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| Author: Posted: Sep. 8, 2002 | This Page Viewed: 6,989,965 |
Question of the Week: 100 - 2/24/2003 Why Are You A Pagan or Heathen? Why are you a Pagan or Heathen? What first attracted you to the Pagan/Heathen religion or path? How or where did you find out about Paganism? How long have you considered yourself to be a Pagan/Heathen? What is the most satisfying or meaningful aspect of the Pagan/Heathen religion, path or lifestyle for you? |
| Reponses: There are 142 responses posted to this question. | Reverse Sort |
| Naturally | Feb 27th. at 9:36:57 pm EST |
| Lilith (Austin, Texas) | Age: 32 - Email |
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I too was drawn to Paganism at a young age. I was that "tom girl" you saw stomping around barefoot in the creek, trying to coax the red bird to take food from my hand, and my face full of awe at the very wonder of nature. Much to my dismay, I was forced to put on a dress every Sunday, go to church, and listen to an hour of endless droning. I never found any connection with what was being "preached" to me during that time. I constantly wondered why I couldn't I go out and play? Looking back on it now, I realize my connection with nature was much more holier than any thing sermonized. I did not know that my bond to nature, my attraction to “natural” religions had a name. As I grew older, I discovered the word Pagan but truly did not know what it meant. Only after attending a Native American Powwow did I fully understand. There is so much that Paganism has to offer. It beseeches you to ask questions, to go on quests for discovery, and to connect with the person you truly are. I do not know how long I have been a Pagan. I am guessing since childhood. It was always there, slowly blossoming. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for me and Paganism. There is no doom, no eternal damnation, nor fear of God. There is only hope, love, and trust. |
| Proud To Be Pagan | Feb 27th. at 9:41:09 pm EST |
| Meryl (Connecticut) | Age: 16 - Email |
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I am Wiccan/Pagan, and personally I couldn't find a better religion. Everything I had always believed by myself, I found in Wicca. I saw hypocrites in the Christian church, but when I asked about that I never got an answer. I also didn't like that the religion was racist against women. I have been a Wiccan for four years, and I'm not about to change. -Meryl |
| A Way Of Life | Feb 27th. at 10:25:18 pm EST |
| Willow Wolf-Hawk (Illinois) | Age: 17 - Email - Web |
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There are so many reasons why I am Pagan - but in the barest sense, no reaons- as often it seems so instinctual and fufilling that it would be more relevant to question "Why wouldn't you be a Pagan?" My choice of spirituality invokes a feeling of warmth, wholness, and stability. Applying this to my day to day life has allowed me to live and interact as a better, and more aware, individual. Being Pagan, to me, is being an honourable person; and more now than ever, honour and virtue is something, which everyone should strive for in an attempt to calm and bring peace to a turbulent world. The list is endless, and the reasons often imply to internal and external purposes. Paganism, however, for me - is my heart. It's not what I am; it's what I live, breath, and it's the crimson liquid in my veins. He He... yeah :) kind of intense. |
| I Made A Clean Break! | Feb 27th. at 11:28:23 pm EST |
| Thunder Oak (Tennessee) | Age: 40 - Email |
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I chose to follow a Shamanic path, one of many Pagan persuasions, and like many others I made the choice consciously and deliberately. I, like many others, left behind a different set of beliefs in order to follow this religious course, and for a good while immediately afterwards, I felt a bit of animosity toward that former faith. But perhaps that animosity was misplaced a bit, seeing as how I really felt anger or sorrow due to the time I felt I had wandered along wishing for something else. Something that would make me feel at peace and that engendered all of the inclusiveness that I believed must exist in a worthwhile faith. I found freedom in Goddess religion. I found acceptance and the exaltation of the individual's self-worth as part and parcel of the belief system. I had felt oppression under my former belief system. And that oppression was multi-faceted. I can honestly say that the beliefs I held were not in and of themselves oppressive or self-denigrating, but the application thereof by so many who claimed to be like-minded yet fell far short of upholding those beliefs in a non-threatening and non-judgmental way -- that was what had so disillusioned me of my past religion. I was not only disappointed in my own performance (keeping of doctrines) at times, but I found myself increasingly 'alone' on issues of social responsibility that I thought any good, morally-minded individual would be supporting. This feeling of betrayal by people claiming to 'agree' with my faith lead me to re-examine my spirituality, if indeed there was anything beyond doctrine to it. And I found I was indeed seeking a more spiritual approach to faith. That one of the main reasons for my dissatisfaction with the group I was in had more to do with the lack of a spirituality than it did with any specific doctrines or social issues. Those areas also disturbed me, but the lack of a motivating spirituality to direct the practice of faith was the main catalyst in my choosing to become Pagan. There are indeed many paths to choose from which can lead one to peace or happiness, and I have chosen my Shamanic path because it allows me to embrace what I know is good and right in the world and with myself. It is a peace-bringing choice for me. And I know that, eventually, all the 'demons' of my past will indeed be vanquished in the contentment I feel through this choice. That is why I became Pagan. And that is why I will remain so. Blessed be, Thunder Oak |
| Paganism | Feb 28th. at 1:07:48 am EST |
| StormRavn (Mesa, AZ) | Age: 41 - Email - Web |
