Welcome To The Mid-Michigan Temple Of Priapus

Who Was Priapus?

Priapus was The Greek God of Fertility, son of Dionysus and Aphrodite. His cult spread to Greece during the time of Alexander. He personified male procreative power.

From the earliest days of civilization in practically all cultures there has been devotion to Life and its source, the procreative powers of human life. These cults have manifested themselves in various ways appropriate to the ethnic group involved, but in all groups there has been a great devotion to the penis as not only the organ of life production but also of beauty. In our own cultural history, which has been so greatly influenced by the Mediterranean interest in Priapus and Priapic worship, has had a significant presence in the life of the people. Even in more northern Germanic, Slavic and Scandinavian lands there has been a similar cultic interest, as witness the steeples characteristic of those areas. Even in the early days of the Christian communities, there were those sects involved in erotic worship practices, often times in the nude, in which ritual intercourse was part of the worship experience. We have witness to this in some of the pagan Roman writings in criticism of the Christians. Likewise, we can appreciate the interest and prevalence of these sectarians by the repressive actions taken by the Judaic-Christian communities in the course of religious history. Nevertheless these expressions of cultic worships have never been completely suppressed nor have they died out. The cultic practice resurrects from time to time when appropriate or there is a need for their presence in society, of course, never without criticism, hardship and persecution. In our own era we have gone through a period of sexual liberation, in which repressive attitudes towards sex have been reviewed and found wanting, and not appropriate to the needs of men and women. And in recent years we have seen the emergence of Priapic worship spring up around the country in varying forms, largely among the gay men of our society. (It would seem that there is no need to exclude females from this worship expression, but for the present they are perhaps not yet culturally or spiritually attuned thereto.)

Why has this taken place and for what purpose?

To a great extent these beautiful people have come to recognize the beauty of the penis and its creative power as well as its being a source of joy and pleasure, as well as a binding force in humanity. The varying forms of erotic relationships have been found incomplete until one realizes the great importance of the penis above and beyond a temporary vehicle of pleasure and procreation, as well as natural elimination. Devotees have been inspired to search for a deeper meaning to sexual expression apart from establishing a family, and have through meditation come to realize the cock as the source of life, joy, beauty and pleasure and hence and "honorable part" of the body and worthy of worship. Rightly so, for when one comes to understand this sexual behavior among consenting and enlightened males takes on a new and beautiful act and an act of peace, love and beauty. Then there is no rape or sex abuse.

Worship can take varying forms, but in all places surely the honoring of the penis on each and every devotee is characteristic regardless of race, age or personal beauty of the person. Barriers, which might exist in other social situations, fall not only during the cultic gathering but also the outlook of the devotee is enriched in such a way that he ignores previous prejudices. The penis itself has become a thing of beauty, to be admired and honored and its emission regarded with reverence and joyfully consumed in communion with others present. Furthermore, the penis is never mutilated through personal decision and at appropriate times and circumstance revealed with pride and pleasure. Inhibitions depart. Worship experiences as a Priapic Community occur on a regular basis together with educational procedures, but likewise there is devoted a given amount of time per week to the relief of sexual tensions of self and others. Truly, this form of expression commends itself to the needs of many in society and should be properly encouraged. It also helps all of us to rid ourselves of repression by reason of a misinformed society.

Official Creed Of Priapus:

We believe that unfilled sexual desire, which Jesus called lust, causes hate, anger, greed and envy: and that wallowing in these sins causes crime, violence, war, unhappiness and disease; and that sex can destroy evil.