Has anyone ever gone looking for religion?

[lunavix]

I've never been a religious person as such, but I have always been interested in it. Religion was always my favourite subject at school - I loved learning about it, even if I didn't quite believe all of it - and I have always been fascinated by people with strong religious belief, dh's best friend is a devout Christian, and I've had close friends who are pagans (following different paths.)

Since ds was born I've felt really drawn to finding something else in life. Something to believe in, really. I was adamant ds was Christened - even if I don't believe in it, what if I'm wrong!!! - but now I feel like I really need to find a path. The trouble is, I just don't feel convinced by anything, terrible as that sounds.

Has anyone else felt like this, or read anything inspirational that might help?

[flamesparrow]

Hmmm... not really felt like it - my path came to me sort of by accident. I suddenly realised there was a name for what I already believed.

How about writing down what you believe in your heart. Then see if it is already "something".

For me, I was researching Wicca for stupid reasons (Willow on Buffy was interchanging wicca and witch and I wanted to know the difference ), and realised that I was a pagan at heart, and it was just all that I had always felt.

Does that make sense?

[Gwenick]

I foudn this a while back - don't know how 'accurate' it is - was pretty close for me (Christian) but might be worth looking at..

[lunavix]

I think the writing down is a good idea.... might have to do that when I have a free hour or so!

What I believe in is confusing... I love the freedom in beliefs in pagan religions (I called myself a pagan for a long time before realising I had no idea what I was really saying then I sat down and did a lot of research myself!) but to be honest something about christianity draws me, I just really, really, don't believe in the Bible at all (if anyone who's a Christian reads that, sorry!!!!)

So I suppose I'm wondering really what else....

[lunavix]

Gwenick - did that quiz!

1. Neo-Pagan (100%)
   
2. Unitarian Universalism (88%)
   
3. Hinduism (86%)
   
4. Mahayana Buddhism (83%)
   
5. New Age (83%)
   
6. Liberal Quakers (79%)
   
7. Sikhism (74%)
   
8. Reform Judaism (67%)
   
9. New Thought (62%)
   
10. Theravada Buddhism (62%)
    
    
    More confused now though lol

[flamesparrow]

I'm intrigued... what didn't agree with you for paganism (if you don't mind me asking)?

[starrynight]

That link was brilliant Gwenick - seems my beliefs are 100% Pagan!! Am very excited by this because have now looked at a huge variety of religions and never found one I could live with. This looks promising and I look forward to finding out more.

[starrynight]

Aaah, maybe we are all pagan at heart! lol

[SaintGeorge]

starrynight - do a search on here, there are quite a few of us pagan mums on MN and I'm sure most of us are up for a chat whenever you fancy it

[lunavix]

I think my concerns were more with a 'god' and 'goddess' which most pagan paths seem to believe in. I know that that is a generalization, but some followers of paths - particularly wicca - have books listing 'spells' and random names of 'gods' and 'goddesses' to devote these to, where does it all come from? I must have looked at a hundred books on wicca and they all seemed unnervingly like something out of 'Charmed' or that rather dodgy movie with the four teenagers which title I can't remember!

Please, if you can correct me and I will take it back, but a lot of it seems as unconvincing to me as an ark of animals or other such stories.

[lunavix]

starrynight - if you find a name for what you believe in let me know! It could be what I am looking for too!

[Mosschops30]

Message withdrawn

[flamesparrow]

For me, I don't go with the specific gods and goddesses (don't get on well with Wicca either) - for me it is more sort of swirling deity, of both genders... does that make sense?

I'm not much for spells either, which is why I class myself more as pagan than witch... I have done occasional ones, but rarely

[lunavix]

mosschops - that sounds interesting, what will it involve for you?

[lunavix]

flame - what exactly do you do then, if you don't mind me asking

[starrynight]

My own personal belief is that we are all spirits that kind of 'get together' into a 'supreme' spirit. Ooh, that sounds wierd written down! Is this similar to the pagan belief?

[starrynight]

Yes, I would like to know if pagans get together and have a community as this would be important for me. It can't be too odd either as DH has already given up on me already! (a weekend in a buddhist retreat and researching the Baha'i faith has made him look at me strangely! lol)

[lunavix]

Yes that's another thing that worries me lol. If I told dh that I'd decided to become a pagan I think he'd look at me as if it was a fad and then tell me not to involve ds... but I'm sure this could be another thread in the offing lol

[starrynight]

I don't think my post was very clear and its embarrassing me now What I meant was that I don't believe in one judgemental all powerful 'god' but believe that we are all part of the 'one spirit' sort of thing. Clear as mud?> I give up!

[Mosschops30]

Message withdrawn

[lunavix]

btw starrynight how did the buddhist retreat go? Sounds fascinating (I know NOTHING about buddhism lol)

[starrynight]

I think you're right there Lunavix - could be a whole other thread - how to find spiritual enlightenment without your husband or kids sectioning you! lol.

[starrynight]

The buddhist retreat was good - it was very calming and relaxing. Unfortunately I found it was another religion to strike from the very long list! I couldn't quite live with their karma thing. I believe it to an extent but can't quite believe that a child being molested has done something in a previous life. Nope, can't go there

[SaintGeorge]

OK, deep breathe, my personal view of my pagan faith coming up. For those who don't know I am a witch. I no longer refer to myself as Wiccan as they tend to be coven/group based and I am a solitary.

I believe in an almight source of spiritual energy that can be plugged into, so to speak. I choose to give that source a face and a name occasionally, simply because I am human and it is easier to focus on something I can properly picture in my mind.

Many Pagans (myself included) often take this a step further and think of individual aspects of the power and name Gods/Goddesses accordingly - so they might think of/worship Venus when they are doing something about love and relationships for example. I don't think of her as a seperate entity, just as a single aspect of the whole.

Spells are just another way of focusing deeply on something. It's like a Christian going to church to pray and light a candle, rather than just saying a prayer to themselves.

[starrynight]

Are you a witch if you are pagan then?

[Mosschops30]

Message withdrawn