A PKD-inspired modern religion

I was thinking recently about L. Ron Hubbard and the creation and success of Scientology in the modern world, and although I have my misgivings about its practices it is interesting to see a modern religion inspired by the works of a science fiction author.

So I began thinking, what if Philip K. Dick had done something similar? VALIS and many of his other works had pretty heavy religious and spiritual elements to them. Very different in tone from L. Ron's stuff, and perhaps a bit too mystical and disjointed. But what if it had been consolidated into something coherant, a doctrine that could actually be followed?

Perhaps there could be a figure who does this for PKD after his death, in the same way that August Derleth was instrumental in pulling Lovecrafts works and estate together after his death. A John the Baptist to PKD's Jesus, able to package the mysticism and gnostic musings into something with mass appeal. The science fiction elements likely wouldn't hurt, given the success of Scientology, Raelians and the like in OTL.

I'm going to reread VALIS and some of his other more mystical works to get some ideas as to what such a religion would look like if it was organized in some fashion.
 

Cook

Banned
I was thinking recently about L. Ron Hubbard and the creation and success of Scientology in the modern world, and although I have my misgivings about its practices it is interesting to see a modern religion inspired by the works of a science fiction author.



I suddenly have the mental image of Tom Cruise on South Park screaming that he will sue everyone!*



*The above comment in no was endorses the prejudicial opinions of the authors of South Park, is not intended as a criticism of Scientology in any may, either literally or implied and should not be taken to be disapproval of Scientology, Dianetics, Ron L. Hubbard, Tom Cruise or anyone else, living, dead or imaginary.

south-park-tom-cruise.jpg
 
I could see this happening.

Perhaps if his death is delayed just enough for him to finish the Owl in Daylight, it might have been seen as the final part of the 'revelation' that inspires this religion. Delaying a stroke is a relatively simple POD, in my mind.
 
SF as source of new religions? Worshiping ASB's?

Philip K Dick was a very strange critter who wanted us to see the absurdities we put up with in everyday life. He was fascinated with the masks we all wear and the ever-shifting reality of identity based on the perceptions of who we are, what we value most against the external absurdities of life.
PKD's mysticism had almost a Buddhist flavor trying to pierce the Maya (mask of illusion and delusion vis-a-vis the world), struggling to see and be real IOW "enlightened". Whether psychedelics would be the vehicle or simply an assistant in that struggle is up in the air for me, because at heart, it's an exercise in epistemology.
You get there however you get there. I believe meditation can get you there without chemical help. Psychedelics can telescope that development and they can also scramble people's brains to porridge if the person tripping's overstimulated. At any rate, I don't think PKD really wanted to found a religion. Some fans who thought his ideas needed practical application would be the proselytizers and organizers
of that movement.
He and Kurt Vonnegut both used the theater of the absurd technique to critique society, especially the post-WW2 emphasis on conspicuous consumption and social conformity. Vonnegut came up with Bokononism
in Cat's Cradle clarifying that point.
PKD probably would inspire the Maya Society something to help keep society from getting too wrapped up in asserting eternal truths or a sense of static identity emphasizing fluidity of thought.
 
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