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8/8/2019 Calum Carlyle - The Holy Gobbledybook
1/21
The Holy
GobbledybookBeing The Handbook for Integrational
Polytheism
by Calum A Carlyle
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FOREWORD
Religionsareaboutrules,partially.Youwillfindsomerulesinthisdocument,butnota
lot.Therearesomeguidelinestoo,buttheyarenotrules.
Anotherthingthatareligionhas,andithinkalotofpeopleforgetthis,istheyhaveaphilosophyaswell.Generally,areligionexemplifiesaparticularwayoflookingat,and
reactingto,theworldwelivein.Thisreligiondoeshaveaphilosophytoo.Thephilosophyof
thisreligionissimple.Perhapsitissosimplethatvolumeshavebeenwrittenaboutit.
Volumesalreadyhavebeenwrittenaboutit.ThecentralpillarofIntegrationalPolytheismis
this:begood.Dogoodthingsthatmakeyouandothersfeelgood.Themorepeoplebeing
good,moreofthetime,themorehappinessandgeneralgoodtimeseverybody'sgoingto
have.
Anddon'tmakeabigdealofitifyouletyourselfdown.Noteverybodycanbegoodallthetime.You'renotsuperhuman.idonotsaythisinanywaytojustifydoingbadthings,
thingswhichwillharmoradverselyaffectanotherlivingbeing,butisaythisbecauseitis
bettertoputyourenergyintoenjoyinglifeandhelpingothersenjoyit,thanitistoputyour
energyintoworryingaboutthebadtimes.Thismaymakethebadtimesworse,itmaymake
themlastlonger.Timeonlytravelsinonedirection,thedirectionwelivein,andwemustlive
ourlivesasfullyaswecan,doingthingswhichareofbenefittoourselvesandotherswhilewe
liveit.
Everythingelseinthisdocumentissecondarytothatphilosophy.Thephilosophyis
notuniquetoIntegrationalPolytheism,ibelieveitisalsothephilosophyoftheQuakers,many
BuddhistsandalsoithinkitisthephilosophyoftheChristiangospelsofThomasandQ.
It'sprobablythephilosophyofmanyotherschoolsofthoughtalso.Therestofthisdocument
tellsyouabitmoreaboutIntegrationalPolytheismandindirectly,aboutme.Youcanbean
IntegrationalPolytheistifyouwant,butitisnotsomethingyoucanusetodistinguish
yourselvesfromothers.Ifyou'reanIntegrationalPolytheist,you'renotinsomethingthat
othersareoutof.We'reallinthistogether.ihopeyouenjoyIntegrationalPolytheismandi
hopeitgivessomesortofstructureifyouneedthat,orfreedomifyouneedthat.Mostofall,i
hopeithelpsyoutoenjoyandihopeyouultimatelyenjoytohelp.
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PARTONE
IntegrationalPolytheism ANewPointofView
1 IntegrationalPolytheismisanewreligionistarted.Moreorless.Tobefair,many
othershavecometothiswayofthinkingontheirown,soratherthanbeinganamazing
innovation,itseemsthatIntegrationalPolytheismissimplyanideawhosetimehascome.It
doesn'tactuallyaddanythingofsubstancetothereligiousquestion.Itdoesnotadvocate
extremeactionsuchasrighteousterrorism.IntegrationalPolytheismsimplyadvocatesanew
pointofview,andopenmindednessinallthings,specificallyinreligion,spiritualityand
freedomofword,thoughtanddeed.
2IfyouareanIntegrationalPolytheist,youwillagreethatallreligiousandspiritual
beliefsareinsomewaytrue(thisrequiresafairlyopenideaofwhat"truth"is),andyouwill
alsobelieveactivelyinapersonsrighttosay,thinkanddowhatevertheywant,solongasit
harmsnoother.
3That'sbasicallyit.Therearenoregularceremoniestoattendunlessyouwishtogoto
theceremoniesofotherreligions(whichidorecommend)andtherearenolibationstobe
offeredup(althoughidorecommendmakingofferingsasyoufeelinclined).Thereareno
specialcommandmentstokeepotherthanthosealreadymentioned,althoughithinkyouwill
findthatthoseareallthatarerequiredanywayforresponsibleliving,andthereisno
requirementtoconvertthosearoundyouortotreattheminanyspecialwayiftheydonot
believeasyoudo!
4Imightaddthati'mnotlookingforconverts.IfyoudodecidetobeanIntegrational
Polytheist,itwouldbeniceifyoucouldletmeknowusingwhatevermeansareatyour
command,butit'sentirelyyourchoice.IntegrationalPolytheismisnotsomethingthatyou
havetohaveinordertoattainsalvation.Itismypersonalbeliefthatopenmindednessmay
besomethingweneedmoreofasaspecies,orasociety,buttherearemanyroadstowards
thatgoal,ofwhichIntegrationalPolytheismisonlyone.
IntegrationalPolytheism WhoItIsandHowItCameToBe
5Religionisusuallyafairlyexclusivething.Youdon'tusuallyget'religionenthusiasts'.
Whatimeanbythatis,ifsomeoneisenthusedaboutonereligion,theyareoftenpretty
closedaboutanyotherreligions.Ifyougo,forexampletoawebsiteaboutfood,youmight
expecttoseeitemsaboutmanykindsoffoodsandifyouvisitawebsiteaboutamphibians,
youcouldreasonablyexpecttofindinformationaboutawiderangeofdifferentcreatures.Not
sowithreligions.Ifyouvisitareligiouswebsiteyouwillusuallybeconfrontedwithonesetof
doctrines,onesetofrulesandonepantheonofgods(ormorefashionablyjusttheonegod).
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6ThedevelopmentofIntegrationalPolytheismtookquiteafewyearsformeinactual
fact.Ithasbeenputtomethatmyreligionisafadandthatitiseasyfor'someguy'tostarta
religion,butthatittakesadifferentsortofcalibretohavefaithinone.Thesecommentsand
othershaveledmetobelievethatpeopledon'treallyknowwhatIntegrationalPolytheismis
allabout.Perhaps,ithought,ishouldletpeopleknowhowtheideaofIntegrational
Polytheismstarted.Maybethentheywouldstarttoseetheideathroughmyeyes.So,hereitis thegenesisofIntegrationalPolytheism.Firstletsquicklyexplorewhatiactuallymeanby
IntegrationalPolytheismandtheni'llquicklyletyouknowhowipersonallycametobelievein
usingIntegrationalPolytheismtoframemyspiritualoutlook.
7Theword'polytheism'referstoareligiousbeliefsystemwhichallowsfortheworship
ofseveralgods.Thisideaisnot,ofitself,anewone.Infactpolytheismhasprobablybeen
aroundlongerthanmonotheism(asystemwherethefollowersbelievethatonlyonegod
exists).TheancientGreekshadapolytheisticreligion,asdidtheNorseandtheRomans.All
thesecivilisationswereeventually"converted"enmassetochristianity(amonotheism)inonewayortheother.Hinduismisanexampleofapolytheisticreligionthatisstillupheldinmany
partsoftheworld.Religionswhichcastheavenlybodiesornaturalphenomenaasdivine
spiritsarepolytheisticaswell,sincetheyallowfortheworshipofmorethanoneentity.
