Comments on: HBO, Big Love Temple Controversy http://ballandchain.greyduck.net/journal/573 Just another WordPress weblog Mon, 10 Aug 2009 10:03:48 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Wendilynn http://ballandchain.greyduck.net/journal/573/comment-page-1#comment-6039 Wendilynn Sun, 31 May 2009 22:32:59 +0000 http://ballandchain.greyduck.net/?p=573#comment-6039 Exactly. One can read about something, but if you are not prepared by knowledge and desire, its not going to mean much. I always feel a little sad when I've read stories from former members of my church for whom the temple experience was not good for them. Almost in every case they didn't want to be there but thought they were supposed to be there because it was expected of them. They weren't ready for the additional information nor the experience, therefore, it wasn't something they were ready to take on. The bible goes into how one must be able to handle the milk before you are ready for the meat. This is true in any theology. If you cannot agree with the basic information, the higher information that comes with the higher ordinances or rituals of any faith aren't going to be something one will be open to as valid. It will seem strange, weird or silly. Exactly. One can read about something, but if you are not prepared by knowledge and desire, its not going to mean much. I always feel a little sad when I’ve read stories from former members of my church for whom the temple experience was not good for them. Almost in every case they didn’t want to be there but thought they were supposed to be there because it was expected of them. They weren’t ready for the additional information nor the experience, therefore, it wasn’t something they were ready to take on.

The bible goes into how one must be able to handle the milk before you are ready for the meat. This is true in any theology. If you cannot agree with the basic information, the higher information that comes with the higher ordinances or rituals of any faith aren’t going to be something one will be open to as valid. It will seem strange, weird or silly.

]]> By: Lil http://ballandchain.greyduck.net/journal/573/comment-page-1#comment-6037 Lil Sun, 31 May 2009 20:27:16 +0000 http://ballandchain.greyduck.net/?p=573#comment-6037 Interestingly, Wiccan initiation rituals are also not supposed to be discussed with the non-initiated (of any faith, even other Wiccans) -- NOT because they are scandalous or weird or creepy in any way, but simply because initiation is a profoundly-personal spiritual experience. We don't "explain" initiation because you have to EXPERIENCE it to truly understand it. And that is the biggest reason why Wicca is considered a "mystery religion": in the religious sense, a mystery is something that cannot be understood without experiencing it. That said, there are tons of different Wiccan initiation rituals published in books and online, so they're not secret anymore. But all they will tell you is the "recipe" -- they won't help you understand the flavors and experience and potential changes within yourself once you have undergone initiation, much like reading a bread recipe won't help you understand the feel of kneading dough in your hands to exactly the right consistency, or the delight & pleasure of eating a slice of scrumptious homemade bread hot from the oven, or how accomplished you feel in eating or sharing something you made with your own time, effort, and skill. (It's not a perfect analogy, but I hope you get the idea.) Interestingly, Wiccan initiation rituals are also not supposed to be discussed with the non-initiated (of any faith, even other Wiccans) — NOT because they are scandalous or weird or creepy in any way, but simply because initiation is a profoundly-personal spiritual experience. We don’t “explain” initiation because you have to EXPERIENCE it to truly understand it. And that is the biggest reason why Wicca is considered a “mystery religion”: in the religious sense, a mystery is something that cannot be understood without experiencing it.

That said, there are tons of different Wiccan initiation rituals published in books and online, so they’re not secret anymore. But all they will tell you is the “recipe” — they won’t help you understand the flavors and experience and potential changes within yourself once you have undergone initiation, much like reading a bread recipe won’t help you understand the feel of kneading dough in your hands to exactly the right consistency, or the delight & pleasure of eating a slice of scrumptious homemade bread hot from the oven, or how accomplished you feel in eating or sharing something you made with your own time, effort, and skill. (It’s not a perfect analogy, but I hope you get the idea.)

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