In a coven, or any serious teaching situation, both student and teacher must be honest to the obligations of the teaching contract. In this context, honesty takes on the flavors of integrity and devotion. The student must put aside their prior beliefs and embrace, with honest fervor, the instruction of the teacher. Honesty also has a shadow side as it pursues integrity and devotion. The shadow is one of dogmatism. "Being honest to one's beliefs" can lead to a dogmatic embrace of those beliefs and the rejection of others' beliefs.
These expressions of honesty and fidelity are contrasted with the openness of paganism. "Do what you will, so long as it harms NONE" is another craft mantra. Can honesty exist in a place of people doing what they want? What is the function of honesty when differences of opinion ('doing what you will') occur?
How important is honesty to you in your path? Does your path ask people to embrace honesty more than the 'norm'? Is there diversity in your life that asks you to put aside personal honesty and instead embrace non-dogmatic acceptance of contrary beliefs? Your opinions please!
