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Author Topic: paganism survey  (Read 12006 times)

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earthmuffin

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paganism survey
« on: May 11, 2011, 05:56:43 PM »

There is such a wide range of views and types of people among pagans. I am curious if there is an overarching aspect that attracts folks to it initially. Please feel free to suggest responses to the question that I have not added.

Thanks, folks.  :D

(I'm still thinking what my vote should be. Nature worship is central to my spirituality but I am still examining whether it is the what led me to paganism as I seem to have  been led to it through more of an intuitive than intellectual process. I'll vote when I have pondered my answer a little longer.)
« Last Edit: May 11, 2011, 05:59:18 PM by earthmuffin »
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BronwynWolf

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Re: paganism survey
« Reply #1 on: May 11, 2011, 06:04:40 PM »

You missed mine, EM.... The fact women are not seen as second classed citizens, responisble for all the evil let lose in the world.
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earthmuffin

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Re: paganism survey
« Reply #2 on: May 11, 2011, 06:07:20 PM »

You missed mine, EM.... The fact women are not seen as second classed citizens, responisble for all the evil let lose in the world.

Maybe that could go under concept of deity? I added another category called importance of women.
« Last Edit: May 11, 2011, 06:09:01 PM by earthmuffin »
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earthmuffin

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Re: paganism survey
« Reply #3 on: May 11, 2011, 06:16:14 PM »

OK, after more thought upon the moment or two that was pivotal in my finding my way here, I do think nature worship is it for me, though many of the other categories run a close second.
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Ghost Wolf

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Re: paganism survey
« Reply #4 on: May 11, 2011, 06:31:05 PM »

I went with "importance/acceptance/celebration of women/feminine," although others were relevant. I always felt the absence of the Divine Feminine in the Baptist church as a child. I wanted to find my Cosmic Mommy.  :D
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Eternal Seeker

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Re: paganism survey
« Reply #5 on: May 11, 2011, 06:32:35 PM »


"You missed mine, EM.... The fact women are not seen as second classed citizens, responisble for all the evil let lose in the world." But women ARE evil! Consider- men spend their time and money on women. expressed as a formula, that would be:
women = (time)(money)
But as we all know, and the boss keeps telling us when we're caught slacking off, time is money, so...
women = (money)(money) or
women = (money)^2
But we also know that money is the root of all evil, so...
women = ((evil)^.5)^2
solving the exponents, we get:
women = evil!
Proven mathematically!

peace,
ES

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earthmuffin

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Re: paganism survey
« Reply #6 on: May 11, 2011, 06:36:48 PM »


"You missed mine, EM.... The fact women are not seen as second classed citizens, responisble for all the evil let lose in the world." But women ARE evil! Consider- men spend their time and money on women. expressed as a formula, that would be:
women = (time)(money)
But as we all know, and the boss keeps telling us when we're caught slacking off, time is money, so...
women = (money)(money) or
women = (money)^2
But we also know that money is the root of all evil, so...
women = ((evil)^.5)^2
solving the exponents, we get:
women = evil!
Proven mathematically!

peace,
ES



 :rotflmao:

Yet an anagram of evil is live. Women give life; men are just envious of this magical ability.  :whistle:
« Last Edit: May 11, 2011, 06:39:33 PM by earthmuffin »
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dragonspring

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Re: paganism survey
« Reply #7 on: May 11, 2011, 07:01:47 PM »

I think the feminine divine is what first attracted me to this path so that is what I chose.  What keeps me here is a combination of all the answers. 
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Re: paganism survey
« Reply #8 on: May 11, 2011, 07:18:59 PM »

I feel that have a little bit of several, but not any one of those answers really seem to fit quite right.  Not really sure I can put my finger on it, but as close as I can get is a relation to the Divine Feminine (more now about balance, but the female aspect is still very important) and a deep respect for nature.
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Eternal Seeker

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Re: paganism survey
« Reply #9 on: May 11, 2011, 07:33:00 PM »


More seriously, I voted for concept of deity. I use the words "The Divine" rather than "God(s)" or "Goddess" to avoid the baggage those words have- they conjure images nothing like what I have experienced.

peace,
ES
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Greybear

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Re: paganism survey
« Reply #10 on: May 12, 2011, 12:48:59 AM »

For me, it was a sense of having finally come home. I was brought up insulated from most Pagan religions, and thought that these religions were 'dead.' I regretted this, because as a teenager Pagan religions made more sense to me - my surprise and delight upon realizing Paganism was still very much alive were my first clues that I was on the right path.
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Re: paganism survey
« Reply #11 on: May 13, 2011, 07:33:38 AM »

I think the feminine divine is what first attracted me to this path so that is what I chose.  What keeps me here is a combination of all the answers.
BINGO!
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vordan

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Re: paganism survey
« Reply #12 on: May 13, 2011, 10:55:30 PM »

All of the above works best for me.
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Crystal Dragon

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Re: paganism survey
« Reply #13 on: May 14, 2011, 02:15:06 AM »

I've been thinking about this since you posted it.  There really isn't one specific reason that applies to me personally, though "lack of moral dogma/flexibility to determine own set of ethics" probably comes closest, followed closely by "acceptance of a wide range of beliefs and spiritual practices".  I'm with Greybear though ... I knew I was Pagan because discovering Paganism was like finding the home I didn't know I'd lost. ;)
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bluefire

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Re: paganism survey
« Reply #14 on: May 14, 2011, 12:18:02 PM »

Family tradition first introduced me to the path.  At this point, I just am who I am and believe what I believe. I honestly do not know that I even relate to the word "Pagan" any more.  Elements in your checklist that I most relate to are connection to nature, personal choice relating to ethics, and acceptance of a wide range of beliefs.
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earthmuffin

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Re: paganism survey
« Reply #15 on: May 14, 2011, 12:24:15 PM »

All of the above works best for me.

Vordan, thanks for chiming in. I was going to add all of the above but I thought too many people might choose that because they are all attractive qualities and I really wanted to know if you had to choose one, what it would be-- so I guess I will leave it off the poll for now in an effort to force people to choose. ;)
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Re: paganism survey
« Reply #16 on: August 06, 2011, 05:07:07 AM »

I chose "lack of moral dogma/flexibility to determine own set of ethics" but all of them are completely relevant to me (except being born into a pagan family).  I'm a very spontaneous person, a real non-follower, and to be able to say "This is what I believe, this is what I don't believe, and this is how I'm going to live my life" is important to me.
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Re: paganism survey
« Reply #17 on: August 14, 2011, 09:25:38 AM »

I chose "Acceptance of a wide range of beliefs and spiritual practices" as my choice because it was one of the determining factors for me converting to Paganism.  The other factors that prompted me to convert to Paganism were the recognition of a personal connection to nature and the use of psychic abilities (Apparently the Christian Church didn't like me telling people that everyone is born with some type of psychic powers and how to develop them).
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