Pagans

[Jaqen H'ghar]

I mean, do you go to ceremonies/events involving paganism? Do you follow traditions that were drawn by pagans?

I'm all for finding whatever makes you happy, but if you aren't following the practices of your religion... you're essentially being a theist who doesn't want to conform with the popular religions.

Traditions, absolutely.

Cerimonies/Event's not so much, there's really not alot going on there. I did however modify a Sumbel, which is ritualized drinking for my mothers wake in order for it to be more accessible to people of differing faiths.

We drank to the Gods that people believed in, even if they were differing everyone had a chance to make a toast to their god, whether it was christian, norse, egyptian, celtic or none at all (I've got a wide variety of friends).

Then we dedicated the night to our ancestors both recently dead, and those who've been dead for much longer, with a special focus on my mother as it was her wake and took shots/drinks for each of those dedications that anyone wanted to make.

After that shared stories about mom, and boasts of what she did or we did with her or things we would do of which she would be proud. We made oaths, before the Gods and ancestors. Mainly due to the nature of the Sumbel (a wake) it was to be closer to our friends and families, and to not merely endure life but enjoy it.

After that the wake continued on as normal. All of the things above would traditionally be done in the name of Norse gods, and for me it was. But for everyone else it was to theirs as well. A great example of people getting together and participating in something culturally different and under different religions, but still having a spiritual experience.

 

[Enishi]

I've never been to a ceremony or event; as I said, I don't want to get involved with organized religion. As for following the traditions, I wear a Mjolnir pendant (or occasionally a 'valknut') and that's about as far as it goes.

While you seem to be trying to put a negative air around it, a 'theist who doesn't want to conform with the popular religions' is exactly what I am. In fact, I'd say this describes just about any religious person who doesn't blindly follow the dogma of some church, temple, cult, or whatever.

I'm not trying to put a negative air around it; like I said, I'm trying to understand how our members (who are pagans) treat their religion. So, from what I gather, you aren't a practicing Pagan -- more a believer in name only. But this leads me to something else...

By following any religion in general, doesn't that mean you are blindly following a specific part of the doctrine of that religion? For instance, if you believed in the Norse pantheon, you believe that the sky was created from Ymir's skull and the clouds were made from Ymir's brains? If you don't, that essentially means you disregard the foundation for the Norse pantheon.

 

[Jaqen H'ghar]

If you don't, that essentially means you disregard the foundation for the Norse pantheon.

Very few, if any Asatruar that I've spoken to actually believe the norse myths literally. We believe that the Gods exist, yes, and that they passed knowledge to us through story. We also believe that this knowledge was passed down through humans, who **** things up, and that the important can be taken from the story that effects yourself.

 

[Viggy]

I'm not trying to put a negative air around it; like I said, I'm trying to understand how our members (who are pagans) treat their religion. So, from what I gather, you aren't a practicing Pagan -- more a believer in name only. But this leads me to something else...

By following any religion in general, doesn't that mean you are blindly following a specific part of the doctrine of that religion? For instance, if you believed in the Norse pantheon, you believe that the sky was created from Ymir's skull and the clouds were made from Ymir's brains? If you don't, that essentially means you disregard the foundation for the Norse pantheon.

I don't see how that makes me a 'believer in name only.' I believe very strongly in the gods. Why does one have to join a group or take part in group activities to be a 'real' believer? I don't understand why one thing depends on the other.

I have the same problem with this next part of your post. In order to believe in the Norse gods, I have to take the Eddas and other stories as literal accounts? That doesn't make any sense to me at all. I really don't think the story where they make the world out of a dead giant's body parts is the 'foundation for the Norse pantheon'.

 

[Tyr]

For me Science is taking place of god when it comes to questions such as how and when was the earth/universe made. The more scientific discoveries we make, that I find to be logical and reasonable, pushes god/gods out of the equation for me.

There are but a few more things left that I can at least think that a god could have done for us thats not scientifically explained yet, like what caused and controlled the Big Bang.

