(811) Mon 29 Apr 91 3:26
By: Madoc
To: Chris Anderson
Re: What's this "Right" stuff, anyway?
St:
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@PID: RA 1.01
@MSGID: 8:7703/8 4dba2fe8
What would a Wiccan provide as an explanation for behavior that was
"contrary" in the sense that you've given?
We've all seen folks behave in a way that is apparently
inconsistent with stated beliefs, even those that are closely held.
What do you believe is the basis for the difference between a
"positive direction along the Path" and actual behavior
that is contrary to this by one who earnestly seeks "the
Path"? The answer is stated clearly enough for many other
religions, but I've never had the opportunity to hear a Wiccan add
his/her windage on this topic. Flip Wilson's answer obviously isn't
going to apply, so where do we go with it? ;)
Chris, sorry for the delay in answering your question. I have written and
re-written my response, and although I still may not have answered
your question herein, I feel that I must reply at last.
First, I must stipulate that what follows is my own interpretation of
Wiccan belief, and my own sense of "morals." You know, the
usual disclaimer.
Second, I wish to deal briefly with the concept of separation of Law and
Moral. What I am writing here has absolutely no relation to the
practice of law. I do not advocate murder, for example, nor do I
think that murder should go unpunished by the State. I recognize that
we live in a society which must have rules in order that the maximum
amount of freedom may be enjoyed by all. I would not hesitate, if I
were a juror, to vote to send a proven criminal to jail, or even to
death, if the situation warranted it. Therefore, let none who read my
words mistake my moral convictions with my beliefs about our judaical
system - I am not in disagreement with the majority of our laws as
they exist.
Finally; the point:
To save space, I'll omit the dictionary definition of 'sin.' I think we
all understand that Christians believe in sin, Wiccans do not. As you
have stated, members of other religions have their rules clearly
stated, so that one may easily decide if one is in error or not
(although it's often not quite *that* easy). Wiccans claim to follow
only the Rede, which states, "An it harm none, do as thou shalt."
You have asked how a Wiccan can stray from such a path. The answer is
complex and far-reaching, and even delves into (ugh) philosophy. I'll
try to keep it succinct.
If one thoughtfully examines the Rede, it quickly becomes apparent that
almost every action has the potential to harm some creature in some
way. Drawing breath can kill micro-organisms that float unseen, in
the atmosphere. Drinking water does the same thing. One could choose
to marry, and ultimately bring pain and suffering on future
generations of children by way of an unhappy union. There is
literally no way that one could possibly foresee all circumstances
and avoid harming anyone. Yet, that is what the Rede demands. What is
the answer?
In my opinion, the answer is obvious. The Wiccan must choose. Each and
every Wiccan is responsible for their own actions, and will be
accountable to themselves for the results of those actions. The
wheels turns, and each Wiccan reaps what they have sown. No Godly
mandate or indulgence can save us from the results of our own
actions, be they good or bad. But, with ultimate responsibility comes
ultimate freedom. No God can shackle my soul or subject me to that
which I do not Will. I am supreme within myself, and I am the
"captain of my soul." I have chosen to obey certain of
society's laws and mores. I have chosen to be a "good" man.
Mine is the reward for choosing such action, and mine will be the
punishment if I fail to meet my self-imposed responsibilities. As you
jested, I cannot claim Flip Wilson's famous defence. Nor do I claim
that such things as I do well stem from my Creator - in ultimate
hubris, I claim that "As I Will, so mote it be."
Every day, I am met with new decisions. I make those decisions, and then I
live with the consequences of my actions. In my opinion, that is what
makes me human, what sets me apart from the animals. Man alone can
choose, man alone is not chained to genetically imprinted behavior.
I have been asked why, if there is the possibility that the Christian
deity exists, do I not choose Christianity on the possibility that it
is correct? This is Pascal's famous wager. If I wager that (the
Christian) God exists and I am correct, then I win all. If I am wrong
and God does not exist, then I have lost nothing, and have lived
(hopefully) a good and productive life in the bargain. Why would
anyone not accept this wager? My answer to that is that I would not
willingly serve any God that would choose one of His/Her creations
over another, the good over the bad, the shriven over the heathen. If
I had definitive proof that such a God existed, I would actively
oppose Him/Her. I would rather suffer the cold comfort of damnation
than continue to exist in a hereafter peopled with only the
"saved." This is my choice, and again, as I Will, so mote
it be.
