Relygion

[brightrosefox]

Yesterday, I got a call from Jason's mother, who just wanted to know my and Adam's last name (so she could send us a present) and to thank me again for taking her son in and loving him so much with our friendship. She was almost crying, she was so grateful. Jason has had a hard life -- drug addiction, homelessness, etc. But he's one of our dearest friends, and now he's got a room, and people who love him, and she is just so thankful. She told me that God was looking out for all of us, that he loved us -- I remember I said, "Yep, great guy." After we hung up, I thought about that. I wonder what she and her husband would say if I explained my own beliefs?
Since I became pagan, I have told several monotheists about it, and I would say that seventy percent of the time, I was met with doubt, worry, disbelief, and once or twice, fear. Sometimes I feel like I need to hide, or pretend, just to be accepted. And that is ridiculous. It really is kind of stupid of me to think that. But exposure and experience have shown me that not everyone is so accepting.
Luckily, Jason has said that his parents are sort of "hippie Christians," that they are extremely accepting of other faiths and would never try to push their own faith. If it ever comes up that I am a polytheist, an animist/pantheist, a witch... I think it will be fine.
I have enough respect for the God of monotheism to agree when someone tells me how much he loves me, etc. It doesn't mean I believe in him, or that anyone should assume I do. I think people of different faiths need to be able to sit and understand and talk without arguing too much. Is that possible?
The word "religion" comes from the word "rely" and was originally used to describe a community of people who share the same beliefs with sets of rules, who come together to help one another -- not to gather to hurt or bash other faiths that disagree with them. Unfortunately I wonder if it has become more of that than the other.
This is why I am not religious, I do not belong to a religion. I don't follow anyone's rules or dogmas but my own. I wonder if some people are actually frightened by that.

Comments

[wrathchylde.livejournal.com]

It's really annoying how many people automatically sneer at pagan or Wiccan or any non-traditional beliefs. Last week one of the minor storylines on ER had a pagan couple who couldn't untie themselves after a handfasting. The whole thing was made to seem very silly and frivolous.
And yet some of the meanest, most narrow-minded people I know are the most religious. They use their religion as a crutch and excuse for everything, because of fear, I think. There are good things and bad things about every religion, which is why I have never been able to settle on one.

Sorry to go off, that's just a sore spot of mine.

I think it's wonderful that you are helping this boy.

[queen-lily-rose.livejournal.com]

I Agree Wholeheartedly. I'm Not Religious. I'm Spiritual.

[greenwillow27.livejournal.com]

I think people of different faiths need to be able to sit and understand and talk without arguing too much. Is that possible?

I do it all the time. I think the trick is to 1)Be multilingul and 2) Don't be too attached to your own beliefs.

In my treatment group, where the concept of God/Higher Power and Spirituality is a frequent subject, I have evangelicals, former Catholics, atheists, agnostics, and New Agers all excited about that new film, "The Secret". I can talk to all of them because I've read enough and can find the common ground in my mind, even if each wouldn't neccessarily agree with what I believe. I *never* disclose exactly what I do believe. Just as I have on occasion had to gently remind my evangelicals that in the context of the group we can't proselytize, it would be completely unethical for me in my position of "authority" to talk about the details of my beliefs. My "secret agenda" may be to bring them back to Spirit, but I don't care what flavor they decide they like. All of 'em work.

And I suppose that's another reason it's so easy for me to not be too attached to my own beliefs. I don't think it matters at all what God(s) one believes in. And honestly? I don't think "God" cares, either.

[brightrosefox.livejournal.com]

*nods* In an earlier post, I talked about how I am coming closer to the Godhead, but not God, not the God that most people think about when they hear the word. Part of me thinks it is "safe" if I don't outwardly talk about my paganism in front of Christians or other monotheists, and the other part of me says it shouldn't even matter. You're right, "God" doesn't care. Unfortunately, some people do, and they claim to speak for God...

