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The Open Door Policy By Frater M.O. | |
Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.  In the morning Carl showers and shaves while Pat(1) puts on her make-up. Carl dresses in his Sunday best even though it is not Sunday. He pays attention to the small details by giving himself a quick manicure. Pat appears pristine and is ready to go but she understands how important it is for Carl to look his best. She waits patiently at the bottom of the stairs in a tasteful skirt and jacket set with an ultra-white ruffled blouse. They leave their home, both perfectly coifed prepared to attack a new day.I am unaware of their shoes clacking rhythmically up my driveway. I am still asleep. I wake to the robust knock on my front door from Carl's enthusiastic hand. I glance to the digital clock on the night stand glowing a red 8:02 am as I slowly roll out of bed and stumble to the front door. I wonder who it could be so early in the morning, it must be important. I look out the door's peephole to recognize Carl's balding head and Pat's Vaseline toothed grin. Wiping the sleep from my eyes, I tell them, "I'll be with you in a second, just going to throw on some pants." When I finally crack open the door, Carl and Pat are greeted by my crumpled T-shirt and morning breath. I have also purposely left my fly unzipped and pose appropriately. I don't think to apologize for my appearance and they are never surprised to see me looking disheveled. Of course I never expect an apology from them either, as they have never been invited to my home in the first place. They are Jehovah's Witnesses(2). My Jehovah's Witnesses using enthusiastic knuckles to wake me on several mornings. On this morning I am met by warm but formal smiles. I invite them in to split a bowl of Fruit Loops or Sugar Smacks but I am politely refused. I insist they share a kosher loganberry flavored Pop-Tart, again I am refused. Carl begins with a meaningful line from Thessalonians chapter four. At the end of the quote he pauses dramatically for its wisdom to sink in while Pat nods in agreement. I quietly listen as Carl presses on. As he talks I wonder whether they have a particular mission to convert me. Maybe they get paid in special 'Jesus Points' for each conversion. Later they would redeem these points for prizes in the same way I sold chocolate bars for the Cub Scouts. After a few minutes Carl finishes and waits for my thoughts. It is now my turn. Our dialogue is civil but in utter disagreement. Our main conflict lies in interpretation. I resist the urge to use sarcasm to refute his case that might be considered gross overstatements of quasi-fact. At the end forty-five minutes Pat and Carl shake my hand with genuine smiles and extend some literature for my perusal. I gladly accept the material and forget to zip up my pants for the rest of the day. I recall days as a kid when my father would have gruffly slammed the door in their faces before the word, 'Thessalonians' could be spoken. We would all howl with laughter as my father mocked their lack of freethinking and clean clothes. Oddly, it is only after the study of magick and occult philosophy that I have chosen to listen. I listen because I desire to understand and explore myself and the world around me. I consider myself a seeker. Although I assume I will learn nothing from my friendly neighborhood zealots, I still let them in. I recognize that along my path I look under rocks and in deep dark caves and often miss what is right in front of me. Wisdom can show up at the most unusual places, even my own front door. Carl and Pat are symbolic of honoring what the Universe gives me without having to seek. I have been a accused of just 'goofing on them." Wasting their time and mine by listening to their sometimes misguided and paranoid fanaticism. I would be lying if I said part of me is not doing just a little "goofing" because most days I think I have it all figured out. Carl and Pat don't seem to mind and there is so much more to figure out. This evening, I will read their literature cover to cover and look up most of the biblical references instead of watching Temptation Island 3. I won't be missing much. I am grateful because their literature is never longer than a pamphlet and it provokes thought, even if to only disagree and an opportunity to learn more about what I believe in. In the fall my Jehovah's Witnesses will return to offer a piece of their world to me free of charge and for a moment making my journey no more complicated than eating Fruit Loops in the doorway. Questions, comments and hate mail are strongly encouraged. By the way these thoughts do not necessarily reflect the ideals of Cor Lucis as a whole or its members... but they might. 1) Names have been changed to protect the innocent. 2) There is no evidence to support ‘Jehovah' being the ineffable name of God. Love is the law, love under will.
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