Quick Fix Gods

[LittleRhiannon]

I read an article this morning and thought it would be good to share. It starts off talking about spells but it's really more about gods so I decided to put it here.

Click here for the article (http://www.psychosislane.com/quick.html)

[KEishin]

*applauds*

Nicely done article. She gets to her point without beating one over the head or insulting you before you get to the end.

[LacyRoze]

Here, here!!! I whole-heartedly agree. Thank you for sharing!!

[banondraig]

sadly, i can only give karma once for one post. i couldn't have said it better myself. :bigredgri

[Rain Gnosis]

She gets to her point without beating one over the head or insulting you before you get to the end.

Well, she doesn't insult you unless you disagree -


Because, if you actually believe this, you have more problems than the cinnamon giving you a horrible burn on your privates.

As much as I feel she has a point in many cases, she's ignoring the fact that many don't see deities as individual entities existing out there somewhere. Many people feel the gods are archetypes - aspects of energy or of our subconscious. In such a case it makes no sense to insist people "develop a relationship" with deities.

Actually it's interesting you posted this - I was just looking at another article on this site this morning, which was posted on one of the LJ communities I'm part of. As much as I have enjoyed some of the points in articles on the site, the person does come across as ranting and raving at times, especially when they're talking about Christianity.

[Seren_]

I agree with the article, but it's hardly something that's new or modern. I believe it was quite popular in the Classical countries.

[Fang of Loki]

Interesting article.

[DebLipp]

It's more a rant than an article. It's worth reading but it ignores any possible justification to another point of view. Articles that assume the opposing view is only held by stupid, ignorant, troubled people don't really jazz me.

There are lots of situations in which it is okay to petition deities with Whom you don't have a relationship. First, many of the spells the author cites include specific offerings to deities. Magic-as-exchange (or prayer-as-exchange) is very ancient, it's called a "magical bargain." Think of it this way, you can just walk up to your mom and ask her for something (although you should ask nicely, and you should do your chores). Or, you can go to a store managed by a stranger, and offer that stranger payment for the same thing. One is a relationship, one is an exchange, but both acheive the same goal.

You see, Pagan gods are not omniscient; They don't know what we want unless we ask, or somehow bring ouselves to Their attention. A relationship brings us to Their attention; so does a magical petition.

I am all in favor of a reverent lifestyle, but part of what makes magical religions different is that we choose to take our needs into our own hands, and put our own energies into acheiving our goals. We don't just pray and hope. We WORK. And if that work includes asking a deity for aid, that can potentially be more, not less reverent.

[sari0009]

The phrase and sentiment behind the author's rant against others' "sacrilegious thought pattern," and even "horrible, idiotic, disrespectful and all around sacrilegious thought pattern," really says a lot. (Bolding is my touch.)

Accusations and holier than thou rants against sacrilege!

:atantrum: Sacrilege! Sacrilege! Sacrilege! Sacrilege! :atantrum:


:yikess:


I'm all for developing emotional intelligence, a relationship with the Divine (including one's own), and doing one's homework and yet play, learning, and even frivolity also may offer great lessons and value as well...in the balance of things.

A little "sacrilicious-ness" may express the Divine as well, in the balance (results may vary).

May jokes about "Path Police" abound and resound in our community; I think it's time. There has been a definite fad of judging other people's paths--Judgment that includes what is perhaps not exercised with the best of judgment. I saw a wave (like a meme!) of it hit with sites such as Why Wiccans Suck (http://www.whywiccanssuck.com/) and I expect it to ride its course, as all things do.

The author of the rant does make some valid points but the tone and condemnation go much further into dark territories than constructive criticism alone and because of that, well, I wouldn't be surprised if the Pagan community creates a Pagan version of the "Churchlady" to poke fun! Is that next?

What would happen if more people policed their own path as they saw fit (the only one they truly have power over and through) and shared the who, what, where, when, how, and why of it--without the condemnation of "other ways up the hill" or other flavors of "my way/understanding or you're sacrilegious, sick, demented" rants ...