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Post by frostheim on Jan 20, 2008 14:18:08 GMT 2
I completely agree with you,Kuuraparta. Though it does not harm if you read religious books and try to understand mindsets of people from different religions, because there are a lot of wise things in most religions out there that might inspire you on how to live your own life. And if you won't find anything inspiring, you will at least have figured out a bit more on how the world works (by understanding and learning about new mindsets). I agree in this of course; to read a lot and from as wide scale as possible is always - or at least usually - a very good thing as a whole indeed, and as long as one remembers to - like I said - "chew properly before swallowing" which refers to thinking through all the things in one's own mind, comparing and reflecting, making images and interpretations, building up one's own understanding and comprehensions, and - as you already said it - learning from it all and even getting inspirations to create something of one's own when the time is right and one's mind is ready and prepared enough for it.
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Ǽcen
Eagle
Posts: 168
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Post by Ǽcen on May 7, 2008 6:37:36 GMT 2
I've talked to two people personally, who say that they've had divine visions (one is Asatru, the other follows Hinduism). I truly wish that I could have an experience like that. I find that religious people have that special layer of security, that in their mind, they know why they're here, or what will happen when they die. It pains me sometimes, to admit that my answers to these questions are: "I don't know. " It'd be great to be a true follower of Paganism, and I would love to see myself as that, but as of now, I don't feel it's right to lie to myself, or try to rationalize, bending various religions to my secular beliefs. As of now, I'd consider myself completely Agnostic, and pre-Christian European religions remain a historical interest for me. I want to be a spiritual person, but only if I can bear witness to something to convince me.
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Post by Sara on May 7, 2008 8:48:39 GMT 2
MetalWarrior, I completely agree. You put my thoughts on paper so well, that I have nothing more to say. I've been saying to my friends, that I kind of envy the ability to trust in something unknown, because I lack in that. The honest trust and feel of security that religious people have, I think that right now I can't achieve it even if I'd want it.
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Post by k2ngu on May 15, 2008 8:06:28 GMT 2
I consider myself Pagan, as well. I never had any visions or the like, but what convinces me, are the northern lights(I know tyhe scientific explanation, but it just takes all the fun out of life), forest sounds and old cultures. And I really don't want to believe that a true religion is one that's being forced bloodily upon us(referring to the crusades; sorry if I made anyone feel bad..). And really, I believe my ancestors through-and-through! ^^
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nicorla
Eagle
Yeah, good old times... :)
Posts: 93
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Post by nicorla on May 23, 2008 21:03:24 GMT 2
I am a Lutheran Protestant myself, really believing in god with all of my heart. But I always find it interesting, when reading or hearing different opinions or atitutes like here in this forum.
My belief is what made me go on several times in my life and I have to admit, I would feel quite empty without it. Still, I am always interested in other religions or believes, because it helps me to understand the actions and conversations of people around me.
And I have to say: Even though I believe in God, I am convinced that every living thing (like animals and plants) has a soul, a spirit or what you might want to call it. And that's what makes me try to be careful with my environment and all the creatures surrounding me.
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Post by branigan on Sept 10, 2008 16:28:52 GMT 2
I don't think it's in my nature to really follow anything. I was raised a Christian, but I couldn't stand it and finally broke away when I was around 12. I felt like I was forcing myself to believe in the Bible because my family did. Since then, I've studied various relgions and while I find them to be interesting, I would honestly be lying to myself if I were to practise them. I could say I'm "Agnostic" or whatever, and I did say that in the past. Now I honestly don't think I care enough to have a particular standpoint.
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miha
Wolfcub
takoa kuu rauta on kuuma
Posts: 8
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Post by miha on Sept 17, 2008 23:22:43 GMT 2
^^My girlfriend's like you too, she made it her choice not to believe in God.
I, on the other side, am a fierce and loyal Roman Catholic. I am with God, and God is with me...