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I first became attracted to the Pagan path as a teenager. When I was in eighth grade we were assigned a semester long term paper project and it could be on anything we wanted and we worked with a partner. My best friend Tina came up with the idea of doing it on modern witchcraft, because of a book her sister had, and that she had read. She brought the book for me to read to see what I thought of it. Well the book was Stewart Farrar's "What Witches Do". As I read the book, I began to feel a multitude of emotions--peace, joy, happiness, and just an altogether feeling that I had found my way home again. Needless to say, when my parents found out about my interest they weren't very happy and some very angry and emotional scenes soon followed. So for a long while my practice and following of the Pagan path went underground. All I knew was I had finally found something that I could truly believe in. I had never felt that way in my church, and I always had questions that no one could ever give me answers too. In this I found the beginning of my answers. As the years have passed by, I find that I still have questions, so I continue to read, to learn and to grow on the Pagan Path. At each bend and turn I find new knowledge and continue to grow and expand in my beliefs. The path has been long and at times trying, but never stagnant and never boring. I always look forward to rounding the next bend to see what new lies beyond the horizon. |
| A Recently Dicovered Lifetime | Feb 28th. at 1:27:51 am EST |
| LoneGnome (Oregon) | Age: 35 - Email |
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Like most I grew up going to church every Sunday, Methodist, to be exact. At the age of 7 or 8 I started to go out in the woods with my father. We'd hunt, gather mushrooms, fish, get firewood, etc. I grew up loving to commune with nature when I could. About nine years ago I made the concious decision to leave the Christian faith. It took me until almost two years ago to realize that I am a Pagan, thanks to going into the woods with Dad and the internet, and have been for years. The most satisfying aspect of my Pagan path is the enjoyment I get from Nature and Her abundance. |
| I Am Me. | Feb 28th. at 4:16:51 am EST |
| Mandy (Wisconsin) | Age: 16 - Email - Web |
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I am Pagan because I love nature, I am naturally curious about the world around me, and I honor and adore all creatures big and small. I am a happy person. I have been Pagan/Buddhist for nearly eight years now, and I believe that it is my path. Peace. |
| Why I Am A Heathen | Feb 28th. at 4:39:47 am EST |
| Luna Phoenix Amber-Skye (Las Vegas, Nv) | Age: 22 - Email - Web |
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I have been interested in Paganism since I was sixteen years old. I always felt there was something lacking in Monotheistic faiths. During my study of divination, I came across a book on Runes. It explained the origins of the symbols, and when I read about the god Odin, I knew the path was right for me. I can only compare my discovery of Odin to the Christian idea of finding Jesus. I find it helpful in my life to know that the gods, all of them, are always keeping thier eye on me. |
| I Am Me. . . | Feb 28th. at 6:53:20 am EST |
| Araelus Stormwolf (England) | Age: 32 - Email |
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I start this response, and appologise to any reader for probably repeating much of what has already been said by others. I believe. that the faith found me, as much as I found it. I have been Pagan for more years than I remember, I always disliked Christian teachings, they weren't for me. I disliked being told that what I thought was wrong, I hated being told I would 'Go to a Bad Place' If I didn't conform. I didn't like having to read 'BC' In a factual History books. It bugged me to keep hearing about civilisation only came to be through the Romans. I knew in my heart that it was Hogwash. So I denied it, I sought out my own answers to the Bible stories. Few of these come close to holding water. Most are older than the bible, most have been rewritten many times, few have have any claim to being the truth. So I became a Witch, If anything, I'm more religious now, than I was in my youth. I have an Altar in my room, I follow the moons phases and tthe old calender. In short, I am me. Blessed Be to all who read this. . . |
| Natural Born Pagan | Feb 28th. at 7:14:15 am EST |
| Thomas Kempster (Nottingham, England) | Age: 34 - Email |
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Pagnisim/Heathenism to me equals respect and love for the sacred in Nature, linking me with the elements in branch, tooth and claw, connecting me to the not so secret mysteries of the World and universe. Born to it, Trying to live best by it, will die for it. Waes hael palantir Nottingham |
| Sacred Contact | Feb 28th. at 9:08:39 am EST |
| Cim Roesener (Manhattan, KS) | Age: 47 - Email |
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I was primarily lead to paganism because it is a spiritual practice in which any devotee is allowed to contact the sacred. Rather than simply watching a priest, minister, deacon or rabbi as he communes with that which is sacred, pagan ritual actively includes all participants. I my particular circle, everyone has a part in planning ritual, and everyone takes a primary role in each ritual. |
| I Love & Respect Nature & The Fact That We're All Connected | Feb 28th. at 9:22:06 am EST |
| October's Autmn Child (Canada) | Age: 32 - Email |
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Growing up I hated being made to feel ashamed of my feelings and thoughts.Being told I was bad because I questioned mainstream views on life choices and death. I was considered a bit odd while growing up since I had a tendency to do and say my own thing. I respect life and diversity.Growing up in a racist area, I never seemed to fit in as even as a child the hate expressed by others seemed to upset me in a profound way. I hate to be preached to!!!And found high and mighty hypocrites left & right, which just pushed me farther off the main stream. I've always held Nature in high regard and ecology , we are all connected , ya know, and only discovered the word Pagan about 4 years ago.There's so many wars being fought today, trying to convert or irradecate others. It just all seems so foolish.My motto:"I'd like to buy the world a Coke and live in harmony!" Someday we might get there folks....Peace |
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