[note: this is reprinted from TOPYlondon bulletin, June 1991       ]
[transcribed by Coyote129, TOPY++; c/o box 410724 SFCA, 94141-0724 ]
[                                  alamut@netcom.com  415-431-7541 ]
[ also contact: Station TOPYSOL Box 33540, San Diego, CA 92163-3540]

The following interview between AntiClock Wise and Thee Temple ov
Psychick Youth London Access Point was conducted by mail. It is meant to
give a general picture of TOPY, for more specific info contact TOPY. It
should also be pointed out that the subject of this piece is NOT the band
Psychic TV.

ACW: Can you explain the influences on and foundations of TOPY?
TOPY: Thee Temple ov Psychick Youth is a world-wide nett-work ov
individuals founded in 1981 (although our roots go back much further). We
are attempting to bring about a radical improvement in the quality of
everyday life (one way of putting it). Most people pursuing this aim
(political parties, performance artists, psychoanalysts, writers,
painters, occult orders, etc) limit themselves to certain areas of
activity. The Temple is designed to be active in any area, to free our
minds by any means necessary. We are ready to use (and abuse!) or ignore
any concept from culture. For instance, in TOPYLondon, we recognize
influences from the following: William S. Burroughs, Dr, Timothy Leary,
Robert Anton Wilson, Aleister Crowley, Austin Osman Spare, the
Situationist International, the Church of Satan, Dada, Surrealism, Chaos
theory, Deconstructionism, Paganism, The Church of the Subgenius,
Nietzsche, Native American Culture, JG Ballard, Frank Miller, Sesame
Street, etc. etc. Every individual involved brings a new set of
experiences and influences.

ACW: How many members do you have and what is the structure of TOPY?
TOPY: The basic structure of TOPY is a non-hierachical network. In
principle, every Individual in the Temple is of equal status. For
administration and organization, however, a two tier system exists.
There are currently three STATIONS (Europe, UK, and USA). There are also
many ACCESS POINTS, the main centres for local organization. Access
Points and Stations are run by the most committed and active Individuals,
who choose themselves to take responsibility. Our influence is extremely
widespread and for this reason we have no way of knowing exactly how many
people use our ideas or are associated with the network. However, we do
know that there are hundreds of people actively involved worldwide. We
don't like to use the word "member", too many connotations, OK?

ACW: I've been reading Eileen Barker's "New Religious Movements" which
mentions TOPY on a number of occasions. Is TOPY a NRM? If so, what is
your definition of religion?
TOPY: We haven't read this book, so any comments must be indirect.
i) Cults and religions offer little except domination, dogmas and
imprisonment of the human spirit. In these terms TOPY is and anti-cult.
We offer no grand solutions to your problems, in fact NO easy answers to
anything. We seek no followers and have no gurus. We can show by example
how we choose to live our lives and what works for US, but whether people
get involved or not is entirely their own affair. It is more use to us to
know one person who means it and wants to become active and AWAKE than
100 sheep who just use TOPY and a fashion accessory.
ii) According to the Collins English Dictionary, the root of the word
religion is the Latin "religio" meaning fear of the supernatural,
probably from the word "religare" to tie up, from "ligare" to bind. The
Temple embraces the supernatural and wishes to set people free - it is an
anti-religion. People have always asked questions like "where do we come
from ", "Why do we die", and "Why do bad things happen?". Most religions
seem to be about selling people easy, and incorrect, answers to these
questions, usually involving the word "GOD" in some form. The Temple
encourages people to investigate all answers to these questions and pick
their favorites, or make up their own. Or, for those with courage, to
face this life which has no reasons.

ACW: What is your relationship and reaction to cults such as the
Unification Church?
TOPY: In a word, "enemy". We have no relationship whatsoever with
mindfuck cults like the Moonies, Christianity, etc. Following gurus like
the Rev. Sun Moon, the Pope or "God" is a pointless, tragic, exercise.
Cult are like religions, only they want total control and usually
permit no conflicting opinions. We have studied their methods of control
because they provide an insight into the human condition and hopefully a
way to fight back against the Control Process.

