Why? Because...
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| Mon, 05-22-2006 - 10:56pm |
http://www.witchvox.com/va/dt_va.html?a=usnm&c=words&id=10771
"Why? Because...
Author: Rhizu
Posted: May 21st. 2006
For me, one of the biggest challenges in living an authentic life is explaining to people the inexplicable. For the most part, my friends and family are “Oh, that’s just who she is†about my beliefs. But every now and then, there’s that damning question, whether or not it’s meant to be a condemnation. “Why? Why do you believe what you do?†“Because…†Sound familiar?
When the question is presented, I feel almost like a parent trying to explain something to a 3-year-old. That is not to say that I feel superior, or wiser, or more enlightened than the questioner. I know the answer; I just don’t think I have the patience to go into it all with someone who wants “proof†in 30 words or less. (Oddly enough, I’ve never had the urge to ask anyone to defend their beliefs and provide proof of said belief.) The person may be asking out of genuine interest or curiosity, and to my own discredit, I feel challenged. I know there is a lot of curiosity about Wicca, and I appreciate those who really want knowledge about the beliefs. The few who are just looking for some validation of their lewd preconceptions do not get a lot of my time or attention. I feel very sad that I get defensive because of those few uneducated people.
When I am living my Pagan life, I feel alive. I am challenged to explore and think and experience for myself the amazing opportunities around me. Invoking the Goddess is more than just a prayer; it’s becoming part of the whole. I feel the intense link between myself and the whole of creation. I never got the same sense of wholeness in any church or cathedral that I get when I cast a circle. The difference in me, my perceptions and actions when I am living with the courage of conviction is the difference between what’s right for me and what’s wrong for me. When I practice, that’s when I am most aware of the wonder, and I feel most connected to the universe. That, to me, is the entire reason to believe anything.
I value the ability not to worship in a dogmatic way, to be more spontaneous with my interaction with the Divine. I know, it’s possible to be Christian or Muslim or Buddhist and be spontaneous… From my personal observations, it just doesn’t happen that often. I don’t need a specific site, time or ritual to be aware of what’s going on around me or to give thanks for it. I don’t need or want a mediator to translate between myself and the sacred."
(essay continues...)
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So, in the final words of the essay, "So, when someone asks me “Why?†I respond with “It’s who I amâ€. So, o.k. :P Why do YOU believe as you do?" I'm not looking for links, quotes from sacred texts or dogma quotes. What I'm really looking for is a more personal answer. Deep down, WHY do you believe what you do? What makes it right for you? How does your philsophy or belief system make your life right and balanced and well focused with integrity? How does it empower you? ;))
(I posted this as a change of pace on the Religion Debate board, and someone suggested we might find it worth a discussion here, also. So here it is!) :P
Gypsy

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What a great set of questions!!! ...
"Deep down, WHY do you believe what you do? What makes it right for you?"
~ Because it's logical. I've learned to accept that the biggest part of my personality is that things just have to make sense to me, if not, I just can't accept it. I needed something in my life but I had to (and continue to) hammer it out on my own.
"How does your philsophy or belief system make your life right and balanced and well focused with integrity? "
~ My belief system is based on the theory that joy, harming none, is the ultimate goal. If you find your joy and harm none you're not consumed with all the out of balance things. All is right with the world.
"How does it empower you?"
~ It empowers me because I'm free to be the best me I can be. I'm free of guilt, free of self doubt, no trying to live up to someone else's standards and ideas, and I work hard every day to be joyful.
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Vickie
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