{b] Please take notice this is long … maudlin … disjointed etc* *
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I thank whatever Gods may be for my unconquerable soul
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I am the master of my fate I am the captain of my soul.
(From W.E. Henley INVICTUS)
Those words were penned before by birth by a writer as far removed from me by social standing and heritage, as the gulf of time and distance.
What first attracted me to the poem was the sense of utter , fierce uncompromising defiance of all powers natural and supernatural common and divine. Since that time I have grown to see the less obvious lesson of acceptance of responsibility. I certainly do not know why those words were written nor in what context. what matters to me is that they resonant of a common humanity.
That is how I feel about the Bible and other sacred text … their true power lies in what depths of hope, trust and love that has been placed in them by humanity not in the authority of their authorship or theological arguements…
In my Humble Opinion ------
I do not know God’s name or Gender I only know God is…
What if they are wrong …What if the idea that Humankind is the most favored of creation is wrong…
What if the idea of kinship to God (or if you must gods) is just mistaken arrogance about the origin and nature of sentient awarness…
What if it is all backwards that we are not descendants of exalted unique beings…
What does that say about all religions and philosophies that place Humankind in such high esteem.
What if the the idea of Salvation (Heaven / Hell) is wrong …
Does that in any way change the reality of God or the Universe?
I Think / Feel / Believe … NOT
All it changes is the motivation for accepting or rejecting self imposed artificial patterns of reasoning and justification…
Ok you say nice rant … but where is the conflict to what end does that make / or not you a hypocrite
The short version I am actively involved with a Baptist Church I am currently pursuing a don’t ask don’t tell policy … I am sincere about my commitment to serving people and God …Yes I know that eventually I will (must) curtail my involvement. However I am a useful, respected, appreciated and happy person (except for the inner turmoil) in this environment…I know what absolute honesty demands. But if there are Catholics who outwardly disagree with the Pope how far can I go?
Honesty is fine but total disclosure for no gain to any involved is questionable. I have no desire to change anything or anyone else. I guess I simply wish I could accept / believe as other profess.
My beliefs are more in line with Unitarian Universalist Societies but (no offense intended) they have only intellectual appeal to me.