| |
|
I heart monochrom. They're great.
To draw an irreverent parallel: consider monogamy vs. polyamory. In my circles, this is an endless topic of discussion.
It seems that the unique benefits of polyamory include not needing to force one partner to attempt to fulfill all your needs, lots of sex partners you want them, a wide loving network of intimate friends, the joys of relating without the feeling of ownership or being trapped, an accepted way of exploring interests in others that doesn't force you to deny desire or leave a satisfying relationship. The downsides of polyamory include the potential for drama, conflicts of interest, conflicts of time, having your whole life revolve around your relationships, potentially difficult emotions, more worry about STDs.
On the other hand, the unique benefits of monogamy include emotional focus, safety, the intensity of sharing a life with one other person, no conflicts of time or interests, less worry about STDs, more chance to focus on other aspects of your life and the world. The downsides to monogamy are potentially feeling trapped, no chance to explore outside desires without ruining what you have, potential stagnation, constant worry that you have crossed often-unspoken boundaries between friendly interaction and cheating.
In a lot of ways, these hold true for polytheism vs. monotheism. In polytheism, you can find a deity that may better match your specific needs in the moment without needing one god to do everything for you. You can try out different forms of ritual. You don't have to worry that your glancing interest in one god has pissed off another (well, not often, though sometimes you still have to worry about drama). At the same time, you may find your entire life is focused on religion and ritual because you have so many gods to please. You may have conflicting requirements between faiths or pantheons.
In monotheism, you have the chance for a safe and deep relationship with one god that encompasses all your needs. You have focus and discipline, a clear path. There is one way to do things ritually, and you become an artist within those boundaries. Everything relates to your one god, so you can find your god in everything and not spend lonely nights at home without deistic comfort. The downside is that your god may not be particularly suited to every practical need. You may have a jealous god that dislikes your fraternization with practitioners of other faiths or your interest in other gods, which can have unfortunate social or personal consequences. You may feel trapped within your belief system, feel unfulfilled but not explore other paths because you would have to reject your entire faith to look elsewhere.
My apologies if my irreverence has offended, but it seems to me that there are an awful lot of parallels. In the absence of knowable Truth, each of us must paradoxically choose belief (or unbelief) based on what evidence calls to us most. Practical concerns are as useful a tool for analysis as spiritual revelation. |
|
|
