Are you hip to the Process Church of the Final Judgement trip?
No?
Perhaps you are hipper than you know!
After all – You are part of the Process whether you know it or not; and whether you like it or not!
What is the Process, you ask?
Good question.
Historically, the roots of what would become the Process Church of the Final Judgement germinated during 1965, in London, UK. Under the guise of Compulsions Analysis. A psychotherapy group formed by couple Robert Moor (aka Robert De Grimston) and Mary Ann MacLean. Who first met prior, when they were both briefly members of the Church of Scientology.
With Compulsions Analysis quickly moving with the times – Changing from its psychotherapy roots into more of a quasi-religious movement. Debuting under its new name, The Process in early 1966.
Later that same year members of the quickly growing group moved to The Bahamas and began searching for a place to settle. Eventually ending up in nearby Xtul, South Mexico. Where various visionary and mystical experiences culminated in them making contact with otherworldly forces. Who came to be known as The Beings.
A transformative experience which formed the basis of a whole new theology for the group. Which, by 1967, turned what was previously The Process into The Process Church of the Final Judgement. With Robert Moor changing his name to Robert de Grimston – Becoming The Church’s Teacher; and his partner Mary Ann, its Oracle.
From the collection of Alessandro Papa – archivist, writer, publisher, collector; and founder of modern Process organisation, the Museum Of Final Judgement.
With the aforementioned Beings the group encountered in Xtul coming to be seen as manifestations of Jehovah, Lucifer, Satan, and Christ. Each recontextualised and viewed through an occult lens:
- Jehovah as the god of order, war, duty, and discipline. Corresponding to the element Earth.
- Lucifer the god of chaos, love, harmony, and satisfaction. Corresponding to the element Air.
- Satan the god of separation and destruction. On the lower aspect; lust and indulgence of the body. On the higher; asceticism, and mysticism of the mind. Corresponding to the element Fire.
- Christ is the emissary of the gods, unity, and reconciliation of opposites. Corresponding to the element Water.
Beyond these Gods of the Universe is the Unknowable Infinite God.
For The Church, every person (yes, including you!) embodies the characteristics of all the Gods, but especially a combination of the attributes of two in particular – One to a greater degree than the other. Called their God Pattern.
For instance, a very dictatorial person is considered Jehovahian. Whereas a very laissez-faire person is considered Luciferian.
People who occupy the middle ground between the Gods are known as the Grey Forces. Conformists to normality who blindly follow intellectualism and materialism; without any heed to spirituality or their God Pattern.
The interaction of these respective forces being the Game of the Gods.
The Church and its teachings rode the esoteric zeitgeist that existed during the 1960s, and onto the 1970s. Publishing pamphlets, and a house magazine. Hosting events, connecting with celebrities, and undertaking other activities.
Spreading through chapters in Europe, the United States, and Canada. Until Robert and Mary slit in 1975, With Mary taking over and taking the group in a new direction – but that’s another story, for another day!
With The Process Church of the Final Judgement making a significant impact on culture and the many people who have encountered it since its inception – to this very day.
To name but some examples:
In the late ‘60s, Processeans (as their members are known) were a spectacle on the scene in major Western cities. Walking the streets dressed in black robes, with silver crosses hanging from their necks. Proselytising and selling their Process magazine. Containing writings, artwork, games, and more – Including interviews with celebrities hip to The Church such as Salvador Dali, Marianne Faithfull, Muhammed Ali, and others. With each issue of Process magazine being somehow linked to, and named after, a specific topic – Such as Sex, Fear, Death, and Mindbending.
The Church also hosted popular public events at their chapter houses including film screenings, Telepathy Developing Circles, Healing Meditations, and Sabbath Assembly (their weekly religious service). As well as operating their coffee house, Satan’s Cavern. Cementing their status as one of the key occult groups of the era.
In the early ‘70s, ‘The Family’, a book by Ed Sanders claimed Charles Manson had connections to The Church. Resulting in a court case that forced the retractation of Sanders’ claims from all future printings.
Other rumours about The Church being a Satanic group connected with ritual sacrifices and murders have been claimed by sensationalists over the years. However, there has never been any shred of evidence whatsoever to substantiate such accusations.
Music wise – Funkadelic’s 1971 album ‘Maggot Brain’ featured an excerpt from the ‘Fear’ issue of Process in its linear notes. With their 1972 album ‘America Eats Its Young’ also including a Church text. Due to Funkadelic leader George Clinton’s interest in, and connections to, the group.
