My mother's older brother was a Roman Catholic priest, and my father once taught Bible Study as a Presbyterian. In grade school, I was "saved" by the Baptists in St. Albans (WV). Military schools provided other alternative views, according to the inclinations of the administrators of those institutions. Generally, Christian dogma and ritual was pursued.

However, in that wonder world of pre-school as an only child exploring Self and relationship with the extant environment, funny things were happening on the way to puberty and adulthood. As many children do, I had an imaginary (female) playmate, who was "the rest of me." (Geraldine.) "She" went away when I was sent to live with my paternal grandmother, but the influence of that imaginative answerer of the unknown persisted.

At age 17, as is common, I was questioning many of the structures of my supporting society, including my uncle's philosophy (Father John Hillmann). With a brief correspondence, any connection to that family was lost when I espoused a more liberal (than Christian) interpretation of the cosmos. During a 3-day train journey across the U.S., from Bainbridge to San Diego, I was compartmented with another Roman Catholic priest (on a journey to death), who attempted to rationalize the religious views of his order.

It was in the Far East I learned about views developed by other cultures, those more in keeping with my childhood memories and experiences. Returning from the China Seas, I was "ordained" a minister of the Church of Universal Brotherhood (Hawaii), that only involved an affirmation of principles. Subsequently, I was granted an honorary DD, and wrote newsletters for The Aquarian Church of the Brothers and Sisters of Jesus Christ (TACT, a California entity), until the leader expired. My current marriage certification is from that defunct organization (and the State of West Virginia).

Through involvement with other former Mensans, I subscribed to support for the Church of All Worlds/CAW, a post-60s developed alternative to the major religious doctrines. CAW, however, seems lately to be an unfulfilling liaison. And, as adjunct to research for Shadows, it seemed appropriate to contribute to Earth Spirit Pagans (of Colorado Springs), and serve the World Pagan Network. I turned to the Universal Life Church for credentials to support legitimate status for free expression, but that, too, seems a poor resource.

Religious sureties are all personal interpretations of reality. In all the years as student, sailor, soldier, entrepreneur, government administrator, writer, teacher, I have found no rede more reasonable than that of the witch: "An' it harm no'ne, do as you will." Even though that is a recent mid-century invention, it appears to have roots more ancient than history. It will do for me as what is "right."

Previous site | Random site | Next site | Next five? sites | WebRinth homepage | All sites?
This WebRinth site is maintained by:
Robyn, Colorado