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Internet Book of Shadows, (Various Authors), [1999], at sacred-texts.com
(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.
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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.
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>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.
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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
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