Quote From: fredastareWelcome Effie!
Your worship seems to bring you Peace and purpose, that is a good thing for anyone. I love the equality of the sexes that the moon brings into your beliefs. Many term Paganism and Universally enlightenment as "New Age" practises. Yet I believe that much of the theory in esssence is actually age old and pre-dates many of the early conventional churches.
In pouring through your posts what struck me was your mention of the inner sanctity that you receive during meditation. You said that it is difficult to put into words, that is true for many. I believe that as long as you are feeling in a state of perfect Love and harmony, the feeling that washes over one is beyond script.
I gathered from your posts that the equality of the sexes is very significant for you. Many of the other religions and churches are just now rethinking the role of women in their faith. I find the worship of the Universe fascinating. If you would be so kind I'd be appreciative of your input on a couple of questions. Thank you.
1. What is the recent history of your faith?
2. What do you believe happens to you after death?
3. Is there a "creed" that guides you in how to love other others?
4. What is your faith's opinion of Muslims, Christians, Buddists, Jews and other more converntional faiths?
Peace,
Fredi
Thank you for responding. I didn't think I would get so many positive posts. You are right when you talk about "New Age" I myself have wondered why it is called that when Paganism has been around for thousands of years! Paganism pre-dates Christianity. Infact, many Pagans were persecuted because they didn't want to convert to Christianity. I think maybe it is called "New Age" because Paganism and Wicca are making a comeback. I wrote a little something on this in an earlier post. Wicca is a sect of Paganism kind of how Catholocism is a sect of Christianity. All Wiccans are Pagan, but not all Pagans are Wiccan.
The equality of sexes is very important, you can't have one without the other, how would the world or the human species flourish if there were only one? This is what I believe. To answer your questions:
1.) I could go on forever of the history of my faith. We are mentioned in the Bible. When God created Adam and Eve He mentions people of the East. So obviously there were people around before them. Could these people be the Pagans? Again, these are my thoughts and beleifs, I hope no one takes offense to them. Now, their two sons marry, but where did their wives come from? Were they the people from the East? Pagan? Who knows for sure. I just thought this was interesting.
As for the recent history of my religion, we are making a comeback. People are not hiding anymore. There is nothing to hide. Paganism is a loving religion, not one full of evil.
2.) What I beleive happens to us after we die is that we are reunited with the God and the Goddess. Isn't that the goal for most religions? To be one with diety? We beleive the Mother Goddess gives birth to us all and she takes us in when we pass and we stay for a while until we are ready to return to Earth again. Reincarnation.
3.) We do have a Rede that we follow and it goes like this, "An' it harm none,l do what ye will." Basically this is saying that you may do what you want as long as it is not causing harm for another. There is no Hell or Heaven in this religion. We do beleive in Karma, as to," What goes around, comes around." And, " You will get what you deserve in the end." There are no threats of eternal damnation or firing flames or the devil. Basically our life goal is to live peacefully, respect nature, and the people in this world. Sure, there are evil people, but I do not try to convert them, that is not my job. My job is to honor the God and Goddess and honor all things that they create.
4.) Paganism doesn't really have anything against other religion. We believe that there are many paths in this world to take and only one path cannot be right for everyone. I know some of these religion mentioned above have a bad rap, but so does mine, so how can I judge? I honestly haven't done much reserch on the Muslim faith, but I do think there are people out there that will judge and say things about one's religion when they themselves have never looked into it. As long as they beleive in something and are not hurting people I say leave them be.
I hope this answers your questions. Paganism has a very long history. If you are still interested, "Drawing Down the Moon," by Margot Adler is an excellent book about the Pagan movement. It is a long read, but worth it. Thank you, and take care.
