liquid light

how often do you get asked by friends, work colleagues, the government census or whatever, “what’s your religion/faith?”

when it comes to our spiritual path, do we really need a label? as a songwriter i have been asked numerous times, “so what style are you?” - i always struggle to answer because while it might serve the marketeers, such labels limits the artist and say very little about their work.

i have reached the point where calling myself a “christian” holds little meaning for me. owning that label might reassure those concerned christians within my circle who would otherwise be worried about my salvation - i don’t take their concern lightly by the way - but it says virtually zero about me, the spiritual being currently undergoing a physical experience.

some people who call themselves “christian” also hate jews, revile homosexuals, do 1000 press-ups every morning, drink whisky, hug everyone they meet, only drink freshly ground coffee, denounce alcohol, hunger for armageddon, abstain from sex, believe in open marriage…yada yada yada.

all of the above, by calling themselves “christian”, would claim to be following the example of Christ and adhering to the bible, as they understand it.

currently i like the phrase, “christian - currently uninstalling”. after several decades of wrestling & searching primarily within the christian framework, i feel a growing desire to step out from under the “christian” tag altogether and embrace my ecumenical & eclectic nature.

as Seeker.

finish en klaar.

while i would like to finally come out as a post-evangelical gnostic christian, i can’t find a grey hooded robe that doesn’t make my ass look fat.

really though, is withholding a from-the-hip expression of one’s beliefs about the spiritual quest and one’s identity as a spiritual being, justifiable in order to not upset someone you care about?

i can only guess at how difficult it must be for a lot of gay people to come out. however, i suspect there are a lot of similarities with my experience with my more orthodox evangelical friends and family.

while i would like to exercise the same level of freedom of expression, i’m currently trying to decide whether my reticence to do so is an act of love or fear or a mix of both.

as i mentioned in previous posts, i am continuing to explore the teachings of the christian gnostics and more importantly, develop a regular spiritual practise. several people have asked me intelligent & searching questions regarding it.

i intend to put something up over the coming weeks, in order to clarify my attraction to this tradition and what i continue to find there. in the meantime, i would recommend reading Shawn’s post about contemplation & gnosis, which i found useful, as it gives an honest & personal take on what gnosis “is”.

all too often, christians are divided by doctrinal differences, when we should be drawn closer together by the sharing of experiences,  hopes, trials & musings.

as my alter-ego, gwanda Methuselah often whispers in my ear: “doctrine never made a holy man yet”.

till later.

 ruZL.