Language?, does it matter most of the time? Options

Sorry, not sure where to post this pet theory of mine.

Anyway to the point.

How much do the words use really matter? I know when and if talking ceremonial magick…big time. I always see topics on this board and others like it breaking down on the apparent etymology of words or names. Does it really matter most of the time?

Does it matter if Baphomet for me is a pink butterfly or Levi’s image? I am pretty sure that in all occult circles if you have 13 occultists and ask a question, if they are worth their salt, you will get at least 20 answers.

I believe it can be agreed upon that it is good to have consensuses, or level of agreement when seeking information about how to do something. But most of the time if someone is asking for a “Summon Metatron ” spell, we have an issue of just one origin, but arguably 2 or 3 different entities one of them being a collection of entities.

I believe this will arise with almost anything done in reference to old practices, the older we go the more likely to encounter multiple meaning/references to similar entities.

Also we should all know that “Ancient History” at this point is as much crap as it is of value. Most of current “scholarly” history is based on corrections to 18th and 19th century colonial history. And that assumed human existence for 10K years. We work out history like a bizarre jigsaw puzzle with twenty times the pieces that we actually need, when a new piece fits better we add it in, but we don’t destroy the entire puzzle we have already constructed.

So my question really is. When a question is asked, should we give probable answers given out Point of View, or enter into a debate on the most correct answer, even if it is not what the petitioner was looking for?

In honesty I see the benefits to both short of argument, I am just after others opinions.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/yeah.gif) "So my question really is. When a question is asked, should we give probable answers given out Point of View, or enter into a debate on the most correct answer, even if it is not what the petitioner was looking for?"

I would say it depends on the question. Is it a clear cut yes or no question...is it asking for imput...is it theoretical...who is asking the question, and the like. I have noticed that some people ask questions not because they do not know or are unfamilirar with the subject but rather want to know how much it is you know (recon type thing). In general I would say be honest and straight forward with your answer. State up front if its an opinion your giving, hear-say, or something you have read. One could go as far as to state sources and footnotes. Sometimes the best answer one could give is to simply point out the direction, and let them find out on their own.