8IntegrationalPolytheismtakestheconceptofpolytheismonestepfurtherthanother
polytheisticreligions.Thesereligions,whileallowingformorethanonegod,andinsome
casesallowingforthediscoveryofevenmorenewgods,stillmaynotallowfortheexistence
ofallgods,althoughitseemsasthoughsomemodernandreconstructionistpaganismand
polytheismtypebeliefsystemstakeamoreliberalapproachtothissortofthingthansomereligionsmayhavedoneinthepast.Nowletshearthepersonaltestimonyofhowicameto
IntegrationalPolytheism...
9Wheniwasalittlekid(yes,it'soneofthosestories)ihadavarietyofconfusing
religiousinfluencesinmylife.Tobeginwith,bothmyparentswereagnostics,withmydad
possiblyerringtowardstheatheistside.Thissituationconvincedmygrandmother(a
protestant,butonewhobelongedtoahighlyunusualcongregationofthetambourinewaving,
speakingintonguestype)thatineededsomesortofreligiousguidance.Sheintroducedme
tothechurchshewasapartof.Thisgavemetheoriginalbasisforformingreligiousopinions
ofmyown.ApartfromthisigrewupinOrkneywherethereareplentyremnantsoftheNorse
empireandofanotherprehistoricpeoplewhobuiltmanyhengesandtombsaboutwhichwe
nowknowverylittle.
10Thenextsignificanteventwasthatwheniwasnine,mygrandmotherdied,soitgoes,
whichwasagreatshocktome,andalsomeantthatinolongerwastakentoanychristian
meetings(atthispointiama"bornagain"christian,howeverineverfeltcomfortablewith
beingbaptised,andsoineverhavebeen).Mymothershortlyafterwardsbecameachristian,
andjoinedthesamechurchmygrandmotherhadbeenpartof,laterdefectingtotheChurch
ofScotland(aprotestantdenomination)duetocertaindenominationaldifferencesregarding
thechurch'sattitudetowardswomen(derivedfromthelettersofStPaul).Mydad,inthe
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meantime,hadanupliftingexperienceinaforestwitharainspirit,whichconvertedhiminto
whathecallsa"bornagainpagan".Asfarasicanmakeout,thisinvolvesbelievinginallthe
elementalspiritsandhavingagenerallyreverentattitudetothenaturalthingsinhisvicinity.
11Whatwithallthisreligiouschangegoingonaroundme,ibegantowonderwhatsortof
thingsishouldbebelievingin.Itseemedtooimportantathingtojustleavetohabitorcircumstance.Themainconcernformewastheideathatmyeternalsouldependedupon
makingthe"right"choice,andifichose"wrong"thenwhammo!thatwouldbemyfatesealed
foreternity.Thiswasaharrowingconceptforanelevenyearold.ialsohadtoconsiderthe
factthereweremanyotherreligionsintheworld.Whatifoneofthemturnedouttobe"right"
andbothofthereligiouspersuasionsthatiwasfamiliarwithwere"wrong"?Allthereligions
seemedtohavetheirowncompleterulebook,likealongcontractthatyouhadtoagreewith
tojoin.iwascertainthatiwouldnotagreewithalloftherulesofwhateverreligioniultimately
chose.Thisdidnotseemidealtome.However,ichose,aftersomedeliberationandadivine
experienceortwo,tojoinmygrandmother'sex churchagain.ithinkthismayhavebeenlargelyasawaytoputsomesortoforderandcontinuitytothewholeaffair.Whilstallthiswas
goingon,mymothergraduallybecameaQuaker(officiallyknownastheReligiousSocietyof
Friends,andaveryfriendlybunchtheyseematthat!).
12Thiswasnottheendofthestorythoughofcourse,istoppedbeingachristiansome
timeafterilefthome,andthereasonwasthaticouldnotfindachristiandenominationwhose
doctrinesiproperlyagreedwith.itriedseveralbutallthedenominationsseemedtocomewith
anentiresetofthingsthatyoualsohadtoagreewithtotrulyfitin.Ofcourse,allofthese
rulesweredifferentfromtherulesofmostoftheotherdenominations,andinaddition,christiansfromalldenominationshadwhatiperceivedtobeapompouscertaintythatthey
were"right",eveninthingstotallyunrelatedtoreligionorspirituality.Thiswasunacceptableto
meandseemedtoruncontrarytothespiritofchristianity,andindeedreligion,soididnot
attendanymorechristianmeetings,althoughistillconsideredmyselfachristian.Youcould
saythatthechurchdrovemeawayfromgod,bystraininggnatswhilstitpassedcamels.At
thistime,ialsohadalotoffriendswhohadtheirownversionsofpaganism,basedonvarious
differenttheologiesorphilosophies,andthey(andi)wouldconstantlybediscussingvarious
aspectsofspirituality.Thiscommunitypromotedactivedebateanddiscussionaboutthe
natureoftheworld,thespiritsthatlivethereinandthereonandgenerallyanythingwhichthere
couldbediscussionaboutwasdiscussedopenly.Thiswasdirectlyinoppositiontothe
christianpositionthatthebiblewasultimatelycorrectandthatnoargumentordiscussion
couldbeallowedwithoutacceptingthefinalauthorityofthebible(ormoreimportantlythe
churchsinterpretationofthebible).Thispromotedinmeaquestingmindsetthat,ithink,
christianitycouldnotreallysatiate.
13Thisstory'sgettingquitelongbutwe'vegottotheimportantbitnow,havingfinally
dispensedwiththebackstory.Thelastnailinthecoffinformeandchristianitycameonenight
whenisawaTVprogramme.Nowidon'tanddidn'twatchverymuchTVandithinkihadnot
watchedaprogrammethewholewaythroughforafewmonthswhenisawthisparticular
documentary.Itwasatwohourprogramaboutsomesmallpiecesofevidencewhichhad
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beenfoundthroughoutthelasttwothousandyears,butmainlyduringthetwentiethandlate
nineteenthcenturies.Thegistoftheevidencewasthatchristianityhadoriginallybeen
pioneeredbyStPaulandStJames.Inanutshell,StJames'followingfizzledoutearlyinthe
secondcentury,accordingtotheTVshow,whileStPaul'sfollowingbecamewhatwenowcall
christianity.ItturnedoutthatJameswasabloodrelationofJesus(andsomighthavehada
betterideaofwhatchristianitywasallsupposedtobeabout)whilePaulseemstohadalotofpoliticalagendasandmayhavebeenbendingthephilosophyofchristtosuithisownends(all
altruisticiamsure,butnotpure,oratleastthiswasthefeelingigot)suchasunitingthe
JewishpeopleagainstthehatedRomans.StPaulnevermetJesusinfact,andclaimedhis
authoritytoteachfromvisionshehadhadwhereJesusappearedtohim.TheTVshowcame
totheconclusionthattheoriginalideabehindJesusteachingswasnottorecruitanarmyof
righteoussinnerswhowereallabsolvedfromblamebutsubjugatedundergod'sheel(which
ishowiviewmodernchristianity)butrather,thewholepointofJesuswords,ironically,may
originallyhavebeenanattempttogetpeopletobetolerantofeachother.
