I just wanted to add a page that reflects some of my feelings on religion. These are my thoughts and I do not intend on hurt anyone's feelings or make anyone uncomfortable.
I was raised in a Christian home. I attended Sunday school and church almost every sunday. My children have all been baptised in a Christian church. I was even a sunday school teacher for awhile.
Although I have this Christian background, I have never had any real conviction regarding my faith. I have friends who really believe and they have a lot of faith. I never felt that way.
One of the things that my husband has introduced me to, is a look at other religions. While in college he checked into some other religions. After we got married, he has shared some of this with me. This too has helped me see things differently. I believe, as he does, that no one religion is perfect. I haven�t studied very many, but I have learned not to automatically assume that one religion is �good� or �bad�. They are just different. I firmly believe that no one should be forced into a religion just because someone else says that their religion is better. I think that we can make information available to people about our religion, and if they want to know more, they can ask. If they want to try it out and see if it is right for them� they should be able to do that.
NO ONE SHOULD BE ABLE TO CHOOSE YOUR RELIGION FOR YOU!!
I think we should teach our children about other religions, and when they reach an age where they are able to choose, we should let them. Religion to me should touch you. It should have special meaning to you. It should not be something you do �just because you have to�, or �because it is what you have always done�. If you don�t feel it, maybe it isn�t the religion for you. I could really get on a soap box about religion, but I don�t want to scare anyone away. Just keep in mind that maybe some of the religions that have been around a very long time, have been around because there is a belief in them. Does that make thousands of generations in hundreds of countries wrong? No, just different.
So, I started looking around into other faiths and beliefs. I was helped out by my husband on this since he is a little more knowledgeable. When he went to college, he checked into quite a few different beliefs. He has quite a few books on different faiths also. So I have been checking them out.
I didn't get too far when I found one belief that shared a lot of my feelings. I have been looking into it closer.
That religion is Wicca. Now being raised a Christian, you hear that Wicca and Paganism are devil worship. I guess I had also thought this way, just because I didn't know any better. I am much more open-minded than the rest of my family, so it didn't bother me to find out more. I have learned a lot so far. First I learned that Wicca is NOT devil worship. As a matter of fact, they don't even believe there IS a devil, so how can they worship one? Also, they don't believe in the same God as Christians. They believe in many Gods and Goddesses. This religion is very closely related to Indian beliefs. They believe that there are Gods or Goddesses for different things. Mostly Wicca is a nature based religion. Everything is about nature. They use nature in every aspect of the religion. They live by rules, but the rules are not nearly as strict as Christian rules. They also believe that you shouldn't push people into a religion. Everyone must decide for themselves. For example, the Christians go to other countries and try to convert the native people into Christians. Wiccans don't do this. If you ask about their religion, they will tell you and answer questions, but they will not try to get you to convert. Christians believe that their God is the only true God and that any other religion is wrong and evil. Wiccans don't agree with that. They basically let people believe what they want to. They don't say that their religion is the ONLY one or the RIGHT one. I like the fact that they don't push and that they basically let you believe in whichever Gods you choose.
Of course there are plenty of things that I haven't learned yet, but I am really interested. The things they believe in just seem to make more sense than Christian beliefs. At least to me. I have always been very into nature. I have always loved being outdoors, and being with animals. So, Wicca makes a lot of sense to me. I never fit in with the rest of my family. My views on life, people, and animals has always differed from them. I have always been the odd one out.
This has given me some common ground with my husband, and I have found others who have these beliefs. I feel like this is just 'right'. I can't even say why exactly, but it is just a feeling.
Of course, I don't really consider myself Wiccan yet, as I am still learning about it, but I do feel like this is right for me.
Of course, my family would not look at this as a good thing. So for now, this is mostly my secret. My kids know that I am looking into it, and they don't really care. One just laughs at me, one is kind-of indifferent to it, and my daughter kind-of likes it. She was at least interested.
I will probably edit this page and add more as I learn more.