What do you believe is the basis for the difference between a
"positive direction along the Path" and actual behavior
that is contrary to this by one who earnestly seeks "the Path"?
A fine, difficult question, Chris. As you've stated elsewhere, we've
been dancing all around this one for some time. Here goes:
I cannot determine what any one individual's Path is. I am not even
sure of my own. I often follow forks in the road until they come to a
dead end, and have to double back. Of course, that's the problem one
faces in following one's own Will, and not a set of directions laid
down by God. My concept of the Path is that it is like many roads,
all of which lead eventually to self-knowledge (enlightenment,
Godhead, nirvana, and so on). In my theology, my ultimate goal is to
become one with the God of my creation by gaining divine knowledge,
or gnosis. We've discussed the concept of "hidden knowledge"
in the past, yet I feel that my understanding of gnosis differs from yours.
The entire concept of the ancient mystery religions, and of modern
"occult" (which mean only 'hidden' after all) religions and
practices was based on the concept of the inverted filter. Each
person passed through successive layers of filters, gaining knowledge
and understanding at each stop, until they could absorb no more (and
so could not pass through the next layer of filter). Of course, at
each level, the initiate was given to believe that they were now in
possession of secret knowledge, and ultimate truth. If they could
find legitimate questions that led them to reject or doubt those
'truths' and seek deeper meaning, then they passed through to the
next level of understanding. If they did not question, then they were
satisfied that they had gained truth.
This 'hidden knowledge' can be obtained outside of the constraints of
organized religion; in fact it originally was obtained independently.
Just as Newton's Laws could eventually be figured out by a person
ignorant of his discoveries, one could find a Path to enlightenment
separate from any of the mystery religions. However, just as one
attends school to learn that which is already known, so one pursues
illumination from the teachings of those who have already achieved
more than oneself.
Further, I do not believe that there is one 'right' Path. I accept that the
OTO has valuable knowledge to impart. I accept that Christian
Mystics, Jewish Quabalists, Muslim Sufis, and so on all have some
piece of the puzzle, and that all will eventually converge on the
road to wisdom. I know because I have been to that intersection once
or twice, although I am not there now. My Path is my own, and as Van
Morrison said, I have "No teacher, no guru, no method."
Can I move in a direction that is contrary to positive movement towards
the Laughing Light? You bet. The tough part is that the definition of
what is or is not 'positive' is not static. An example: it might be
proper that I learn what it means to take another human being's life
by killing an intruder in my home. It might not be proper that I
learn that lesson by following the orders of a superior officer in
time of war. OR VICE VERSA. I must choose at every instance,
and I might not immediately know if my choice has given or taken from
my search for truth.
There are also times when I might know that I am actively choosing to
deviate from my Path. I might choose to sooth a feeling of anxiety about
whether or not I can pay the rent this month by yelling at my wife.
I'm not using this as an example because it is traditionally
"wrong," but because I know that I cannot solve my problems
by transferring my anxiety to others. If I choose to ignore what I
have already learned, then not only have I lost ground, but I will
have to deal with the anger that I've given out at some point.
In conclusion, I believe that I am responsible for my own actions, as
others are for theirs. I also believe that if I commit an action
which may seem 'right' to me, but which society has deemed to be a
crime, I'll be punished by society for breaking that law. I would
punish those who break the laws which are meant to hold our society
together, such as prohibitions on murder, burglary, and so forth. I
believe that my moral convictions are binding only on myself, not on
others, and that I'll ultimately deal with the consequences of my
thoughts and deeds. I believe that I have no right to judge the moral
content of another's actions. I believe in the Wiccan Rede, "An
it harm none, do as thou shalt," and I further believe that it
is meant to make me consider my actions and their consequences, and
to make my own decisions, rather than as a prohibition against any
specific action.
There is much that I do not know about Godhead; much that I do not know
about Right and Wrong. I have only my instincts and intellect to
guide me, but I trust myself to make the right decisions eventually.
Madoc