Customer Reviews

The Ethical Eclectic

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The book claims to be for eclectics of all paths, but inevitably it is most directed towards wiccan and pagan eclectics, because that is the area the author is familiar with.

The book is quite small, so it is very to the point. It provides information on how to ethically construct a personal spiritual path using everything that's around you. The book is very directive and speaks to those seeking a spiritual path. It is a great book to read to help you along your spiritual journey, but I don't think it's just for eclectics. I would definitely recommend this book to people who criticize eclectics. Some people find eclectics offensive without knowing what it really is. This book teaches what an ethical eclectic is, and yes, that not all eclectics are ethical. This book will help people form an informed opinion on the matter.

I found that this book explained that there is a difference between "whatever works" and "whatever you want". It explains that when creating your spiritual path, it needs to work, and is not just a matter of approaching religion like a buffet.

Kaatryn MacMorgan-Douglas' book The Ethical Eclectic is the closest thing I've ever found to a primer for those of us who strive to be conscientious and responsible eclectics. Her writing style may not appeal to everyone, as her voice can be somewhat terse and brusque at times, and a little bit sarcastic (not that there is anything wrong with sarcasm, of course). Nevertheless, the book is well-written and makes more than a few excellent points on how an eclectic, Pagan or not, can follow a spiritual path of varied influences respectfully, without resorting to the more ignorant or negative aspects of "cafeterianism" or "cherry-picking".

It wasn't anything startlingly new for me, other than presenting that which I already felt strongly about in a more cohesive and research-oriented format. It would be something I'd easily recommend to someone who asked questions of my spiritual path, just to help them understand what Eclecticism can be.

I'd definitely recommend this book for anyone who follows an eclectic path, and for anyone who is a bit critical towards those of us who do.

There is no shame in being honest about being eclectic. It can be done wrong... and it can be done ethically. This book is a short, but sweet reminder to that end.