Well and Why not...

[ladylunarcat]

Well, I guess I'll start. I am a Giain Therian Pagan. I believe in reincarnation and think of the planet as my mother. I celebrate the Equinoxes and Solstices and Samhain.

I was born on the Bayou under a Waning Gibbous moon(nearly full but on its way to darkness). My style tends toward Goth, black being my favorite color.

I have always had a rapport with cats, always dreamed I was a cat when I was young. My late mom said I would crawl around the floor and rub against her ankles when I was two. Meowing.
Interesting as I didn't even see a cat in person until I was 5.

I have a statue of Bastet and one of a sacred cat as well. I have the ashes of several of my feline familiars on a shelf over the sacred cat.

I read Tarot and cast runes. I have a piece of the oldest stone circle in England. Avebury. Sarsen stone.

I've seen some amazing things in my 60 years... from the first color TV's, the invention of the ball point pen, three assassinations, a man walking on the moon, and so much more.

My philosophy is very simple: live long, love hard and be excellent to those who pass through your life.

[brighteyed]

Interesting, thanks for sharing ^^ Were you brought up as a Pagan or did you come into it by yourself? I know that sounds a bit of a silly question to ask since we all choose our own religions/belief system but just a pondering thought ^^;

As for myself I'm Christian (born again to be exact). Although i must admit my beliefs have strayed from the set 'you go to either heaven or hell' for instance. Ever since i had experiences with spirits (or perhaps just my mind at a time being it's most fragile, either way the beliefs changed).

Now a days i believe in God, not as a human like figure people imagine 'him' to be, more of a large energy source from which we're all derived from, every living thing. So i guess reincarnation fits in there too, since i believe my Therianthropy could of been the result of a 'returning' bit of energy/spirit that's left it's imprint on my bit of energy/spirit. Thus feeling these feelings, thinking irregular thoughts (from a human point of view) etc.

I'm also not fond of going to church, mainly due to the people there. I always wondered as a kid why we couldn't just worship God in his creation aka outside instead of inside a man made building. Nobody's been able to answer me this and think of me as a 'non believer'. Just because i don't go to church or cram my beliefs down people's throats doesn't mean I've turned my back on my religion.

Even if it does seem a little distorted from it's original picture but thats the point in religion is it not? To find one's self or at least be a guide to help you find those answers you seek. If i were God I'd want them to question things rather than blindly follow, letting them truly find a faith rather than fear for dear life that they may not get to a 'heaven' if they don't behave.

As for views on other religions I'm pretty open minded. There's no such thing as the 'wrong' religion. Not everyone's path is the same. We all have our own different routes to follow but they always meet to the same conclusion, finding inner peace within yourself and inner knowledge. You can dress it up anyway you want but isn't that what it all boils down to? Being content with one's life and existence? Thats what i figured anyway. Since i came to that conclusion fears on being 'evil' because of being different died and I've been happier, more 'free' than i was before.

As for colours i love green ^^ but i do like wearing black, it adds to the 'unnoticed' effect which i love having. I'm not one who likes too much attention, makes me a little anxious.

Oh and sorry for the essay ^^; a simple 'I'm a Christian' turned into ramblings ^^;

[messima]

