More From Tideswell

[poliphilo]

We can't be sure who these ladies are but apparently they're older than the church that houses them. Aren't they elegant? One is dated c.1300 and the other c.1375. They've been placed rather awkwardly in the sanctuary of the Lady Chapel in a position where only the priest at the altar can see them properly. I had to climb over the altar rail to take these pictures. An act of trespass. But I am still a priest- yes I am: I may be listed in the archbishop's little black book, but they never defrocked me.

Comments

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

That's a difficult one- because my beliefs have wobbled around a whole lot over the past twenty years.

When I left the Church I was heartily sick of the whole thing, but not exactly an atheist. I had rejected the God of the Bible but was still actively searching for a religion or philosophy I could accept. I later became a pagan. There have been phases when I was happy to reject all types of theism but they've never lasted long. Right now I think I'd describe myself as an unattached Deist. I believe we live in a spiritual universe but feel no need to express that belief through religious ritual or membership of a religious community.

[saare-snowqueen.livejournal.com]

Thank you for that. I think my heart-beliefs are close to that, as well - despite being, nominally an active Eastern (Estonian) Orthodox.
My daughter is a pagan but I sometimes wonder if all that dressing up actually serves to bring her closer to something spiritual. But how do I know - maybe it does.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

All that dressing up is about establishing an identity. Has it got anything to do with spirituality? Perhaps. But it's noticeable that people who've been in the movement a while tend to care much less about draping themselves with pentacles.