Who are you? Do you know what you believe?
Many have asked for guidance in "finding themselves". It's completely natural and it
happens to us all at many different points in our life. One of the first and most important
things we all need to realize is that we EACH have the ability and the
responsibility to decide who we are. We are ultimately responsible for becoming
the very best person we can be.
There are many reasons why people begin to look for ways to connect and maintain a
relationship with the Divine. It is often up-bringing and exposure that leads us to a particular
religious sect or denomination. For example, most Catholics will raise their
children also to be Catholic. Most Jewish parents will likewise raise their
children to be Jewish and etc, etc. Although this is common practice, is it
appropriate?
Of course to many, the obvious answer is yes. I only wish people to think and
consider this...
When going to purchase a car or finance a home, a young adult
wouldn't automatically use the same company/lender that their parents used. That
would be impractical because chances are that person's needs are different than
their parents. For example, they might not have established credit or the might
only be interested in a 15 year loan vs a 30 year loan. The young adult would be
advised by any responsible adult to educate themselves and locate and use a
company that is most appropriate for them. Point being, is our soul not as
important as our finances? Why is it that we encourage our youth (and other
adults) to research and educate them to protect their financial life but don't
ever bother to research, educate and look out for something as important as our
spirituality?
With this in mind, take time to consider what you believe and why. If you don't really know,
then don't panic. We all have to start somewhere. The beliefs and religion one adopts as
their own should be because it accurately matches one's personal, and most
intimate and honest of beliefs. Not because everyone around them is Christian,
or Jewish or whatever. One of the most beautiful things about the Pagan Umbrella
of religions is that within those religions, very few has solid doctrines that
tell us what to believe. We all have the ability to incorporate our beliefs into
who we are and what we are. A great example of this are people that refer to
themselves as " Christo-Wiccans" or " Christo-Pagans". These individuals
typically have deep rooted Christian as well as Wiccan/Pagan beliefs. What
defines us and maintains us as "Pagans" and/or "Wiccans" are a group of
extremely basic yet similar ideas and practices. (Those common beliefs will be discussed
on the Definition of NeoPaganism and What is Wicca pages of this site) BUT, they
are just that, very basic. How one relates to and connect to their God(s) and/or
Goddess(es) is between that person and that Deity(ies), and it is their
responsibility to uphold that relationship. No one should hold the right to
dictate that connection.
The second most beautiful aspect of Paganism and Wicca that sets them apart
from other religions is the ability to "Tolerate, respect and love" everyone. You
shouldn't hear Pagans (who are sincere in their practice) putting down other
religions or people that practice other religions. We all walk through life
knowing and understanding that we each have our own "path" to follow. Also, hate
is a very destructive force that does nothing but destroy. Hate in NO way
follows the Wiccan Rede "An it harm none, do what ye will”.
It is my belief that I have been placed in this Universe to help others find their "path”
and reach their goals. I WILL NOT tell someone what to believe but only answer
questions and give accurate information to the best of my ability so that others
can make educated and accurate decisions about who they are and what they
believe and then learn to grow spiritually. That is the mission of this circle.
happens to us all at many different points in our life. One of the first and most important
things we all need to realize is that we EACH have the ability and the
responsibility to decide who we are. We are ultimately responsible for becoming
the very best person we can be.
There are many reasons why people begin to look for ways to connect and maintain a
relationship with the Divine. It is often up-bringing and exposure that leads us to a particular
religious sect or denomination. For example, most Catholics will raise their
children also to be Catholic. Most Jewish parents will likewise raise their
children to be Jewish and etc, etc. Although this is common practice, is it
appropriate?
Of course to many, the obvious answer is yes. I only wish people to think and
consider this...
When going to purchase a car or finance a home, a young adult
wouldn't automatically use the same company/lender that their parents used. That
would be impractical because chances are that person's needs are different than
their parents. For example, they might not have established credit or the might
only be interested in a 15 year loan vs a 30 year loan. The young adult would be
advised by any responsible adult to educate themselves and locate and use a
company that is most appropriate for them. Point being, is our soul not as
important as our finances? Why is it that we encourage our youth (and other
adults) to research and educate them to protect their financial life but don't
ever bother to research, educate and look out for something as important as our
spirituality?
With this in mind, take time to consider what you believe and why. If you don't really know,
then don't panic. We all have to start somewhere. The beliefs and religion one adopts as
their own should be because it accurately matches one's personal, and most
intimate and honest of beliefs. Not because everyone around them is Christian,
or Jewish or whatever. One of the most beautiful things about the Pagan Umbrella
of religions is that within those religions, very few has solid doctrines that
tell us what to believe. We all have the ability to incorporate our beliefs into
who we are and what we are. A great example of this are people that refer to
themselves as " Christo-Wiccans" or " Christo-Pagans". These individuals
typically have deep rooted Christian as well as Wiccan/Pagan beliefs. What
defines us and maintains us as "Pagans" and/or "Wiccans" are a group of
extremely basic yet similar ideas and practices. (Those common beliefs will be discussed
on the Definition of NeoPaganism and What is Wicca pages of this site) BUT, they
are just that, very basic. How one relates to and connect to their God(s) and/or
Goddess(es) is between that person and that Deity(ies), and it is their
responsibility to uphold that relationship. No one should hold the right to
dictate that connection.
The second most beautiful aspect of Paganism and Wicca that sets them apart
from other religions is the ability to "Tolerate, respect and love" everyone. You
shouldn't hear Pagans (who are sincere in their practice) putting down other
religions or people that practice other religions. We all walk through life
knowing and understanding that we each have our own "path" to follow. Also, hate
is a very destructive force that does nothing but destroy. Hate in NO way
follows the Wiccan Rede "An it harm none, do what ye will”.
It is my belief that I have been placed in this Universe to help others find their "path”
and reach their goals. I WILL NOT tell someone what to believe but only answer
questions and give accurate information to the best of my ability so that others
can make educated and accurate decisions about who they are and what they
believe and then learn to grow spiritually. That is the mission of this circle.