But the keen and the proud, the royal and the lofty; ye are brothers!
As brothers fight ye!
~ Liber AL III:58-59 ~
As brothers fight ye!
~ Liber AL III:58-59 ~
Community is hard. Communication is hard. It’s easy for things to go sideways fast even under optimal circumstances. Add to that foundation a tradition of intellectual discourse that praises vigorous debate and a theology that pivots around the vigorous synthesis of opposites, and it’s amazing things aren’t sideways all the time! But we do well, and we do it by encouraging a culture that values treating all present with dignity and respect. Is the way you’re behaving facilitating others having a good time? If not, perhaps it’s time to choose another behavior. Is someone making your experience unpleasant (or worse)? Let them know! Ideally in a way that facilitates right relations ongoing. Our values include both frankness and conciliation. If that doesn’t help or if you don’t feel safe confronting directly, ask a member of the clergy for assistance.
As stated by former head of O.T.O. Aleister Crowley, if one finds themselves trapped in a conflict between an apparent spiritual insight and being a proper, considerate human being, one “should unhesitatingly stick to the course which ordinary decency indicates.” This is of course no simple matter to discern in the general sense, nor even in most particulars. The important step is to have this disposition as a primary consideration and trust our judgments to guide us appropriately.
Our temple exists in part to foster free and joyful relations among those in its community. While practices like sexual magick and figures like the Whore of Babylon factor very centrally into our theology, sexual conduct that is not between fully consenting adults is antithetical to freedom and is not tolerated. Freedom has no room for coercion, and refusing an unwanted sexual advance is not “un-Thelemic.” No person should ever be forced, pressured, or made to feel obligated to have sexual relations with any other person, for any reason. And remember, while it’s perfectly normal and encouraged for people to form relationships during earnest participation with their religious community, people come to our temple first and foremost for religious fellowship. Ours is a community built on mutual respect at all times.
The Values Statement of Ordo Templi Orientis
The Values Statement clarifies the principles underlying U.S. Grand Lodge planning and operations. All of the policies, initiatives, and other decisions of Sekhet-Maat must adhere to these principles. They are the ethical basis of our work.
For more information on the policies of Ordo Templi Orientis, USA, please see the Grand Lodge website.
Drug and Alcohol Policy
Sekhet-Maat events are DRUG AND ALCOHOL FREE with the exception of wine provided by the lodge for celebrations of the Mass and other occasions (non-alcoholic options are always available). Unauthorized consumption of these substances or intoxication on the property is forbidden.
As stated by former head of O.T.O. Aleister Crowley, if one finds themselves trapped in a conflict between an apparent spiritual insight and being a proper, considerate human being, one “should unhesitatingly stick to the course which ordinary decency indicates.” This is of course no simple matter to discern in the general sense, nor even in most particulars. The important step is to have this disposition as a primary consideration and trust our judgments to guide us appropriately.
Our temple exists in part to foster free and joyful relations among those in its community. While practices like sexual magick and figures like the Whore of Babylon factor very centrally into our theology, sexual conduct that is not between fully consenting adults is antithetical to freedom and is not tolerated. Freedom has no room for coercion, and refusing an unwanted sexual advance is not “un-Thelemic.” No person should ever be forced, pressured, or made to feel obligated to have sexual relations with any other person, for any reason. And remember, while it’s perfectly normal and encouraged for people to form relationships during earnest participation with their religious community, people come to our temple first and foremost for religious fellowship. Ours is a community built on mutual respect at all times.
The Values Statement of Ordo Templi Orientis
The Values Statement clarifies the principles underlying U.S. Grand Lodge planning and operations. All of the policies, initiatives, and other decisions of Sekhet-Maat must adhere to these principles. They are the ethical basis of our work.
- We support the liberty of the individual and the cultivation of self-respect, self-knowledge, self-discipline, and self-responsibility.
- We affirm the bonds of fraternity and expect fidelity, frankness, cooperation, mutual aid, and good faith among our members.
- We value hospitality in our community and promote peace, tolerance, truth, and respect to the Order within our temples and precincts.
- We advocate the principles of Scientific Religion and Universal Brotherhood, and oppose tyranny, superstition, and oppression.
- We accept and uphold the Law of Thelema as promulgated in the Book of the Law and the writings of the Prophet of the Aeon, Aleister Crowley.
- We believe that a membership free from unfair discrimination is essential to accomplishing our Mission, and reject doctrines that promote bigotry, prejudice, and intolerance.
For more information on the policies of Ordo Templi Orientis, USA, please see the Grand Lodge website.
Drug and Alcohol Policy
Sekhet-Maat events are DRUG AND ALCOHOL FREE with the exception of wine provided by the lodge for celebrations of the Mass and other occasions (non-alcoholic options are always available). Unauthorized consumption of these substances or intoxication on the property is forbidden.
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Sekhet-Maat is an officially recognized body of Ordo Templi Orientis, U.S.A.
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