whats a neo-pagan again? i think i read something bout it but cant remember what it was...
i was/am a christian..im not sure and really confused, sometimes i cant stand the whole church/religion thing even to the point of being anti but other times im really passionate about being a christian and church etc etc
confusion...mm thats my middle name i think haha



***moderator note***
this post was from another thread and is an excellent discussion for this section. The search and confusion we face, sometimes being ADD, sometimes from being human. Please remember that this is not a debate about other religions and the pros or cons. It is about sharing your experience. Religious debate can be discussed in our Private Debate Forum (http://www.addforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=241). ***that is all***

I would like to encourage you to read as many holy books as you can so that you can make a true choice for yourself.

Most of them have been translated into contemporary English so they can be more easily understood.

Go deep friend and you will find truth.

Neo-Pagan is just a term used for modern followers of the Old Ways, 4gotAgain.

I strongly recommend the site Beliefnet.com for a balanced view of religion, unbiased, and not affected by any personal beliefs of the authors.

http://www.beliefnet.com/story/80/story_8058_1.html

Neo-Pagans are a community of faiths bringing ancient Pagan and magickal traditions to the modern age--including mostly Wicca but also Druidism, Asatru, Shamanism, neo-Native American, and more. Neo-Pagan is an umbrella term for various and diverse beliefs with many elements in common. Some Neo-Pagans find no incongruence practicing Neo-Paganism along with adherence to another faith, such as Christianity or Judaism.

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr> <td valign="top" width="15">•</td> <td>Belief in Deity
Some believe in a Supreme Being. Many believe in God and Goddess--a duality. Many believe there are countless spirit beings, gods and goddesses, in the cosmos and within all of nature--God is all and within all; all are one God. The Great Mother Earth, or Mother Nature, is highly worshipped. Divinity is immanent and may become manifest within anyone at any time through various methods.

</td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top">•</td> <td>Incarnations
No human incarnations are worshipped in particular, as all of nature and the universe are considered embodiments of God and Goddess, or of gods and goddesses, worthy of respect, reverence, or worship.

</td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top">•</td> <td>Origin of Universe and Life
Generally, there is no conflict between observations revealed through science and Neo-Pagan beliefs on origins of the physical universe and of man. Many believe in a supreme intelligence that created a duality of God/Goddess who then created a spirit world of gods and goddesses as well as all of the universe and nature.

</td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top">•</td> <td>After Death
Many believe in reincarnation after some rest and recovery in the "Otherworld." There is generally no concept of hell as a place of punishment, but some believe wrongdoing can trap the soul in state of suffering after death. Some (Wicca) believe the soul joins their dead ancestors who watch over and protect their family. Some believe that life energy continues in some, if unknown, form. Some believe in various spiritual resting places. Many say we don't or can't know what happens after death.

</td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top">•</td> <td>Why Evil?
"Evil" is imbalance. Most believe there is no evil but rather that people sometimes make mistakes. Wrongdoing results when we forget we are one with the universal spirit.

</td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top">•</td> <td>Salvation
The concept of "salvation" is essentially irrelevant; rather the belief that people can attain spiritual balance and harmony with each other and nature. The path includes group ceremonies, dances, songs/chants, prayers, meditation, trance, altered states of consciousness, the metaphysical, magic, invoking or evoking deities or spirits, Tantric practices. Intercessors are commonly used: psychics, seers, shamans, tarot, Oui-Ja board. Ethical choices are influenced by a belief that one is rewarded or punished within this or after this lifetime for one's choices and an ethical code to do no harm.

</td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top">•</td> <td>Undeserved Suffering
Most do not believe in Satan or any spirit being as the cause of suffering. Some believe in a karma-like principle, that choosing to live a life of wrongdoing and pain will naturally result in suffering in this or later lifetimes. Many view suffering as a result of spiritual imbalance in one's life or on the planet or in the universe. The focus is generally on healing suffering rather than answering definitively why it exists.

</td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top">•</td> <td>Contemporary Issues
Abortion is not condemned, as there is no official doctrine; beliefs about abortion range the full spectrum. Views on divorce, homosexuality, and gender equality are generally very supportive of human differences, equality, and personal choice. Many believe that involvement in community action, especially regarding environmental concerns, is integral to the belief in human interdependence and worship of the Earth Mother.
</td></tr></tbody></table>

I sometimes think that being lost is a vital portion of our life experiences. I've managed to run through most all of the religions out there by now, and still haven't come close to any answers.

I've managed to run through most all of the religions out there by now, and still haven't come close to any answers.IMO, there are no "answers" concerning this subject for a couple of reasons.

Reason #1:

An "answer" is defined as: "a spoken or written reply to a question," according to Webster's dictionary that is.

Even though the "answers" on this issue might not be spoken or written concerning this issue per se, there are still many things which can be easily understood concerning this issue nonetheless.

I would like to share a simple analogy here that I think might help here. Let's say that you and I both understand what the Sun looks like. Just because you and I can understand what the Sun looks like does not mean that you & I are then qualified to explain what the Sun looks like to a blind man.



Reason # 2:

Lao Tzu said, "those who know do not speak, and those who speak do not know." I find there to be a great deal of wisdom in that simple quote.

I interpret that quote to mean that those who understand those things in life which can't be explained, do not try and explain them those who have yet to understand that some things simply defy human explanation.

I hope I did not make this subject anymore complicated than it is by trying to explain something which I know can't be explained. I hope that anyone reading this will be able to recognize that I am only attempting to explain that which I feel can be explained. Perhaps I should have not said anything concerning this issue, but I did feel compelled to make an attempt based on my limited understanding as it pertains to this issue.

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