Skinny Puppy titled their 1996 album ‘The Process’ after member Nivek Ogre was told about The Church by artist and musician Genesis P-Orridge.
Integrity also named their 1996 album ‘Humanity is the Devil’ after a Church publication. Along with singer Dwid Hellion giving his record label, Holy Terror Church of Final Judgment aka Holy Terror, an obviously Church inspired name.
In 2009 The Church was once again brought to global attention thanks to controversial, and much loved publisher Adam Parfrey. Who released various books about the group, along with re-prints of Process magazine; through his Feral House publishing company.
In 2010 cult apparel brand Mishka, run by noted head Greg Rivera, released a line of T-shirts in tribute to The Church. Shining a light on the group in the modern world of fashion.
More recently, Alessandro Papa, an Italian archivist, writer, publisher, and collector established the Museum Of Final Judgement to continue to promote The Church and it’s teachings today. Including re-publishing various Church texts and ephemera through End of Kali-Yuga Editions. Such as ‘The Process: Archives, Documents, Reflections and Revelations‘, first published in 2013.
Further, in 2015 came Neil Edwards’ documentary, ‘Sympathy for the Devil: The True Story of the Process Church of the Final Judgment.‘ A glorious, in-depth, and inspired insight into the group.
Neil Edwards’s 2015 documentary about The Church.
After learning about The Process Church of the Final Judgement, and but some of its many reverberations throughout culture – Do you still think it sounds like just another doomsday cult?
Another apocalyptic conspiracy theory?
Do you fail to understand how the world, and you, are part of The Process?
Well, don’t take my word for it – See for yourself.
Start by opening one of The Church magazines – Revered to this day for their graphics, writings, teachings, and overall vibe.
Pick the issue with a theme that piques your interest – Perhaps it is Sex, maybe Death, or Fear, Love; even Mindbending?
As you peruse the mesmerizing design of words and imagery, you will encounter yourself among the pages.
Your own God Pattern will be revealed to you as if you are looking at yourself in a mirror.
You can even take a God Pattern Quiz to admit which God you serve the most: Perhaps you are a commanding Jehovahian, a breezy Luciferian, or an indulging Satanist.
Through exposure to The Church and their teachings you, like countless others before and to come, will ultimately see where you stand on the board in the Game of the Gods – In which all of the God Patterns are weaved together as a tapestry through Christ for the End.
The End is nigh.
The Gods have come together to battle against the Grey Forces for the End.
The Process will reveal to you your role in the Game for the Judgement.
Follow your fate amongst the Gods, or fall as a fool!
From the collection of Alessandro Papa.
Sources and Further Information
Books
- ‘The Gods on War’, by Robert de Grimston; 1967
- ‘Humanity is the Devil’, by Robert de Grimston; 1968
- ‘The Gods and Their People’, by Robert de Grimston; 1970
- ‘Satan’s Power: A Deviant Psychotherapy Cult’, by William Sims Bainbridge; University of California Press, 1978
- ‘Love Sex Fear Death: The Inside Story of the Process Church of the Final Judgment’, by Timothy Wyllie; Feral House, 2009
- ‘The Process – Archives, Documents, Reflections and Revelations’, by Alessandro Papa; End of Kali-Yuga editions, 2013
- ‘Process Complete Collection Volume 1’, End of Kali-Yuga editions, 2022
- ‘Process Complete Collection Volume 2’, End of Kali-Yuga editions, 2023
Films and Videos
- Two 2023 interviews by Aither contributor Douglas Lucas with original members of The Church:
– Edward Mason (Brother Luke) – https://youtu.be/Xkm1W3v5RUM
– John Harvey (Brother Zachary) – https://youtu.be/RYICkYZpu2k - ‘Sympathy for the Devil: The True Story of the Process Church of the Final Judgment’; Neil Edwards’s 2015 documentary about The Church
Websites and Social Media
- The Process Church of the Final Judgement – Wiki Entry
- Museum Of Final Judgement – Facebook
- Museum Of Final Judgement – Instagram
“Christ said: Love your enemies.
Christ’s Enemy was Satan and Satan’s Enemy was Christ.
Through Love enmity is destroyed.
Through Love saint and sinner destroy the enmity between them.
Through Love Christ and Satan have destroyed their enmity and come together for the End;
Christ to Judge, Satan to execute the Judgement.
The Judgement is Wisdom; the execution of the Judgement is Love.”
– Robert de Grimston
Article art by Aither in-house artist, Dan Thrax.
All other images sourced online.
