The Noble Pagan Forums - Roll Call!

The recommended reading list thread got me thinkin'....

We are a diverse community-"paganism" is a pretty big umbrella, yet we all fit under it. As this particular community grows, it'd be interesting to see what our particular faith systems are.

So, please jump in and give us an idea of who you are!

Me? I'm a Pantheist Witch. Simply put, I believe the Divine and all that encompasses is around us everyday. Every living creature is entwined (either directly or indirectly) with the other. I don't go by the Rede or anything, but my moral code kinda agrees with it.

So, what about you?

I've been a practicing Witch for about 10 years. I'd have to say, if given a title I'd be a Pantheist Witch as well with a Celtic background.

I believe that Divinity is the 'Ultimate Standard' and we're constantly connected to it-- even the animals and plants.

I'm
The Standard
There is no real way to describe what I live. I am not practicing anything as I am not working to perfect anything or pass some test
I'm not really pantheonistic because I think everything is sacred as well as equal in its own right with no real hiarchy or echelon.
I'm not really magical in the sense of high and classy rituals because I am happy to maintain the simple rituals of breahing deep, getting lost in the geometry of a spider web and laughing as the morning mist gives me goosebumps.
I only believe in reincarnation because technically you canna destroy energy so something has to happen to it.
I believe in guides and ancestors ( after all, they too are energy are they not?) however I'm not too sure what to make of angels ( which I have to give credit for existence as I do believe in baddies).
I believe that we are multi directional beings as we are at once an entity that is growing and changing within ourselves as well as being an extension as well as a reflection of those around us and an extension and reflection of the Universal Flow that we are connected to.
I don't really seem to have a category, tradition, definition or niche that I fit into.
And that is what makes me...
The Standard



C/S/

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I wrote something about this a while ago on another blog-o-mine and the recopied it here in this blog too. SO not to over post it I'll just linky it here.

Like I said, it's ever evolving but that's pretty close still.

Dunno if this could be considered "hijacking" (since it's my own thread, I guess I'm giving myself permission), but with all the answers y'all just gave I had a thought (best run on sentence EVAH).

This is in no way bashing Christianity or anything, but I've noticed that pagans in general are much more attune to their actual beliefs than the Christians I've known.

Let me explain....

I suppose (and again, this simply my observation) that with paganism, because there's no handbook, we have to do a lot of studying, soul searching, and a bit of trial and error. With the Christians, because they DO have a handbook, don't really have to do much studying--they are kinda given the "rules" and are expected to follow them. There's not a whole lot of guesswork to it. Like I said, with paganism it's so vast and varied that you can drop a bit o' this and a bit o' that to create what is essentially your OWN handbook.

Not sure why I'm posting this (too much caffeine, I guess), it was just one of the random thoughts that seems to be flying around my head this morning.

Never thought about it that way but I can kind of see that. I'm sure that's certainly true for some x-tians.

Well, I know it's a pretty big generalization to say about "all" Christians, so I'll go so far as to say "most of the one's I know".

I never gave it too much thought either until I began this thread.

For me personally, I LOVE to learn. I don't want to be told what to believe--I'd rather do some research and decide for myself. Plus, all the studying can give such a big perspective on a huge variety of ideas (which is why a lot of pagans consider themselves "eclectic"). I'm the kind of person who likes to constantly challenge my own beliefs by seeing a completely different side to them--I feel it makes me grow. With Christianity that very idea is a no-no, because if you challenge any of the handbook, then you are obviously being influenced by the Big Nasty Down Under.

Well I dunno....
Then again I have had the opportunity to meet all kinds of nice people. Christian and otherwise.
Lemme give you the Three Christians ( and a Muslim) that I know of that I am sure Christ ( and Allah) would be very proud of.

My friend Bern.
I've known her since 6th grade. She's always been close to her faith ( never hid it or anything) however never beat anyone up for theirs.

