Tuesday 31 March 2009

A fool's paradise?

No one likes to be taken for a fool, even on April Fools Day, but when anyone talks about the occult, the unexplained, the supernatural, belief systems and religions of all kinds, there are always those thinking "what a fool".

No one has been able to prove - or disprove - the existence of any god. The same goes for ghosts, aliens, after-death and out-of-body experiences, psychic powers and magic.

Individuals may have seen or experienced things that seem strong evidence, and scientific investigations may have uncovered a good number of frauds and misconceptions, but as yet there is no absolute proof one way or the other.

Does saying that make me an agnostic? According to thefreedictionary.com, an agnostic is:

A: One who believes that it is impossible to know whether there is a God; or
B: One who is skeptical about the existence of God but does not profess true atheism.
No, I don't think I'm an agnostic. To me, spirituality is more about feeling than knowing. I feel some sense of the divine when I am walking in the countryside on a beautiful spring day, watching a storm at sea or just out in my garden cutting back brambles.

It doesn't matter that scientists can explain how the sun, the wind and rain work, or even tell me what chemicals my body is releasing in my brain to make me feel inspired by these experiences. These facts can sit quite happily alongside my feelings that wonderful forces are at work, and that we can tap into them to enrich our lives and gain sense of purpose.

So, does this make me a fool? If so, I don't think I mind being one.

The picture above shows The Fool card from the Robin Wood Tarot Deck, which is available from Amazon for £13.99.

Links:
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2008/03/april-fools-day.html
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/agnostic
Robin Wood Tarot Deck
http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/35100.html

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi, been away for a while. I often ponder the same questions as you. It's interesting to be outside the norm of religious/spiritual belief. To believe that Jesus will return soon or save us in an afterlife is considered perfectly rational--even though there's no proof for any of it. But to call yourself a witch, a shaman or to simply prefer the company of nature is, well, a little off!

I don't always know where I fit, as far as atheism, agnosticism and so on. But like you say, I do feel connections in places and situations and with people. Is that divine? I don't know.

I suppose I'm a hopeful skeptic. I enjoy and value science. But those same scientists who know about chemical releases in the brain can't say exactly WHY those chemicals are released and what purpose they serve. Why should we be inspired by the sun or the wind? What biological purpose does that serve? That's where spirit comes in, I think.

I do worry that I'm becoming a fool, with all my renewed interest in all things metaphysical, pagan or whatever you call it. But I feel happier than I have in a long while, more content and at peace, even in the face of difficult circumstances. How can that be foolish?

Badwitch said...

Hi Riverwolf, lovely to hear from you again. Thanks for your comment - I agree with what you say and I think you put it very well.

Ishtari said...

Hi. I agree with you. And I think remaining within the bounds of what is proven prevents us from discovery....After all, only a fool would believe that we already know everything there is to know. There are a lot of things that science has yet to figure out :)