Many are anxiously awaiting the return of the vampires. However, for some they never left.
This growing minority considers vampires to be part of its religion. We're not talking ancient Mesopotamians. We're talking modern-day Americans.
There is a current rise in what's been termed "predatory spirituality" or "vampire religion." Followers of this path are described as a "subculture comprised of people who feel they have been sucked dry by supposed progress and abandoned by the decaying artifacts of religion." This subculture is said to be "composed of highly intelligent and creative individuals."
One such group is known as The Temple of the Vampire. It has been a "legally registered church" since 1989. Other groups are less formal, and describe themselves as "spiritual paths." What they all have in common is a belief in the reality of vampires that feed upon the energy and/or blood of humans. What they also have in common is the feeling that they are not fully functional (or at peace) without feeding upon the "psi" and/or "sang" of others.
Various practices exist within these groups. One is the participation in subtle energy work such as Reiki (which is not at all to say that every Reiki participant shares these beliefs). Another is the (legal) donation and drinking of human blood. (Some members have even compared this latter practice to the Catholic Eucharist, referencing the eating/drinking of Christ's body/blood.)
There are also "scriptural" readings such as The Vampire Bible (which purports to teach The Temple of the Vampire way of life in "less than fifty pages of condensed and clear language"), The Vampire Creed (which explains "how the Vampire views life, God, heaven, hell, death, animals, reason, and survival"), and The Coming Apocalypse (this "closing chapter" of The Vampire Bible speaks of "the ancient origins of the Vampire as a living God" and "the role of the Vampire in the world yet to come").
The questions remains: Is "predatory spirituality" an oxymoron? Or is it, instead, yet another variation on the need that all humans have for profound nourishment that they're currently lacking?
Comments
What does this even have to do with Twilight? The Temple of the Vampire has been around since 1989. Twilight? 2006. So no, Twilight is not a religion, though the title of your article does suggest that it is becoming one. People like you are killing responsible journalism with your sensationalist headlines.
as a Reiki master/teacher, it is rather surprising to be using that tool for Vampirism , knowing that it is only use for good! but then again there are so many branches that have been formed from the Usui Method. I am curious to know which one has taken their fancy....!
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