With the close of February it seems right to leave the Agapemonites behind (see my previous posts this month).
But perhaps before I go I'll turn to the Daily Express last November. For in a quiet media corner amid the arrival of a new American presidency the living constituents of the family of Mr Smyth-Pigott came to court in London. Now the nature of bloggery is that links do not necessarily last - as I write you can read all about it by clicking HERE.
In the interests of a more lasting record we note first of all that, as any 21st century media would, the whole emphasis is placed on S - E - X. Now to be fair to Smyth-Pigott this is unlikely to prove his main problem at the Last Judgment for despite this juicy reporting, repeating some efforts from the media at the time, there is little evidence that Smyth-Pigott had multiple sexual relationships - perhaps just the child-bearing one outside his 'official' marriage. He certainly did have a harem of adoring and communal women followers.
There seems something hugely appropriate that the court case turns out to be all about one of the three great vices. Here, in memorial of a man who claimed divine Messianic power and who consequently enjoyed an indecent width of sex or sexual interest, is his 21st century resurrection as an issue in court - and it's all about vice number three, money. Money, Sex and Power.
What happened next?
Well, the family lost the case. Thus the £1 million is to be distributed by the Charity Commissioners to charities that most resemble the Agapemonites. Now there's a challenge.
An important footnote is that neither I nor our Church have been approached by the Charity Commissioners on this matter . . .
In the interests of a more lasting record we note first of all that, as any 21st century media would, the whole emphasis is placed on S - E - X. Now to be fair to Smyth-Pigott this is unlikely to prove his main problem at the Last Judgment for despite this juicy reporting, repeating some efforts from the media at the time, there is little evidence that Smyth-Pigott had multiple sexual relationships - perhaps just the child-bearing one outside his 'official' marriage. He certainly did have a harem of adoring and communal women followers.
There seems something hugely appropriate that the court case turns out to be all about one of the three great vices. Here, in memorial of a man who claimed divine Messianic power and who consequently enjoyed an indecent width of sex or sexual interest, is his 21st century resurrection as an issue in court - and it's all about vice number three, money. Money, Sex and Power.
What happened next?
Well, the family lost the case. Thus the £1 million is to be distributed by the Charity Commissioners to charities that most resemble the Agapemonites. Now there's a challenge.
An important footnote is that neither I nor our Church have been approached by the Charity Commissioners on this matter . . .
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