What is the closest organised religion to paganism? And info on Quakerism :-)

[starrynight]

Hi all, I know this is a really wierd thing to ask but I did that fab quiz on beliefnet and it said I was a pagan - having looked into it and read up that is definately in tune with my personal beliefs.

However, there don't seem to be any organised community meetings which is something that is very important for me. I want to go with my family to a meeting regularly (weekly would be ideal) and become part of a community.

So...the big question is - are there any organised religions that are similar to paganism that I could attend as a compromise? I have briefly looked at the quakers who don't seem to mind if you don't believe in the whole 'Jesus' thing so any quakers on here who could tell me more would be appreciated too.

Tall order guys I know you can do it!

Hi Starrynight - is that the Beliefomatic quiz ? I did that & came out Secular Humanist with Pagan quite high up too. All the major world religions were tright at the bottom!

There are loads of Pagan groups all over the country - have you done a web search? I think they call meetings 'moots' so try that.

There used to be an aromatherapy shop in Leeds that sold Pagan newsletters but I can't remember what the newsletter was called - will try!

I don't know if you wanted the full on Pagan thing or something else. HTH

I was labelled ´New Thought´with that test. Don´t think that is a church or a spiritually labelled path. I often think I should go back to that site and ask them what it is!! - googled it but New and Thought brings up all sorts and nothing close to what they labelled!

Perhaps the spiritualist church. They are open to Paganism

Perhaps this link might be of help? this

You got me curious so I did my own web search & found {\linkwww.paganlink.org/\paganlink}.

I can't recommend it cos I don't know the first thing about it but it looks interesting!

Could you possibly post a link to the quiz, coz I would like to take it.

Pretty please with a cherry on top.

Oops:

try again

belief-o-matic test

Thanks for those links. I have searched the internet but found nothing in Leicester apart from one off or monthly meetings as far as I can tell - which is a bit irregular for me. Any other ideas?

Oh yes, I have been to the 2 local spiritualist church but they were heavily Christian which doesn't really suit me.

Magcat- same here none of the major religions were anywhere near the top. Which is a bit of a pain, lol.

Moots are brilliant. Usually involve copious amounts of alcohol as well as interesting religious discussions

I'm a secular Humanist, thank god

lol Aloha - that is very funny.

I take it quakers don't do mumsnet? Maybe I could be the first??

would some other activity close to your heart fill the void? volunteering? working for Amnesty? work on a community garden? set up some kind of campaign? I mean, does it have to be religion?

Yes, it does. I am very interested in that and already do a lot of voluntary/community work.

I actually feel the spiritual side of me has been neglected since children & need to do something about it.

there isn't really an organised pagan church because child sacrifice is illegal these days.

Oh ha ha very funny, really pleased people like taking the pi$$ out of my faith.

is it SenoraPostrophe - whoops I let it slip on that Mother Earth thread the other day that I had buried dd

I had better go dig her up.

I thought there were no pagan churches because the Christians had sacrificed all the witches.

and taken over their temples...

I wasn't taking the piss. what do we really know about the pagans other than that there were various objects of worship and they practices sacrifice? Being spiritual and into nature is one thing (and fair enough) but paganism it ain't.

Starrynight I think there has been a thread asking quakers for info and it came up dry... so think you are right not so many quakers here.

Have you read any good spiritual books of late? That could be a temporary substitute until something comes to suit your needs.

Perhaps staying open to opportunties since you are consciously aware of wanting to involved in a group of some sort may ´bear fruit´

My faith consists of a bit more than 'being spiritual and into nature' thanks.

That was an odd post Senora - tongue in cheek?

Thanks for the advice - Papillon I have spent a few years reading odd books about whatever took my fancy at the time and will probably continue to do that. However, I would like to 'go' somewhere and be 'part' of a community IYKWIM. Paganism seems to be quite a solitary pursuit of your own spiritual path which is fine by me - but would prefer company

Also, I don't know much about the history of Paganism but I do know that most of the organised religions don't have a particularly shining past they can be proud of either!

i'm a Paganist Christian And don't go blaming Christ for witch burning - the things done in his name