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Which religion are my beliefs closest to?

Weeping Raven

One lost Raven
Hello, new to these forums, I joined so I can try to understand my beliefs and where they fit into the various religions, or indeed where they don't!

My apologies if this is in the wrong section.

So first I'll give you a quick run over my religious history. I've grown up in an Atheist family and my parents and grandparents generally frowned upon religion. They did however encourage a healthy interest in the outdoors and that's had a big influence on me.

My first genuine foray into religion was Theistic Satanism. I was 16 and was (and still am) very interested in the occult, anything dark and mysterious attracts me. I researched into it, found several "spells" and even performed a few of them, in particular I remember evoking (if that's the correct term), Asmodeus, who is one of the 7 princes of hell and represents the sin of Lust.

Yep I was that sorta teen :)

After that I drifted from Satanism and a few months later began to get very interested in Paganism. Norse Paganism is what drew me in, I knew a number of the Gods already from TV shows or Books and the idea of Valhalla appealed to me. I never truly felt a deep connection to it though, as I always felt strange to try and practice another cultures faith (I'm British). Around the same time I also gained an interest in Greek Paganism, though again the culture gap prevented me from properly getting into it.

A short while after that I came to my belief that God, is not a particular individual deity, but rather a underlying force that is in everything. I suppose like Mother Nature? This force has been represented by many different "gods" throughout the ages, but ultimately is one underlying power. I'm not decided as to whether he/she/it is sentient or not.

So to recap, my only serious religion thus far was Satanism, I'd developed an interest in Paganism and gained one of my core beliefs.

Last year I met my Girlfriend and she's a Christian, though certainly not an overly devout person. I guess casual Christian is the right term? She occasionally goes to bible study groups, helps out at her local church and prays. Her mother is also Christian but is much more religious. This made me think about Christianity more and I recently looked into the bible. I find it interesting, to me it seems very much like story rather than a sacred text. I did enjoy reading the small amount I've read so far.

I've been to Christian Church's several times, on Remembrance Day and other days like that and I've never gotten into it, finding it to be rather long and dull.

That's pretty much my brief history with religion, I'll now get onto my main beliefs.

I've already mentioned that I believe God to be a single force that resides in everything. I do pray now and then. Death isn't the end and I do believe there's something after it. I think that if you have enough belief in where you go after death, then you shall go there.

God doesn't have direct power over us, rather an influence, that can be requested via prayer to assist you or others.

I believe one should do in his or hers life that which makes them happy, improves them and strives for perfection, though not at the expense of others. That we should make the most of our very short lives and try to make even a small impact on the world, our communities or our families.


I know it might not be much at the minute, but this is merely the start of me digging into my religious side. I'm very open to questions, there's probably a lot I've forgotten to post so I'd appreciate questions, advice or criticism.

Many thanks,

Weeping Raven.
 

Akivah

Well-Known Member
Hello, new to these forums, I joined so I can try to understand my beliefs and where they fit into the various religions, or indeed where they don't!

{snip}

so I'd appreciate questions, advice or criticism.

Shalom Weeping Raven
Welcome to RF!

I'll go with advice.

I've seen a lot of posts like yours and you will get a lot of posts from people that see bits of their religion in your post and will tell you that you should join their religion.

But this is really a silly sort of question for the internet. You should join a religion that you like to belong to. Which means, you can only get a solid answer for yourself by actually going to services at different places to find which one you are most comfortable with. It will take time and effort, but for something that is important to you is worth it.

Everything else will just be someone else's opinion.
 

viole

Ontological Naturalist
Premium Member
Hello, new to these forums, I joined so I can try to understand my beliefs and where they fit into the various religions, or indeed where they don't!

My apologies if this is in the wrong section.

So first I'll give you a quick run over my religious history. I've grown up in an Atheist family and my parents and grandparents generally frowned upon religion. They did however encourage a healthy interest in the outdoors and that's had a big influence on me.

My first genuine foray into religion was Theistic Satanism. I was 16 and was (and still am) very interested in the occult, anything dark and mysterious attracts me. I researched into it, found several "spells" and even performed a few of them, in particular I remember evoking (if that's the correct term), Asmodeus, who is one of the 7 princes of hell and represents the sin of Lust.

