[Cro Dreoilin] "Shoulds"

[Sebastian]

In answer to the question of why you should follow gods that call to you
rather than ones you choose, I would say that either one works out. If a
god calls to you then they have a good reason for it which may not be
apparent at the time. The god may be trying to help/teach a lesson that you
may not know you need to learn. However, I think we have all had experience
with gods and goddesses that are not as forward as that. I am reminded of
the story of Pwyll and Rhiannon. Just because your intuition is that you
have chosen a god(ess) could be that that is simply their way of contacting
you. By the same token, if you choose a god(ess) and they have no need of a
relationship with you then, at best, nothing will happen.

Now to explain "being pissed".

I wrote that originally as nothing more than a snide joke, referring
specifically to the "God fearing Christians". However, I have encountered a
small hand-full of "god fearing Pagans". Though it was a joke, I have been
thinking more on this. If you have no previous
experience/calling/relationship with a particular deity, then I believe it
would be rather odd to want to appease them for fear of their "divine
pissed-offedness" (thanks Chris, love this phrase). Think of it like
sending letters to Kim Jong Il. He is powerful and, in the right
circumstances could do you serious harm, but why would he; and more to the
point, why are you trying to keep his wrath away? A god(ess) that would be
pissed off simply because I am not worshiping them is not a god(ess) I
would want to follow in the first place.

But, if you have already established a relationship with a deity and then
reject the tasks you have been given or up and stop "speaking" with them
for no apparent reason then, yes, they will be mighty pissed and, buddy,
you will not be able to run fast enough. Or worse, you may hurt them and
they will stop speaking with you. "I'm not mad, I'm disappointed" hurts
much worse.

P.S. I looked up the definition of "humility" and just for clarity's sake,
it means " modest opinion or estimate of one's own importance, rank, etc."

On Tue, Dec 6, 2011 at 5:35 AM, Donna Miller <dmiller at faerealm.com> wrote:

> **
> I have to say that I have been taught a different definition of humility
> than what you have.  What I have been taught is that humility *is *truthfulness
> about one's self and one's abilities.  What everyone believes as humility
> is actually a form of self denigration.
>
> DSM
>
>
> On 12/5/2011 8:48 PM, Kelley Forbes wrote:
>
> I would not say humility was one of the values of the pre-Christian Celts.
> Truthfulness about one's self and one's abilities, but not humility.
>
> Take pride in what you can, be honest about the rest, and don't worry
> about 'being humble'.
>
> -- Kelley.
>
>
> Amanda Ochs wrote:
>
>  I believe one may be humble, but retain dignity.  I realize that may seem
> like a contradiction in terms to our cultural worldview, but genuine self
> respect seems to be part of the Celtic tradition in what contact I have had
> with those gods.
>
>
>
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