Being Eclectic-'Pick and Mix' Faith

Ec-lec-tic

adjective

1.

selecting or choosing from various sources.

2.

made up of what is selected from different sources.

3.

not following any one system, as of philosophy, medicine,etc., but selecting and using what are considered the bestelements of all systems.

4.

noting or pertaining to works of architecture, decoration,landscaping, etc., produced by a certain person or during acertain period, that derive from a wide range of historicstyles, the style in each instance often being chosen for itsfancied appropriateness to local tradition, local geography,the purpose to be served, or the cultural background of theclient.

noun

5.

Also, ec·lec·ti·cist [ih-klek-tuh-sist]  Show IPA. aperson who follows an eclectic method, as in philosophy orarchitecture.

To be eclectic in anything is said to be pick-and-mix (or so that's how I learned it in Sociology). You take parts of all things and combine them into your own way of doing things.

In my opinion

What a great idea!

It is often thought these days that organised or structured religions have too many rules and regulations that must be adhered to. Some may make sense, others may not. Some may come from the holy book, some may be man made and man implemented.

The advantages of being an eclecticist is that you in a sense, make your own rules. Providing they are not illegal in the laws of your land then why not. To pick and choose what you do and do not want to follow does not make you any more or less of anything.

On my own path of spiritual self discovery, I have found that some things are just not for you. That does not mean, because of that little thing, you cannot follow that path. 

For example, one can lead a good Christian life every day without ever once stepping foot in a church on a Sunday. Going to Church does not make you any more or less of a Christian. So to, on the flip side does going to Church on Sunday justify you being very unchristian all week and just calling yourself Christian because you go to church on a Sunday.

As in life, like all things, if you truly believe in something, and take it to heart, then you will lead that life and follow that path every day. Be this in year heart, you mind, your spirit or your actions.

Calling yourself something does not make you that. Your actions do. 'Actions speak louder than words' as they say. It is the same in life. Wearing what you want to wear. Being who you want to be. Doing what you want to do. It's all connected.

One can be eclectic in all sorts of way. Combining Goth, Punk and Grunge looks. Emo music, Punk looks and going to Gothic clubs. Why not. Life is too short to follow only one path. While we can't have it all, sometimes we should try our hand at anything we want to try. It does not mean you have to stick with it forever. You may find it is not for you. You may find you just get bored of it. I have done that hundreds of times with hundreds of things (mainly sport tho :P)

So my message is, be eclectic. Combine ideas. Combine beliefs. Combine looks, fashion and music. Be your own, be you, be yourself. Always!

Be happy :)