Pagans with a purpose? (rituals, moral, reject, Earth, tradition)

[Shadow Wolf]

1. As you see your religion, is it meant to be a force for good or evil? Why?

2. What do you see the Pagan community working towards?

3. What about your religion makes you the most happy?

1. My religion views "Good and Evil" as nothing more than words. But in the general cense, it would be good.

2. One thing I do is educating others, and dispelling myths about Paganism.

3. No one is accused of "believing wrong,"and abstaning from alot of the world is not required.

[Comprehend]

Originally Posted by Feathers in Hair

In some branches of Buddhism, there's a really good explanation of my approach to good and evil. Instead of those terms, there are things that are 'wise' decisions and thing that are 'unwise'. For example, saying that stealing is evil does not say why it's bad. Saying that stealing is an unwise choice helps one to realize that the alternative can be chosen. (In this case, either 'not stealing' or 'giving'.) There's a better explanation of this approach in several places, I'm sure, but I'm trying to explain it from my perspective.

I like that. Wise decisions. I think my mother would tell you I mostly made "unwise" decisions as a kid . I like that it shows you options just by the nature of the term. also it sounds really cool like the karate kid master is teaching you something, while saying something is bad sounds like you are talking to a kid.

[Gentoo]

Originally Posted by comprehend

AAAAHHH Gentoo !!! I get it. I see how you guys look at this !

*wipes perspiration from forehead*

It was starting to hurt my brain

I'm more than happy to help

[Comprehend]

Originally Posted by Draka

I'm going to try to field this as best I can. Again, there's no gaurantee that what I will say is what others believe. I'll just tell you how I think of it. I use the words Divine and Source interchangably

I don't really think of the Divine as a sentient being in and of itself. More of an energy that permeates and creates and is made up of all life at the same time, throughout the universe. Being a part of everything, the spark of life itself, it is hard to say that it has a voice or mind of its own. I consider our spirits to be but mere small parts of this Source. Therefore, since we are all linked, and are contributing parts of ourselves and our knowledge, it is us that fuels the knowledge of the Source, along with all other life. When we are in great need or want to communicate with the Divine we call upon certain aspects of the Divine. Asking for certain knowledge. What is revealed to us is, of course, in a manner that we understand...which is why there are so many differing tales of revealed inspiration. What we see, be it particular gods or goddesses or angels or however they appear, are merely the manifestations of what we allow our minds to perceive. We are a part of the Divine, so our own minds feed what we are capable of handling being presented to us. If my mind is open to seeing a beautiful goddess present herself with the information or guidance I seek, then I will most likely see that. If you are conditioned or open to seeing what you perceive as an angel, then that is what you will see. We are, in essence, fueling the manner in which we will be communicated to. It is up to us to determine how we use the information and guidance presented to us.

Again, I hope I make some sense here and just haven't rattled on with no one understanding what I'm trying to say. My beliefs are my own and I don't expect anyone else here to agree with me at all. I may just be crazy...who knows?

Draka - I think that sounds very cool. It is almost like a metaphysical internet where we are all connected, sharing and contributing (except you said it much more eloquently). I love it.

[Comprehend]

Originally Posted by Luke Wolf

1. My religion views "Good and Evil" as nothing more than words. But in the general cense, it would be good.

2. One thing I do is educating others, and dispelling myths about Paganism.

3. No one is accused of "believing wrong,"and abstaning from alot of the world is not required.

well there is plenty of work for you to do dispelling myths. that is a much needed service in the Pagan world.

very cool answers. thanks Luke.

[BFD_Zayl]

Originally Posted by comprehend

Hey everyone. This is my first visit into this area and I have zero understanding of anything you guys practice. I have thought of a few questions that I thought would be interesting to know.

Please forgive me if I say something ignorant or offensive, it is not intended. Feel free to answer any single question or all of them.

1. As you see your religion, is it meant to be a force for good or evil? Why?

2. What do you see the Pagan community working towards?

3. What about your religion makes you the most happy?

P.S. I have already met a few of you and appreciate your kindness.

1. as others have said "good" and "evil" are points of perspective, but i guess you could say i work between the two. trying to keep a balance if you will.
2. hopefully towards unity and a better tomorrow, but alot of pagan groups are to far apart and lack the proper funding at the moment to do so.
3.i would not say it makes me happy...im content with the knowledge i get from it though, it is a very tedious path and you have to work hard, but it is rewarding in the end.

[Pardus]

1. As you see your religion, is it meant to be a force for good or evil? Why?
What are these concepts? I have never experienced good or evil.

2. What do you see the Pagan community working towards?
Not much of anything, it is not a religion of comformity therefore its members do not conform to one purpose.

3. What about your religion makes you the most happy?
It is not about happiness, it is about what works for me.

[Kay]

Originally Posted by Guitar's Cry

As for my own belief, I am panentheistic, meaning I see God as the spiritual (subjective) essense of the Universe. Therefore, God is a part of Nature (as well as us and all life).