active participation? If the Star of Azazel has any ideals at all, doesn´t the actualization of these ideals always require concrete societal change? Taken in the most simple and literal sense, the answer to these questions must be “yes”, and there is indeed no bar for a member of the Star of Azazel for political activity as private person in a context not associated to the brotherhood.
Yet the Star of Azazel as a foundation is not and never will be committed to any particular political ideology, and no member must in any situation encourage the opposite picture. The term “idealism” has, a bit confusingly, two somewhat contradictory meanings, and both of these can even be associated with the famous aphorism, put in the mouth of Gandhi: “be the change you want to see in the world”. A person who has some political ideal as his highest aim can be called an idealist. He strives for this ideal to come true regardless of the current state of the world around him. Also in the Star of Azazel it is thought that the ideal of common good is an ultimate ideal to which personal happiness should be subordinated.
However, after a closer look, these two forms of idealism are of a completely different kind. Political idealism is always ultimately materialistic (not the least so when it uses “spiritual” concepts). It assumes that spiritual well-being is caused by a societal change. From the viewpoint of the materialistic world-view there is nothing wrong in this, and political idealism appears as the only plausible form of idealism. But political idealism (as a worldview) is clearly incompatible with the metaphysical idealism represented by the Star of Azazel. According to metaphysical idealism, nothing exterior to man can affect his/her spiritual development, but the seemingly exterior influences into man´s consciousness are ultimately called forth by the Self. In this case the possible ideal society of the future is always a consequence of collective spiritual development, and not the opposite (although viewed empirically the process moves from matter to spirit).
Metaphysical idealism might well be criticized for endorsing passivity and indifference. No doubt even a small amount of dishonesty in a metaphysical idealist´s intention can easily lead to otherworldly escapism. Yet it must be noted that there is as great a risk for political idealist to begin to think that the end justifies the means. Daily political conversation seems to suggest that even the ends have often been forgotten, and debasing one’s opponents while boosting one´s own political identity have become the main priorities.
A member of the Star of Azazel should avoid these polar extremes by acknowledging his/her weaknesses and acting accordingly. A person who has a strong will and vision should consider very carefully when engaging in action which aims at political change. Very often the decision to refrain from political activity might be the most honest choice, especially if there is even a small grain of secret ressentiment in one´s motives. On the other hand, a person who finds solitary inner contemplation most natural should seriously consider participating in societal activity so that he/she can make sure that his/her ideals are truly based on sincere motives and do not transform into cynicism immediately when one confronts the actual social & societal reality which could often be more beautiful than it currently is.
FINIS