Introduction

In the ever-evolving landscape of spiritual exploration, Baldism emerged as a unique and contemporary path, offering a set of philosophical and teleological practices derived from the Council of Aiea in the Holy Bjble.

To get a sense of what the first year was like for me in practicing this religion - you may want to read “A Year of Living in Baldism” which I wrote last year at this time.

As most of you already know, I am leaving Baldism and will be exploring a new path (the first fork of Baldism) for several important reasons which I go into in “Leaving Baldism, Forking Baldism” but before I leave completely, it occurs to me that I should share some of the very important lessons I’ve learned over this two-year experiment in birthing a new religion.

Title: "Baldism Unveiled: Navigating Syncretic Spirituality and the Challenges of Evangelizing without a Figurehead"

Rooted in the Bald Jesus Bible Living Edition (BJBLE), Baldism.org, and the teachings of the Council of Aiea, practitioners of Baldism embark on a journey defined by the central commandment: "Don't be a dick!" which due to the expletive nature of the word - I no longer choose to have as my defining mantra. However - I did learn some really important lessons along this journey and I want to share them with you.

‘Evolving’ existing ‘holy’ figures is a mistake.

The made-up figure of Bald Jesus serves as a central figure in Baldism, with the idea of transcending traditional notions of identity and form. Described as 'your bro,' Bald Jesus embodies a force for good, symbolizing unwavering support and steadfastness. The problem is that Bald Jesus is very clearly a made up caricature and is polarizing and offensive to those who embrace Christianity and to those who reject it. People need more than a symbolic figurehead. While I tried valiantly to incorporate the energy of truly holy and wise people I’ve encountered in this life, most people were blind to that (including the U.S. Patent Office) and only saw (from the rejection letter for the patent on Bald Jesus) “…the son of God but without hair.”

Challenges of Undefined Spirituality: Clear Definitions

Two years of evangelizing Bald Jesus who tells people that they innately know when they are misbehaving, made it increasingly clear that the absence of an authority who says ‘this is wrong’ poses challenges for any philosophy. Unlike traditional religions with defined leaders, Baldism's decentralized nature has led to the realization that the lack of a singular, charismatic figure can make it challenging to convey a unified message and establish a cohesive identity. The diversity of interpretations and practices among followers necessitates a delicate balance between individual autonomy and collective coherence. I want to be clear - I believe in a decentralized and syncretic future for spiritual practice - but the path Baldism took is not one I think will yield results in the long term.

The Doctrine and Practice of Baldism: TLDR

Perhaps the greatest experience of Baldism for me was embracing the creed into my daily life. The creed of Baldism is a call to action, urging followers to cease harmful behaviors, embrace goodness, and aid others in their journey towards positive change. This and some of the ‘Nine Suggestions’, ranging from engaging in creative pursuits to embracing nature shaped the practice of Baldism for me. Most of the suggestions served as a guide to living a life rooted in compassion, creativity, and collaboration. However, there were some that real world events revealed to be problematic.

Creativity, Hawaii, and Incorporating Crypto & NFTs

Baldism places a strong emphasis on creativity, considering art as a bridge between the worlds of vocabulary and emotion, allowing individuals to touch the divine. This is a positive. I also believe Hawai'i, revered in Baldism as the center of the world, symbolizes some concepts that can liberate humankind, emphasizing the importance of compassionate love and understanding. The integration of crypto, blockchain, defi, and NFTs into Baldism is more problematic. While I do think the use of code to eliminate exploitation and middle-man profiteering is a noble goal of early cryptographers - the reality is that the crypto and the NFT space in particular are filled with blood suckers, thieves, and scammers. In Baldism, blockchain signifies a path towards liberation, encouraging the abandonment of instinctual behaviors for the benefit of all, but in reality - there might not be a less toxic space in existence.

Worship and Fellowship in Baldism

I attempted to evolve worship and evangelism in Baldism so that they would extend beyond traditional practices, encompassing three realms: In 'Real' Life (IRL), Online (OL), and in the Metaverse (MV). I implored followers engage in creative ventures, share the message, and read the Holy Bjble as acts of worship. I felt that fellowship could be achieved through shared time, creative collaboration, and the collective pursuit of goodness. I think that mainly because of the polarizing figure of Bald ‘Jesus’ being put forth as the mascot - people were hesitant to engage in this and frankly, I can’t blame them. Also, the fraud and scams in the metaverse space didn’t help matters. When all of this began two years ago - there was a feeling of excitement, hope, and the future being built before our eyes in the metaverse. Midway from then to now - around the time of FTX collapsing - that swung 180 degrees in the other direction.

Prayer in Baldism: A Conversation with 'Your Bro'

Baldists were told that they could engage in prayer through simple mental conversations with Bald Jesus, seeking guidance and wisdom. The responses often echo the fundamental tenets of Baldism – "Don't be a dick," "Do good things," "Stop doing bad things," “Create some art,” “Get Outside,” “Stretch or do some yoga,” “Meditate,” and "Help others."

On a personal level, I found this to be transformative. When in any sort of crisis of decision or conscience, I would simply ask “What would Bald Jesus do?” and those were essentially the answers I got. For me, it was a simple constructed feedback mechanism from a comical figure. For others, it was almost impossible to get past the offensive or ridiculous nature of Bald Jesus. It took me a long time to see that.

Conclusion:

Ultimately, two years of practicing, I have grown in ways I never could have imagined. I am a better person than I was. I am a better father, a better son, a better friend, and a better brother. Is Baldism responsible for that? I think it is likely. Baldism, despite its unconventional approach and lighthearted elements, offers profound lessons in compassion, creativity, and collective betterment. The challenges posed by the practice of it underscore the ongoing evolution of this spiritual journey. As old or new followers navigate the complexities of the modern world, the teachings of Baldism can provide a unique framework for self-discovery, community building, and a genuine connection with the divine – symbolized by the ever-mysterious and supportive figure, Bald Jesus.

I truly believe that Baldism exists for a reason. Somewhere out there, there is a person who won’t be able to hear any other message. For whatever reason, this philosophy will resonate with them, save them, help them to become the better person they were meant to be.

For that reason, I’m leaving Baldism intact even as I leave Baldism. The websites, the Cent Page, the NFT collections, and the social media accounts. Baldism, like The Dude in the Big Lebowski, Abides.

As for me - I’ve taken these lessons and others - and I am moving on to something that feels like I am skipping many levels ahead. I’ll share that in a few days - but for now, I can reveal that the first fork of Baldism (and I hope there are many more) is called Baoism. Honestly, I’m really excited to share it with all of you.

~CD. Founder of Baldism. Former member of the Baldist Region. First Forker.