comprehend said:
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.
Hello
I think first what needs to be said is that Paganism isn't a religion in and of itself. It's more of an umbrella term used to describe religions that are either polytheistic or "pre-date" Christianity. I say "pre-date" because there is actually very little that does really pre-date Christianity. Wicca is very new for example, brought about in the 1950's that brings back a lot of old ways of thinking, like reveering the Earth for it's bounties.
To your questions:
1.) My religion is that of good. Wicca has a set of guidelines that you may have heard of. It's called the Wiccan Rede. It's a poem that was written in the 50's (by Doreen Valiente I think, don't quote me on that...), that can be summed up in it's last two lines: " 'An it harm none, do as ye will." or some form of that. It basically says that as long as there is no harm done to ANYone, including the Wiccan, then you can do what you want. It seems like that can be a free-for-all, but there is another guideline/rule to help keep it in place: The rule of three/the three-fold law, which states that any energy you put out (prayer, thought, actions, spells, rituals) will return to you three times over. This is a good 'incentive' to do good and not do harm.
2.) I see the Pagan community working to create a better society, happiness by offering another way to achieve religious fulfillness. There is a lot of work to be done, dispelling the misconceptions that others hold against us (work of the Devil and what-not). But I do think that we are making progress.
3.) What makes me most happy about Wicca is that I can form my own beliefs within the construction of Wicca. This religion's different because there is no set way of doing things, one can even reject the Rede and the three-fold law if they wish. You'll be hard pressed to find 2 Wiccans that believe the same things, even within the structure of the coven.
P.S.
Thank you! I enjoy answering questions