I'm sorry for misinterpreting the meaning behind the smilies . Usually they don't get to me but today for some reason... It must have been the honey mustrad dressing talking.

I've heard the same as Cori from Wiccan's themselves and I dont understand how thousands of pages are wrong.. or aren't practicing what you believe the correct form of Wicca is[/b]

Okay, some I'm not the only one who's heard this. I wanted to call my brother and ask him to clarify for me, but he's in Ireland right now and I couldn't figure out the time zones

[Niamh ૐ]

I've heard the same as Cori from Wiccan's themselves and I dont understand how thousands of pages are wrong.. or aren't practicing what you believe the correct form of Wicca is[/b]

Well I've known Wiccans and Pagans who described what they do as "white magic", because many people understand that phrase... so for having others understand that, it's an easier thing to say than to actually go into it.

Magic doesn't have a colour. It's not good or bad. It just IS. The intent behind the magic-user doesn't change the magic itself. People often confuse the magic user with the magic itself.

I have, however, met a handful of Wiccans and Pagans who believed in "black and white magic", but every time I had... it was a young person who was just getting into it and hadn't studied the religion or the practice of witchcraft for very long. Now, that's not to say every Pagan/Wiccan who believes that is a newbie... just the ones that I have met.

Cori, I don't think Aspen was trying to jump down your throat about it or come across as mocking you... I think she was just trying to educate and it may have come off differently. I can understand where you were coming from though.

[Niamh ૐ]

How old were you when you found your religion? This is a difficult question to answer, as my beliefs are constantly evolving. But I started studying Wicca and Paganism when I was 14.
How old are you now (how long have you been in your religion)? I'm almost 23
What brought you to where you are in your life now (with your religion)? Study, practice, experimenting, etc.
Do you read any kind of religious text? I've been reading the Mahabharata for a while and the Bhagavad Gita. They're a little difficult to get through though. I also occasionally read the Bible.
How many times a day do you pray if you do pray? It's kid of a continuous thing (always connecting, I mean), but I havent sat down and prayed in a while. I should get back into it...
Do you meditate? If so, how many times a day? I dont, but I should.
On a scale of 1-10 how much do you absolutely love your religion? Difficult to answer. I don't "love" my religion... I just feel like this is where I belong. In that sense, I'd say a 10. But I also believe that I (and everyone else, regardless of religion or non-religion) don't have everything 100% correct and most spiritual things I will find out when I die (if even then).

[Elysia]

How old were you when you found your religion? -I was introduced to paganism when I was about 13 but didn't really identify with it until about 14-15

How old are you now (how long have you been in your religion)? - I'll be 18 in November so 3-4 years

What brought you to where you are in your life now (with your religion)? - Lots of research, reading and soul searching...and a little guidance from friends

Do you read any kind of religious text? - Any book/site on paganism I can find

How many times a day do you pray if you do pray? - 2-3 times..sometimes more, sometimes less

Do you meditate? If so, how many times a day? - I meditate at least 15-30 minutes a day

On a scale of 1-10 how much do you absolutely love your religion? - A definite 10! I love the feeling of peace, acceptance and fulfillment that I've found within paganism. It's opened up a world for me that until a few years ago I had no idea even existed. It has helped grow more sensitive, confident, capable and passionate. I still have lots to learn and I'm still the misfit...go figure! lol

[glasscandie]

Sorry guys, my mom was here all weekend, I didn't get a chance to get on the computer since Thursday night! We had a huge religious discussion last night, because I was itching to debate religion - I had serious withdrawls, from this board in particular!

How old were you when you found your religion? 22; I consider myself to be a little bit of a Buddhist, and (I'm stealing this from kking) a little bit of a secular humanist (if you can consider that a religion - or at least a way of life). lol

How old are you now (how long have you been in your religion)? 22. I've been studying Buddhism for about 8 months, though have only been trying to practice Buddhism as a lifestyle for about 5-6 months. I've also been studying/researching, I guess, metaphysics for about 8 months as well (the nature of reality, or just, what's the truth?).

