Agnostic

[poliphilo]

My sister-in-law's brother died yesterday. I didn't know him well, but I liked him. He was eccentric and counter-cultural and lived by his own rules. He was 51.

I have reached the age at which it is no longer startling when a contemporary drops dead.

Brandon wasn't religious. I don't know what the family will finally decide, but my sister in law is mildly uneasy at the prospect of having a clergy-person officiate. I did a Google search and discovered something I didn't know before, that it is possible to book a non-religious celebrant through the Registry Office. Excellent. I've let Ailz know that when I get called to the choir invisible I want a Registry Office Person to wave me off.

It's not that I'm Godless. I believe in God right enough. Though Goddess suits me better. No, it's dogma I want to steer clear of. I don't think anyone knows with certainty what happens to a person after death, and I don't fancy having some sectarian breathing his/her personal opinions or party dogma over my sainted remains.

Call me Agnostic. I think of Agnosticism as a positive thing. What's so shameful about admitting you don't have the answers? None of us can actually prove our beliefs. Faith divides; acknowledgement of ignorance unites. I know nuthin and you know nuthin- we all know nuthin together.

Comments

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

I wish I could remember where that saying comes from ("All the Gods are one God etc....") Maybe it's not from a book at all. Maybe it's Wiccan oral tradition.

I have beliefs, but I don't regard them as sacrosanct. They're my opinions, nothing more, and subject to revision if need be. It strikes me as silly to insist on the truth of something that can't be proved.

I don't like labels. I guess I'd own to being a Pagan if pushed. But being a Pagan doesn't stop me also being a little bit Christian, a little bit Zen, a little bit atheist.

I'm so glad you feel safe in this space. I take it as a huge compliment.

[saskia139.livejournal.com]

I think that saying actually goes back to Dion Fortune and maybe got into Wiccan use through Starhawk. I know Marion Zimmer Bradley had Vivien, Lady of the Lake, quote it in The Mists of Avalon.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Ah yes, I believe you're right.

I'm an admirer of Dion Fortune's. Her book on "The Mystical Qabalah" is wonderful.