14Atthispointirealisedjusthowficklereligiontrulywas.Onetwistofhistoryand
christianitycouldhavebeencompletelydifferent(andatmanyotherpointsinhistorytoo!think
ofCromwell,orAugistine,forexample),anothertwistandchristianitymayneverhaveexisted
atall.ifeltthatStPaulhadcheatedmeandmanyothers,andthathisveryteachingswould
protecttheevidenceofhismisinformationfrombackfiringonhisideaofchristianity.To
summarise,StPaul(the"managingdirector",ifyouwillofearlychristianity)mayhavebeena
verygoodpoliticalcampaigner,buthewasnot,inmyopinion,agreatspiritualleader.
15 Sonowwhat?Inmymindthishadprovedthattherewassomething"outthere",butitwassomethingthatwaswillingtolethumanitydoitsownthing,killeachotherandtelleach
otherconvincinglies,withoutanydefinitivedivineintervention.Peopleofalltypesofreligion
claimedtohaveseengod,andangels,whowasitosaythatoneorotherofthemwasmore
rightthantherest?ihavehadmorethanoneenlighteningreligiousexperiencemyself,andso
havesomeotherpeopleiknow.Thesnagisthatalloftheseexperienceswererealtothose
whoexperiencedthemandyettheseexperiencesseemtoberepresentingdifferent,and
apparentlyincompatible,religiousphilosophies.Thisclearlywasntright.Ifthesereligious
experienceswereallvalid(whichihavenoreasontodoubt),thenthesereligiousphilosophies
mustalsobereal,andsothismeansthatintheuniversetheremustbeasystemwherebyall
ofthesereligionshasitstruth.Itiscommonforpopularreligionstodisclaimotherreligious
positionsasbeingwrongormistaken.Thisisunderstandable,giventhehumandesireto
knowthedetailsofanystoryliterally.Wehaveatendencyasaculturetoimaginethatoncea
versionofeventshasbeennaileddowninwordsonpaper,thatthereisnootherpossible
interpretationofeventswhichcanbetruewithoutourownaccountbeingautomaticallyfalse.
Also,disclaimingotherreligionsisagoodwaytogainprominenceinthepubliceye.Ifyoucan
stirupabitofrighteousindignationamongthefaithful,basedonsomethingthehereticshave
claimedwhichisincompatiblewithyourreligionsdoctrine,thenyoumaywellendupswelling
theranksabit.Religionisallbasedonadvertising.
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16Sotogettothepoint,istartedmyownlittlereligioninmyhead,whereikeptanopen
mindaswellasicould.I'llprobablyneverknow,ithought,whattherealtruthis,andifidie
andmeetmymaker,atleastitriedmybesttokeepanopenmind.Amakerthatdoesnotlook
kindlyuponthatisnomakeriwanttohavemuchtodowith,andbesides,keepinganopen
mindisagoodideawhilewearestillonthisworldanywaysowhatharmcanitdo?
17Somepeoplemaytothinkistartedthisreligionandpublishedawebsiteaboutitjustto
drawattention,orforalaugh,butthatissimplynottrue.Thestoryyouhavejustreadisthe
truthofthematter,fromstarttofinish.imadeupthereligionformeandmealone(althoughi
havelaterlearntthatmanyothershavedonethesame,moreorless),andthisdocumentis
forinformationalpurposesprimarily.iamnotaimingtoconvertanybody.Thisisnotafireand
brimstonereligionofapocalypticconsequences.Itcontainsnothreatstotheunbeliever.
Neitherisitacult.Itdoesnotreexaminesomesmallerpointofanotherreligioninorderto
createanewdoctrine.YoucanbeanIntegrationalPolytheistifyoulike,andifyoudo,theni
willnotcommandyoutodoanything,ortellyouwhotobeorhowtoliveyourlife.Therewillnotbeaholyzero hourwhenistarthandingoutthepoisonedkool aidandleadeverybody
intothedesert.Attheendoftheday,youareanIntegrationalPolytheistbecauseyouare
whoyouare,andnottheotherwayaround.
LiteraryInfluences
18Itmightalsobeofinterestforyoutoknowwhatiwasreadingthroughallthis,since
myreadingformedmythoughtsintheordertheyendedupbeingarrangedin.Firstand
foremost,TheSandmanbyNeilGaimanhasbeenanenormousinfluenceontheactualwayi
imagineIntegrationalPolytheismtobesetup.Itwasoriginallypublished(asfarasiknow)as
seventysixcomicbooks,threeshortstoriesandtwoillustratednovels.Itiscurrentlyavailable
aselevenortwelvebooksandispublishedbyDCComicsGroupintheUSAandbyTitan
BooksinBritain.Thisseriesexploreshumanconsciousness,particularlydreamsandstories.
Itmanagestoexploretheideaofmultiplegodsverywellalongthewayhowever.SmokeAnd
Mirrors,acollectionofshortstoriesbyNeilGaimanisimportantreading,asitexploresthe
natureofmultipletruthsandmythmaking,amongstotherthings.Anotherhighly
recommendedbookbyNeilGaimanis"AmericanGods".Itwaspublishedin2001anditisa
novelwhichusesIntegrationalPolytheismasoneofitsmainthemes(althoughobviouslyit
doesn'tuseanyofmyterminologysinceNeilGaimanhasneverheardofmeormyreligion!).
ItisveryimportanttomentionthatthisnovelprobablypredatesmyconceptofIntegrational
Polytheism.NeilGaiman,asfarasiknow,hasneverheardofmybrandofIntegrational
Polytheism,andhehashimselfbeeninventingithimselfasaliteraryconceptforyears.i
stronglyrecommendyoureadMrGaiman'swork
19Ofcoursetherearealotofotherbooksandtextsishouldmention,forexample
AldousHuxley's"TheDoorsofPerception"whichbeginsasanaccountofanexperiment,
whereHuxleyimbibesaquantityofmescalininaglassofwaterandwriteshispersonal
accountoftheexperience.Thebookveryquicklymovesontodiscussmanyaspectsofthe
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worldandofconsciousnesswhichHuxleyhasbeenpromptedtoseeinanewlightsincehis
mescalinexperience.SlightlylessrelevantbutnolessilluminatingisHuxley's"BraveNew
WorldRevisited".Really,youshouldread"BraveNewWorld"first,since"...Revisited"isa
nonfictionalessaywrittentwentyorsoyearsafter"BraveNewWorld"waspublished,
analysinghowaccurateorinaccuratetheoriginal(fictional)novelwasinitspredictionsabout
futuresocietaldevelopment.Readingitnow,anotherfiftyyearsdowntheline,providesanextradimensionofinsight.