Im with you on a lot of what you stated brighteyed. I was raised pentacostal, not strict UPC but still pentacost. We went to services on and off, sometimes more than others, and I used to never question it. I became born again, yadda yadda, but as I grew older, I stopped seeing a need to go to church, partly because the one that we were going to started having internal issues like power struggles and what not. My parents still insist that I should go to church on occasion, but I never do. I lost "faith" in the social aspect of it and the church "family" in large part because of my experience, and probably as well because of my personality, which runs along the lines of my theriotype: Im a loner, though I have my social moments and I have my core group that I hang out with. Everybody in church was always touchy-feely and calling me sister and crap like that and it drove me nuts that I had to go to church this past fall when I visited my grandparents. But I will say, because I had achieved a better sense of energy and feeling it, I could feel the energy in the church during service. For myself, I am still working out some of the finer points of what I believe, but I do believe that everything has a soul, and while God may have created us, it is Gaia, the Earth who nurtures us as our mother. Ive even found my own name for God, which would make most Christians turn up their noses in distaste and call me a Pagan or devil-worshipper. Oh Heaven forbid we name our God, and make him close to us instead in some far away place on up high. My God is right here with me, wherever I go and he loves me no matter what I do. Also, Ive never really understood the whole asking for forgiveness thing. I can understand if you do something really bad or some such, but I mean, come on. The most the average person does is curse or maybe lie, but its not like we need to ask for forgiveness all the time, this is a new age and I think God will understand that things have changed. And it is ok to ask questions, most people live in fear of being smited on the spot for questioning their beliefs. We should worship what ever god we follow whenever and wherever we choose, and how we do that is up to the individual. I prefer private worship and keeping things to myself, I dont want to dance around and sing, I jsut want to have those few moments where i can simply be, and just feel the energy of the universe and a certain harmony with it. All the noise and celebrating may work for some, but just because it works for them doesnt mean it works for everyone. I am actually starting to believe in reincarnation some, in part because I feel that at one time I was my theriotype and a part of me remembers that and the freedom I have. Ive had my own experiences with spirits, not so much as you might think "ghost," but it was enough to make me believe that hell does exist and there are such things as demons and evil spirits, but I also know there are good spirits. And Ive been thinking a lot about the afterlife and where Im going to go, and personally I dont want to go to a big city made of gold and precious stones, I want to go to some place more natural, a place where there are forests and fields, where I can be myself. I dont want to party-hardy for all enernity, which is the image I get when I read parts of the Bible, I want to be free to live as I cant now and to truly live.

Sorry I jsut kind of started rambling there ^^; I dont talk bout things like this often, but when I do I tend to go off on a tangent until I either realise I have or I run out of steam >///<

My favourite colours are blue, black, silver, and white, pretty much in that order. I find blue to be very calming and its jsut me, black white and silver are my theriotype colours as well as colours associated with the night and the moon, which I love.

[ladylunarcat]

I'm so happy to see the wonderful open minds here. I think of God as a huge outlet, we plug in and our energies are charged. The Force, if yuo will.

I was always pagan even though my parents tried to get me into some Christian faith. It just didn't work for me. Not as I am.

I, too, do not discriminate against religions, I think each is beautiful within its own mythos/ I also believe the humankind NEED something to believe in, to have faith in. It gives them strength. And in these dark times, comfort.

What I don't care for is the 'witnessing' theologies that have it as their bounden Duty to recruit.

other than that I have no problem what-so-ever with people as a whole.

Oh I also like the jewel tones, deep green, teal, burgundy, burnt gold.

I rated this sight very highly. I feel accpeted and welcomed.

[messima]

has anyone given God their own name for him???

i feel very accepted too, more so than on the other site i registered at, maybe because it seems like no one is ever on there.

i like dark reds and plumish purples, i also really like dusky colours. gold is an on/off thing, sometimes i like, sometimes i dont, though when i do i usually like burnt gold or just plain gold, but i hate it when its more yellow than anything else. i also like greens, mostly foresty types because they can be very soothing, especially when you live on a campus like mine where everything is a monotonous grey and we pretty much just have giant potted plants and a little lake with some woods around it. nothing really "wild" or "natural" to speak of here.

[brighteyed]

I haven't given God a name as such, but i do think i dreamt about them. They appeared in the form of a woman though, long flowing dark hair.

I like a lot of dark colours, rich colours. I prefer reds, blues, purples, greens sometimes silver and i guess black too. Never have liked yellows or oranges, they always seemed 'harsh' to me.

Over here we have the coast, to me though it seems a bit drained. Could just be the colours influencing that though, the dry yellowish look of the sand dunes and the yellowy orange blotches of colour on the sandstone. The sea though is very soothing. The woods nearby seem still too, not the stillness one seeks, the stillness that suggests there isn't much life there. There's isn't that much around to be honest, i'd love it if i could just lose myself in deep green forests, so untouched and remote you hardly see a person for miles ^^

Glad everyone feels welcome ^^ it's a nice cosey little nook that i'm growing fond of ^^

[Hakumei]

I'm Jewish, and so I believe in God and all. The Messhiach(Messiah) hasn't come or there'd be world peace. =P

I don't put more than an ounce of weight into horoscopes and the like. They're flighty, and don't say anything. They're amusement, to see if things work out like they say. And tarot cards can be pretty. =0

That's all I have to say for right now.

