What do you believe?

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-20-2004
What do you believe?
16
Wed, 04-13-2005 - 12:16pm

I know, I am lazy and don't want to go through every post in the "Introduce yourself" thread.  I am curious...


What do you all believe in?  What religion would you say you practice? 


 

 


Shyla


aka cl-NoShy1 co-cl Self Esteem Support Board 






Thanks to PinkyBlinkies.Com


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Shyla

  

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Wed, 04-13-2005 - 3:53pm

Well let me start off by saying that I have a real aversion to labels because I feel they're so limiting. Once we put a label on something we expect it to conform to that label. With something so constantly-evolving as someone's spirituality, that label is likely to change. Sometimes significantly.

OK, so now that I've put out my little disclaimer ;-) I'd describe myself as an "ecclectic garden variety pagan." I was raised pseudo-Christian, but have never believed in the divinity of Jesus. Even as a child it just never rang true. I do believe in One creative supreme... something. And I see that One as having many faces. I believe that we personify Spirit simply because it's human nature to do so, and because our little human minds are incapable of truly understanding all that Spirit is. I generally still refer to 'God' in conversation simply because it's easy and familiar (and to avoid confrontation!) but I don't intend it in the Biblical sense.

I believe that most, if not all, religions have some element of Truth. But that none are the *whole* truth or the only way. I believe that all gods and goddesses are One. And that we each relate to Spirit in a way that makes sense for us individually, based on our needs at the time.

I believe in magick, though I rarely approach it in any formal way. I do rely a lot on intuition, and have had telepathic and clairaudient experiences. I believe we can all have these experiences if we're open to them. They are simply Spirit's way of communicating with us and through us.

Well, that got long-winded didn't it? LOL

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-20-2004
Wed, 04-13-2005 - 4:18pm

Not long winded at all.

Shyla

  

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-26-2004
Thu, 04-14-2005 - 6:56am
I am pretty much in the same category as ginger.cookie. I am Pagan and I believe there is a God and Goddess. I do filter quite a bit of other religions in my beliefs too. Mostly Eastern cultures. I believe that there has to be a masculine and feminine because if there is no balance between the two, there is no inner peace. The most important part of my spirituality is to trust your inner-self and intuition, never to judge another for their beliefs, but speak your mind if you believe someone else's beliefs are infringing upon others right to their religions or freedoms.
I guess it's hard to say that I am a specific religion although the one I follow the closest is Wicca.
Love and Blessings!
R-
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-24-2004
Thu, 04-14-2005 - 8:44pm

I am most definatly 100% christian. I'm a tad more libral than most I think though. I am sorta on a "quest" right now. It's kind difficult cause I'm not sure what I'm looking for. All I know is that it will expand and enlighten my view of christianity, and will probably be contrivertial(sp) amoungst other christians. Is it wierd that I'm a devoted christian more comfortable around pagans and wiccans? They just tend to be more excepting of me.

Christy

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Fri, 04-15-2005 - 11:16am
Not weird at all Christy. It shows that you're using your God-given brain for more than something to set your hat on. ;-) Read back through the history of the religion and you'll find that early Christianity was very pagan. It wasn't unitl the council of Nicaea in (392 AD?) that it became what it is now. Before that it was much more ecclectic.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-09-2001
Fri, 04-15-2005 - 11:45am
Welcome. :)) You can click on my name to view my profile for more info and a link to my web site, but I am Gypsy. ;)) I am a Solitary Eclectic Wiccan, with Zen leanings. I am 58, married for 28 years, with a 23 year old DD. I have two "fur kids," my animal companions: SchwartzenPig, guinea pig extraordinaire, and Mika Doggie, Aussie Shepherd mix, my hiking/walking buddy. Gypsy


Blessings,

Gypsy

)O(



iVillage Member
Registered: 03-09-2001
Fri, 04-15-2005 - 11:53am
Well said. I am coming to that approach myself. In my post you'll notice I gave myself lots of "wiggle room" in my own description, LOL! :D Gypsy


Blessings,

Gypsy

)O(



iVillage Member
Registered: 06-20-2000
Fri, 04-15-2005 - 4:56pm
I was raised Catholic, have just joined the Unitarian Universalist congregation. Amazing after all these years of wondering where I fit to find SUCH a good fit!
Still trying to figure out exactly what I believe, but methinks it's kinda nature-based. I'm leaning toward thinking god is less of an entity & more something present in everything to some degree.
Once I take the "Building your own Theology" class this fall, I'll be in much better shape to answer the "what do you believe" question.


iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Sat, 04-16-2005 - 8:24am
I just do my spiritual stuff, angel cards, prayer,
talking to my guides, looking for synchronicity,
trying to be the best i can be and to show love to people
to the best of my ability. Improving myself, being good to myself.
If I meditated more I would put that on the list.
I was brought up Jewish and did not learn these things there.
That's my religion, no religion. I do go to Uniuty church, open to
trying UU. leila
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-22-2003
Sat, 04-16-2005 - 9:49am

I don't practice a religion anymore.


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