not a christian, no other religion grabs me! but feel that as a family we need a beoief system and need to have solemn "celebratins" like easter, xmas etc, but wothout the god stuff- does that make sense?

[oops]

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DH feels very much like this. He was brought up in strict Calvanist tradition but left as a teenager. He would say you can be spiritual without being religious.

Try looking at the pre-Christian traditions which all relate to the same 'occasions' as Easter/Xmas etc. Springtime is to do with rebirth (birth, bunnies, eggs etc), Xmas is end of winter, new year and new life etc.

All modern religions are based on ancient belief systems but can't admit it! Would be interested in any views on this.

How about paganism - different "paths" to it - you can take the bits you like and not follow the bits you don't like etc!

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Look at the Goddess, Wiccan, Pagan traditions; there are lots of good sites on the web. Lots of excellent books too, many for those who wish to involve their families

It was Spring Equinox yesterday.....you can celebrate the bounty of the Earth, changing of the seasons, also think about what changes you need to make in your life.

I think there is a need for some sense of spiritual growth and connection to the world.

This is a good basic overview with good links.
www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/paganism/

Follow your instincts, follow your heart,

Blessed Be
EM

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Yes but only if you grew it yourself on your own land, dyed it with onion skins (and wee of course)!

Sorry, bit embarassed now as you said you weren't serious while I was earnestly looking up info.......I'll get me coat.....

Have the rituals then! Make your own traditions and reasons. I would agree with Charlene about taking what you want out of existing religions and the seasons, and following what you want to.

As an aside, DH has informed me that Easter has its origin in pagan beliefs in the goddess Oestrus (not sure about the spelling but it's the same origin as the word Oestrogen, the hormone) and its all to do with rebirth and fertility.

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aw at earnest-ness.

why oops? can you not allow yourself space to come to terms with life, to allow yourself space to let your real beliefs etc come to you without jumping on a bandwagon for th sake of something to clap about? [forgive bluntness of question - p;retend was more delicately put pls]

Have you looked at Humanism?

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lol oops - maybe you should start the religion of clapping and cake. with songs and laughing thrown in for good measure. all inclusive, with none of the judgmental masochism of the big 5 (or however many big religions there are)

id join! maybe. (well, nah, im not really a joiner, but nothing personal! )

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look, ill take the eggs and the cae and the clapping. but the solemnity? nah... wtf for?? theres enough of that in rl

Yes, google Humanism. It's basically having faith in people. Humanists 'celebrate' Christmas and Easter etc but without the belief in God.

Rubbish explanation but if you looki t up you will find lots of links.

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then thats what i am

i believe in humanity. i reckon tyheres good in us all.

and i reckon, if there were a 'god' 'hed' be mighty unimpressed with people kowtowing and sacrificing and acting like shits to one another in the name of goodness. what a crock.

Another vote for humanism here: seasonal festivals are fun and there is no need to buy into the icky bits if you don't want to. I celebrate St George's Day and Mayday with DS as well as Halloween, Xmas and Easter, but I make them about fun and marking the passing of time, like birthdays

oops

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Wiccans and many other Pagans are into the global/ Earthy bit. That's what attracts me to it but I can't honestly say I believe in Goddesses and worship them. Like madamez says, with Humanism, you can celebrate what you like.

And you can make a point of noticing the cycle of the moon and seasons too.

Read this about Pagans

And this about Wiccans

And this about Humanism