Yep I was that sorta teen :)

After that I drifted from Satanism and a few months later began to get very interested in Paganism. Norse Paganism is what drew me in, I knew a number of the Gods already from TV shows or Books and the idea of Valhalla appealed to me. I never truly felt a deep connection to it though, as I always felt strange to try and practice another cultures faith (I'm British). Around the same time I also gained an interest in Greek Paganism, though again the culture gap prevented me from properly getting into it.

A short while after that I came to my belief that God, is not a particular individual deity, but rather a underlying force that is in everything. I suppose like Mother Nature? This force has been represented by many different "gods" throughout the ages, but ultimately is one underlying power. I'm not decided as to whether he/she/it is sentient or not.

So to recap, my only serious religion thus far was Satanism, I'd developed an interest in Paganism and gained one of my core beliefs.

Last year I met my Girlfriend and she's a Christian, though certainly not an overly devout person. I guess casual Christian is the right term? She occasionally goes to bible study groups, helps out at her local church and prays. Her mother is also Christian but is much more religious. This made me think about Christianity more and I recently looked into the bible. I find it interesting, to me it seems very much like story rather than a sacred text. I did enjoy reading the small amount I've read so far.

I've been to Christian Church's several times, on Remembrance Day and other days like that and I've never gotten into it, finding it to be rather long and dull.

That's pretty much my brief history with religion, I'll now get onto my main beliefs.

I've already mentioned that I believe God to be a single force that resides in everything. I do pray now and then. Death isn't the end and I do believe there's something after it. I think that if you have enough belief in where you go after death, then you shall go there.

God doesn't have direct power over us, rather an influence, that can be requested via prayer to assist you or others.

I believe one should do in his or hers life that which makes them happy, improves them and strives for perfection, though not at the expense of others. That we should make the most of our very short lives and try to make even a small impact on the world, our communities or our families.


I know it might not be much at the minute, but this is merely the start of me digging into my religious side. I'm very open to questions, there's probably a lot I've forgotten to post so I'd appreciate questions, advice or criticism.

Many thanks,

Weeping Raven.

You seem to have a quite utilitarian view about metaphysical claims.

Well, this the old dilemma.

Should we strive for things, or tolerate things, that make people happy, or for things that we consider true, no matter what the costs are?

Ciao

- viole
 

VioletVortex

Well-Known Member
You sound a lot like me. I was a Satanist until a month after I turned 16, when I began gravitating towards Paganism. I am still a Satanist in a sense, but if I explain that, I will be under fire. You sound like a Deist or Pantheist of some sort. Deism is the belief in a deity that is purely a force, and Pantheism is the belief that the essence of a deity is within everything in nature. Then, there is Panetheism, which, as far as I know, is the belief that reality itself is simply a manifestation of a deity.

Also, since you are an Occultist (or at least interested in the Occult), it might interest you to look more into soft polytheism, which is the idea that different deities are symbolic of different ways we interpret one force. This could include Demons, Alfs and such, and more importantly, gods. Don't get too caught up in labels, though.
 
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Weeping Raven

One lost Raven
Shalom Weeping Raven
Welcome to RF!

I'll go with advice.

I've seen a lot of posts like yours and you will get a lot of posts from people that see bits of their religion in your post and will tell you that you should join their religion.

But this is really a silly sort of question for the internet. You should join a religion that you like to belong to. Which means, you can only get a solid answer for yourself by actually going to services at different places to find which one you are most comfortable with. It will take time and effort, but for something that is important to you is worth it.

Everything else will just be someone else's opinion.

Thank you Akivah, I will have a look into some of the religions I know little about, its a good idea to get a broad look before making a choice.

You seem to have a quite utilitarian view about metaphysical claims.

Well, this the old dilemma.

Should we strive for things, or tolerate things, that make people happy, or for things that we consider true, no matter what the costs are?

Ciao

- viole

We should strive for those things that make us happy, but not if those things seriously or fatally affect other people.





