Thank you! Going to read it right now.
BlackSwan of Memphis
JoinedPosts by BlackSwan of Memphis
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BlackSwan of Memphis
Here's some cool info:
Here's some cool info:
Wow now that was interesting. Thank you Nvr!
I am a pagan at heart. Always have been.
can there be such a thing as a pagan atheist?
Ipsec, absoloodilydoodily! I believe you may want to consider looking at the pantheist philosophy. No gods in that one if I'm not mistaken, but it has a very whole naturalism type of philosopy at it's heart.
I've read Solitary Witch by Silver Ravan Wolf. Does that make me a pagan?
Hey I have that book and I found some of it helpful. Does it make you a pagan? Uhmmmmm sure why not!
the Kabbalah couldn’t agree more with scrapping all our ideas and notions about God. As it is written, "there is no aspect anywhere to search or probe; nothing can be known of it, for it is hidden and concealed in the mystery of absolute nothingness." 9 Indeed, in my estimation, Kabbalism is more a religion for heretics and atheists than for those who profess faith in God. As the great Kabbalist philosopher, Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook once said, "There is faith that is actually denial, and there is denial that is actually faith." 10 In other words, according to the Kabbalah, denying the existence of God is the same as having faith in God, so, paradoxically, it is possible that agnostics and atheists are Jewish mystics unaware.
Nvr, hey now this is interesting. Might you have a link to accompany? I would be most interested to read the surrounding text if it is available.
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BlackSwan of Memphis
Theres a fair bit of information out there to be honest - some great, some ok, and some complete crap but you take what you can and leave the rest which is always a good thing.
G, that's always the problem. Sorting through the crap and figuring what to keep.
The attraction to my path has always been its flexibility, it can be combined with many others such as Wicca, Shamanism, and even dare I say it, Christianity (although I must admit I have my doubts about the latter lol)
Hm, I see your point! It is quite intersting to me, how I've seen various bits of Christianity pop up. I have my own way of seeing things and they have theirs and it makes for a nice melting pot of paganism
How long have you been on the Druid path?
I'm a pagan as well. Though I do disagree about it not being a religion. I do sometimes say Wiccan because it seems to be a bucket non-pagans can understand better than the term pagan. Most christians seem to think pagan means anyone not christian and I want to narrow that down a bit.
Hey Gretchen, I was hoping to see you on here! Yeah, I guess you probably have a point. I suppose I tend to think of each form of paganism it's own religion. But then if I do that, it's not much different then saying Protestant. So..well I suppose I need to rethink that eh?
You know the thing is, the whole term Wiccan or Wicca/Wicce has it's whole sort of battle of sorts. I.e. What makes a Wiccan a Wiccan? Sheesh, I've read SO many different articles or discussions on the matter. Some believe that a Wiccan is only a person who is intitated INTO a Wiccan coven as defined by Gardener or the other forms. Some believe a Wiccan can follow the basic rituals of Wicca and self inititiate into it. Others are Kitchen Witches and are good and comfy with the word.
At this point, I think the average person might very well get confused! Perhaps I sort of gave up, hm.....
Because I am a solitary practitioner of my religion, because it doesn't have prescribed doctrines, because the path is continually growing learning and changing does not make it less a religion. I have a very deep spiritual connection with Mother (my name for the divine). I guess I would call my path somewhere between a Gaia path and a Dianic path if you want to put a label on it, but I'm continually reading and taking what resonates with me and throwing off the rest.
I suppose when I said I think of it as an umbrella term, I was thinking along the lines of that each person's paganism, might vary, but their way of doing things, their structure or ritual IS their religion. Uhm....like a pagan who follows a Germanic Reconstructionism path, I would probably think of their religion as being Germanic Recon. Still, though going back to what I said a second ago, I need to rethink that to some extent.
As I would say a Presbyterian is a Christian.
Hm.....I suppose that in the previous example, the person following the Germanic Recon is a Pagan with Germanic Recon as their denomination
You have given me food for thought Sherry!!
Thanks for this thread, I'm surprised it hasn't been flamed yet, many times I bring up my faith I seem to be ridiculed by certain ones in this forum.