ACW: TOPY is still most famous for Psychic TV. Has this hindered your
other work and what is your relationship with PTV?
TOPY: Psychic TV provides a very useful outlet for TOPY ideas. Some
members of the band are very active within the Temple, other not. If PTV
were to cease to exist, TOPY would in no way be diminished - and they've
never held us back for doing anything as far as we know!

ACW: Magick seems to be an important part of TOPY, you seem to mention
Crowley a lot. Yet magick sinister or anachronistic meanings to many
people. Can you explain the type, role and importance of magick for TOPY?
TOPY: We are interested in magick because it works (for us)> Magick, like
sexuality, has been the subject of a great deal of hysteria and control.
Both are sources of a great deal of power/energy and this is precisely
why people have been blackmailed into not exploring them.
     Again, we offer no quick solutions. People must find their own
methods and design their own rituals. We can recommend writers or systems
that we've used as a base, but these must be mutated by the individual
into a personal, functional system of realizing their desires. We are
dedicated towards the establishment of a functional system of magick and a
modern pagan philosophy without recourse to mystification, gods or demons;
but recognizing the implicit powers of the human brain (neuromancy)
linked with guiltless sexuality focussed through will structure (sigils).
Magick empowers the Individual to embrace and realize their dreams and
maximise their natural potential. It is for those with the power to touch
themselves. It integrates all levels of thought in the first steps
towards final negation of control and fear.

ACW: Manson and Jim Jones imagery has appeared in your literature. Why?
Do you admire extreme cultists?
TOPY: Lots of imagery has appeared in our literature, why pick on these
ones?We have often been accused of glamourizing these people, but this
simply isn't the case. The Jonestown incident indicate quite clearly the
dangers of following leaders without questioning their authority. Manson
is really rather tedious - a willing scapegoat for the moral backlash of
the '60s. There is a great deal to be learnt from the media taboos
surrounding these people, but our lives are interesting enough already
without and titillating or "shocking" imagery. Serious research has and is
being done into these and other cults.

ACW: Is TOPY a whole lifestyle? What are your views on sexuality, race,
speciesism, gender?
TOPY: YES! TOPY is a Way of Life (a "lifestyle" sounds like another bland
commodity) not a hobby. It is hypocritical not to attempt to live out
your beliefs and desires 24 hours a day. The Temple seeks to end personal
laziness and engender discipline: Our aim is wakefulness, our enemy is
Dreamless Sleep. It is now one of our primary concerns to develop TOPY
into a way of life in every way shape and form.
   Single issues are dodgy, but on a total level we embrace freedom of
sexuality (and have helped allies on trial here under the antiquated S&M
laws of this repressed county [UK]); we are opposed to fascism of any
kind, be it political, interpersonal or social. TOPY individuals have
been active in the closing of the Brighton Dolphinaruim, Anti-Fascist
Action, Anti Poll Tax, Animal Rights, the Peace movement, the Right To
Party, and many other issues too numerous to mention here. We attempt to
put our words into action in every situation. Anything less is death.

ACW: What are your views on technology, automation and things such as
Artificial Intelligence?
TOPY: New technology creates new opportunities for human experience, and
raises mankind's limits generally. Unfortunately, technology is just as
susceptible to becoming a control tool as anything else (religion, sport,
etc). Whilst TOPY supports the use of technology to obviate the need for
sentient drudgery, we also recognize that technology is usually just
harnessed to profit (making people more "productive") and keeping people
amused outside their jobs. As an aside, from the TOPY viewpoint magick
and technology are compatible. There are numerous texts available that
integrate current technology with ritual magick.

ACW: I am particularly interested in what TOPY is doing now. Could you
explain the activities and aims of TOPY for the 1990s?
TOPY: The '90s are going to be a very chaotic time for everyone,
especially us. On the one hand, the nett-work is becoming more focussed
with the publication of books and magazine, more events and more input
from each individual involved. On the other hand we are in the midst of a
backlash against sexuality, the occult, drug use, and non-conformity. We
intend to fight all constraints in any way possible. One of our long term
aims is the setting up of a TOPY tribal research centre. "The Big House".
We also have a number of events planned for 1991 - gigs, lectures, film
showings, and exhibition, and group rituals.
