First published in: The International Post-Dogmatist Quarterly Volume 1 – Issue 1 – Fall 1994

POST-DOGMATIST MANIFESTO

(The following was sent to me from Patrick O’Kelley who notes that he found this original rough draft in his posession. He states that this rough draft was hand written by him and myself in 1987 as a preliminary jotting down of notes based on our conversations. )  

WE BELIEVE IN THE TRUE DOGMA,  
AN UNLEASHED DOGMA,  
ONE THAT WE ARE FREE OF CARING FOR.  
A DOGMA THAT BARKS FEROCIOUSLY AT INTRUDING DOGMAS AND “ISMS” BUT IS ALSO TAME ENOUGH TO BE RIDDEN BY A CHILD.  
A HOUSE BROKEN DOGMA.  
WE BELIEVE IN A GUARD DOGMA THAT WILL RIP TO THE BONE ALL HISTORIANS AND CRITICS THAT WOULD TRY TO HARM ITS FREEORS.  
IT KNOWS ITS PLACE.  
IT WILL NOT ENTER IN THE CHURCH OR SCHOOL.  
IF OUR FREE OF DOGMA/DOGMA FALLS INTO THE WRONG HANDS AND IS CORRUPTED OR IF SOMEONE TRIES TO DOGMATIZE OUR DOGMA OR IT OTHERWISE BECOMES A THREAT TO THE ARTISTS COMMUNITY, IT SHOULD BE GATHERED UP BY THE DOGMA CATCHERS AND PUT TO SLEEP.( 1987 )  

First Draft of ‘Dogmatist’ Manifesto 
We believe in the one true Dogma, an unleashed dogma; one which doesn’t stray far from home and comes when you call it; a dogma that barks ferociously at intruders but a dogma that is tame enough to be ridden by children.  
We believe in a house broken dogma that only shits in other peoples yards.  
We believe in a dogma that is born into the world free of corruption and disease.  
We believe in letting a sleeping dogma lie.  
We believe in a dogma, a guard dogma if you will, that will rip to shreds all those who would try to harm it or its owner.  
We believe this dogma should be kept in its place. A dogma that isn’t allowed in the churches or schools.  
We believe that all other dogmas should be subject to dogma control and when found, taken to the dogma pound by professional dogma catchers.  
We believe that should our dogma fall into the wrong hands or become a threat to the community, that such a dogma should be put to sleep and sent to dogma heaven.  
We believe in an art that is described by Ad Reinhardt in his article ‘Art as Art’. Only, for us, the proponents of Dogmatism, we would call it ‘Art as Dogma-Dogma as Art-Dogma as Dogma.  
We the proponents of the one true Dogmatism, unleashed and obedient Dogmatism, are free to pursue what ever course in life and art that we wish since we no longer have to lead our dogma around on a leash.  
We will not defend, speak for or argue about our dogma because we do not claim ownership or any identification with our dogma.  
We can not be fined for our dogma neither can we be held accountable, responsible or liable for anything that happens because of our dogma.  
Current dogmas have over-populated the culture. We consider this a serious problem and therefore have nudered and spayed our dogma so that no new dogmas may be born of it.  
A true Dogmatist is absolutely true to himself at all times and under all conditions.  
He sees only truth, speaks only truth.  
He is the embodiment of truth.  
He is free from all self deception, illusion and transitory truth.  
He is neither rational nor irrational.  
He is not logical or illogical.  
He does not theorize, think about or do anything.  
He does not advocate, speculate, postulate, contemplate, ponder, reflect or seek understanding.  
He doesn’t deny, dispute, detract, reject, resist or despair and is not dissuaded, denied or deceived.  
He feels no discontent  
He is not anxious, pensive, distraught, confused or befuddled.  
He remains perfectly balanced at all times. 

