Alan Watts was an English writer, philosopher and orator who was singularly skilled in interpreting Eastern religions and philosophies and distilling them into easily understood and appealing sentiments for Western audiences. He moved to the US to study religion as a young man, earning a master's degree in theology and becoming ordained as an Episcopalian priest. Having been interested in a wide range of Eastern religions even as a youngster growing up, he furthered his education in this area at various institutions in the US. He really came into his own in the 1950s and '60s, when he started writing and speaking prolifically in the US and elsewhere on the subjects that were so much a part of his life.
He dabbled on the fringes of new age celebrity status during that time, associating with the likes of Aldous Huxley, Timothy Leary et al., but still remains largely unknown to many.
Though his books have remained relatively popular since his death in 1973, with the burgeoning power of the Internet to disseminate information, he continues to gain posthumous praise and new fans.
Besides his books and essays, he made dozens of recorded lectures. Usually generalist and topical in nature, they tie in some aspect from any number of religious teachings that originate in Eastern countries and are applied to something that was (and usually still is) relevant to the audience of the day.
Possessing a sonorous and easy-to-listen-to voice, the recordings would be a good starting point for anyone interested in exploring different spiritual outlooks from around the globe. A highly skilled speaker, Watts never talks down to the audience, and despite the sometimes annoying habit of laughing at his own jokes (and thus prompting the rapt audience members to erupt as well,) these are some truly thought-provoking pieces.
The recorded lecture entitled "Sex and the Church" concentrates on Christianity more than the Eastern religions he normally talked about, though inevitably comparisons enter into Watts' discussion.
Though every organized religion seems to have strange and distorted views of human sexuality, Christianity has forged a monumentally fucked-up and repressive obsession with the human genitalia and related urges. At the same time, Watts argues, this dominant role that sex plays in the church is also an undeniable indication of its importance in Christianity.
At the root of most major condemnations that flow from Bible beaters and their leaders are those related to the pelvic thrust. Not lies, not attempts to defraud, not hatred, malice or violence, but primarily any and all things sexual. "Living in sin" and anything "immoral" is almost inevitably related to some form of fucking that has not been authorized by the church. "Sexual regulation societies" is what Watts calls most Judeo/Christian-based churches in Western societies.
Article comments
1 - Eric Olsen
fascinating material presented very well - thanks Finkleman! I think the duality notion can be taken to absurd cnclusions but I agree the tension between opposities is much of what makes the world go round