Thanks so much for sharing your reflections, Hylandyr!
My belief system is pretty similar to yours, only I couldn't put it into words as you have.I've been struggling because of it, as I've felt a need to be a part of a religious community, yet can't "choose a path," as I can see valid points for them all-including atheism. I have been drawn to Paganism my entire life, yet was raised in the protestant Christian tradition with a little Zen thrown in for good measure (talk about your contradictions, lol). I'm drawn to Jesus' teachings, put off by Christian doctrine, but like some of the ceremony and music because it just feels comfortable to me due to being raised in the faith.I am very drawn to Celtic Paganism, and have found out that I have been intuitively living large aspects of the Celtic path for most of my life. But I find Jung's archetype theory intriguing,and the new theories being espoused by physicists that we create our own reality. Some days, I don't care if I'm worshipping a Deity or an archetype, other days, the scientist in me doesn't want to bother unless I have absolute proof. I feel like a damned chameleon sometimes, lol.
I loved your comment that ritual, belief, and poetry all meld. When I was JW, I was counseled not to go forth with my plans to be an artist and writer.Little did I know how much my art and writing were a part of my spirituality! When I stopped writing and creating art and started trying to please the JW community and my own "inculcated" conscience, I started to die myself, piece by piece, like a sacrificial god.
A Fellow Supplicant at the Shrine of the Goddess Angelina;)
Cicatrix