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Post by womanoffire on Nov 8, 2008 22:56:06 GMT 2
I come from a christian family but Im not "closed". I thinks that the bible and many thinks about God and the Christianity was used with bad Ideas and I stay open. Yes, I belive about a creator, a god who want to create and love the humans. After is not absoluty mean that is THE truth and that others beliefs are bad or "satanic"...many people around me dont shared this ideas with me, infortunely. I thinks too that spirituality and religion are a really complexe and wide subject and is really difficult to talk about our beliefs without crush the beliefs of others.
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Post by Helevorn on Dec 3, 2008 20:26:51 GMT 2
i can describe me as "agnostic".. or, better.. since ive been studying especially buddhism (but also hinduism, jainism..) for many years, i've "absorbed" many of indian buddhism's thoughts.. thoughts that i think are not only very useful for everyday's life but also very clever, very deep, very interesting, and closer to truth than christian or muslim or hebrew ones
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Crystiannia
Clansman
"Here is the deepest secret nobody knows..."
Posts: 384
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Post by Crystiannia on Jul 25, 2009 1:41:02 GMT 2
Was curious if any practice a religion that differs from your family, and if so is it a cause of conflict or respectful discussion? Or perhaps avoided alltogether? My differences between my mum and me are a sore point with her which she refuses to acknowledge. It's only come up again since as I am going for surgery they inquire about your religion (in case they "lose" you I guess! and my mum is so not pleased with my response and I know should anything happen my wishes would not be honored. I almost find it amusing, but I'm sad that it hurts her. But if you are called one way and your loved ones another, there's not much you can do. In my situation, I've been called to the path of heathenism after decades as Roman Catholic. I would never try to push my beliefs on another, especially beloved family, but it's amazing how terribly upset it makes her. She's such a wonderful person, I hate to cause her grief.
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Post by Bartbär on Jul 25, 2009 3:24:31 GMT 2
I am the only Heathen in my family. My oldest brother used to be on that path, but now he has taken an odd and very drastic turn towards an eclectic form of Christianity and other mixes. The rest of my family is an odd mix, Christian, Atheist, and ones who at least used to cling towards Levay style Satanism. But I'm not sure if they do that anymore. Needless to say, it is an odd mix, and I just keep to myself. There are little problems, my parents thankfully have raised us with the option to choose what we wished, and it is something I"m always grateful for them for. Sure we may struggle with money and pretty much every other aspect of life, but the things that matter the most they've been great on.
In regards to the surgery and your moms decisions, and your worrying about her not keeping your wishes, have you thought about getting yourself a lawyer? I'm not sure what surgery you are going through, but if there is a risk to it, get yourself a living-will and various other legal documents set up. You don't want to cause your Mother grief, as no one wants to, but you got to do what you feel is right for you. You deserve to have your wishes granted in case anything would happen. I wish I could use some magic and get your mother to see what you are trying to say to her, but parents are stubborn, especially when it comes to religion for the majority of them. It is hard to accept something outside of what you believe when you've been taught the same things from childhood with no encouragement to explore the world and come to a belief of your own.
I wish you the best of luck with that. Tyr be with you! Justice on all sides always works itself out.