20PhilipK.Dickhaswrittensomeexcellentnovels,somearerelevantinawayto
IntegrationalPolytheism.iparticularlycite"Ubik"and"ClansoftheAlphaneMoon".theformer
remindsusverywellofthefragilityofreality,whilethelatterasksustoquestionwhyweview
somethingsasrightandsomethingsaswrong,italsoraisesthequestionofhowmuch
poweronecanwieldpurelythroughbeliefs.
21 KurtVonnegutJnrhaswrittensomerelevantbookstoo.Mostnotably"SlaughterhouseFive",whichdealswiththedifferencebetweentherealityinourmindsandtherealityinthe
mindsofothers,and"Cat'sCradle"whichaskshowareligionwhichadmitsitiscompletely
falsecanhavesomuchinfluenceandpower.
22RobertHeinleinsJob:AComedyofJusticeaddressestheconceptofaJehovah
typegod,aspartofamuchbiggerarrangementofgodlyfigures.Itexploresanunusual
courseofthoughtforitssubjectmatter.EyeInTheSkybyPhilipKDickisanothergoodone
alongsimilarlines.
23MichaelMoorcockhasbeenwritingfictionfordecades.Hecontinuestoturnout
seeminglyunrelatedstories,howeverwhenexaminedclosely,allofhisnovelstietogetherin
anetherealtypeofsupernaturalway.Moorcockreferstothisashismultiverse.Asfarasican
tell,everythingthatcouldeverhappenhashappenedinthemultiverse,andanypointinit
couldbeaffectinganyotherpoints.Youcouldreadhisnovelstofindoutwhatiamgoingon
about,andirecommendit,butbepreparedtoreadatleastacoupleofdozenbeforeyoustart
tofigureitout.Agoodonetostartwithis"TheDreamthief'sDaughter".Mostparticularly
though,istronglyrecommendthatyouread"BeholdtheMan"whichisMoorcock'sHugo
awardwinningnovelaboutthelifeofJesusChrist.Itcontainsauniquelyoriginalaccountof
thegospelstory.
24OtherbookswhichirateveryhighlyareTheProphetbyKahlilGibranwhichcontains
alotofsensiblewisdom,andthingsforcontemplationandTheLostGospel:TheBookofQ
andchristianOriginsbyBurtonLMack.ItisinevitablethatIntegrationalPolytheistswillbe
challengedbychristians.Thisbookpresentstheresultsofextensiveresearchintothenew
testamenttoilluminatethefactsbehindtheformationofchristianity.AnIntegrational
Polytheistmustacknowledgethepossiblerightnessofthechristianpositionofcourse,
howevertheattemptsofchristianstoconvinceotherstojoinupaschristiansthemselves
meansitisbesttobeinformedbeforehand.ThusBurtonLMacksbookisverygoodreading,
asarethevariousbooksinthenewtestament.TheGospelofThomasisalsoahighly
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recommendedread.Itappearstoshowaverydifferentoutlookofearlychristianity,often
usingfamiliarJesussayingsfromthenewtestamenttomakesomeveryunfamiliarpoints.For
thatmatterallholyandreligioustextsofdeadorlivingreligionsorphilosophiesshouldbe
consideredvalidstartingpointsforthoughtanddiscussion.Andletsfaceit,theymightallbe
right!
25Iwouldalsorecommendfamiliarisingyourselfwiththestories,legendsand
backgroundassociatedwithvariousworldculturesandreligions(suchas,butnotlimitedto,
Australianaboriginal,ancientGreek,Roman,Norse,Celtic,Maori,ancientEgyptian,Asianor
indigenousNorthandSouthAmericanbeliefs.Theseareusuallyveryinterestingtoresearch,
sincetheycomefromdifferentcultureswithdifferentattitudes.Themoreyoureadfrom
differentsources,themoreinformedyouwillbetomakeyourownchoices.
TheDoctrinesofIntegrationalPolytheism
26IntegrationalPolytheismhaswhatipersonallyfeelisauniquepositionasregards
policyanddoctrines,sinceoneofthemainpointsofIntegrationalPolytheismistoavoid
havingpeoplebetoldwhattodo!Thismeans,ofcourse,thatanydoctrinesandrulesilay
downhereshouldrightlybetakenasmypersonalopinion,andnotascommandmentsor
conditions.Youyourselfwillhavetodecidewhatyouagreewithanddisagreewithasfaras
my"teachings"areconcerned(and,bytheway,agoodplacetoexpressyourpersonal
opinionsonthose"teachings"istheIntegrationalPolytheismdiscussionforumsonthe
website).iwilllayoutguidelinestoillustratemypersonalideaofwhatIntegrational
Polytheismisabout,anditshouldalsoberememberedthatunlessyouacceptthateverybody
mightberight,andlivebythecodeofnothurtinganyone,thenyoucanttechnicallybecalled
anIntegrationalPolytheist.Thisisnobigdealforanybodyconcerned,butitisahelpful
definitionofterms.
Okaythen,herewego,GuidelinesandTalkingPointsforIntegrationalPolytheists:
27Thinkwhatyoulikeandbelievewhatyouwant.
Ithinkthisoneneedsalittlebitofexplanation.Whatimeanbythisisthatyoumust
thinkaboutnewinformationthatcomestoyou,anddecideforyourselfwhatyouropinion
aboutitis.You,asanIntegrationalPolytheist,mayhaveadifferentsetofbeliefsfromany
otherIntegrationalPolytheistonthefaceoftheplanet!Thisispurelybecauseyouwillhave
tailoredyourbeliefstofitinwithyourpersonality.
28Thisdoctrineissimplyawayofsayingthatyouhavefreedomofchoice,andyou
shoulduseitwheneveryoucan.Inmyopinion,alotofpeoplewantfreedomfromchoice
ratherthanfreedomofchoice,butthenIntegrationalPolytheismisnotforeverybody.
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29Allowotherstheirfreedomofchoice,andgivethemachance
Nowthisonemaypourabitofcoldwateronthewholeaffairforsomepeople.
Basicallywhatthismeansisthatit'salrightforanypersontosaytheyareanIntegrational
Polytheist,butthismeansthatpersoncannolongercriticisesomeoneelse'sreligion,
philosophyorlifestyleasbeinguntrue.IfyouareanIntegrationalPolytheist,youmustalwayskeepanopenmindtothepossibilitythateverybodyoranybodycouldberightorwrongabout
anything.Forexample,atthemomentthereisalotofanti MuslimthoughtintheWestern
world,howeveranIntegrationalPolytheistcannotbeoftheopinionthatIslamissomehow
lessrightthananyotherreligionbecausethisissimplynotfair.Thereligionitselfcannotbe
heldresponsiblefortheactionsofindividuals.
