Some thoughts on deity.

When you make a pledge, an oath, to a deity, and you break it, how do you expect to deal with the repercussions? Do you expect any at all? So many students send their pleas to the heavens! “Please, God, if I can only pass this exam, I’ll never drink that much beer again!” “Please, God, if you could make this pregnancy test negative, I swear I’ll use a condom from now on.” How many pleas and prayers are answered, only to have these oath-breakers back doing the same things a few weeks later. On a small level, I envy these people for their forgiving and inattentive god.

I, on the other hand, do not have that luxury. My goddess makes certain that I understand the gravity of the promises that I have made. For instance, January’s New Moon came and went without a day of silence from me. My pledge was made in earnest, and sealed in blood. Shortly after the day passed, I became sick with a chest and throat cold. Over two days, my voice declined from normal, into a croak, and then left me completely. For three days, I could not speak above a whisper.

Many modern Christians bemoan the mysterious, hidden nature of their god. Here, the old adage fits. Be careful what you wish for.