The Silenced Voice (Η μη θεϊστική φωνή)

-From the Meletic Scrolls.

Ever since the advent of gods in our structured prior societies, cultures and traditions, we have experienced, in one form or another, the profound influence of religious dogmas, rituals or indoctrination in our lives. The presence of divine figures, whether in the form of a single omnipotent god or multiple deities has shaped not only human thought, but the moral and ethical fabric of civilisations also. Through religious texts, oral traditions and institutionalised doctrines, individuals have been categorised, defined and sometimes confined to belief systems that dictate their worldview.

We are easily categorised or stereotyped, according to our belief or nonbelief in a divinity that is represented by a god or multiple gods. Faith becomes an identifier, a label that separates rather than unites, making the individual a subject of societal expectation. In many cultures, belief in a god is assumed to be the foundation of morality, purpose and even personal identity. Yet, there exist those people who walk different philosophical paths, exploring the realms of reason, logic and inner reflection espoused in Meleticism.

The agnostic maintains a position of suspense in the belief of a god, acknowledging that divine existence is unknowable. The atheist outright rejects the belief in any god, emphasising a world explained through empirical evidence and natural laws. As for the Meletic, the question is neither about belief nor disbelief. Instead, it is a question of necessity. Is a god needed for enlightenment, morality or purpose? The answer in the Meletic understanding is a resounding no. The words that the Meletic evokes and professes derive from the silenced voice of nontheism, which is an approach to existence that neither denies nor seeks divinity, but instead transcends it.

The philosophy of Meleticism has no actual need for an omnipotent god to manifest and rule. The true belief in (To Ένa) the One, supersedes any necessity for a creator or a governing divine being. The universe in its vastness and complexity is not a product of an anthropomorphic god’s will, but a manifestation of existence itself. We as sentient beings, possess the nous, which is our intellect and the logos, which is our capacity for reason, granting us autonomy as free thinkers. The responsibility of understanding life does not lie in scripture or religious authority, but within our own capacity to reflect, question and seek truth.

Thus, we are not constrained by any sanctimonious men dressed in vain robes, nor do we submit to dogmatic authorities that claim absolute truths. Throughout history, those who have challenged the dominant theological narratives have often been persecuted. People who espouse a philosophy that is against the established concept of a god are labeled as apostates or heretics. They are either stoned, hanged, imprisoned, killed or punished not for wrongdoing, but for thinking differently, for daring to question the divine decree that others blindly accept knowingly.

Even in the modern world, where enlightenment and reason should triumph, there remains a societal inclination towards religious hierarchy. Unfortunately, we live in an era still dominated by political and religious institutions that shape human consciousness more through authority than through rational discourse. Manifold laws, traditions and cultural norms continue to be influenced by religious ideologies, even in secular societies. This dominance suppresses the active voice of nontheism, relegating it to the margins.

What Meleticism teaches, however, is to seek power from within and guidance from the truth. We are not dependent on external authorities for wisdom or moral direction. The cosmos itself is the ultimate teacher, and within us lies the potentiality for enlightenment. We have the authority over ourselves, not by divine decree, but by the sheer capability of our consciousness. This is what is learnt from this philosophical understanding.

Through Meleticism, we learn to value the goodness within us more than the evil, and we distinguish our virtues from our vices. Without virtues, there is no purification of the soul, nor is there an awareness of the self. We would live in an emptiness that is meaningless rather than meaningful. Virtue is not something imposed upon us by commandments or religious edicts; it is something we cultivate through wisdom, introspection and action.

Words alone are not sufficient to inspire us. We require actions in our determination. The belief in To Ena is the beginning of a remarkable path to enlightenment. It is not merely an intellectual exercise or a passive reflection; it is an active engagement with existence. By taking that path, we put useful words into action, manifesting our philosophical principles in our daily lives.

There is a variability in our senses, as there is a desire to discover one's ultimate reality. Each individual experiences life uniquely, perceiving existence through the lens of their own awareness. When we reach To Ena, we are not only discovering ourselves; we are also discovering the genuine essence of our truth. This truth is not dictated by sacred texts or religious intermediaries, because it is construed through direct experience, contemplation and the pursuit of wisdom.

No man should be punished or ostracised for his disbelief or belief. Freedom of thought should be a fundamental principle of human existence. Before we are people affiliated with any group, we are first and foremost human beings in our presence. Our intrinsic worth is not measured by the gods we worship or reject, but by the way we engage with the world, with ourselves and with each other.

The cosmos, nature and reality are the revelations of To Ena. It is not a deity to worship and pray to, nor is it the resurrection to death. To Ena is not a superior god, but a state of being and the realisation of unity and existence beyond the confines of the material world. It is relative to the ending in the mortal sense and the beginning of our metaphysical journey towards enlightenment.

The silenced voice of nontheism is the reflection of our human nature and the expression of a philosophy, whose teachings are intended to be an inspiration and example for self-awareness and self-acceptance. The nontheist is often considered a sinner, but there is no greater sinner than the accuser when his words are poisoned by a god. The hypocrisy of moral judgement rooted in divine authority often leads to greater harm than the perceived sin of disbelief.

We do not become believers in Meleticism through faith, nor followers through a sacred book. We become practitioners through understanding, through the alignment of the mind, body and soul with the truth. When we realise, with our consciousness that we are part of a cosmos, nature and greater reality that unfold, then we discover the enlightenment of our existence.

To embrace and practice the principles of Meleticism permits one to explore the depth of one's humanity and mortality. By doing this, no man forsakes his soul. On the contrary, he strengthens his character. He begins with his virtues and ends with his fate.

Finding purpose and meaning in life serves as the beginning of the lasting path to the Enas, unveiling along the way the simple nature of our original essence. It is not a direct escape from reality, but a deeper immersion into it, which is an understanding that life itself is the journey towards unity.

As we walk this remarkable path of liberation to To Ena, we remove the garments of our ego and materialism, reaching the light that emits the emanations that shape universal existence and us. Our souls are enlightened, our inner selves are serene, our bodies are energy and our minds are conscious. We are one with To Ena.

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