30AnIntegrationalPolytheistmustalsoallowforthepossibilitythatanyreligionscan
have"theanswer".Even"primitive"tribalreligionshaveasmuchrelevanceintoday'sworld
asanyotherreligion.Evenlongdeadreligionswithnolivingworshippershaverelevance,anditmaybethattherearesomecrucialpointsbeingoverlookedwithinsuchreligionspurely
becausetheyarenotthereligionswhicharecurrentlyfashionable.AnIntegrationalPolytheist
mustaccept,then,thatwisdomcancomefromanysourcewhatsoever.Themostimportant
pieceofwisdomthatyoumightreceiveinyourentirelifemaycomefromthemouthofafour
yearoldchild,theshapeoftheclouds,orsomethingyouhearontheradio.Thisiswhyitis
importantnottodismissanythingoutofhand,andsincewecanneverknoweverythingabout
anything,wemustkeepanopenmindatalltimes.
31 Thisalsomeansyouaccepttheexistenceofanyandallgodsandgoddesses,even
oneswhichyouconsidertobesillyorjokegods.Afterall,whatsthedifference,ultimately,
betweenarealreligionandajokereligion?(jokeanswer:jokereligionsaresupposedtobe
funny!)Thetrueansweristhatitsentirelyinthemindsofthoseinvolvedwhethersomething
isajokereligionornot.Itcostsnothingtotreatotherreligionswithrespect,andsothisis
whatiurge,eveninthecaseofallegedlyhumorousreligions.Youcanstillhaveajokeabout
them,butafterall,theycouldberight.
32Happily,thissetupalsoallowsyoutoneverhavetomakeyourmindupabout
anything.IntegrationalPolytheistscanalwayschangetheirmindsaboutsomethinginlightof
newinformation,anewperspectiveorjustbecausetheyfeellikeit.There'snoshamein
changingyourmind.Nobodyexpectsyoutoknoweverything.Ifyoudidknoweverything,
therewouldbenopointinkeepinganopenmind!Infactifyoulookaroundyou,alotofthe
peoplewhodonothaveopenmindsseemtothinkthattheydoknoweverything.
33Sothat'sit.Youjusthavetoconsciouslyconsideranyassumptionsyoumightbe
makinginthecourseofyourlifeandkeepyourmindandattitudeopenabouteverything.A
healthyinterestinassortedreligionsandphilosophieswillalsohelpyougaintheskillstolive
bythesedoctrines,butitisnotnecessary.Ofcourse,asihavebeensayingthroughoutthis
wholepage,anybodyismorethanwelcometobeanIntegrationalPolytheist,ornottobe
one,whichevertheyprefer.
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BeingaResponsibleAdultinTryingTimes
34Bytheverynatureofthefactthatistartedareligion,iadopta"leadership"typeof
role.I'mnottoocomfortablewiththatbutican'tdenyit,asseveralpeoplehavepointedout.
Basically,whatisayinwritingwillbereadbypeople,andtheymayactonitsoihavetotake
responsibilityforit.That'sfine.Takingresponsibilityforouractionsandwordsissomething
thatiwanttobeanintegralpartofIntegrationalPolytheismanyway,butthisdoesposea
quandaryofsorts.
35Youseeithoughtthatpredominantly,peoplewouldreadwhatihavetosay,thenthink
aboutitandthenmaketheirownmindupaboutwhattheywantedtothinkorbelieve,ormore
likelytheywouldmakethedecisioninternallyonasemi sub consciouslevel.Maybethatis
whathasbeenhappeningbuttomydelight,peoplehavecomebackwithmanythoughtsand
opinionsusingwhatiwriteastheirstartingpoint,andoneofthethingstheyhavebeensaying
isthatineedtobecarefulinwhatisay(andtakeresponsibilityformywords)becausenowi
amtheleaderofareligionandmywordsmightinfluenceothers'behaviour!
36Well,that'salltrueisupposeanditcomeswiththeterritory,andasyouknowihave
beentryingtoberesponsibleanyway,butthere'salwayssomewaytobemisinterpretedin
theend.Allicandoistrynottobemisinterpreted.iwouldhateforIntegrationalPolytheismto
becomeoneofthosereligionsorcultsthatresultsinhardship,bullyingorevendeath.That's
exactlywhatIntegrationalPolytheismisnotabout.
TakeResponsibilityWithYouWhereverYouGo
37Soanyway,sincestartingthewebsite,iamfindingthatpeoplesometimesreally
misunderstandwhatiamsaying(inmyopinion).Resultantly,ihavetriedtobeasclearas
possibleonthewebsite,hammeringoutthedetailsonthediscussionboardandamendingthe
pagesonthesiteitselfasnecessary,butattheendofitall,peoplewillstillfindawayto
misreadsomethingiftheyreallywantto.JustlookattheQuran,theBible,theTorahandthe
Sutrasforexample!iwilljusthavetoacceptthisfactanditrytokeepthateffecttoa
minimumbybeingasconciseaspossible.Whenitcomesdowntoitthough,ifihavea
followingofsheep(inthejudeo christiansense)insteadoftruethinkersthenihavefailed.In
thiscontext,IntegrationalPolytheistshavetothink.Theyshouldbelikepuppetswho,when
theirstringsarecut,theymustbecapableofmovingaroundthestageallbythemselves.So
manyreligion joinersthesedayswanttobefollowersbutiwouldlikeIntegrationalPolytheists
tobeleaders,ofthemselves,andtotakewhatisaymyselfonlyasastartingpoint.Toagood
extentithinkthisisindeedwhatishappeningjudgingbysomeofthefeedbackihave
received.
38 Sothereitis,ithinkthereligionofIntegrationalPolytheismisfineasitis,because
peoplearescepticalaboutthingstheyreadontheinternetwhichproclaimthattheyareanew
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religionsotherearenotalotofpeoplereadingthesitewhoblindlyandsimplyacceptitatits
apparentfacevalue.Eveniftherewere,idon'ttellpeopletodrinkpoisonorsacrificetheir
parentsoranything,soweshouldberelativelysafe...
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PARTTWO
FrequentlyAskedQuestionsaboutIntegrationalPolytheism
Eachpersonisuniqueandsoeachpersonwillhavedifferentquestionsabout
IntegrationalPolytheism.Herearetheanswerstosomeofthequestionsihavebeenasked
aboutIntegrationalPolytheism:
1.Isthisreligionajoke?
Noitisn't.It'sthereligionibelieveinmyself.idon'tneedtoconvertanybodysoifyou
don'twanttobeanIntegrationalPolytheist,thendon'texpectmetotryandforceituponyou,
ortojustifymyownpersonalpositiononanyissuebeyondthedegreetowhichithinkitis
necessary.
2.'Believewhatyouwantanddowhatyoulike'?Aren'tyouadvocatinganarchy?
Ami?Well,ifyoudefineanarchy,thenmaybei'llbeabletoanswerthequestion!If
yourideaofanarchyinvolvespeoplehavingaterribletimeduetoalackoforganisationthen,
no,thatisnotwhatiamadvocating.Thisisareligion,notapoliticalmovement.If,onthe
otherhand,youseeanarchyasarelaxingoftherules,asituationwherepeopleareallowed
tobethemselveswithoutfearingthattheywillnotbeseenasnormal,thenthatisexactlywhat
iamadvocating.Peopleshouldbeallowedtoexpressthemselvesfreely.Trueanarchy
meanslawinthehandsofthepeople.Thiscanonlyhappenwhenthemajorityofpeopleare
responsible,andcanbetrustedtodealwith"criminals"fairlyandjustly.