The Bus Driver.
Now this one made me sad when I realized my thought process.
This btw was when I was 17.
I was seeing a fellow and would visit him often. I did not drive so I bussed it and of course there was one main route that took me where I wanted to go (and I was pretty consistant about taking it at the same time).
One night I was bored and decided to see if I could get away with not paying ( hey it only a buck, but it a buck I could save right?).
I faaaaaiiiiiiilllled.
He could have kicked me off. Or worse. Instead he took my apologies ( and to make up for my heinous act I decided without prompting to pay for the next rider too).
We became friends ( as in we talked a lot about all kinds of things when I rode his route). He was open, friendly, non judgemental, forgiving, kind.....etc.
I was SO shocked to find out that he was Christian.
And that is what made me sad. He is what Christ is about. What other Christians go on about and epically fail when their ego's get in the way. I thought to myself "wow how sad is that, that I was shocked to find out that a Christian was nice when Christianity is supposed to be about that".


The Coworker.
She was a pastor's wife. So one would think ( if doing stereotypes here) that she would be automatically preachy.
Nope. The only indicators of her Faith were two lil prayer pics by her monitor. The only time she mentioned Christ was when she was sharing a story before she found him ( she was quite the adventurous type !).
Me being me it was pretty obvious I am not Christian......that never stopped her from treating me as a human being though and even being thoughtful ( her church ran free school supply carnivals and so she would let me know when they were since I had kids...).
In fact when I left the company, they all had a going away party for me and she gave me a good book on herbal remedies.
Yeah she knew something. !

The other co-worker
He was Muslim. A very earnest one as in he prayed constantly at certain times of the day as well as fasting.
Have you ever heard Islamic prayer? Well if you are not used to it , it can sound like a mild possession is taking place.
I was a manager at the time ( Taco Bell) and so had to let him know that I am all for religious rights and freedom, however praying in the diningroom wasn't very professional ( and was quite frankly freaking some of the customers out).
So we compromised so I made a private sect in back for him so he could do his daily worship and he used it. We usually closed together so we ended up discussing different aspects about our Faiths ( I learned alot about Islam). True he let me know I was going to hell ( a lot), however he never stated it with hate or judgement. It was just a statement coming from what he believed ().
At any rate while we may have disagreed on religious viewpoints, we always were able to debate politely ( not rant at each other) and we got along real well. In fact he walked me home a few times as he was on the way to his mosque ( and quite frankly it was nice of him to walk me home because my place ended up turning away from his original destination).


So my point here is that I don't think it really matters what Path you follow...... there are some people who represent their Path very well ( and their deity/ point of spiritual focus would be very proud) and some who just don't ( regardless of what their Path is).

*breathes*



C/S/

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Oh no...I wasn't referring to the attitudes of the Abrahamic faiths at all. I was really just pondering the idea that we, as pagans, generally do more "study" of our faiths (to find them, really) as opposed to the Big 3, who already have it all spelled out for them. I've been babbling all morning, so I'm sure I wasn't too clear in my previous posts.

In going with what you said, I've found more or less the same thing. I've posted before about my boss who is uber Christian. One would assume that he'd be a nightmare to work for/with, when actually it's very much the opposite. He jokes with me constantly about "people running around with swords" (he saw a newpaper article about some pagan chick who broke into a cemetary and through sheer stupidity managed to drive her athame through her foot) and being a "hippie" (he's convinced I am the epitome of Woodstock, for whatever reason). It's never malicious or anything and I LOVE to have religious discussions with him. Historically speaking he's very knowledgable, and it's nice that he asks me questions regarding my faith.

For Christmas he and the other guys here (I'm the only chick--I'm the resident hood ornament as they call me) bought me a BEAUTIFUL incense burner with my favorite scent (Nag Champa, baby!). I think he and the guys here are also the epitome of what Chrisitanity should be.

Awesomeness there!

I dunno though if Christians really have it spelled out for them though.... I think sometimes it can be JUST as confusing to try and follow THAT Faith because it has ( like Wicca) so many damn branches. In fact you would think since they all came from the same tree ( and root system) that they would play nicely.....but they do na.
I know one gal who was raised Christian ( father was a pastor actually). I have no idea what branch she was raise on, however when it came to her personal view in going to church for worship, she based it off of not what title of branch the church was ( Lutheran, Pentacostal, Baptist, w/e) ...she based it off of how the people in the congregation felt ( the energy/vibe of the church).

Another gal loved to go on about how Christian she was....however seemed always to be in the midst of Church shopping.......so even though she was Christian, she was having a hard time figgerin out which flavor she really felt comfy with.

I ramble and babble on.....blame it on the caffffeeeeeiiiinnnnneeeee!!!!



C/S/

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