What brought you to where you are in your life now (with your religion)? A good friend of mine died this past October, and it was my first experience with death. I was previously a Christian, but almost immediately I found that Christianity didn't make much sense for me, once I was hit with the reality of my friend being gone. In theory the idea of heaven/hell made sense, but when I had apply it to an actual situation that was close to home, I felt it was not the answer I was needing. I guess that was my formal break from Christianity. Without any solid beliefs, I felt I was floating all over the place - I became anxious, I felt like a stranger in my own head. A therapist suggested I go on a spiritual journey, to try and find the answers that I was missing. I happened upon Buddhism, and that was what felt right, and what made sense to me. At the same time, I began reading a lot of stuff about quantum physics and metaphysics and the origin of life. I feel that what I'm learning goes right along with what I believe in Buddhism, so it sort of confirms for me that the way of life I'm leading is a good one to choose.

Do you read any kind of religious text? I read different sutras from the Pali Canon, which is just the words and essential teachings of Buddha. The Pali Canon is huge, literally thousands of pages, so I'm obviously nowhere near even making a dent in the immense works. I also like to read different books written by Buddhists - Thich Nhat Hanh is a favorite of mine, as well as Phillip Kapleau. I've also been reading different books on the origin of life, the meaning of life, etc.

How many times a day do you pray if you do pray? I don't pray.

Do you meditate? If so, how many times a day? I meditate at least once a day, for at least 20 minutes - usually while DD's watching Sesame Street in the mornings lol I try to do it again in the evenings, but usually I'm pressed for time before bed, and often I'll choose to do yoga over meditating. I suppose yoga's another form of meditation, because you just can't daydream while your hamstrings are screaming at you! lol

On a scale of 1-10 how much do you absolutely love your religion? 10? lol

I love Buddhism, because it encourages you to find the answers inside yourself, rather than looking to other people. There've been many times I've asked my teacher for clarification on a random sutra or concept, but he'll just talk in circles because it's important that I understand the answer from me, not from anyone else. I'm not sure if that makes sense lol

It's actually really liberating for me, to have moved away from the idea of god or some sort of higher power.

[tonyarn]

How old were you when you found your religion? I was born again when I was about 24ish after having been raised in a Missouri Synod Lutheran family.

How old are you now (how long have you been in your religion)? I was saved November 29, 1996...I am now 35.

What brought you to where you are in your life now (with your religion)? Right now I am trying to find a church home...several things have happened in the past 5 years that have really hindered my growth, but I think I am starting back on the right track now.

Do you read any kind of religious text?The Bible

How many times a day do you pray if you do pray? many prayers throughout the day

Do you meditate? If so, how many times a day? no

On a scale of 1-10 how much do you absolutely love your religion? 10

[wifey2kevin]

How old were you when you found your religion? This is a difficult question to answer, as my beliefs are constantly evolving. But I started studying Wicca and Paganism when I was 14.
How old are you now (how long have you been in your religion)? I'm almost 23
What brought you to where you are in your life now (with your religion)? Study, practice, experimenting, etc.
Do you read any kind of religious text? I've been reading the Mahabharata for a while and the Bhagavad Gita. They're a little difficult to get through though. I also occasionally read the Bible.
How many times a day do you pray if you do pray? It's kid of a continuous thing (always connecting, I mean), but I havent sat down and prayed in a while. I should get back into it...
Do you meditate? If so, how many times a day? I dont, but I should.
On a scale of 1-10 how much do you absolutely love your religion? Difficult to answer. I don't "love" my religion... I just feel like this is where I belong. In that sense, I'd say a 10. But I also believe that I (and everyone else, regardless of religion or non-religion) don't have everything 100% correct and most spiritual things I will find out when I die (if even then).[/b]

just curious......but why do you read the bible if its not something you believe??

just curious......but why do you read the bible if its not something you believe??
[/b]

Can't speak for her, but I've actually been wanting to start reading the bible (I'm Pagan as well). I pmed one of the ladies here and she gave me some great sites to start off on (since I don't have a bible). Just because you aren't of one religion doesn't mean you can't educate yourself on it or that you don't agree with some/many aspects of it.