3.What?Sopeoplecandowhattheylike?Whataboutmurderers,rapistsandchild
molesters?Surelyyoudon'tthinktheyshouldbeallowedtodowhattheylike?
No,idonotthinkthatpeopleshouldbeallowedtodoallthosehideousthings.Asi
said,peopleshouldbeallowedtoexpressthemselvesfreely.ithinkifyoumurdersomebody
orrapethem,thenyouareinfringingtheirrighttobefreelythemselves.Killingandraping,
stealingandhurtingarealltotallyagainstallthatIntegrationalPolytheismstandsfor.Letme
makethisclear.IntegrationalPolytheismiscompletelyagainsttheconceptofpeopleharming
eachotherinanyway.
Peopleshouldbeabletodoastheylikeunlessthatinvolvesstoppingotherpeople
fromexpressingthemselves.Peoplewhostopothersfromharmlesslyenjoyingandbeing
themselvesgoagainstthepolicyofopenmindednessandtolerancewhichallIntegrational
Polytheistsshouldadopt.Personallyithinkthissystem,ifitwerelaw,wouldbeastricter
systembyfarthantheonewecurrentlyhaveinplace.
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4.Okaythen,sowhydoyoucallitareligion?Sofarallyou'vebeentalkingaboutislaw
andorder.
I'mgladyouaskedthat.Mostotherreligionsihaveencounteredhavetwothingsthati
amnottookeenon.Firstly,theyofteninsistthatyoudisownallreligionsotherthanthemas
heresyorblasphemy.Thisstrikesmeasconceitedandinsecure.Secondly,manyreligions,eveniftheydoallowyoutokeepanopenmind,stillrequireyoutoadheretoasetofbeliefs
anddoctrinesthatyoudonotfullyagreewith.Somereligionshappentothinkthatwomen
shouldaccepttheir'properplace'forexample.Whatifyouareawoman,andyouareopento
acceptingyour'properplace'inthereligionyouplantojoin?Youmayjoinandquitesoonyou
maydiscoverthatthe'place'allotedtoyouisnottheplacethatyouexpected.Evenworse,
youmayfeelthatthesacredtextsthatarebeingquotedtokeepyouinyourplaceactually
meansomethingentirelydifferent.Youseetheproblemsthatcanarise?WithIntegrational
Polytheismyouarenotobligedtoassumeany'place'ortoacceptanyparticularslanton
reality.Thisseemstobesomethingnootherreligioncanoffer,andsothat'swhyIntegrationalPolytheismexists.
5.Wellifyoucandowhatyoulike,thenwhycan'tyoujustdowhatyoulikewithoutbeing
anIntegrationalPolytheist?What'sIntegrationalPolytheismgottooffer?
Wellasisaid,youcandowhatyoulike,andinthatcaseyouwouldn'tneed
IntegrationalPolytheism,fairenough.Goforitinfact,bemyguest!Howeverthereissome
substancetoIntegrationalPolytheismwhichiwilltrytoexplaintoyou.Basically,ifyouchoose
nottobepartofanotherreligionbecauseitistellingyoutoshun'falsegods'thenyouwillprobablybeopentotheideathatmanygodsexist.IntegrationalPolytheisminfactisa
religionthatinsiststhatallgodsexist.Youmust,ifyouareanIntegrationalPolytheist,believe
thatallthegodsthatwereeverconceivedof,orthatevercouldexist,doexistinsomeway.
Thisisthesamethingasbelievingthateverybodymightberight.Itisnotaconceptualthing,
whereeverybodyhasthepossibilitytoberight,butonlyonereligionultimatelyis.Itisactually
averyrealbeliefthing,whereeverybodysreligionnotonlycouldberight,butisrightinsome
way.Toputitsuccinctly:Everythingsalwaysallgoingon,allthetime.Thisisn'teverybody's
cupoftea,butthereitis.Takeitorleaveit.ObviouslysinceIntegrationalPolytheismhas
moregodsbyfarthananyotherreligion(bydefinition!),ihopeitsfollowerswillbemore
diversethanthefollowersofanyotherreligion.It'squitepossiblethatsomebodywillbean
IntegrationalPolytheistwithoutknowingit.Alliamdoingisputtinganametothispointofview
whichisalreadyexistinginsomepeoplesmindsandhearts.
6.Wait,soyoubelievethatallgodsexist(oratleastmightexist)?Whataboutatheism?Do
youbelieveinthattoo?
Wellnow,atheismdoesn'thaveanygodsofitsown,samewithagnosticism,however
idon'tthinkatheistsandagnosticsareoutoftheloop!Most'atheists'havegotsomesortof
religiousorphilosophicalviewpoint,mostofthemhavereasonsfornotbeinginvolvedina
formallyacceptedreligionandthatinitselfisareligiousopinion!Sobasically,iftheyhave
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theirownopinionsthentheycouldberight!Afterall,iftherewerenopossibilityofthose
opinionsbeingright,whywouldthosepeopleholdthem?Onthesubjectofwhetherornot
atheismisareligion,true,atheismhasnogodsofitsown,butthenneitherdoesIntegrational
Polytheism,anditclaimstobeareligion!
7.SotobeanIntegrationalPolytheistyouhavetobelieveallgodsexistinsomeway...andthat'sall?
Moreorless.Asisay,theessenceofIntegrationalPolytheismisaboutkeepingan
openmind.Thismeansthatpeoplemustbeconsideratetoeachotherandnotbeprejudiced
againsteachotherandsoon,aswellasjustacceptingeachother'sbeliefsinanabstract
way.ThesearetherealrequirementsofIntegrationalPolytheism.Youhavetotreatother
peoplewithconsideration.
Also,ithinkthatthesortofpeoplewhoarereadytobelievethatallgodsdoactuallyexistareusuallypeoplewhoareinterestedinthehundredsandthousandsofinteresting
gods,religionsandstoriesthatareoutthere.Tothisend,theloreandhistoryofIntegrational
Polytheismincludesstoriesandlegendsfrommanydifferentplacesandtimes,andit'supto
youwhatyoutakefromthedifferentavenueswhichyouchoosetoexplore.
8.Doyoubelieveintheresurrection/rapture/reincarnation/Greekorromangods/
anythingelse?
Yes.ido.Asmentionedabove,iwillbelieveinanythingsinherentabilitytobetrue.Morespecificallyibelieveintheexistenceofallgodsandgoddesses,aswellasanyspirits
andsoonwhichhavehadanysortofcultorfollowing.ialsothinkthattheteachings,rules
andguidelinesofthosegodsandgoddessesarevalidtoo,insomewayorcontext.