The Dogmatist Manifesto (1987)

We believe in the one True Dogma, an unleashed Dogma.  
Our Dogma is like a lion that roams the forest freely; who has no predator or equal.  
Our Dogma is like a chameleon that takes the color of its surroundings and, though dwelling everywhere, is never seen.  
Our Dogma is like a swift horse that carries the traveler over every obstacle.  
Our Dogma is like a ferocious dog that, when it bares its teeth, all others run for safety. Yet, it is like a fluffy little kitten that purrs in the arms of a child.  
Our Dogma is born into the world free of corruption and incorruptible. It is immune to disease. It requires no sustenance nor does it defecate. No parasite can attach to its coat. It requires no shelter. It never sleeps nor does it have offspring.  
Our Dogma cannot be domesticated nor can it be subverted to an evil purpose and therefore, requires no worry. Being unleashed it leaves its keepers free to pursue their true and unique destinies without being tied to or having to tend after any other dogma.  
The keepers of the one True Dogma need not speak for, defend or argue about this Dogma for we claim no ownership to it nor can it be owned.  
Our task is only to seek to know our truest self and, once knowing, to remain true to that self.  
The accomplished Dogmatist is one who is absolutely true to himself at all times and under all circumstances.  
He is the very embodiment of truth.  
He is free from all self deception, illusion and transitory truth.  
He is neither logical nor illogical.  
He is neither rational nor irrational.  
He does not theorize, think about or do anything.  
He does not advocate, speculate, postulate, contemplate, ponder, reflect or seek understanding.  
He clings to no knowledge and therefore is all-knowing.  
He is at one with the Universe.  
He does not deny, dispute, detract, reject, resist or despair and is not dissuaded, denied or deceived.  
He feels no discontent.  
He is not anxious, distraught, pensive, confused or befuddled.  
He remains perfectly balanced at all times.  
There can be no Dogmatist Movement for its dogma is unleashed and therefore cannot be taken for a walk.  
We find no one who can claim to be an accomplished Dogmatist and, neither postulating nor advocating, would not claim Dogmatism were we to come across one.  
We, therefore, are speaking from a Post-Dogmatist stance and the very writing of this manifesto is a Post-Dogmatist act. 

En Français:  

MANIFESTE DE POST-DOGMATIST  

 (ce qui suit m’a été envoyé de Patrick O’Kelley qui note qu’il a 
trouvé cette ébauche rugueuse initiale dans son posession. Il 
 déclare que cette ébauche rugueuse était main écrite par lui et 
moi-même en 1987 en tant que prise notes préliminaire des notes 
basées sur nos conversations) que  

NOUS CROYONS EN DOGME  VRAI, UN DOGME LÂCHÉ, UN QUE NOUS SOMMES LIBRES DE S’INQUIÉTER DE. UN DOGME QUI ÉCORCE FÉROCEMENT AUX DOGMES S’IMPOSANTS ET AU L'” ISMS ” MAIS EST 
                   ÉGALEMENT ASSEZ DOCILE POUR ÊTRE MONTÉ PAR UN 
                   ENFANT. UN DOGME CASSÉ PAR CHAMBRE. NOUS 
                   CROYONS EN DOGME DE GARDE QUI DÉCHIRERA À L’OS 
                   TOUS LES HISTORIENS ET CRITIQUES QUI ESSAYERAIENT 
                   DE NUIRE À SON FREEORS. IL CONNAÎT SON ENDROIT. IL 
                   N’ENTRERA PAS DANS L’ÉGLISE OU L’ÉCOLE. SI NOTRE 
                   EXEMPT DE DOGMA/DOGMA TOMBE DANS LES MAINS 
                   FAUSSES ET EST ALTÉRÉ OU SI QUELQU’UN ESSAYE À 
                   DOGMATIZE NOTRE DOGME OU IL DEVIENT AUTREMENT 
                   UNE MENACE À LA COMMUNAUTÉ D’ARTISTES, IL DEVRAIT 
                   ÊTRE RECUEILLI VERS LE HAUT PAR LES GANTS DE 
                   BASEBALL DE DOGME ET METTRE À SLEEP.(1987)