lexlikestea | Divine Authority Revisited (Reply)

Here I am, reading about ethical monotheism and I encountered this: "Right is right; wrong is wrong--because God said so." I didn't even add the italics. They're in the book. I don't know what to say because wow that makes me feel itchy inside. I do not like it. Why don't I like it? I...am not entirely sure! WTF, self, way to be utterly unhelpful! Do I think it's bad to have a higher authority guiding and telling people what is right and wrong?

I wrote the above the other day about divine authority. Today, after doing reading about the design and use of a grimoire (because I'm still pursuing that path, too) I decided to have a snack and watch some hockey. As I watched the Capitals and the Islanders flying up and down the ice, I had an epiphany. I have no idea what the thought sparked off of, but maybe that's not important. (It's a little important, per my pagan/witchy path.) The answer to "why am I uncomfortable with the idea that something is right or wrong because God said so is that my knee-jerk reaction is that there is a "higher" rightness that even the divine is subject to, not in the sense of authority but in the sense of truth. That even the divine operates within the cradle of "existence" and therefore is subject to rules? or something.

This "higher truth/rhythm/whatever" doesn't even need to be true! It is not something I have chosen to believe after careful consideration and observation of the world and how I experience it. I am not committed to this stance. BUT even if it is true, it follows that God absolutely is closer to and more knowledgeable about this than humans are, so it is fine (good, right), for God to tell humans how to be ethical and what is right and wrong, because god knows more about these things than we do, and will guide us accordingly.

I'm still not one hundred percent ready to throw myself into either of these positions, honestly, but it's a relief to have sorted out where my stumbling block was, and that it doesn't have to be an issue.

I'm feeling stretched a little thin, but mostly in a good way. I'm a little worried that I've overcommitted myself, but it's mostly only on things that will effect me, so I guess it's fine. I'm trying to study two different spiritual paths, get back into writing, (eventually) DM some D&D, etc. Trying to build a healthier routine and everyday habits, too. Which really means that I should be spending a lot less time doomscrolling on twitter, but...I have pretty much failed to Not Do That. Still, overall, I feel like I'm inching forward a tiny bit at a time. I think. Maybe.