The Bible does have a lot of meaningful quotes and passages in it that can inspire anyone no matter what religion you are.

[Niamh ૐ]

just curious......but why do you read the bible if its not something you believe??
[/b]

1.) So that I can understand other religions and beliefs
2.) Religion (of all kinds) is a passion of mine, so why not?
3.) How do I know I don't believe in Christianity if I haven't read their holy book?



ETA: Also because it's a good book. I like the stories. Why do people read about and learn about Greek, Roman, Egyptian, Norse, and Celtic gods and goddesses in school if they don't believe in those gods and goddesses?

[YukiSumah]

How old were you when you found your religion? 14
How old are you now (how long have you been in your religion)? 25!... wow already... But I haven't practiced during 5 years...
What brought you to where you are in your life now (with your religion)? don't really understand that one
Do you read any kind of religious text? Nope
How many times a day do you pray if you do pray? I don't pray
Do you meditate? If so, how many times a day? I should do it at least once a day... should take the habit.
On a scale of 1-10 how much do you absolutely love your religion?10 because I chose it! so it sure fits me!

[Mod-quietsong]

Wow... This is super hard for me considering how my beliefs and spirituality is.

How old were you when you found your religion? around 13
How old are you now (how long have you been in your religion)? 24

What brought you to where you are in your life now (with your religion)?
Honestly, I believe that the couple of years I spent in a Catholic school started my search, and since then it has been an ongoing process of research and self-searching.

Do you read any kind of religious text?
Not currently.

How many times a day do you pray if you do pray?
It varies day to day how many times I actually pray. I have no set time of prayer.

Do you meditate? If so, how many times a day?
No

On a scale of 1-10 how much do you absolutely love your religion?
I hesitate to give anything a perfect 10, so a 9.

This is going to be hard for me as well

How old were you when you found your religion? I've always been raised to believe in God, but my parents were spiritual, not religious. The first time I actually went to church was when my dad met his new wife. She was raised a southern Baptist, but we attended a Methodist church. I found the churches broad encompassment of "Christianity" appealing. I connected to the fact that God loves you just the same, even if you come to church in jeans I connected to the idea that faith is a relationship between you and God, not necessarily between you and a physical building (church). These ideals were even stronger when we moved to a new church, Calvary Chapel. I learned that God loves me unconditionally, and truly, that is what encourages my faith. There are times when I break down and weep because I can feel God's love and His guiding hand, and that is something that I cherish every single day.

How old are you now (how long have you been in your religion)? Well, I started going to church at the age of 10. I'm 21 now. I don't come anywhere close to calling myself a great Christian, becasue that's far from the truth. I believe in God, I have faith in God, but there are times when that's as close as I get. I haven't been to church on my own accord since I met my DH. I can't define a specific time.

What brought you to where you are in your life now (with your religion)? Most days, I feel like my faith gets stronger with age, but my lack of going to church is something that bothers me. DH believes in a God, but he doesn't know anything more than that, which makes it difficult for us to grow in our spirituality.

Do you read any kind of religious text? I read the Bible as a teenager, but haven't read much in 5 years or so.

How many times a day do you pray if you do pray? I pray a few times a week. When I do, it's usually very passionatly. I cry a lot when I pray (when it comes to all sorts of things), so sometimes praying is exausting. I know it's because I'm not doing it right.

Do you meditate? If so, how many times a day? No.

On a scale of 1-10 how much do you absolutely love your religion? 9. Again, I'm not strong enough in my religion to claim 10. I also think there are major differences between Christian churches, and certianly, none of them are perfect. I give FAITH a 10.