Discordianism

Hail Eris!

Discordianism is a modern, chaos-centered religion founded circa 1958–1959 by Malaclypse the Younger with the publication of the Principia Discordia. It is widely regarded as a parody religion, and has been called "Zen for roundeyes". Discordianism recognizes chaos, discord, and dissent as valid and desirable qualities, in contrast with most religions, which idealize harmony and order. The religion is largely composed of whimsical and absurd ideas, though many adherents claim there is a deeper meaning to their flippant attitude. Eris is the matron deity of the religion. (and also the name of the new 10th planet of our Solar System!) 

Like it or not, you've just become a Discordian Pope by seeing this image. And now have the power to name anyone you wish a Pope as well. You are infallible! Maybe!

Discordianism

Religions have Dogmas: established beliefs or doctrines held by a religion, ideology or any kind of organization, thought to be authoritative and not to be disputed or doubted. While in the context of religion the term is largely descriptive, outside of religion its current usage tends to carry other connotation — referring to concepts as being "established" only according to a particular point of view, and thus one of doubtful foundation. Discordianism only has Catmas: which are relative metabeliefs ;p

It is difficult to estimate the number of followers and correctly identify Discordian groups. This is because of the anarchist ethic that pervades Discordianism, which is reflected in the encouragement to form schisms and cabals. Additionally, few adherents hold Discordianism as their only or primary faith. Instead, Erisians tend to adopt Discordianism as a complement to other faiths.

The Principia Discordia contains the Law of Eristic Escalation. This law states that:

Imposition of Order = Escalation of Chaos

It elaborates on this point by saying that the more order imposed the longer it takes for the chaos to arise and the greater the chaos that arises. This can be read as an argument against zero tolerance and hard security, or just a statement about the world.

"Consult your pineal gland" is a common saying in Discordianism. Some Discordians seem to regard the pineal gland as the source of answers to life's most difficult questions. The pineal gland is believed by some, such as Dr. Rick Strassman (read this book DMT: The Spirit Molecule), to produce trace amounts of DMT (dimethyltryptamine), a psychedelic chemical which is believed to play a role in dreaming and other mystical states. It should also be noted that the pineal gland was also used in Descartes's explanation of Cartesian Dualism as the "seat of the soul" and the connection between the material and immaterial world. In some cases, it is referred to as "the atrophied third eye". It has also been suggested that the third eye (Ajna) physically resides at this location between the two hemispheres of the brain.

The most famous tale of Eris recounts her initiating the Trojan War. The goddesses Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite had been invited along with the rest of Olympus to the forced wedding of Peleus and Thetis, who would become the parents of Achilles, but Eris had been snubbed because of her troublemaking inclinations.

She, therefore (in a fragment from the Kypria as part of a plan hatched by Zeus and Themis) tossed into the party the Apple of Discord, a golden apple inscribed Kallisti – "For the most beautiful one", or "To the Fairest One" – provoking the goddesses to begin quarreling about the appropriate recipient. The hapless Paris, Prince of Troy, was appointed to select the most beautiful by Zeus. Each of the three goddesses immediately attempted to bribe Paris to choose her. Hera offered political power; Athena promised skill in battle; and Aphrodite tempted him with the most beautiful woman in the world: Helen, wife of Menelaus of Sparta. While Greek culture placed a greater emphasis on prowess and power, Paris chose to award the apple to Aphrodite, thereby dooming his city, which was destroyed in the war that ensued.

Read the Principia Discordia if you can withstand enormous amounts of laughter, FNORD?.