 

[Green Ranger]

Provided people do not try to impress their religious beliefs on others, I have no problem with people having faith in a higher power. I honestly believe there are some questions we will never be able to answer, so ultimately what people choose to theorize as the answer to those questions is ultimately their decision.

The way I see it, religion in itself is not a bad thing - ultimately good or evil actions boil down to the individual person.

Mind you I'm not debating this with anyone - that's my two cents, take it or leave it.

 

[Venom]

Sin and wing are damned good reasons for this forum to have an ignore button.

 

[Matt]

Sin and wing are damned good reasons for this forum to have an ignore button.

Not even remotely helpful, don't post crap like that in this forum please.

 

[Will]

Just gonna put this here. I think we're all guilty of forgetting about it, so let's all take a moment to read it one more time.

Doesn't apply to just this thread, but this one seems as good as any to make note of it.

Screw the rules! I have money!!! :CHappy

I'm intrigued as to what pulled people into their respective religions.

 

[Dan.]

I realized that an all caring god who is all knowing and all powerful and fully benevolent....but still willing to say **** YOU YOUR'RE GOING TO HELL! is impossible.

As much as I'm happy to see everyone here again, including you, I can't help but note that God does not 'send' people to hell; if you choose not to accept God in life, you are separated from him in life. I don't expect this will influence your Asatruism (?) decision, but it is sort of important.

And like I said, it's nice being back and seeing you all again.

Like this nice. :CHappy

 

[Jaqen H'ghar]

As much as I'm happy to see everyone here again, including you, I can't help but note that God does not 'send' people to hell; if you choose not to accept God in life, you are separated from him in life. I don't expect this will influence your Asatruism (?) decision, but it is sort of important.

And like I said, it's nice being back and seeing you all again.

Like this nice. :CHappy

And if you don't believe in Zeus, and accept Zeus you'll be sent to Hades.

That's the thing about faith, it can't be proven. Otherwise it's not faith.

 

[Green Ranger]

That's the thing about faith, it can't be proven. Otherwise it's not faith.

That said, it can't not be proven.

The way I see it, it's a half glass. You may say it's half empty but there will be people who say it's half full. Neither side can prove one another wrong, so it's pointless arguing about it.

Humanity as a whole has a big issue with agreeing to disagree.

 

[Jaqen H'ghar]

That said, it can't not be proven.

The way I see it, it's a half glass. You may say it's half empty but there will be people who say it's half full. Neither side can prove one another wrong, so it's pointless arguing about it.

Humanity as a whole has a big issue with agreeing to disagree.

You do realize that you validated my point...o.O

 

[Brandon Rhea]

I think where a lot of people demand proof for faith is when faith starts becoming so pervasive that it's being shoved down people's throats. At that point it becomes incumbent on the extreme believer to either prove it or go away.

 

[Green Ranger]

You do realize that you validated my point...o.O

Not really. Both sides are validated with a statement like that because there's equal pointlessness in arguing either way.

 

[Fera-Tian]

That said, it can't not be proven.

The way I see it, it's a half glass. You may say it's half empty but there will be people who say it's half full. Neither side can prove one another wrong, so it's pointless arguing about it.

Humanity as a whole has a big issue with agreeing to disagree.

i really hope you aren't a scientist

 

[Lucid]

loooooooooooooooooooooooooooool

 

[Green Ranger]

i really hope you aren't a scientist

If I was I wouldn't be wasting my time with these plebians :CHappy

 

[Jaqen H'ghar]

Not really.(your point is not validated with that sttement) Both sides (including your point) are validated with a statement like that because there's equal pointlessness in arguing either way.

You also just contradicted yourself. :CStern Use your big words Boli. Use your big words.


Also I'd have to pretty much agree with Bac. Although a few religions actually require you to shove it down peoples throats, if read in the "right context".

 

[Green Ranger]

I'm not following how you thought tha-waitaminute, you made me argue! Shame on you, Sheo. :CStern