Hmmmm intersting thought. I wonder why indeed. And hey, no problem Like I said I thought it would be good for us to know who the other is.
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BlackSwan of Memphis
solitary :)
forsharry, good to have ya checking in!
I haven't heard of "fire witches" before, any chance you'd be willing to explain? Or maybe recommend books/websites that would contain good information? I'd also love to hear more about your personal celebrations etc if it's not too much to ask.
Hm, yeah I second that. Never heard the term used and I'm curious to know more about it, if you would be comfortable sharing.
I've investigated a LOT of legends and myths (probably the biggest reason for leaving the BOrg), and the only definative conclusion I can come to is that each person has to believe what they're comfortable with.
Hobo, first nice to meet you! Second this makes a lot of sense. There are so many beliefs and philosophies and different personalities and what makes sense to one will be rubbish to another. <<shrugs>> Makes for a curious, wonderful world!
After leaving the witnesses, I checked out a lot of churches, but I could never reconcile a loving god who could kill so casually. Christianity wasn't for me, but I'd spent most of my life outdoors, so the appreciation and love of all things natural seemed the only way for me to go.
Seems to be a common theme of sorts amongst pagans.
I've read some books, but most of what I feel is instinctive. After the strictly structured JW's, I couldn't bear to HAVE to participate in rituals, but I acknowledge the phases of the moon and the other celebrations (mostly seasonal based).
Interesting. I can appreciate that.
I live in a small northern Alberta town, and everyone who knows me knows my spiritual path- they all know what the pentacle I wear means and tease me about the good luck I enjoy. Personally, I believe it's all karmic- I've paid my dues and now I'm reaping the rewards. And the witches creed makes more sense to me than any Christian platitudes- 'an harm ye none, do what ye will'.
It is a good thing you are able to be so open about it!! I like your choice of words on the matter as well . Most people who know me know that I'm ah, er, um...well....eclectic minded Hey, I'd rather people just know now as opposed to finding out later and think either I was hiding something or ashamed of what I believe. I've kicked my bloomin' arse to have the freedom to believe what I want and I am not going to let go of that.
if not outright pagan, i definitely am a pagan sympathizer...........heehee
Sunnygal, lol, an accomplice perhaps?
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BlackSwan of Memphis
Thanks Black Swan, it was a cool group and they covered a wide variety of belief structures. I like the minister here and really liked the range of material covered. The Mr Rogers sermon was followed by a reading from the Tao Te Ching. Very comfortable environment to aquire a diversity of knowledge. I never quite got around to attending any of the pagan meetings (scheduling issues) but it seemed like a good learning evironment. I just don't crave the association portion, ya know?
Sounds like it was a really cool sermon.The Tao Te Ching, I have read very little about that. But when I read your experience I thought:
"How cool. Being able to learn and explore other philosophies and religions and being 'allowed' to assimilate it into your life if it works.... Very free spirited."
I know with the church I went to...<<i'm already grinning>> the Reverand guy was really cute so if that didn't give me reason enough to keep attending, the association wasn't going to work either. So, I'm right there with ya on that one.
I'm with you about the mellow Sunday with good company. Tho I also used to be a member of the "open road, wind in the face" church of Yamaha As long as people do what makes them happy, the rest is really superficial.
Amen
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BlackSwan of Memphis
There seems to be plenty of us about....yey!
Yey!
I know that even though I was raised as a witness, my perspective has always been Pagan. Even when I was an active dub, I always believed that being close to the land and the results of creative force in general meant that I was closer to 'God' or Divinity. I always had a respect and reverance for all living creatures, and felt the movement of the seasons as something deeply personal and spiritual.
I had spiritual experiences when I was young that were difficult to rationalise away and as such I was led to believe that I was somehow under demonic attack or that satan was somehow trying to get me to turn to the dark side.
a) Wow what a beautiful energy connection!!!
b) Yep this is exactly what "they" want people to believe. That IF you have spiritual experiences of any sort, it's from the Devil or demons. Grr.
It was only when I started to learn about Druidism that it all fitted into place - almost like a coming home and stark realisation of all that I had experienced when I was younger.