9.IsIntegrationalPolytheismaformofsyncretism?orWhataboutsyncretism?
IntegrationalPolytheismdoesnttakeasyncreticstance,no.Itdoeshoweveraccept
syncretismasavalidwayofmakingsenseofeverything,andofcourseanIntegrational
Polytheistwillalwayskeepanopenmindtotheideathatthesyncretistmightberight.
Syncretismattemptstoplaceallbeliefsintoabiggerworkingsystemreconcilingconflicting
truthstoachieveaholisticpictureofhowitallworks.Thisisfine,butIntegrationalPolytheists
dontneedtoknowwhatthebigpicturelookslikeinordertobelieveinsomething.Youcan
believethatAllahcreatedhumansinhisownimage,andyoucanbelievesimultaneouslythat
Odin,ViliandVecreatedthefirsthumans,AskandEmbla,fromlogs,whilstsimultaneously
believingthatBaiamecreatedhumansfromthedustoftheridges.Maybeallthesethings
happenedintheirownrespectivepartsoftheworld.
Maybetheyhappenedfiguratively,ormaybethetruthofeachaccountistruestwithin
itsownsphereofreality.Imagineahugejewel,cutwithmanyfacets.Turnthejewelinthe
lightandyouarelookingatacompletelydifferentsight,andyetitisstillthesamejewel.This
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analogycoulddescribesyncretism.ItcouldalsodescribeIntegrationalPolytheism.The
generalideaofIntegrationalPolytheismisthatyoudon'truleanythingoutasapossibility.It's
notamatterofsaying"rightthen,let'sgetallthesegodssortedout,forastart,it'sacaseof
honestlyentertainingtheideathatanyofthefactions(ormorethanoneofthem,perhapsall?
whoknows?)mightberight.
10.WheredoesIntegrationalPolytheismstandonthesubjectofpolygamy,or
vegetarianism?
Theseareweightyissuesindeed.Thisstartstogetdeeperintothetenets,foundations
andbasicassumptionsofareligion,inthiscaseIntegrationalPolytheism.Illsayfirstofall
thatIntegrationalPolytheismisnotbigonactuallystatingsomethingoutrightonanissue
otherthanbelieforfreewill.ThosearethebasicplatformpointsforIntegrationalPolytheism.
Withtheseinmind,iwillbrieflycommentonbothoftheaboveissues.
Withregardtopolygamy,tomethisqualifiesasaliveandletliveissue.Basicallyif
everybody'sconsentingandunderstandswhat'sgoingon,where'stheproblem?Themain
problemiseeislegislationalandsocietal.Asalways,peoplepracticingpolygamyshouldbe
awareofthesituationaroundthemsotheycanavoidcausingharmtoanyone.Inpractice,i
notethatpolygamyoftencausesharmtopeople.
Regardingvegetarianism,thisisalsoaliveandletliveissue.Thosewhoeatmeatare
notlivingandlettinglive.Asiseeitvegetarianism(andultimatelyveganism)isthebestway
foroursocietytogooverthelongterm,anditisalsotheonlywaytotrulyliveandletlivewithregardstoyourdiet.Imnotsayingthatyoumustadheretoaspecificdietaryregimeinorder
tobeanIntegrationalPolytheist,butwhatiamsayingisthatiwouldimaginethatIntegrational
Polytheistswillcometothesameconclusionusingtheirownlogicalfaculties.Also,thereare
uncountablehealthandhygienereasonsfornoteatinganimalproducts,butiwon'tgointo
thathere.
11.Whataboutcreationandevolution?WhatdoesIntegrationalPolytheismsayabout
that?
Nothingatall!Personally,iamarecentconverttothepositionofevolution,howeveri
donotthinkthisisanybasistostatethatotherpossibilitiesmightbealternativelyor
concurrentlytrue.Unlikemanyotherreligions,IntegrationalPolytheismallowsyoutobelieve
whatyoulikeabouttheoriginsofthespecies',andtheworld(s)solongasyouadmitthat
otherpeople'sviewsmayberight.
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PARTTHREE
1Thissectioncomprisessayings,phrasesandothermaterialwhichi(Calum)thinkare
appropriateforinclusioninthisdocument.iwontincludesayingsherebypeoplewhoarenot
involvedinIntegrationalPolytheisminsomeway.Youshouldbeseekingthoseoutand
readingthemintheiroriginalcontextsanyway.Thesayingsinthispartdonotconstitutesolidrules.TheyaretobetakenincontextwithpartOne,whichcontainstherealrules,andpart
Two,whichtalksabouttheserules.PartThreeiscompletelyopentointerpretation.
(Everythingiscompletelyopentointerpretation!)Thecontentsofthispartareallfairly
relevanttotheconceptandpracticeofhowtoliveintheworldanddoindicatean
IntegrationalPolytheisticstandpointingeneralalthoughthesayingswilloftenreflectmy
personalopinion,orsomethingsimilartoit.
ASummaryofIntegrationalPolytheism
2Basicallythereislittleorganisationalstructurewithinthisreligion,whichiswhyithink
peoplestrugglewithit.Peoplewholookforareligion,iamfindingmoreandmore,arelooking
forinternalstructureandorganisation.Bycontrastthiswasoneofthethingsthatrankledme
aboutreligionssinceidonotlikehavingtoaccepta"packagedeal"religionthatimaynot
100%agreewith.idontthinkIntegrationalPolytheismwilleverneedanorganisational
structureeither.
3IntegrationalPolytheismissimplyanattempttoallowpeopletohaveareligion,but
alsotochoosetheirownbeliefs,andchangethemastheythemselveshavenewexperiences
andgrowaspeople.
4Thebasicfoundationisthateveryonecouldberight.ThisincludesChristians,Hindus,
Muslims,Buddhists,andworshippersofallotherreligionsand/orgods,includingall
polytheists,monotheists,agnostics,pagans,orwhateverspiritualpeoplechoosetocall
themselves.Torephrasethis,thefirst"rule"ofIntegrationalPolytheismisthatyoucannot
proclaimsomeoneelse'sbeliefstobewrong.
5 ThesecondcornerstoneofIntegrationalPolytheismisthatyoumustallowpeopleto
practiseinreallifewhattheybelieveintheirhead,andtheymustallowyouthesame
freedom.Thismeansthatpeoplecandowhatevertheylikeinthenameoftheirreligion,
exceptforinfringesomeoneelse'srighttodothesame.Forexample,ifmyreligiousbeliefs
callformetopartakeofaparticularinfusionorotherherbalpreparation(notablypeyotl,
psylocybinormarijuanaforexample)thenicandoso,usually,becausethiswillnotstepon
anybodyelse'smetaphoricaltoesbypreventingthemfromdoingtheirownthingthemselves
(unlessiamresultantlyrenderedincapableofdoingsomethingthatipromisedtodoetc).
Howeverifmyreligioncallsfortheslaughterofpeopleoranimalsthenthiswillimpairthe
abilityofthosepeopleandanimalstodotheirownthing,andinfactitwillinhibittheirabilityto
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doanythingatallexceptdieandgoontowhatevertheyhaveinstoreforthemafterwards,if
anything.Thisisintrusiveanditdoessteponsomebodyelse'smetaphoricaltoes.
