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Original poster

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

175 replies

starrynight · 28/07/2005 18:47

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!

OP posts:
Original poster
starrynight · 02/08/2005 14:25

Peachy - BIL sounds like a bit of a nightmare

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Papillon · 02/08/2005 14:34

Starrynight I was reading about ´New Thought´on the beliefnet site the other day because that was my result on the quiz. There was mention of unitarian churches.

Here was an article I read

Original poster
starrynight · 02/08/2005 15:35

Thanks for that. I have to say - I have spent most of the day reading about 'unitarian' churches and am very interested. Am thinking of going along to a service tomorrow! [nervous emoticon] - I haven't been to a religious service for yeeeeears.

OP posts:
Original poster
starrynight · 02/08/2005 15:35

You must all think i'm very wishy washy, keep changing my mind and ideas.

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Papillon · 02/08/2005 15:48

Not I Starrynight, I would call it having an open mind! Considering the diversity of personalities / people on our Earth it is abit closed imo to consider everyone should / would have the same ideas / faith, or that they should stay the same.

SweetFudge · 02/08/2005 19:22

Peachychair, hope you can try out the Friends meeting near you. I agree with Ruty about Friends accepting the beliefs you have and welcoming them.

My Dh's family are Quakers and I was brought as an Anglican - When I first attended a meeting, the only 2 things spoken of in the hour was firstly by a lady who remarked on the beauty of an afternoon when she had been gardening and she then spoke for a while about the light in us all.

The second person to speak was an elderly gentleman who'd been to the V&A the week before and he spoke of a Mother Earth figurine that was a few thousand years old and what a wonderful testament to motherhood it was.

The rest of the meeting was held in silence. I had never experienced anything like this - Spent my childhood vacations at my cousins' vicarage and grew up in a small Anglican church going community.

It felt like I'd finally found (by accident) what I'd always believed in about God and about my beliefs.

We don't attend meetings very much but are likely to more once bub is born as we'd like him to grow up as open minded and as willing to accept and celebrate all beliefs.

Hope that helps you.

PeachyClair · 02/08/2005 19:44

Given the quiet of their meeting, how would they accept children? Mostly DS 1 and 2 go away on a Sunday anyhow, but I have ds3 and when DH is working would have all kids- DS1 is noisy due to AS.

As I said I am shy, but would they appreciate a phone call before I turn up?

ruty · 02/08/2005 19:44

i must say the quaker movement sounds very interesting.

merryberry · 02/08/2005 20:49

all friend's mtgs for worship welcome children. their noise either brcomes prt of worship if they make it. some of the larger mtgs the kids stay for a portion of the mtg then join in a playgroup that the elders oversee.

peachyclair - friends are so laid back with tolerabce they can be horizontal: sometimes the slowness of the meetings for business or conerns (where we aim to do/decide stif) drive me nuts with the snails pace, but then i'm a snappy unbanite and could chill.

merryberry · 02/08/2005 20:50

sorry, nursing 1 hand typing t'other...

merryberry · 02/08/2005 20:52

no need to call 1st. they will probably ask unfamiliar attenders to say yr name and say hello. u dont have to a smile will do. an elder may approach you to offer you an ear. they will not push anything at you.

it varies from mtg to mtg, depending on size and that days attendance. xx

ruty · 02/08/2005 22:22

its good to know some younger people go to Quaker meetings - i thought it was all oldies! Nothing wrong with that but nice to share with people of own generation. I will investigate it definitely.

SweetFudge · 02/08/2005 22:26

I second what merryberry said. At the one we irregularly attend, the children come in for the last 10 minutes of meeting and the whispering/giggles if it happens is just part of worship. Two of the Friends run the equivalent of a Sunday school except from dh's memories it is very different from the one I grew up with. DH mainly remembers learning about other religions, festivals and cultures from his.

Also, there are summer Quaker camps which DH has very fond memories of and children seem to love them. Had to grin at what Merryberry said about Friends being so laidback as to be horizontal. DH's family and their friends to a T.

jabberwocky · 03/08/2005 00:16

I'll be interested to see how you like the Unitarian Church starrynight. If there was one close to us I would love to visit.

PeachyClair · 03/08/2005 09:13

SweetFudge, your description of the shool makes me even more keen- as I said I am doing a degree in worls religion and I am VERY keen for my kids to share my interest.

I will try now to get up the confidence to go along.

Original poster
starrynight · 03/08/2005 13:41

I'll let you all know how I get on at the Unitarian church - I didn't realise they are the same thing as 'universalists' which was my 100% match on the quiz! Though there isn't a meeting today so I'll have to wait til Sunday.

On another note - does anyone have problems with their partners? My DH is not into anything religious or spiritual (thinks its all a load of rubbish) and I find it difficult sometimes without his support. He thinks its nice for the children to be part of that kind of community but wouldn't go himself. Does anyone else have this kind of experience?

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jabberwocky · 03/08/2005 15:09

My dh is pretty much agnostic/atheist but he is supportive of my need for spirituality. I do think he would have a problem if I suddenly became a born-again Christian/fundamentalist, but then I would feel the same about him. It has worked out fine so far actually.

ruty · 03/08/2005 19:26

i lost a very good friend to christian fundamentalism. She lost all her sense of humour and her character became rather one dimensional. We just drifted apart. What is more, her told her fiance she couldn't marry him unless he became born again, and miraculously, he 'saw the light'and joined her in her new state of mind. My dh was not very interested in religon before i met him. He has more sympathy towards christianity since he has known my dad! But when i tell my child about my beliefs when the time comes, i think it will be mostly me doing that bit.

WichypooNo2 · 03/08/2005 19:33

My hd was confused but willing to humour me when I was a christian but when I became a pagan he was more involved, he even made me an alter for christmas/yule!! Bless him! My best friend tho has started studying with the Jehovahs witnesses, something that worries me immensly her hubby is supportive but unconvinced.As you can imagine i have to bite my lip and hope for the best.

WichypooNo2 · 03/08/2005 19:34

hd? dh

HappyHuggy · 03/08/2005 19:37

My dh is accepting but doesnt really believe. he gives me the pace to learn and grow but also the support to listen and not laugh. Im lucky in that respect. He has no particular religion although was christened CofE

WichypooNo2 · 03/08/2005 19:48

Hallo Happyhuggy, not seen ya for a while!

WichypooNo2 · 04/08/2005 20:36

omg did I kill the thread???

Original poster
starrynight · 05/08/2005 08:42

I think you did

I will post again on Sunday to let you know how the unitarian church went.

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basketcase · 05/08/2005 08:56

neo pagan 100%
mahayana buddhism 98% - think it was my opinion on abortion that stopped this one being 100% as they believe it is murder with no exceptions..

always fancied being a buddhist but find myself being too hot heated and emotional at times to "fit in" with the calm, controlled meditative way of life. DH is a non practising pagan through and through - with buddhist leanings..fairly well suited I guess