You sound a lot like me. I was a Satanist until a month after I turned 16, when I began gravitating towards Paganism. I am still a Satanist in a sense, but if I explain that, I will be under fire. You sound like a Deist or Pantheist of some sort. Deism is the belief in a deity that is purely a force, and Pantheism is the belief that the essence of a deity is within everything in nature. Then, there is Panetheism, which, as far as I know, is the belief that reality itself is simply a manifestation of a deity.

Also, since you are an Occultist (or at least interested in the Occult), it might interest you to look more into soft polytheism, which is the idea that different deities are symbolic of different ways we interpret one force. This could include Demons, Alfs and such, and more importantly, gods. Don't get too caught up in labels, though.

Thank you for the reply, I will look into soft polytheism, sounds intriguing :)

I'd be interested in hearing more about how you are still a satanist in a sense, is it possible to Private Message on RF, or would you rather not talk about. I don't mind, I'm just pretty curious, it'd be good to talk to someone who has had vaguely similar views.
 

RabbiO

הרב יונה בן זכריה
Shalom Weeping Raven
I've seen a lot of posts like yours and you will get a lot of posts from people that see bits of their religion in your post and will tell you that you should join their religion.

But this is really a silly sort of question for the internet. You should join a religion that you like to belong to. Which means, you can only get a solid answer for yourself by actually going to services at different places to find which one you are most comfortable with. It will take time and effort, but for something that is important to you is worth it.

Everything else will just be someone else's opinion.

Basically wise words. I do, however, have to disagree, at least in part, about services. Finding one's correct path, one's proper spiritual home, depends upon more than just liking services. I've welcomed members of area churches to Shabbat services and they've enjoyed the services, but they don't then line up to sign up for conversion to Judaism.
 

Sutekh

Priest of Odin
Premium Member
From reading through your post of your experiences switching and trying new things, you remind me a lot like my dad. My dad used to experiment with newer things on religion as well. I on the other hand wanted to stay a bit in tact with my beliefs, I originally tried Scientology and other things till I found that Satanism resonates with me the most. I normally don't give out guidance to a person exploring his faith, but a little advice I can give you is find which philosophy or Religion resonates with you the most. If you tend to have a culture gap, ignore that gap. Instead you could try going eclectic by synchronizing imagery, symbols, and other trappings. I am a Satanist myself as well, I have heard and stumbled upon the term Right Hand Path Satanism or whatever you want to call it, I don't know a lot about it but you could try sticking to your own ideology, views, and maybe synchronize and see what works for you.
 

VioletVortex

Well-Known Member
Thank you Akivah, I will have a look into some of the religions I know little about, its a good idea to get a broad look before making a choice.



We should strive for those things that make us happy, but not if those things seriously or fatally affect other people.







Thank you for the reply, I will look into soft polytheism, sounds intriguing :)

I'd be interested in hearing more about how you are still a satanist in a sense, is it possible to Private Message on RF, or would you rather not talk about. I don't mind, I'm just pretty curious, it'd be good to talk to someone who has had vaguely similar views.

Yeah, you can PM here. I'd be glad to, it's just that if I spew my beliefs in the general public, they are bound to be taken the wrong way.
 

Sutekh

Priest of Odin
Premium Member
Yeah, you can PM here. I'd be glad to, it's just that if I spew my beliefs in the general public, they are bound to be taken the wrong way.

Out of curiosity I don't mean to go off subject on this thread, but I was always curious if your parents know about your beliefs? My parents do, trust me it took a very long time for my parents to accept the way I am today, they got a heavily wrong impression about me when I told them.
 

sovietchild

Well-Known Member

Gosh+darn+it+06.jpg
 

Vinayaka

devotee
Premium Member
Just to offer up a couple other POVs.

Some folks believe that it is the religion that chooses you, not you choosing the religion. But the very sense that you know some of your own beliefs already indicates that somewhat.

It also begs the question ... Why any religion at all? If you make a pot of hot water wishing to make tea, but somehow forget to put the tea leaves in, that hot water is still quite drinkable.
 

Jeremiahcp

Well-Known Jerk
Basically wise words. I do, however, have to disagree, at least in part, about services. Finding one's correct path, one's proper spiritual home, depends upon more than just liking services. I've welcomed members of area churches to Shabbat services and they've enjoyed the services, but they don't then line up to sign up for conversion to Judaism.

