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 Posted: Mon Feb 15, 2010 8:53 am
Sanguina Cruenta winksniper At this point I consider myself a very eclectic pagan, I'm basically brand new to it. I grew up Christian, so I still kinda believe in the concept of Hell and Satan, and God and Jesus. I believe that Jesus was God's son. As for my overall beliefs, I believe that there is a Creator who created other gods who rule over other things but still fall under the rules of the Creator. I feel like they all kinda fall into the laws of physics and that the Creator was the one who began the Big Bang. I believe that they do not control us as humans, and I honestly don't think they care much about what we do, and therefore I believe there is an equal afterlife for everyone after death. I believe in evolution. I really dislike the idea of reincarnation, not because I doubt the possibility, it's just that I'd rather not get a totally new life when I die thank you... It may seem like I really think about this a lot in my daily life but in reality I'm not all that religious to begin with but this is... it. Please don't ask for sources on any of this, I just believe this to be true. You've prefaced everything with "I believe", so there's no cause to ask for sources wink Just a couple questions, just because I'm curious. If you believe in YHWH and Jesus, Hell and Satan, do you believe you are going to hell? Do you consider YHWH the creator, or one of the created deities? How do you reconcile your belief in an equal afterlife with your belief in hell? I honestly can't say whether I think I'm going to hell or not, because of so many of these contradicting beliefs I have. The way I see it is, if you live a generally "good" life, you should be fine. But who's the one defining "good"? neutral I think of YHWH to be one of the created deities simply because he has his own set of rules to go along with his religion just like followers of a lot of other religions. Does it make sense if I say that all of the created deities, to me, are somehow part of the same entity? Like, they're different aspects of it. (It's really hard to say what I'm trying to say.) I understand the concept of hell, because I've been taught that there is one my entire life, but I'm kinda half/half on how I see it being used. One way I think of it is that only really "bad" people go there (again, who's defining?) or that it's not used at all. I don't know, I'm still sorting my feelings out. ><
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Posted: Mon Feb 15, 2010 9:10 am
Sanguina Cruenta My problem with it lies not so much that they teach online (they have vids on Youtube and books as well) but that they teach their first degree free and want you to pay for the rest of it. That doesn't sit well with me... Like those phone calls where the first minute is free but you pay through the nose for the next one. wink Keep a timer, I guess? xp Anywho I find that slightly frustrating as well. But I'm enjoying the class and finally getting some structured learning is something I need deeply. I find it funny how they say that you'll be a first degree priest/ess when you complete the course. I have a feeling that I might not want to go around calling myself a Corellian priestess around learned folks such as yourself on Gaia. I'll look like a total fluff. xd But I suggest taking the course if you're Eclectic and need a structured base to start on. Sorry it took so long for me to reply. I tend to post and run. sweatdrop
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Posted: Tue Feb 16, 2010 12:28 am
winksniper I honestly can't say whether I think I'm going to hell or not, because of so many of these contradicting beliefs I have. The way I see it is, if you live a generally "good" life, you should be fine. But who's the one defining "good"? neutral I think of YHWH to be one of the created deities simply because he has his own set of rules to go along with his religion just like followers of a lot of other religions. Does it make sense if I say that all of the created deities, to me, are somehow part of the same entity? Like, they're different aspects of it. (It's really hard to say what I'm trying to say.) I understand the concept of hell, because I've been taught that there is one my entire life, but I'm kinda half/half on how I see it being used. One way I think of it is that only really "bad" people go there (again, who's defining?) or that it's not used at all. I don't know, I'm still sorting my feelings out. >< That's okay. It takes time to iron out what you believe. ^_^ "All gods are one God" is soft polytheism. (Or it might be monism depending on how precisely you're thinking about it.) Take your time. You'll be on firmer ground soon enough.
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Posted: Tue Feb 16, 2010 7:01 am
I dunno what I would be, but heathen still seems like a harsh word. In the dictionary it says uncivilized, uncultured or irreligious person. I kind of take offense to that. Just because someone doesn't have a religion doesn't make them either of those three. I guess it's still the definition from way back when. But I guess I would call myself ecclectic.
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Posted: Thu Feb 18, 2010 6:33 pm
I understand the issues with the term Heathen but I embrace it as my own and explain to anyone who asks, what it means to me. I use it to describe a general Norse style of paganism, that can inclue the anglo-saxon and germanic forms as well as the more commonly thought of scandanvian form.
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Posted: Thu Feb 18, 2010 7:08 pm
gorramKayna I understand the issues with the term Heathen but I embrace it as my own and explain to anyone who asks, what it means to me. I use it to describe a general Norse style of paganism, that can inclue the anglo-saxon and germanic forms as well as the more commonly thought of scandanvian form.
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Posted: Fri Feb 19, 2010 9:17 am
Yeah, it's there. It's an old term after all. Defenitions change as time goes on though and I, for one, choose to help this one along and away from the negative conotations.
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Posted: Fri Feb 19, 2010 5:03 pm
I am but a servant...
I'm a spork! Woo!
Oh, um: Eclectic Neo-Pagan Hedgewitch.
