gregory
Crowley was always on the look out for spare cash. And sometimes people were stupid enough to give it to him. But considering the pocket-change sums involved I seriously doubt he would ever make it onto the list of the worlds greatest con-men and fraudsters. But of course, as in a lot of other areas, Crowley is a special exception. If it were anyone else no one would bat an eyelid.
But when you see the common "popular" reaction to Crowley's sex life you would think he murdered people after having sex with them. By today's standards Crowley sex life is nothing special. People today are doing way more crazy stuff then he ever did, and no one cares. But, as in a lot of other areas, Crowley is a special case.
Over the years I've been involved in loads of discussions about Crowley's character and behaviour. But I'm always surprised when liberal, tolerant and open-minded people I know well, suddenly transform into puritanical prudes when it comes to Crowley's sex life. I just don't get it.
Who hasn't at some time or another in their life acted badly and screwed someone else over to get their own way? But the common reaction is a pretence of being as pure as the driven snow. Next comes the feigned indignation and mock outrage with a hefty dose of moral finger wagging.
Oh you naughty boy, Crowley! I would never do anything like that.
Crowley IS a special case and he WAS a remarkable man. That does not mean he was a totally good guy. I'm not saying people today don't do questionable things. But that doesn't mean what he did WASN'T questionable. And IF I were "judging him" - which I am absolutely not - I would absolutely "judge him" in exactly the same way as I would anyone else. What he and many others, then and now, do and did was often thoroughly dodgy. YOU are the one judging me by implying that I'm puritanical, a prude, mock-outraged, wagging a finger and the rest. Which I most certainly am not. I am not actually particularly anti anything he did, none of it shocks me, and I think he was great. But it was dodgy - a lot of it.
I am NO prude. Ask Lillie. And when have I for one MOMENT suggested any degree of intolerance. I think Al was very special indeed. His outrageousness was part of what made him who he was, for goodness sake. BUT - you are rather making my case about Perdurabo for me - I quote myself:
The whole thing feels like some kind of deliberate effort to try and rehabilitate, to make him look respectable - and respectability has nothing to do with this. He was what he was, which was something rather special. Trying to write him up as dry as dust, with ever such distinguished associates will not make his detractors any less detracting.
You seem, au contraire de moi, to be trying to suggest he was perfect, without blemish. That is far from the truth and detracts from everything he was and stood for. If you want to believe Uncle Al was as white as the driven snow - good luck to you. But that takes away most of what made him what he was.