"I tend to think of Deity as a concept, and not an actual filled job position."

[Silent3]

A friend on mine posted that on his Facebook page. I thought I'd share. :)

I can never quite figure out this friend of mine -- which is exactly how I think he likes it. He performs Wiccan ceremonies while having both embraced and rejected "Wiccan" as a label, he has called himself a Sufi (SUFI was his personalized license plate for a while), he wouldn't call himself an atheist or an agnostic (or hasn't yet -- who knows if I were to ask again?) but often says things as thoroughly skeptical sounding as many atheists and agnostics might say.

I don't think he's ever made any statement about belief, or lack of belief, where I didn't get the impression that he might as well be winking when he said it.

At times I think his approach to religion is like a role playing game (he does run D&D games), that he just likes acting out the parts and the rituals of belief. (Even as an atheist myself, I've enjoyed participating in Beltane rituals a few times, and a couple of Wiccan weddings.)

This friend makes me wonder how many other self-proclaimed believers are, at least in part, going through the motions of their religion and/or spirituality as a kind role play. I suspect that my friend is hard to pin down on the sincerity and exact nature of his beliefs not because he's being deliberately evasive, but because he enjoys the ambiguity.

[PDJane]

1. That's delightful...........

I think I would like your friend.

[WolverineDG]

2. Perhaps he's on a spiritual journey

& instead of mocking or deriding him (& other "self-proclaimed" believers) for "play acting" & "insincerity," perhaps you should respect the fact that he is still searching.


dg

[Silent3]

4. Perhaps you could take that giant chip of your shoulder

I am not "deriding" him. If you knew him as I do, you'd know he's likely to be happy that others are left a bit confused about where he stands on things, wondering about the things I wonder about.

[WolverineDG]

5. When someone implies that a person who follows various paths is "insincere"

that is derision.

dg

[Silent3]

6. Well isn't it wonderful that you're so sensitive...

...and caring, protecting my poor friend from "derision" he wouldn't find derisive or give a damn about? He plays up the doubt about his degree of sincerity himself, hence statements like the title of this thread.

[deutsey]

3. Or he could be like Lao Tzu said and when you name the Nameless

(like naming it Sufism, Wicca, etc.) you lose what It really is.

[toddaa]

7. Believers v. Seekers v. Wanderers

Believers have found what they are looking for.

Seekers have not.

Wanderers just like to go for walks and enjoy the scenery.