A case for being a "devout nothing".
brianlux
Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 42,084
In Theodora Kroeber's Ishi in Two Worlds, the excellent book about the life of Ishi, the last surviving Yahi* individual, the author speaks of the friends Ishi made while living out the last of his life in San Francisco. One of Ishi's handful of close friends was Juan Dolores- a fascinating character and an important friend to Ishi during his last years of life.
Of Juan Dolores, Kroeber says this: "His mother and sister were devout Catholics, hence Juan's name. His father and brother were devout Papagos. Juan put the case for himself, 'I am a devout nothing'".
As I read this, I thought about the many discussion on religion and faith on this forum and I've often had trouble finding the right term for my own beliefs- generally acquiescing to "mystery". Dolores' term struck me in a very introspective way- a good, expressive term, neither atheist nor agnostic. A good non-label: "a devout nothing".
(*The Yahi were one of four groups comprising the Yana tribal nations of American Indians that lived in the northern interior of California.)
Of Juan Dolores, Kroeber says this: "His mother and sister were devout Catholics, hence Juan's name. His father and brother were devout Papagos. Juan put the case for himself, 'I am a devout nothing'".
As I read this, I thought about the many discussion on religion and faith on this forum and I've often had trouble finding the right term for my own beliefs- generally acquiescing to "mystery". Dolores' term struck me in a very introspective way- a good, expressive term, neither atheist nor agnostic. A good non-label: "a devout nothing".
(*The Yahi were one of four groups comprising the Yana tribal nations of American Indians that lived in the northern interior of California.)
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One thing I'm sure of...I'm neither devout nor nothing - but as I can appreciate the statement itself, I also can't discount anyone applying that to themselves.
That about covers all the bases, Hedonist.
No, seriously, I get where you're coming from.
However, looking at the definition of "devout" thus:
de·vout
/diˈvout/
Adjective
1. Having or showing deep religious feeling or commitment.
2. Totally committed to a cause or belief.
I would guess #2 fits you in some ways, no?
Why not a devout "everything"? Or a devout "questionable"? A devout "non-label"? Personally, I like the devout "none of your damn business".
That works too.
Actually, we're all connected; this is what tribal communities believe and we really are... So perhaps I am a devout "everything"...
Brian, see my lounge-car post
Yeah, connected especially (for me anyway) if that community includes plants, animals, rocks, etc.- the physical plain or at least the world on which we live.
If we were to describe the non-physical plain as "no-thing", then the term "devout nothing" seems to work. It seems to fit with my idea of mystery only I like the sound of "devout nothing" better than "devout mystery".
I think Theodora Kroeber's thoughts could have been copied by D. Quinn. Ummm
And ...
"peanuts .. not a pea nor a nut...discuss"
I too was wondering whether Quinn got Ishmael's name from Ishi the way George R. Stewart came up with "Ish" for his character's name in Earth Abides from Ishi's name.
As for peanuts, I gotta pee and you're a nut.
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