[greenwillow27.livejournal.com]

And *that's* when you get to smile your Secret Ninja Smile and say, "Thank you for sharing." =o)


(And, oh, I know how aggravating some people can be. There were a few people on the street corners yesterday in (the apparently Godless)downtown Grass Valley, carrying huge signs graphically illustrating Heaven and Hell, and foretlling of the coming Apocalypse and so on. Really frightening- looking, realistic art work. The kind of stuff you wouldn't want small children to see. These people come up every month or so from a town west of here which is an absolute cesspool of drugs and poverty to "save" Grass Valley. I think they think they are doing some kind of missionary work. My gut level impulse was to drive by and flip them off. Heh. I just drove on by and kept my hands on the steering wheel.... It was easier on me that way.)

[katielilie.livejournal.com]

Firstly, from what I know of Jason and his family I cannot imagine that you would be met with rejection were you to reveal your own beliefs. (I just realized that I know the Jason who lives with you :)

I was raised Catholic, I don't identify myself as Catholic anymore. I am pretty open minded when it comes to various faiths. One thing that causes me to close my mind is when people try to convert me. I have a friend who recently tried (despite my expressly asking him not to) to "bring me back" to Catholicism, I know it was out of love, but it was annoying nonetheless.

I tend to think of myself as spiritual as opposed to religious. I'm ok with not having a defined "religion." I intend to take my time and educate myself before I start applying a label to my faith. I guess my point is that there are plenty of people who can be open minded and accepting of ways and beliefs that differ from their own, but at the same time there are definately those who aren't. Sadly, many of those close minded, unaccepting, oftentimes downright militant individuals are those who subscribe to the Christian belief systems. I do recognize that there are plenty of Christians who are not that way, many of whom I know or am related to. Personally, I try not to judge a book by it's cover.

Ok, I have rambled enough and am travelling further and further away from a point, so I'll stop now! :)

[suzanna-o.livejournal.com]

Your derivation of the word "religion" isn't quite correct.
But there was an interesting Classics discussion about this just the other day: http://community.livejournal.com/classics/299272.html

I hope you are able to find peace with people of other faiths.

[brightrosefox.livejournal.com]

It isn't? *is confused*

Thank you. I hope I find peace to. I really want to. I hope other people can too.

[todabrilla.livejournal.com]

Here's an interesting discussion on the etymology within Latin:

The etymology of the word "religion" has been debated for centuries. The English word clearly derives from the Latin religio, "reverence (for the gods)" or "conscientiousness". The origins of religio, however, are obscure. Proposed etymological interpretations include:

From Relego
Re-reading–from Latin re (again) + lego (in the sense of "read"), referring to the repetition of scripture.
Treating carefully–from Latin re (again) + lego (in the sense of "choose"–this was the interpretation of Cicero) "go over again" or "consider carefully".

From Religare
Re-connection to the divine–from Latin re (again) + ligare (to connect, as in English ligament). This interpretation is favoured by modern scholars such as Tom Harpur, but was made prominent by St. Augustine, following the interpretation of Lactantius.
To bind or return to bondage–an alternate interpretation of the "reconnection" etymology emphasizing a sense of servitude to God, this may have originated with Augustine. However, the interpretation, while popular with critics of religion, is often considered imprecise and possibly offensive to followers.

From Res + legere
Concerning a gathering — from Latin res (ablative re, with regard to) + legere (to gather), since organized religion revolves around a gathering of people.

[brightrosefox.livejournal.com]

This was very informative! Thank you. I forget who told me that it came from the term "to rely on." I like these much better. "To gather," "to connect" -- well, I was partially correct!

[nicked-metal.livejournal.com]

I have enough respect for the God of monotheism to agree when someone tells me how much he loves me, etc. It doesn't mean I believe in him, or that anyone should assume I do. I think people of different faiths need to be able to sit and understand and talk without arguing too much. Is that possible?

I remember having a conversation about various aspects of spirituality with some christians that went quite well. At one point, someone asked me if I was a christian, and I said "There are elements of christian doctrine that I find offensive, so I will never be a chritian. But however much I dislike christianity, I find that I really do like christians."

Similarly, if someone tells me that their god loves me (something I cannot believe - how could an omnipotent god love me and allow me to be experience what I've experienced?) I will either thank them, or (if feeling blunt) say "I value your goodwill more than I value the goodwill of your god." I don't think they find it comfortable when I go with the blunt option, but I don't seem to have caused offence, either.