Deborah Lipp was kind enough to point me to a 1974 Tom Snyder interview with Isaac Bonewits, Ed Fitch, Fred Adams, and “Poke” Runyon. I’ve already tweeted about how young Isaac looks.
Then I came to later section of the interview. Tom Snyder asks about pagan beliefs in life after death. The other three agree with some notion of reincarnation. Isaac says:
“I do not have a personal belief in reincarnation or in survival after death, and that’s not a required belief in the groups with which I work. I just say ‘I don’t know. I’ll find out when the time comes.'”
Tom Snyder replies with a chuckle, “Won’t we all.”
And now Isaac knows. As does Fred Adams and Tom Snyder.
The crappiest thing about writing this biography is becoming aware of the heavy hand of time on those for whom I care and respect. Yes, the passage of time is natural and, as Tom Synder said, one day we’ll all have an answer about existence after death. I still feel sad at the consequences of age and loss. I see a picture of someone young and vital; I talk with them when they’re old or ill… or perhaps I cannot speak with them at all.
Reincarnation
After Arthur was born, Isaac said “I believe in reincarnation for the first time, because no one can have that much sorrow in his eyes after only four days of life!”
–Deborah