O World Invisible, We View Thee

[poliphilo]

I haven't done any religion since I walked away from church. There's a baptism coming up. I said I'd go to that and take photos. Ailz is being godmother so I need to lend support.

As I just wrote in a comment on someone else's journal, I can't rest easy inside anyone else's system. Draw lines around me and the thing that interests me most will be the thing that lies outside them.

And yet, in a general sort of a way, my faith has never been so strong. Now that I no longer believe in God my belief in God is unshakeable.

Comments

[sunfell.livejournal.com]

I cannot abide organized religion. Any organized religion- even some of the more radical flavors of Pagandom. I had to promise my Teachers and Guides that I would only visit and observe -but never again join- any sort of religious group, and would teach independence and personal spiritual sovereignity to any students I chose to teach.

Divinity exists within all of us. That spark of the All is independent of any scripture, middlemen, priesthood, guru, spiritual interpreter, personal savior, or religion. That spark may be infinitesimal, but it is what connects me to that which is not comprehensible, and never will be. I cannot call it 'faith' because that still smacks too much of organized religion. For me, it is more of an awareness, a connection, a Gnosis. I don't believe, I know.

(the icon expresses my disdain for organized religion, not your post.)

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

I'm at that place too. I "lapsed" earlier this year and attended our local church for three or four months. By the end of that time I was close to nervous breakdown- so I quit.

I'm not keen on the word "faith" either. I used it because I couldn't think of a better one.

Perhaps I need to think of a better one. What we have to say is inexpressible- but that doesn't mean we shouldn't try.

[sunfell.livejournal.com]

Trying is half the fun, wouldn't you agree?

I privately wondered how long you'd last with your religious 'relapse'. Should have started a betting pool! Glad you're better now. For me, it's gotten to where I cannot even stand to be at a public Pagan event when they're doing a Circle- and I'm anywhere near it. Don't even ask me to join it. The mental "Oh, no, you don't!" starts up if I even attempt to approach it- even accidentally.

:-)

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

I think I need to write more about "spirituality". It will be a challenge doing so without leaning too heavily on an inherited- and degraded- vocabulary.

I haven't done anything in the Pagan community for years.