Ahh Druidism. That very much interests me. I have browsed through several websites on the topic and found a few that were quite informative.
Nvrgnbk and Db74 what beautiful pictures!!!
Bigwilly, hey thank you so much for sharing that experience! I had forgotten that I have been to our local UU church a couple of times. And had the chance to meet a few pagans through there. It is a very open place.
Still not my gig and I can't really be arsed to get up early on a Sunday to sit and listen to anyone (rather be riding).
Whew, I feel way better about not wanting to get my butt off the couch and go to church Did the Kingdom Hall thing for all those years, I am pretty happy with resting on Sunday mornings and celebrating life with a few friends and beers. That is pretty much my church. We talk about life and the Universe, enjoy the view of a setting sun and enjoy the taste of a well bred wine ...and that is my idea of a happy communion
The main reason though is that the local UU has a Pagan group associated with it.
I forgot about that, CUUPS.
http://www.cuups.org/content2/
So within a technically Christian religion you have a subgroup of defenite pagans, athiests and mixture of eastern religions.
I have read the information that comes in the visitors packet regarding the history of the UU church and was surprised to learn of it's Christian heritage. It is indeed a great way to meet people from different backgrounds!
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BlackSwan of Memphis
I can't claim to be pagan, but I do lean towards their thinking as well as the eastern religions, such as buddhism. My daughter is a pagan, not wiccan as she so clearly has defined the difference to me as well. I did attend a Pagan Festival last summer with her, and found it to be quite lovely. It was funny how many eyebrows rose when I shared I was going. There is such a fear among so many hearing the word Pagan, that they don't allow themselves to even investigate what it really is. I find it all very interesting, and have read a lot over the years on the topic. If I were to choose a belief system at this point though, it would be either Paganism or Buddhism.
Hm true. I know my husband has told people that he knows that he's Pagan, becuase that is how he can best identify to others his beliefs. And often their eyes get big and they start looking at him weird, lol. Too funny.
I remember a few other Pagans and/or Wiccans from this forum.
I have looked into many religions and ways of thinking after I got out of the JWs, but "Pagan" is the one that just felt right to me.
No particular path, I still don't like beeing told what I should do to be spiritual. I guess you could call me an Elemental pagan, as I am very close to nature, and this is what I usually celebrate. Nature, seasons, etc, instead of Gods and Goddesses, even though they are interesting to research. That, or a Kitchen Witch.
That is a very cool way to express it. Elemental pagan. Has a nice ring to it! I know celebrating the various holidays to celebrate God/Goddess is tough for me. I have thought of the God/desses as being faces that man has given to what they believe is controlling the Universe, and so to me, by researching those God/desses we can learn A Lot about who we were and are. Hm seems like too many religions claim to have the truth about God and how to worship or be spiritual and the reality is no one really knows for sure.
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WTBTS Now hinting at having LARGE families?????
by annalice inok so i don't know if this means anything but, i was just over on the watchtower official web site.
( i like to keep up on the crap they write).
anyhow there is a article titled "large families united in god's service".
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BlackSwan of Memphis
whoops; so sorry, dont know how my post happened three times!!! EEEK! not too good with this pc lark!
Black Swan; Howya doin?
Shell
Eh pc's can do funny things sometimes
Doin' well shell
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WTBTS Now hinting at having LARGE families?????
by annalice inok so i don't know if this means anything but, i was just over on the watchtower official web site.
( i like to keep up on the crap they write).
anyhow there is a article titled "large families united in god's service".
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BlackSwan of Memphis
howdidly doudley black swan
Shell
howdidly doudley shell!!
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The Good, The Bad and The Troll
by outofthebox inthe good.
thanks everybody for your warm welcome days ago (http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/6/141779/1.ashx).
we really enjoyed all your comments.
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BlackSwan of Memphis
I must say I thought the first posts were a little unusual. I thought the post re the Presiding Overseer was quite interesting.
Welcome to the board, I hope that this place can be of help to all of you.
As for your question:
Why are you here? I ask myself that too often anymore
Are you looking for the truth or are you just mad about the WTS? Mad, hmm used to really mad. Have days that I still am.
Do you even think there is a true out there? Oh boy, uhm.............truth about????