...of the Cunning Flame
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Posted: Tue Apr 20, 2010 8:42 pm
There is no established name for the path I choose to walk. I tend to lead myself entirely by observation and intuition. I see something, it sparks my interest, and I study into it. If I find it applicable to myself, and my path, I assimilate it. For example...
I practice Norse rune magic, using the Elder Futhark. In my ritualistic approach, there are elements of Native American practices, elements of hermetic magic (namely Golden Dawn), and elements of base elemental magic and blood magic. There is some herbal work, some gem/stone/mineral/metal work, some oils. I follow the solar periods, but not the the tune of any other spiritual practice. I believe in a Creator, but I am not decided on whether this creator is One with one face(monotheistic), One with many faces (soft polytheistic), or many (hard polytheistic). I am leaning, at the moment, towards thinking of one Supreme Creator, with a society of lesser Gods under him/her, that are seen and interpreted by different cultures to generate the different pantheons.
The only thing I know for sure is that I do not know for sure, and I will not know for sure until I die, then, the concerns of this physical form will mean so very much less. I figure, my Higher Self already knows. It's just this meat puppet that's left wondering.
On the other hand, I DO know what works for me, as far as practice goes. I seem to bounce along a path containing some ancient Norse practices and morals, some Native American, some Celtic, and some feudal Japanese.. An odd combination, i am certain. but, it's what i have observed and been able to apply as pertinent to my path through Eternity.
I am not one much for titles. When asked what I am, I simply reply "I am." A proper reply would take far, far too long in most cases. Feel free to label me as you will.
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Posted: Tue Apr 20, 2010 9:16 pm
Beorc Kano There is no established name for the path I choose to walk. I tend to lead myself entirely by observation and intuition. I see something, it sparks my interest, and I study into it. If I find it applicable to myself, and my path, I assimilate it. For example... I practice Norse rune magic, using the Elder Futhark. In my ritualistic approach, there are elements of Native American practices, elements of hermetic magic (namely Golden Dawn), and elements of base elemental magic and blood magic. There is some herbal work, some gem/stone/mineral/metal work, some oils. I follow the solar periods, but not the the tune of any other spiritual practice. I believe in a Creator, but I am not decided on whether this creator is One with one face(monotheistic), One with many faces (soft polytheistic), or many (hard polytheistic). I am leaning, at the moment, towards thinking of one Supreme Creator, with a society of lesser Gods under him/her, that are seen and interpreted by different cultures to generate the different pantheons. The only thing I know for sure is that I do not know for sure, and I will not know for sure until I die, then, the concerns of this physical form will mean so very much less. I figure, my Higher Self already knows. It's just this meat puppet that's left wondering. On the other hand, I DO know what works for me, as far as practice goes. I seem to bounce along a path containing some ancient Norse practices and morals, some Native American, some Celtic, and some feudal Japanese.. An odd combination, i am certain. but, it's what i have observed and been able to apply as pertinent to my path through Eternity. I am not one much for titles. When asked what I am, I simply reply "I am." A proper reply would take far, far too long in most cases. Feel free to label me as you will. Honestly, I feel that when a person opens their mind to other beliefs, and is able to recognize Truths in those beliefs, then I feel they can achieve a much greater fulfillment altogether. I think those who do not tie themselves to one religion, but work on enlightenment, and broadening and strengthening their own Faith are opening their eyes to see the bigger picture. I am a Christian myself, but some of my fellow Christians might question how devout I am. I study almost anything I can get my hands on. My husband is neo-pagan, but we have learned so much from each other that we can not say that we believe the same as we once did. I also study ancient religions, and I would be blind if I believed that they do not hold a common origin.
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Posted: Tue Apr 20, 2010 10:09 pm
I am going to say Ecclectic Polytheist. Although I am currently studying the Kemetic/Egyptian path.
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Posted: Tue Apr 20, 2010 11:20 pm
Aakosir gorramKayna I understand the issues with the term Heathen but I embrace it as my own and explain to anyone who asks, what it means to me. I use it to describe a general Norse style of paganism, that can inclue the anglo-saxon and germanic forms as well as the more commonly thought of scandanvian form. heh. i say screw'em. people wanna call it uncivilized simply because they don't understand it. and in fact, the Vikings themselves were thought of as just that, uncivilized raiders and pirates who invaded any coastal area, took women, children and resources, and then left. to everyone else they seemed to be low-life primative bandits, but in reality they had a rich culture, and a strong sense of nobility and honour. in fact, did you know that sometimes instead of enslaving the wives and children of the soldiers they killed, an unmarried Norseman might marry the widow and adopt her kids as his own?
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Posted: Wed Apr 21, 2010 9:30 am
Not to mention that they were much more concerned with regular bathing than most mainland Europeans.
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Posted: Wed Apr 21, 2010 2:05 pm
xd aye, that was true! it's a good Spiritual practice too, in my opinion. smile cleanliness is good for Body, Mind and Spirit.
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Posted: Thu Apr 22, 2010 10:22 am
I am a Eclectic Witch, I follow the Celtic Irish Goddess Danu only. I have been practicing Witchcraft for about 12 years now. It has taken a good while to iron out what i believe out, but i am on the path.
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