"but they don't then line up to sign up for conversion to Judaism."

It is the bacon wrapped shrimp, it is just too awesome to give up.
 

Weeping Raven

One lost Raven
Just to offer up a couple other POVs.

Some folks believe that it is the religion that chooses you, not you choosing the religion. But the very sense that you know some of your own beliefs already indicates that somewhat.

It also begs the question ... Why any religion at all? If you make a pot of hot water wishing to make tea, but somehow forget to put the tea leaves in, that hot water is still quite drinkable.

That's certainly true, I would like to find a religion because I want to explore this part of me more, I would like to find something that involves my beliefs while also having some history behind it. Some books or blogs or whatever to read from and learn.

Of course there's nothing stopping me from writing those things myself, but for the time being I want to look at other religions and start by studying them. Perhaps I'll find one that fits the bill as I do.
 

loveendures

New Member
No body needs any Religion! It is out dated. We do need to love ourselves and one another regardless. You may attend a gathering of people to share our pains and pleasures of life and do something. Jesus was not religious , never created a religion.
If you want to read Bible read it beyond literal through the lens of love. Anything else, leave it, do not to argue .. move on.
Thanks Hope this helps.



Hello, new to these forums, I joined so I can try to understand my beliefs and where they fit into the various religions, or indeed where they don't!

My apologies if this is in the wrong section.

So first I'll give you a quick run over my religious history. I've grown up in an Atheist family and my parents and grandparents generally frowned upon religion. They did however encourage a healthy interest in the outdoors and that's had a big influence on me.

My first genuine foray into religion was Theistic Satanism. I was 16 and was (and still am) very interested in the occult, anything dark and mysterious attracts me. I researched into it, found several "spells" and even performed a few of them, in particular I remember evoking (if that's the correct term), Asmodeus, who is one of the 7 princes of hell and represents the sin of Lust.

Yep I was that sorta teen :)

After that I drifted from Satanism and a few months later began to get very interested in Paganism. Norse Paganism is what drew me in, I knew a number of the Gods already from TV shows or Books and the idea of Valhalla appealed to me. I never truly felt a deep connection to it though, as I always felt strange to try and practice another cultures faith (I'm British). Around the same time I also gained an interest in Greek Paganism, though again the culture gap prevented me from properly getting into it.

A short while after that I came to my belief that God, is not a particular individual deity, but rather a underlying force that is in everything. I suppose like Mother Nature? This force has been represented by many different "gods" throughout the ages, but ultimately is one underlying power. I'm not decided as to whether he/she/it is sentient or not.

So to recap, my only serious religion thus far was Satanism, I'd developed an interest in Paganism and gained one of my core beliefs.

Last year I met my Girlfriend and she's a Christian, though certainly not an overly devout person. I guess casual Christian is the right term? She occasionally goes to bible study groups, helps out at her local church and prays. Her mother is also Christian but is much more religious. This made me think about Christianity more and I recently looked into the bible. I find it interesting, to me it seems very much like story rather than a sacred text. I did enjoy reading the small amount I've read so far.

I've been to Christian Church's several times, on Remembrance Day and other days like that and I've never gotten into it, finding it to be rather long and dull.

That's pretty much my brief history with religion, I'll now get onto my main beliefs.

I've already mentioned that I believe God to be a single force that resides in everything. I do pray now and then. Death isn't the end and I do believe there's something after it. I think that if you have enough belief in where you go after death, then you shall go there.

God doesn't have direct power over us, rather an influence, that can be requested via prayer to assist you or others.

I believe one should do in his or hers life that which makes them happy, improves them and strives for perfection, though not at the expense of others. That we should make the most of our very short lives and try to make even a small impact on the world, our communities or our families.


I know it might not be much at the minute, but this is merely the start of me digging into my religious side. I'm very open to questions, there's probably a lot I've forgotten to post so I'd appreciate questions, advice or criticism.

Many thanks,

Weeping Raven.
 