[brighteyed]

I like looking at horoscopes too, though i wouldn't rely heavily on them like some people do. Tarot cards i haven't really dabbled with. I've had my palm read though, that was interesting, though the little skeptic in me thinks she was just cold reading

[ladylunarcat]

A name for God.... isn't the jewish name for God yaweh? or is that the apaches.... I always thought Bob had a nice ring to it.... Praise Bob. Hm maybe not.

Since I don't actually believe in a male oriented diety persay...it would be difficult to put a name to him.

But I know there are many faiths that have a name for their God/s Jehovah, Alah, Ra, Krishna...

All lovely names.

[messima]

*nods* i was just kind of curious since i got tired of referring to God as, well, God *rolls eyes*

Bob....lol ^^ i think id get an "are you kidding me" on that one. i decided to call him Ekail, for whatever reason. i guess it just kind of popped into my head like my name that im using on here.

i look at horoscopes sometimes, but since i ride the line for two different signs, i can never be really sure which one to look at *shrug* ive used tarot cards before, they can be accurate, but not always, guess it depends on the question. id like to get a really nice deck though, maybe a cat-oriented one though ive heard its better to make your own.

[ladylunarcat]

LOL yes, Bob was a pun. I once crated a god for a series of stories, his name was Valkar.

[messima]

oooooo O.O cool!!!! X3

[sammykitty]

I am a Pagan and a Warrior.
This is what this statement means to me.

I believe that there is a great force out there, and that we are all part of it.
I believe that the Gods and Goddesses are aspects of this force, faces for us to look at so that we may know that we are not alone.
I believe that there are things out beyond the understanding of this mortal form
I believe that there were and maybe are fantasy/mythical/spirit creatures in this realm.
I believe that there are other realm/planes/realities/whatever, and that we can touch them.
I believe that this is not my first time around, and that I can feel the lessons from other times.
I believe that I am more than I appear to be, and that if I can find my path, I can become what I am meant to be.
I believe that there are some of us put here to guard/protect others, that we are the hunters and warriors of the tribe, we are no better than the farmers, or the merchants, we just play a different role.
I believe that there is inherent good and evil in the world, and in our selves, and that it is up to us to figure out what is right and wrong, not just for ourselves, but for community.

AND!

I believe in respecting every person’s journey through this live. I may not see it your way, but, I will always listen, and if asked I will teach, but you must make your own way.

This is what it means to me to be a Pagan and a Warrior.

[Duma]

well said sammykitty!!!!!

[triox]

Sept 7, 2008 17:17:45 GMT -5 sammykitty said:

I am a Pagan and a Warrior.
This is what this statement means to me.

I believe that there is a great force out there, and that we are all part of it.
I believe that the Gods and Goddesses are aspects of this force, faces for us to look at so that we may know that we are not alone.
I believe that there are things out beyond the understanding of this mortal form
I believe that there were and maybe are fantasy/mythical/spirit creatures in this realm.
I believe that there are other realm/planes/realities/whatever, and that we can touch them.
I believe that this is not my first time around, and that I can feel the lessons from other times.
I believe that I am more than I appear to be, and that if I can find my path, I can become what I am meant to be.
I believe that there are some of us put here to guard/protect others, that we are the hunters and warriors of the tribe, we are no better than the farmers, or the merchants, we just play a different role.
I believe that there is inherent good and evil in the world, and in our selves, and that it is up to us to figure out what is right and wrong, not just for ourselves, but for community.

AND!

I believe in respecting every person’s journey through this live. I may not see it your way, but, I will always listen, and if asked I will teach, but you must make your own way.

This is what it means to me to be a Pagan and a Warrior.

Very well stated. I don't have any organized belief in gods/goddesses, per se, but I do find much solace and spirituality in nature and the elements.

I do agree completely with everything you said, though.