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Post by Bartbär on Jul 25, 2009 3:36:12 GMT 2
I consider myself Pagan, as well. I never had any visions or the like, but what convinces me, are the northern lights(I know tyhe scientific explanation, but it just takes all the fun out of life), forest sounds and old cultures. And I really don't want to believe that a true religion is one that's being forced bloodily upon us(referring to the crusades; sorry if I made anyone feel bad..). And really, I believe my ancestors through-and-through! ^^ I'm with you 100% on that one. Although science for me is both a love-hate thing. I love knowing things, because I'm big on gaining Knowledge. But more important to me than Knowledge is Wisdom. To some they may seem the same, but they are quite different. Knowledge is only a little piece of what Wisdom incorporates, for Wisdom sees past knowledge, and rather than saying "this is how things ARE" it says "This is how things are BEST". Knowledge corrupts, but Wisdom regains. Also, science can never know all there is to know. Evidence is unlimited, and the more evidence you have, the more theories you can have. Not to mention, we are always lacking evidence. In Philosophy class our professor put forth a great thought. We were talking about the senses, and wondering about all the types of senses we don't have. Sure we have the basic 5 (or 6), but there are an infinite amount of things we cannot sense. There are certain things in this world that could be all around us, but we simply cannot feel them because our senses are built around empirical and material objects, since for the past hundreds of years it is what we've focused on the most. Besides, Heathenism itself is in a way scientific, but more considered with Wisdom than with Knowledge. Heathenism worships Nature, and Nature is what Scientists study and use for all their claims. If Science was a religion, Nature would be it's God. Of course there are many differences, but still, look at all the great things our Heathen (Pagan, or any other term one sees fit) ancestors developed and used towards the better understanding of Nature, from the glasses of a Spiritualist rather than a Materialist. There are things that Scientists still to this day have no idea why our Ancestors used these tools, and some they find and are absolutely amazed by them. The Vikings had a manual Lathe that could grind Crystals and other hard materials to a very very unbelievable fraction without any noticeable rigidity. That is just one of millions of things, most of which we will never know of. Ancient wisdom is lost and slowly being replaced with modern knowledge. I've always compared science to say, a video-game. You play the game, and love it, but once you've beat it and have gained all there is to know about it, it becomes meaningless. Instead of having that excitement for Mystery and the Future, you just have nothing. Thus it is with Life. Sure, you can strive to know everything, but why? Once that mystery is gone you are absolved in a life of meaninglessness. Life without purpose is no life worth living. No matter what peoples superstitions are (as long as they are not extreme to the point of violence and the like), let them have them. They give these people a meaning and reason to live. I could go on forever about this, but I shall end here. Great thought though, I'm glad to see that Pagan-thought is still alive in Estonia.
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Crystiannia
Clansman
"Here is the deepest secret nobody knows..."
Posts: 384
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Post by Crystiannia on Jul 27, 2009 4:20:05 GMT 2
Not sure I could carry it as far as to go all legal with her. You would think that after all this time she would be a bit more understanding! Ah well... Sad thing is, I'm apt to believe that if I had been called to another path such as Buddhism, Islam, or just about any other more openly accepted faith, there would be very minimal confrontation.
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Post by Bartbär on Jul 27, 2009 5:40:53 GMT 2
That's because it is common place to mock and spit on "obscure" and pre-christian belief systems. However the more popular faiths are less spit upon, because it would be un-PC to do so. I'm very sad to see that she has been this way though. I wish I could at least be around to hang out so you had someone to talk about such things with.
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Crystiannia
Clansman
"Here is the deepest secret nobody knows..."
Posts: 384
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Post by Crystiannia on Jul 27, 2009 22:14:45 GMT 2
That's because it is common place to mock and spit on "obscure" and pre-christian belief systems. However the more popular faiths are less spit upon, because it would be un-PC to do so. I'm very sad to see that she has been this way though. I wish I could at least be around to hang out so you had someone to talk about such things with. But you are around! Just not in the flesh here! I have virtual Anwend! LOL! ;D But would be soooo nice to have an intelligent conversation without rolling eyes and shaking heads. But the gods/goddesses know that I love them. Would just be comforting to have another human soul to turn to. I don't believe that we consciously choose our faith, I really do think that it chooses us, as cliche as that sounds. For some, what our families have raised us with is indeed where our heart lies. For others it seems that something else beckoned. In some instances of faith, I put a great deal of belief into psychologist Carl Jung's theory on racial/cultural memories and the collective unconscious. Somewhere locked away in our minds are the memories and customs of our ancestors. Most of the time they remain hidden away for generations, but every so often they seep out into our conscious, starting with subtle pulls towards the old ways. It is just that we may not realize what it is at the time.
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