Self Interrogation

[poliphilo]

An evangelical clergyman asked me about my back story yesterday- so I told him.

What- everything?

Not everything. About being a priest (ordination is indelible, right?) and a Wiccan. That was enough to be getting on with.

How did he react?

Gleefully.

He thinks you're a brand plucked from the burning?

Something like that. He sort of rubbed his hands together and talked about God working powerfully. I forget his exact words.

Did you disagree?

I was a little uncomfortable with his way of putting things
 
The God talk?

Yes,

Why exactly?

Discussing God as if he were the man next door seems a little- not irreverent, exactly- a little presumptuous. Besides, it's not my tradition.

And that's important?

Not as important as I once thought it was. All talk about God is nonsense- so one vein of nonsense is probably as good as any other.

Nonsense?

God is beyond human understanding.

So how did you reply? 

I gave him my Mona Lisa smile and told him how puzzled I was by the things that are going on in my life. 

You were evasive.

I was

And what exactly are these things?

It's hard to explain. Let's just say I've been responding to hints.

An inner voice?

Not quite. I don't hear anything. I just- quite suddenly- know I need to act in a certain way. 

And you trust these promptings?

I do.

(Pause)

So you agree with your evangelical clergyman- don't you- really- deep down?

(Pause)

"Well?"

Yes. I suppose I do.