Isaac Bonewits Moves On

[filkertom]

P.E.I. "Isaac" Bonewits, pagan polymath, has passed away at the age of 60.

Bonewits always seemed to me to be the Harlan Ellison of paganism: brilliant, controversial, love-or-loathe kinda guy. But he had an impact few can match.

Condolences, hugs, and gentle songs to his friends, family, and followers.

Comments

[wordwitch.livejournal.com]

Only 60? Man, Freya musta been too horny to wait any longer!

His Cult matrix has been of profound use to me personally in comprehending the difference between small religious groups to whom I felt neutral or of whom I approved, and small or medium or large religious groups of whom I felt horrified and nearly lethally distrustful.

I will miss his careful thinking and his joy in life, though I was never among his actual adherents.

[infinitemorning.livejournal.com]

I have to agree with the obituary's sentiment (as borrowed from Dizzy Gillespie): "No him, no me." Along with Scott Cunningham, Isaac Bonewits was a big part of my introduction to paganism, and while it's been a while since I read any of his work, I know that his ideas continue to shape my thinking today. I'm sure a lot of people in the pagan community would say the same.

I don't know what happens after death, and don't believe anyone can until the journey is made. I have only my faith and my thoughts about what happens. But I know this: Isaac lives on in every person he touched, whether in personal conversation or through his work. His journey here may be ended, his voice may be silenced, but his memory endures.

As immortality goes, it may not be the ideal, but it's the closest thing you'll get to a guarantee.

[alverant.livejournal.com]

That's too bad. I hope that one day his dream of neopaganism becomes real. It will definitely make the world a better place.

[ladysmith.livejournal.com]

I had the chance to meet him once, at a Sacred Space conference. I ran the con suite, and his son Arthur hung out with us while Isaac was teaching. (Arthur spent his time with us eating M&Ms and watching TV. I wonder if he remembers?)

Isaac was a lovely man, with a wicked sense of humor. He'll be missed.

[technoshaman.livejournal.com]

Met him once in Atlanta. I rather liked him and thought he had some brilliant ideas about various things...

They say the road to heaven is straight and narrow
They say the road to hell is smooth and wide
Well the path I follow, it may be long and winding
But it surely leads to the other side...
    -- Emerald Rose

**CRASH**

[twfarlan.livejournal.com]

Ah, hells. Knew it was coming. There goes a person who made an undeniable mark upon his culture.
I hope whichever psychopomp meets in across the Veil can keep up with him. ;)

[gridlore.livejournal.com]

Damnit, now I need to finish the book where magic comes back and Bonewits is revered as the only guy who saw it coming.

Sad news.

[alverant.livejournal.com]

Been meaning to ask, what's a polymath in this context?

[smparadox.livejournal.com]

Master of many areas of knowledge - history, psychology, anthropology, and art in this case, to name a few...