I learned a new word this past week. Well, truth be told, it's not that it is a new word (since I've seen it before in places) but that I've actually figured out what it means in context. (No pun intended) And, oh boy, are we as Thelemites hugely guilty of this practice!
It's called prooftexting. Or to prooftext something. I've always called it by how I was raised: out of context. But apparently one word is better than three.
How many verses can you think of that are prooftexted all the time?
How about this one: "the slaves shall serve" (AL 2.58)?
Or this one: "This shall be your only proof. I forbid argument" (AL 3.11)? Or this one right behind it: "Success is thy proof: argue not; convert not" (AL 3.42)?
Or how about this one: "As brothers fight ye!" (AL 3.59)?
Just a few more of my favorites:
- For pure will, unassuaged of purpose, delivered from the lust of result, is every way perfect. (AL 1.45)
- take your fill and will of love as ye will, when, where and with whom ye will! (AL 1.51)
- certainty, not faith, while in life, upon death; peace unutterable, rest, ecstasy (AL 1.58)
- Behold! the rituals of the old time are black. Let the evil ones be cast away (AL 2.5)
- To worship me take wine and strange drugs whereof I will tell my prophet, & be drunk thereof! (AL 2.22)
- Also reason is a lie. (AL 2.32)
