Oh, NFP. You so crazy.
Over on nonfluffypagans,rogue_priestess poses an ethical quandrary. She's been attracted to this guy for several years, it's mutual, and though he's currently in a monogamous relationship, he's not happy. Given the Rede and all, she's wondering what the ethics of the situation are:

I've been taught to adhere to the "greater good" and not compromise my ethics, thereby not putting myself in a position to feel guilty and ashamed for making the "wrong" or "bad" decision later in life, and I'm wary of incurring the wrath of what I expect to be karmic retribution.

But there is also this undeniable animal instinct that refuses to let it be. In our logical minds, we clearly see and understand getting involved with eachother would be wrong and it would hurt others (B's current girlfriend). But then why is there such a strong urge regardless? "All acts of love and pleasure are my rituals." Does this mean that we should just go with it? How can other people judge us as doing something wrong when all we do is, in the microcosmic universe (as above, so below, as without, so within), a direct act of Divine Will? Is it then not the will of the Gods that we find some comfort and pleasure in eachother?

As long as we both clearly understand that the satiation of the carnal lust is the fullest extent of our interaction, no one else is affected and thereby they should not be hurt. It's just sex; it's not a romantic relationship, it's not anything that would or should alter anyone's life path. Where is the harm?

With no specific "holy books" or "scriptures" to rely upon other than the "guidelines" put forth by the Rede and the Charge of the Goddess and a few other "ideas" or "tenets" of wicca, how would a person make the above decision based on the influence of their spiritual beliefs? How to reconcile "Divine Will" with "an it harm none"? Who is the authority on what is considered "right" and "wrong" and what qualifies said person/entity to do so? Society? God/dess? Ourselves as a reflection of God/dess?


People tell her.


One post in particular provokes an exchange with Swisscelt, which continues on in a different post.

ETA: Added a quote from the post.