VioletVortex

Well-Known Member
Out of curiosity I don't mean to go off subject on this thread, but I was always curious if your parents know about your beliefs? My parents do, trust me it took a very long time for my parents to accept the way I am today, they got a heavily wrong impression about me when I told them.

My parents know I am a theist and not a Christian, but they don't know man you specifics other than my beliefs on afterlife and morals. My dad is an atheist and my mother a liberal Christian.

I don't care about acceptance, for the most part.
 

Muffled

Jesus in me
Hello, new to these forums, I joined so I can try to understand my beliefs and where they fit into the various religions, or indeed where they don't!

My apologies if this is in the wrong section.

So first I'll give you a quick run over my religious history. I've grown up in an Atheist family and my parents and grandparents generally frowned upon religion. They did however encourage a healthy interest in the outdoors and that's had a big influence on me.

My first genuine foray into religion was Theistic Satanism. I was 16 and was (and still am) very interested in the occult, anything dark and mysterious attracts me. I researched into it, found several "spells" and even performed a few of them, in particular I remember evoking (if that's the correct term), Asmodeus, who is one of the 7 princes of hell and represents the sin of Lust.

Yep I was that sorta teen :)

After that I drifted from Satanism and a few months later began to get very interested in Paganism. Norse Paganism is what drew me in, I knew a number of the Gods already from TV shows or Books and the idea of Valhalla appealed to me. I never truly felt a deep connection to it though, as I always felt strange to try and practice another cultures faith (I'm British). Around the same time I also gained an interest in Greek Paganism, though again the culture gap prevented me from properly getting into it.

A short while after that I came to my belief that God, is not a particular individual deity, but rather a underlying force that is in everything. I suppose like Mother Nature? This force has been represented by many different "gods" throughout the ages, but ultimately is one underlying power. I'm not decided as to whether he/she/it is sentient or not.

So to recap, my only serious religion thus far was Satanism, I'd developed an interest in Paganism and gained one of my core beliefs.

Last year I met my Girlfriend and she's a Christian, though certainly not an overly devout person. I guess casual Christian is the right term? She occasionally goes to bible study groups, helps out at her local church and prays. Her mother is also Christian but is much more religious. This made me think about Christianity more and I recently looked into the bible. I find it interesting, to me it seems very much like story rather than a sacred text. I did enjoy reading the small amount I've read so far.

I've been to Christian Church's several times, on Remembrance Day and other days like that and I've never gotten into it, finding it to be rather long and dull.

That's pretty much my brief history with religion, I'll now get onto my main beliefs.

I've already mentioned that I believe God to be a single force that resides in everything. I do pray now and then. Death isn't the end and I do believe there's something after it. I think that if you have enough belief in where you go after death, then you shall go there.

God doesn't have direct power over us, rather an influence, that can be requested via prayer to assist you or others.

I believe one should do in his or hers life that which makes them happy, improves them and strives for perfection, though not at the expense of others. That we should make the most of our very short lives and try to make even a small impact on the world, our communities or our families.


I know it might not be much at the minute, but this is merely the start of me digging into my religious side. I'm very open to questions, there's probably a lot I've forgotten to post so I'd appreciate questions, advice or criticism.

Many thanks,

Weeping Raven.

I believe it appears that you are a deist.
 

Muffled

Jesus in me
Shalom Weeping Raven
Welcome to RF!

I'll go with advice.

I've seen a lot of posts like yours and you will get a lot of posts from people that see bits of their religion in your post and will tell you that you should join their religion.

But this is really a silly sort of question for the internet. You should join a religion that you like to belong to. Which means, you can only get a solid answer for yourself by actually going to services at different places to find which one you are most comfortable with. It will take time and effort, but for something that is important to you is worth it.

Everything else will just be someone else's opinion.

I believe opinions may be helpful.

I don't believe that is allowed on here but I would venture to say that a person does not know what it means to be a Christian by going to a Christian church or by reading a little of the Bible unless one finds the right verses of course. I believe in order to have a healthy relationship with his girlfriend he should go to Bible Study with her.

I believe a deist would be most comfortable in A Universalist Church but for the sake of unity with the girlfriend I suggest learning how to adapt to her church which I am guessing is the Church of England.
 
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