6Thissecondoneisalotmoreambiguousthanthefirstandforittoworkitrequires
cooperationandcommunication,twothingsithinkwecoulddowithmoreofanyway.
7Thosetwofoundationsaremoreorlessit.Astowhichgodsyouchoosetohonour,
worship,givegiftsto,mournorcelebrateisuptoyou.Whenyoudoit,howlongfor,andso
on,istotallyuptoyou.Howseriouslyyoutakeitisuptoyou.Personallyihaverespectfor
manydifferentgodsandiadoptacasualandoccasionaltimetableofrespectandhonour
towardsthemwhenandwhereican.Thismaychangeovertime,oritmaynot.
ObservationsandExpostulations
8 Oncewheniwasonmywayhome,thesunstruckaparticulartuftofgrassandit
mademerealisethatdarknessandshadowarenothingbutanabsenceoflight.Ifaplaceis
inshadow,thenaddinglightwillmakeeverythingeasytosee.Bycontrast,ifaplaceisinthe
light,itisnotpossibletoaddshadowordarkness,inordertomaketheplaceappeardark.
9 Deathisapartoflife.Weshouldcontemplateitfreelyinthesamewayasother
aspectsoflife.Weshouldnotwaituntildeatharrivesinallitssplendourbeforeweaddress,in
ourminds,theissueofdeath.
10 Truefriendshipisnotmeasuredbyactions,orbygifts.Truefriendshipismeasuredin
genuinefeelingfromonepersontoanother.Truefriendswillsupporteachotherandwill
remainreasonableandaccommodatingwhencircumstanceschangeunexpectedly.Friends
willnotdeceiveoneanother.Ifpeoplearedoingthesethingstoeachother,theyreprobably
notfriends.
11Iscornpitybecausepitylosesyoutherespectofothers,andofyourself.
12Pietyandstrictreligiousadherenceshouldnotbeconsideredaworthygoal.Neither
shoulditbescornedorderided.Beingbetterthanothersatthepracticeofareligionorfaith
doesnotmakeapersonbetterthananybodyelseinanyotherway.Oneschoiceofreligious
positiondoesnotmakeapersonbetterorworsethananybodyelseeither.
13Conflictistotallyacceptable.Conflictofideasstimulatesfreethought.Itisperfectly
healthytodiscussopenlyandheatedlyonmanysubjectssincemanysidesofanissuewill
cometolight.Thiskindofconflictisnotthesameasphysicalconflict,orinternationalconflict.
PhysicalconflictandoppressionaretotallyunacceptabletoanIntegrationalPolytheist.Any
kindofviolation,forcedoccupationorinvasionofaregion,country,territoryorpeopleclearly
violatesthepolicyofnotharmingothers.AnIntegrationalPolytheistwillnotsupporttheidea
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ofapeace keepingforceoranysortofmilitaryaction.Instead,sheorhewillsayliveandlet
live.
14Whoamitotellotherpeoplewhattobelieve?Whoareyoutotellotherpeoplewhatto
believe?Makeupyourownmindandallowotherstomakeuptheirs.
15Thereasonwe'vehadsomanywarsandgeneralculturalmisunderstandingoverthe
millenniaisthatpeoplearetooquicktomaketheirownlistofwhat'strueandrightatthe
exclusionofanybodyelse.Everybody'struthisdifferent.
16Sentienceisthemotherofmorality.Withoutconsciouschoice(iefreewill),thereisno
conceptofrightorwrong.Oncesentiencehasgivenbirthtoasenseofmorality,itcannotbe
disowned.
17 Ireallydon'tthinkscienceeverdisprovesitself,ithinkmanypeopleusecontrarydatatocomeupwithdifferingtheoriesonwhat'scorrect.Theninsteadofsayingtheyaretheories
theysaythingslike"ofcoursetheearthisflat","ofcourseheavierthingsfallfasterthanlight
things","ofcourseweallevolvedfromfish","ofcoursewecan/can'ttravelfasterthanthe
speedoflight!"etc.Infacthumansaresoconfusorythattheyfrequentlyhavedifferentsetsof
humansgettheirhandsonthesamedataandtheneachgroupcomesupwithradically
differentconclusions.Inthesecases,thehumansaretheoneswhoarevaried,notthe
scientificfactsthemselves.Infactsomemightthinkthatscienceishavingagoodoldlaugh
aboutitall.Perhapsthegodshavegotsomethingtodowithhowsciencealwaysseemstobe
blowingraspberriesatusasitdisappearsaroundthenextmetaphysicalcorner
18Iadvocatekeepingtheheadandfindingevidenceratherthanclosingourmindsto
otherpossibilities.Openmindednessratherthanblinkerednessistheonlywayintothefuture,
unlessweareaimingforaculturaldeadend.
19Justiceisimaginary.ibelieveinjusticeanditsapplication,butitmustberemembered
thatjusticeresidesonlyinthemindsandheartsofthepeopleinvolved.Justiceisdifferentfor
everysituation,andallattemptsshouldbemadetoavoidforcingonepersonsjusticeonto
someoneelse.ibelievethatcommunicationandcooperationcanreducetheproblems
causedbytryingtomakeeveryonehappyinanunjustworld.
20 Ialsosay(unlikesocalled"hard"polytheists)thatitispossiblethateachgodislikea
facetofamanyfacetedjewel,turningthejewelslowlyinthelightwillhighlightdifferentfacets
andgiveadifferentoverallimpressionofthejewel.Eachgodmayhavemanyfacetsoftheir
own,ormaybeafacetofsomelargerthing,orbothorindeedneither!Theremaybemany
uniqueanddistinctjewels,eachwithmanyfacets.Wejustdon'tknow.
21 Tobaccosmokingisexpensive,unhealthyforthesmokerandunpleasantaswellas
unhealthyforthoseinthevicinity,ithasnonoticeablemoodrelatedeffectsandasfarasi
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knowitisnotusefulinanyspiritualorreligiousceremony.Thisisntacommandmentagainst
smokingoranything,butijustthoughtyoushouldknowthosethingsaboutit.
22 IntegrationalPolytheismisreallyaboutlettingpeopleknowthattheycanmakeuptheir
ownmindaboutthings.Takealltheissuesandthinkproperlyaboutthem,andyouwillhave
yourownhonestopinion.Everything'spossible.Beopenmindedandfair.Maybei'mjustcrazilyoptimisticbutithinktruefreedomofchoicewouldbeastepinthedirectionofreal
peace.
23 Youcanleadahorsetowater,butyoucan'tmakeitthink
24 Wearewhatweareandwedowhatwedo.
25 Largelyithinkyouwillfindthatratherthansaying"dowhatthouwiltisthewholeofthe
law"iamactuallysaying,inthewordsofBill,"beexcellenttoeachother".(AndinthewordsofTed,partyondudes!)