Metropolitan United Church

   Mythmaker, Joseph Campbell, in describing the father-figure deity of the Celtic pantheon, Cernunno, or, (to the Irish), Dagda, tells of an imposing figure bearing antlers and carrying a sack from which pours a river of grain. In the Irish version he is even portrayed as a clown. Campbell's comments that " it is a profound trait of Celtic or Germanic culture that the greatest of their gods and goddesses appear in manifestations that suggest no relation whatever to religion." Imagine that, a God freed from religion! 

   That seems right to me. It takes the power of the holy out from under the thumb of all institutions that claim to own or channel it. Can you imagine it, a world without Rome and Canterbury, Istanbul, Mecca, and Jerusalem? Can you see it, cultures released from Torah, Jihad, Bulls and Confessions, Theses, Conclaves, Diocese, and General Councils?

   In truth, that is already the way the world works, and always has. The vast majority of people simply awaken to the mystery of life and begin to pursue the deep and unanswerable questions that arise from living. Religions are imposed later. Many find little reason, solace or strength in these age-old, cultural systems set up to steer the discussion and moderate human behavour. Most of us have our own trusted little ways of getting along. We hope and dream and imagine, and make promises to the friendly air. We share the load, exchange best thoughts, tell of strange episodes with no answers, mourn and praise, and sit in silence before our lifespan and our certain morality.

   All the while that which we call by the sacred names of gods, lives and moves among us, and within. It causes us to look up to the cosmos and down deep into the human spirit. Its leads us a merry chase through our feelings. longings, memories, convictions and actions. It picks us up early, and is relentless in its pursuit. It somehow assures us, from time to time, that, knowing or unknowing, we belong to it, and always will. We cannot fall away from the wonder of sacred mystery. 

   When God is free of religions we all become front-row players in the worldwide game. No one is shunned, belittled, or called apostate. No one is consigned to Hell, slaughtered on the streets, ethnically cleansed, wrapped, robed, veiled, ordained, isolated in cave or culture, or forbidden to taste the fruits and forms of human living. That sacred essence, which no name of god can fully contain, works with us towards a developing and finished humanity that is broader and richer than any religion can legislate or demand. This is the source of the river of grain, that which feeds the hunger of the whole race, and does it with the whimsy and audacity of a consummate clown.