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Your Guide to Alternative Scripture

Asatru

The Asatru faith has no canonical texts, but Asatruar often consult the Eddas, or Norse epic poems, for stories about the Gods.

A quote from the Eddas, on the discovery of the alphabet:

"I know I hung
on the wind swept Tree
through nine days and nights

I was struck with a spear
and given to Odin,
myself given to myself.
They helped me neither
by meat nor drink
I peered downward,
I took up the runes,
screaming, I took them -
then I fell back."

Baha'i

Baha'is revere the writings of Baha'u'llah, Abdul-Baha and The Bab.

A Quote of the Baha'u'llah:

"O ye children of men! The fundamental purpose animating the Faith of God and His Religion is to safeguard the interests and promote the unity of the human race, and to foster the spirit of love and fellowship amongst men. Suffer it not to become a source of dissension and discord, of hate and enmity."

Cao Dai

The Tan Luat, or Canonical codes, outline Cao Dai belief and behavioral requirements.

A condemnation of gossip:

"Be sincere, consistent in both the presence and absence of others. Do not be respectful in the presence of individuals and then insult, condemn, or offend them in their absence. Do not remain aloof without trying to reconcile co-believers who do not agree with one another or are in conflict. Do not appropriate public materials for private use. Do not act out of personal interest to the detriment of public interest. Obey the Laws and Rules. Do not cling to your personal opinion and oppose the higher ranks/superiors, or be uncivil to the lower ranks. Do not use authority to repress the talents or abilities of others. "

Deism

Deism has no scriptures, as believers reject 'revealed' religion. Instead, we'll quote John Locke, Deist philosopher:

"No man's knowledge can go beyond his experience."

Druid/Celtic

The Mabinogion are important legends and stories of the old Celtic Gods.

A quote: "Fair Elphin, cease to lament!
Let no one be dissatisfied with his own,
To despair will bring no advantage.
No man sees what supports him;
The prayer of Cynllo will not be in vain;
God will not violate his promise.
Never in Gwyddno's weir
Was there such good luck as this night.
Fair Elphin, dry thy cheeks!"

Gnostic

Some of the most famous Gnostic texts are the Gospel of Thomas, The Gospel of Philip, and the Gospel of Mary Magdalene.

A cryptic quote:

"Jesus said, "This heaven will pass away, and the one above it will pass away. The dead are not alive, and the living will not die. In the days when you consumed what is dead, you made it what is alive. When you come to dwell in the light, what will you do? On the day when you were one you became two. But when you become two, what will you do?"

Hellenismos/Greek Revival

Important sources include the works of Homer and Hesiod.

A quote from Hesiod:

"Have reverence for him who needs a home and stranger's
dole, all ye who dwell in the high city of Cyme, the lovely
maiden, hard by the foothills of lofty Sardene, ye who drink the
heavenly water of the divine stream, eddying Hermus, whom
deathless Zeus begot."

Jainism

A lecture on non-action from the Akaranga Sutra:

"Knowing the misery that results from action, The deluded and careless one returns to life; Disregarding sounds and colours, upright, Avoiding Mara one is liberated from death."

Kemet

The best known Egyptian religious text is the Book of Coming Forth by Day, the Papyrus of Ani, or the Book of the Dead:

"Let my name be given to me in the Great House (Per-ur), and let me remember my name in the House of Fire (Per Neser), on the night wherein the years are counted up, and the number of the months is told. I am dwelling with the Divine One, I take my seat on the eastern side of the sky. "

Mandeism

An exerpt from the Ginzas, or prayer book:

"A crown of ether-light shone forth dazzlingly from the House of Life. 'Uthras brought it from the House of Life and the mighty First Life established it in His shkintas. He who setteth it up shall be set up and he who uplifteth it shall be raised up into the world of light and he who establisheth it into the enduring Abode. Ye are established and uplifted to the place where the righteous are established."

New Age

Rastafarianism From the Holy Piby:

"Work ye willingly with all thy heart with all thy soul and with all thy strength to relieve suffering and oppressed humanity, for by no other way can ye render integral service to the Lord your God."

Ritual Magick

There are numerous texts important to Ritual magicians, but none are canonical. However, among the most popular practical texts are the Tarot, The works of Aleister Crowley, Dion Fortune, and the Goetia.

From Aleister Crowley's Book of the Law:

"Now, therefore, I am known to ye by my name Nuit, and to him by a secret name which I will give him when at last he knoweth me. Since I am Infinite Space, and the Infinite Stars thereof, do ye also thus. Bind nothing! Let there be no difference made among you between any one thing & any other thing; for thereby there cometh hurt."

Satanism

The Satanic Bible by Anton LaVey is the most important work to many Satanists. However, it is one of the few religious texts not in the public domain. A quote:

"There is no heaven of glory bright, and no hell where sinners roast. Here and now is our day of torment! Here and now is our day of joy! Here and now is our opportunity! Choose ye this day, this hour, for no redeemer liveth! "


Sikhism

A few lines from the Sri Guru Granth Sahib:

"The whiner whines every day. His attachment to his household and entanglements cloud his mind. If someone becomes detached through understanding, he will not have to suffer in birth and death again."

Sufism

A quote from Rumi, Sufi Mystic:

"Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing
and rightdoing there is a field.
I'll meet you there.
When the soul lies down in that grass
the world is too full to talk about."

Taoism/Daoism


From the Tao Te Ching:

"To take all you want
Is never as good
As to stop when you should.
Scheme and be sharp
And you'll not keep it long.
One can never guard
His home when it's full
Of jade and fine gold:
Wealth, power and pride
Bequeath their own doom."


Yezidi

From the Mishef Resh (Black Book):

"A hundred years later Tawus Malak said to God, "What is this? Adam and his offspring are going to be numerous." God said to him, "Into your hands I have given this matter to minister." Then he came to Adam and said, "Have you eaten wheat?" He said, "No, because God forbade me." He said to him, "Eat of it. Things will prove better than they are now."

Zoroastrianism

The Canonical scriptures of Zoroastrianism are called the Avestas:

"I who have set my heart on watching over the soul, in union with Good Thought, and as knowing the rewards of Mazda Ahura for our works, will, while I have power and strength, teach men to seek after Right."


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