Topic : Pagan Friends

Please tell me what being a Pagan means.

Hi Charise!

This looks like a nice place to land.  After years of calling myself a "Christian" I am now proud to say I am anything but.  LOL.....

I never actually knew all the cruelties in the bibles that depicted an angry, vengeful, jealous and wrathful god until I stumbled onto the Religious Debate Board.  I only went there initially to defend gay rights, although I am not gay I do believe in human rights, and was given an education on the bible and Christian fundamentalism that I found staggering, shameful and cruel.  Some of the folks that visited there.....who staked the most claim in Christianity (and that others live exactly like they do) when presented an anonymous atmosphere like the KKK under hoods, were some of the most mean spirited folks I've ever run across.  I shudder to think that these types are walking among us...armed and ready to fire at anyone that doesn't share their exact same ideals.

I am now on a path of trying to understand my own spirituality and the wonders of the universe.  I find the Pagan faith to be one of peace, understanding, love, nature, life, generosity and forgiveness....all which at one time I thought Christianity was until I received my "education".

I also understand Paganism to be that of many gods......and find some peace in that belief after learning absurd details of the one god of the Christian religion..  Perhaps we could discuss the nature of the Pagan belief....and how I may learn more.

I want badly to believe in a "soul" and life after death and some good that will come out of living this life....however, I've come to be assured...if Christianity is the truth......and the god of the bible the only god....and he is as depicted in the bible.......then we are all doomed....Christians as well as everyone else....the bible god is one of lies, deceit, murder, hate and narcissism (as are some of his most devout followers)....surely such a being wouldn't keep some obscure promise of an after life. 

However, having learned that Paganism, pre-dates Christianity, I am very interested in this very old religion or belief....that DOES NOT speak of evil demons ready to jump into bodies or a punishing god that punishes for "choosing" wrong...when we're given "choice".

My mind is open...it is clean and it is clear.....I am ready to abandon the hideous superstitions of Christianity and enter and learn about the mystique world of the oldest religion in the world.

HI !

In my own personal opinion...I think the feelings you have about not wanting to speak out against other beliefs is your very gentle nature and good spirit. 

Many people will speak out against others and call it "love".....reminds me of a man who beats his wife and then says, "I love you"......it's an oxymoron but many are very set in pushing their lifestyle, beliefs, ideals on others....."love" is simply an excuse.  The reason it feels like "hate" to you (when people persecute and oppress others).....is because it is hate.  You have enough common sense to feel it, recognize it....and call it what it is and reject the false proclamations of "love" that so conveniently accompany it.

If you are waiting for those that use their religion to hate others to admit that "hate" is their motive...don't hold your breath.  Their hate is all they have........for they don't know what "love" even is.  Once they admit their hate to be hate...they have nothing else and would be totally swallowed into their delusional and psychotic world, fit for nothing more then an insane asylum.

I believe you can be a Christian.....and not hate.  However, IMO, Christianity is based on hate....and punishment.  Try debating with a Christian fundamentalist....and very soon into the argument they will use "punishment" to try and shut you up.  If they could....they would send you to the depths of their believed hell...for simply having questions they can't answer or an opinion that is different then their own.

Some pagans are not as forgiving as some blaim christians for all there problems.  Sad really forgiveness is a great thing for the soul.

Well I certainly would never blame Christians for my problems...lol...that would be giving them too much power...(as if they haven't enough over politics huh?)  LOL! 

No, I just was so very disillusioned...all my life I believed the bible to be a wonderful book with lovely scripture of good deeds and a loving god.....now...not so much.  lol   In fact, it became rather depressing reading the bible...and even more depressing when Christians tried to explain it to me with nonsensical answers, rationalizations and just stuff that happened to pop into their head because they had no answer. 

 Most times when argued into a corner....they retreated in a huff only to reappear and make the same claims as if I never asked the tough questions to begin with.  Round and round and round......more and more questions...less and less answers and always their consistent promotion of  "fear" that my not understanding their ridiculous answers was proof of some demon living inside of my soul.  Questions are bad.....and so is knowledge to the Christian Fundamentalist.  I remember sitting there one day and realizing...they just freaking don't know.  This would be fine if it were minor things....or things that didn't hurt nor oppressed anyone else's harmless lifestyle or other religions and beliefs....but when one particularly devout Christian accused a person of the Pagan belief of eating babies.......while he promoted an agenda of hatred toward homosexuality is when I saw Christianity  as potentially and often "evil" and wanted no part of it...ever again.  Yet...I cannot believe there is nothing more then what we see....I believe I am a soul...a soul with a body...and I want to explore that.

your best way to learn more is well talk to a pagan and read....I find that most pagans believe a little bit differently to very differently.  If you want i can find some sites for you to go to and maybe a few books to read (maybe at work...LOL)

I would like to read a book as many of the web sites are riddled with so MANY things I find it confusing as to what to read first.  Do you have a good standard book...for a beginner?

I would like to begin with some sort of a Pagan Prayer.  My understanding is that Pagan is not a religion but any religion outside of the main stream religions.  If your belief is not Wicca....what would you say your belief is?  Are you a witch?  I read a little about the "circle"...I find it interesting but yet confusing.

I would also like to know about candles and spells and Pagan rituals.  And Goddesses....I find them mystical, fascinating.  I thought I read where we are all goddesses...do you believe that too?

Thank you from sugar