escaping fundamentalism

An alternative “10 commandments”

/ Yvonne Aburrow / Leave a comment

The “Ten Commandments” of Solon (as recorded in Diogenes Laertius’ “Lives of Eminent Philosophers”, 1.60), are as follows:

  1. Trust good character more than promises.
  2. Do not speak falsely.
  3. Do good things.
  4. Do not be hasty in making friends, but do not abandon them once made.
  5. Learn to obey before you command.
  6. When giving advice, do not recommend what is most pleasing, but what is most useful.
  7. Make reason your supreme commander.
  8. Do not associate with people who do bad things.
  9. Honor the gods.
  10. Have regard for your parents.

Hat-tip to Richard Carrier, from whom I learned about this list of “commandments”.

Art: “Solon the Wise Lawgiver of Athens” by Walter Crane

Religious trauma workbook

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I’m excited to see that Gillian Jenkinson’s book is out! Gillian Jenkinson is a therapist with extensive experience in helping people break free of harmful beliefs dinned into them by cults. I quoted her work in Changing Paths (my book) and I’ve been looking forward to her book coming out.

It’s also very reasonably priced, presumably to make it accessible to those who need it.

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The exclusive Plymouth Brethren

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This blog post was originally written in 2006 and posted on my old blog Nemeton. Some friends had asked why I tended to make statements about the awfulness of Christianity.

Don’t be fooled by the cranky exterior of the Exclusive Brethren. They’re the religious equivalent of Vogons.

I know because I was brought up in them till the age of 9. For those who don’t know me, no, this does not make me sad and repressed. (Aleister Crowley was brought up in the Exclusive Brethren also – it’s why he was so vehemently anti-Christian and outrageously hedonistic).

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Where I am now

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Changing Paths challenge day 31 — where I am now

Nowadays I am fairly and squarely a Pagan and an inclusive polytheist Wiccan, but one who has been enriched by my wobble.

I gained many good friends, sorted out my anger and fears, and learned new spiritual techniques and concepts.

I’ve written four books (All acts of love and pleasure: inclusive Wicca, Dark Mirror: the inner work of witchcraft, The Night Journey: Witchcraft as Transformation, and Changing Paths) since then and co-edited another (Pagan Consent Culture with Christine Hoff-Kraemer).

I’m still skeptical-but-open-minded. I’ve had spiritual experiences that were deeply satisfying and meaningful. At heart I’m an animist and a lover of flowers and trees and animals and birds. As I write, I can hear birds singing. And the singing will never be done.

May morning 2023

Changing Paths is published by 1000Volt Press and is available from all the usual online stores. Ask your local bookseller or library to stock it!

The goal of the book is to help you decide your own path by guiding you through the perils and pitfalls of the terrain, and asking questions to help you deepen your understanding of the reasons for your desire to change paths.

Memories

/ Yvonne Aburrow / 1 Comment

Changing Paths challenge day 29—memories.

One of my earliest memories is looking up at the constellation of Orion. I’ve always loved it.

This amazing photo of Orion is from NASA’s Astronomy Picture of the Day. In the early days of the internet I used to visit this site every day. I should get back into the habit!

The significance of this memory is that looking up at the stars makes you realize the sheer size of the universe, and how magnificent it is in its own right — and much larger than most fundamentalists could possibly imagine. This reminds me of the awesome quote from Douglas Adams: “You may think it’s a long way down the road to the chemist’s but that’s just peanuts to space.”

Changing Paths is published by 1000Volt Press and is available from all the usual online stores. Ask your local bookseller or library to stock it!

The goal of the book is to help you decide your own path by guiding you through the perils and pitfalls of the terrain, and asking questions to help you deepen your understanding of the reasons for your desire to change paths.