I've particularly enjoyed this month's essays, thank you! I've been reading your writing since early Gods + Radicals days and even contributed an essay to A Beautiful Resistance, which was a real privilege for me. In recent years my spiritual path has led me into a Christian framework, and I suppose I should have answered "Christian" in your poll (I chose "other"). That's something for me to reflect on - a fear, perhaps, that people will think they know what it means, as I used to, when really I am only just beginning to discover for myself.
Funny enough I felt the same thing when I answered "Chrisitan"--as if it doesn't capture the whole picture and leads to a lot of negative impressions about what that means. I returned to Catholicism about 10 years ago after arriving at the idea that the lines between paganism and Catholicism are very blurred--at least in symbolism and in a great deal of the ritual. Many may disagree with that assesment, perhaps even strongly, and that's ok, I get it. I also feel that it is an intact system that connects me spiritually to my ancestors. It also helps that I attend a Fanciscan parish run by Franciscan Friars, dedicated to the Charism of St. Francis and St. Claire. If you talk with them they are also pretty refreshingly open about the pagan and/or sexual symbolism of a lot of the rituals--especially during Easter.
It’s funny, I’m a Protestant who came to a pretty similar conclusion about Catholicism and paganism- after being attracted to both from an early age and dipping my toes in and out- and that now informs my Christianity. I’ve been Episcopalian for 20 years, which is the closest I can get to Catholicism without joining the RCC
I should probably have picked Christian, because I choose to locate myself there. But as someone who is relentlessly interested in intersections and integration, and has spent a lot of time in various spiritual communities, the answer is all of the above.
The only thing that I can call religion is collecting underappreciated fruit and herbs from my plentiful neighborhood in Portland OR (mostly berries, apples and pears) to make cider and wine. Under a tree, the smell of apples all seem so familiar in a cellular way. I call it 'free booze on trees'. It connects me, the bubbling brews are like my atomic clock, blup blup blup....best
Jun 29, 2022·edited Jun 29, 2022Liked by Rhyd Wildermuth
Rhys - I'm so pleased I've discovered your writing but I shouldn't have thoughtlessly completed your readers' poll. I'm one of the few atheists and perhaps I protest too much but I resent a little an implication that therefore I don't grasp the spiritual. I love and cherish the best of humanity . I laugh, cry, sing, dance, love and struggle..........Is that not enough?
No stress, friend. My husband's an atheist and deeply spiritual. Sorry if the way the poll was worded sounded limiting--there were word/character limits otherwise they'd be written much better. :)
I've particularly enjoyed this month's essays, thank you! I've been reading your writing since early Gods + Radicals days and even contributed an essay to A Beautiful Resistance, which was a real privilege for me. In recent years my spiritual path has led me into a Christian framework, and I suppose I should have answered "Christian" in your poll (I chose "other"). That's something for me to reflect on - a fear, perhaps, that people will think they know what it means, as I used to, when really I am only just beginning to discover for myself.
I commented and then read yours- very similar responses!
it's always been great to see you through all my different writing outlets. :)
Funny enough I felt the same thing when I answered "Chrisitan"--as if it doesn't capture the whole picture and leads to a lot of negative impressions about what that means. I returned to Catholicism about 10 years ago after arriving at the idea that the lines between paganism and Catholicism are very blurred--at least in symbolism and in a great deal of the ritual. Many may disagree with that assesment, perhaps even strongly, and that's ok, I get it. I also feel that it is an intact system that connects me spiritually to my ancestors. It also helps that I attend a Fanciscan parish run by Franciscan Friars, dedicated to the Charism of St. Francis and St. Claire. If you talk with them they are also pretty refreshingly open about the pagan and/or sexual symbolism of a lot of the rituals--especially during Easter.
It’s funny, I’m a Protestant who came to a pretty similar conclusion about Catholicism and paganism- after being attracted to both from an early age and dipping my toes in and out- and that now informs my Christianity. I’ve been Episcopalian for 20 years, which is the closest I can get to Catholicism without joining the RCC
I should probably have picked Christian, because I choose to locate myself there. But as someone who is relentlessly interested in intersections and integration, and has spent a lot of time in various spiritual communities, the answer is all of the above.
Thank you- Let it be know that I don't find it at all difficult to keep up with your writing, really, I wouldn't at all mind if there were more😽.
Haha okay! :)
The only thing that I can call religion is collecting underappreciated fruit and herbs from my plentiful neighborhood in Portland OR (mostly berries, apples and pears) to make cider and wine. Under a tree, the smell of apples all seem so familiar in a cellular way. I call it 'free booze on trees'. It connects me, the bubbling brews are like my atomic clock, blup blup blup....best
Rhys - I'm so pleased I've discovered your writing but I shouldn't have thoughtlessly completed your readers' poll. I'm one of the few atheists and perhaps I protest too much but I resent a little an implication that therefore I don't grasp the spiritual. I love and cherish the best of humanity . I laugh, cry, sing, dance, love and struggle..........Is that not enough?
No stress, friend. My husband's an atheist and deeply spiritual. Sorry if the way the poll was worded sounded limiting--there were word/character limits otherwise they'd be written much better. :)
No problem. I'm agonising too much. Best.
Possibly something to discuss, what does the term “spiritual” mean or indicate as a category or description.