Selects: The Tale of the Church of the SubGenius

The Church of the SubGenius, a parody religion and social satire, finds its roots in the shared countercultural interests of its founders, Ivan Stang and Philo Drummond, and their creation of the iconic figure, J.R. "Bob" Dobbs.

Chance Meeting: Ivan Stang and Philo Drummond Bond Over Counterculture, Comic Books, and Extremist Pamphlets

The church, a haven for outcasts and "weirdos" before the era of internet communities, was brought into existence by two Texan misfits, originally known as Douglas St. Clair Smith and Steve Wilcox. These two individuals, who didn't quite fit into mainstream society, were introduced by a mutual friend who sensed they would connect over their eccentric tastes in comic books, musicians like Frank Zappa, Captain Beefheart, and their intrigue with extremist pamphlets, which ranged from religious screeds to white supremacist rants.

Stang and Drummond's 1970s Satirical "Religion" on Cults, Consumerism, and Society

Stang, who grew up in a secular humanist scientist family, and Drummond, with a more conservative background, found commonality in their fascination with the oddities of pseudo religions, New Age beliefs, and the sheer gullibility of people. Their satirical religion emerged as a critique of the danger they saw in humans imposing their beliefs on others, and the two were particularly inspired by L. Ron Hubbard's success in establishing Scientology. This inspiration mirrored their critique of people's blind belief and conformity without questioning the systems they adhere to.

Creation of Church's Central Figure J.R. "Bob" Dobbs, First Subgenius Pamphlet Produced

The character of J.R. "Bob" Dobbs was concocted by Stang and Drummond us ...

The Church of the Subgenius posits unique beliefs, centralizing the pursuit of "Slack" as the cornerstone of living a content and fulfilling life.

Concept of "Slack" as Central Tenet of Church

Slack Embodies Contentment and Minimal Effort, Contrasting Mainstream Culture and Consumerism

The Church of the Subgenius promotes Slack as its major philosophy and tenet. Slack represents a state of contentment where everything goes one’s way, and happiness is achieved with minimal effort. It is deeply personal and must be self-defined rather than forced upon an individual. This contrasts starkly with mainstream culture and consumerism, which promote a false sense of slack through pre-planned recreation and days dictated by someone else's agenda.

Clark characterizes Slack as a state akin to stonedness without the need for drugs. It's about not working, avoiding unnecessary dress codes, enjoying oneself, and finding satisfaction in just being. Thus, Slack differs for every person; for some, it may mean achieving small goals, while for others, it could merely be relaxation.

Church Teaches All Are Born With Original Slack, Which Conspiracy Tries to Take Away

The Church teaches that all people are born with "original Slack," which over time, gets eroded by "the conspiracy" through enforced norms and expectations. This conspiracy is responsible for creating an illusory life filled with consumer culture's distractions that non-Subgenii buy into. Members of the Church of the Subgenius are encouraged to reclaim the Slack that has been taken from them since birth.

According to the Church, the conspiracy, originally seen as 'the man' or the establishment, evolves to include any event that disrupts personal plans, like bad weather or other annoyances, all of which are seen as methods designed to strip individuals of Slack.

Distinction Between "Rewardians" and "Emergentiles" In Achieving Slack

Within the Church's practices, there exists a distinction between two approaches to achieving Slack: the " ...

The Church of the Subgenius often bewilders onlookers, blending satire and absurdity to comment on social norms and consumer culture.

Church's Use of Parody and Absurdism to Critique Conformity and Consumerism

Described as a parody of religions and cults—specifically UFO sex cults—The Church of the Subgenius is a humorous rebellion against societal norms and conformist consumer culture. The Church's approach is notably absurdist, utilizing exaggerated humor to critique and mock prevalent cultural trends and showcasing its satirical nature through its media.

The Church's Media Aimed to Confuse, Shock, and Amuse Outsiders

The Church of the Subgenius's pamphlets, bearing messages like "The world ends tomorrow and you may die," aim to amuse some while shocking others. Chuck Bryant likens the church's events to a Spinal Tap concert—a fusion of serious and humorous performance. These 'devivals', as they are called, are places for attendees to freely express themselves. They highlight the church's non-serious stance with their motto "F them if they can't take a joke."

The Church's humor often employs poor taste and shock value as a means of opposing political correctness, targeting those too wrapped up in the culture it mocks. True followers, or 'Subgenii', are considered to have yeti blood and are expected to resist conformity and exploit 'pink boys'—those brainwashed by society's norms.

The Church's Appeal to Overly Zealous Followers

Although intended as a peaceful assembly with no intent of harm, Josh Clark and Chuck Bryant recognize that some followers may take the Church's message too seriously, drawing comparisons to "Fight Club."

Distress Over Church Not Being a Real Religion Led To Tensions

The founders, Stang and Filo, used parody to see if others shared their sense of humor, jokingly comparing themselves to Jim Jones. While they did find like-minded individuals, the Church's subversive humor occasional ...

The Church of the SubGenius has explored the realms of counterculture movements and satirical messaging. Its evolution from underground success to a contentious entity struggling to retain its spirit in a consumerist world forms the crux of a fascinating cultural narrative.

Church's 1980s-1990s Underground Success

The Church of the SubGenius grew from humble beginnings into an underground icon by attracting individuals who resonated with its unique ethos.

The Church Attracted Counterculture Groups, Including Mark Mothersbaugh and Penn Jillette

After facing initial rejection from publishers, the Church of the SubGenius achieved success with its literature. Stang, one of the founders, was able to make a living through the Church's offerings, drawing support from individuals who appreciated the foundation of the Church, not because they were fooled into contributing.

In the 1980s, the Church gained traction within counterculture circles, capturing the interest of prominent figures such as Mark Mothersbaugh of Devo, Penn Jillette, Nick Offerman, Richard Linklater, and Paul Reubens. Reubens even included a nod to the Church with a head of Bob Dobbs on a collage in Pee Wee Herman's Playhouse. The Church appealed to the outcasts and was notably a place for like-minded individuals, particularly men, to meet, as acknowledged by several women from the original group.

The Church's Struggle to Retain Its Spirit Amid Absurd, Consumerist World

As the world entered the age of the internet and a booming consumer culture in the 1990s, the Church of the SubGenius faced new challenges that threatened its very essence.

Satirizing Church's Message Harder as World Mirrors Parody

The Church, renowned for its satirical take on society, ...