Sullenmoon, the truth is, if you feel a zeal for something and an inspiring passion that drives you in spirituality, you should follow that. You can't follow a religion that doesn't seem to fit with you and who you are. As for G-d and truth, think of it in this way, that truth is much like an abstract painting. There is no one way to determine an abstract painting and it's meaning, everyone has their own view and ideas as to what it symbolizes. Religion is basically the different views of this truth. So long as you are leaning and walking towards this, the path you take to it isn't wrong, it's just your personal way, that is why you should walk a path that inspires you to go onward, to move towards what makes you happy, and to help lead you towards that truth and that light.
@ Magickor5, noted. it's your believe and i get what you're saying, and people do believe that all gods are really one god, and you weren't offensive about it, so it's fine with me anyway.
@ Sullenmoon. you have been with paganism on and off for a while and perhapsa all you needed was someone behind you to help you gain confidence and go. at the same time, it sounds like the religion got the better of you, so to speak. it happens to a lot of us, not just pagan, but when you discover something you feel completes you, you want everyone to feel as good, and you feel best when doing that one thing. you've realized you're doing it, work at not letting your feelings get the better of you and things will be fine. it troubles me you have lost friends over this, but without more detail into why i can't strongly say yes or no, but i think you should convert. paganism is rather open, so if you discover the path really isn't for you, you can always convert again. in the end, it's your life, you should do what makes you feel happy. blessed be.
I've always loved witchcraft as a whole, but I just fear how people have also shaped me into the Pagan I'm becoming. I'm not sure why. The way I got to this inner conflict is what is saying I'm wrong, simply because I quickly followed someone serious.
I have the driving passion towards this, especially now that I've experienced true things of the religious concept. I did research on interpretations of the Bible. I agree with Pagan views. That my friend didn't inspire me to do. I inspired myself.
Neko, that's exactly what I'm thinking. I was always the leader with other friends in the past. My current friend was what gave me the full confidence I never had to push myself to explore new theories. Like I said, the others either thought of my interest weird or hey stayed with Chrisian ideas. I never got the true love and support I got from her.
It totally has gotten the best of me because now of my religion awareness, it has caught my heart and made me so excited to learn. My friendship affected has been healed. It's been going fine for a while. My romantic relationship...well, that was my ex's fault. I'm happy to be deemed as Pagan. You're right. I let it get the best of me and I just need to help tame that flame,
Magickor5- I could say the same thing about any other religion, especially Christianity.
Sullenmoon- Just go to the religion you honestly feel you believe in. Ignore how comfortable you feel in a particular faith and ignore how uncomfortable you feel, just think about what religion you truly believe in.
I feel like the God/Goddess aspect brings about equality everyone needs. I love the idea of EVERYTHING, being divine, not just Christ. Everything should be spiritual. It teaches much more and the divine aspect of nature makes me feel at home with religion. Being forgiven for my sins in front of people doesn't.
Personally Sullenmoon, I would consider bringing yourself to a sense of balance with both your practicing life and your social life. I would not necessarily wish to dissaude you from becoming a highly devoted practitioner, however, it is reminsent to me of those that give away their lives in the persuit of religion, for good or bad. How you choose to walk your path is your choice, and I wish you the best in it. However, I find that denying the social side of myself leaves me feeling somewhat stricken. My practice fell in, because I was so focused upon it I couldn't see anything else until one day it all just crashed.
What I am attempting to impress upon you is that our existance is two fold. One part of us is consigned to the physical plane, and another to the more subtle planes (even for those who do not astral project intentionally I feel this is true). We are spiritual beings having a physical experience, and so, we need to experience the physical world around us, without losing ourselves in it I might mention. Indulgence is in our nature, and maybe I am still too young to know very much, but I do believe that the satisfaction of desires of any nature should be allowed to a certain extent. It has been shown in some cases that the denial of a desire can have adverse effects on the person.
Tying into this to an extent, psychology and shamanic practices show us a shadow side of ourselves that we do not like, and so ignore, abuse, and generally treat it badly. This shadow side is important, and just as it is important, not being a total loner is important as well.
Humans are social animals, and so, be social.
However, as to whether your love for a path of a pagan is true or false, well I shall tell you this, it does not matter what you are or by what title you or anyone else calls you, you remain who and what you are at the core. You need no names in your practice, it is purely yours and what you make of it. You need only to walk your path as you see fit and further yourself where you desire to. Do not worry about the little things.
