I need YOUR help with an essay

[Eowyn]

Hello everyone!

It's been ages and months since I was on this forum (it makes me slightly nostalgic *lol*) and now I need your help.

In Social Science my class are going to do this HUGE essay and I'm gonna write about why people slip away from the church and get involved in Paganism and similar things. (I didnt want to offend anyone so I decided that instead of comparing the two, I got the idea from a friend to view everything of the progress through social science)

So I have a few questions, that I'd be thrilled if you could answer.

1) How come you are in Paganism/any of the branches of Paganism and not Christianity?
2) Have you ever been a believer of Christianity? What made you gave it up?
3) Are you a believer of Christianity? *there's a chance there are some here, a small chance* What makes you prefer Christianity to Paganism?

Idiotic questions with weird formulations I know, but I'd really appreciate if you answered these questions.

A note: I had absolutely no idea if I was gonna post this in 'New Pagan', 'Just Pagan', here or somewhere else so I just took a chance and hopefully I wasn't that out of line when I decided to post here... :)

I'm thankful for any help I can get :)

[unicornlightining]

1. I'm pagan and not christain because I vaule The freedom to explore and make up my own mind about what I beleive.
2.I left the Episcapal (sp) church due to my pasture dieing. When I relized that the entire congragtion as I knew it had depened on a man and not the precnce of God things started to fall apart. Also I had begun to have sex and the thought that I was liveing in sin began to drive me crazy.
3.nope

[Eowyn]

1. I'm pagan and not christain because I vaule The freedom to explore and make up my own mind about what I beleive.
2.I left the Episcapal (sp) church due to my pasture dieing. When I relized that the entire congragtion as I knew it had depened on a man and not the precnce of God things started to fall apart. Also I had begun to have sex and the thought that I was liveing in sin began to drive me crazy.
3.nope

Lovely - thank you so much :) This is really helping :)

[alesay]

Good topic! :) hope you can get all you need from it ;)

1) How come you are in Paganism/any of the branches of Paganism and not Christianity?
Well, i was drawn to Paganism, Wicca most specifically because of the freedom to learn at my own pace and not feel like i had to compete or constantly feel like i wasn't good enough. I got to learn, worship, and through finding my place in wicca, i could branch out and re-learn about christianity, and other religions but feel secure in my choice.

2) Have you ever been a believer of Christianity? What made you gave it up?
I was a believer in Christianity, and to an extent i still am. I believe that all gods are the same god, so my way of worship is different. I was born and raised Baptist, and i gave it up when i got tired of the Preacher telling me that he knew gods path for me and i didn't. But if i wanted to, i could come to church and learn my path through him. Um, i don't think so. I also had a problem with the way women were portrayed in the bible and most specifically how women were burdened with the gift of childbirth. There were so many stories in the bible that i didn't agree with. Like why was Eve to blame? why did Cain feel so worthless that the best he could do was kill his brother? i didn't like the limits of christianity, and in wicca, you do what you will as long as it doesn't hurt anyone else... I like that better than 10 thou shalt not... ;)

3) Are you a believer of Christianity? *there's a chance there are some here, a small chance* What makes you prefer Christianity to Paganism?
Like i said before, i believe that all gods are the same, there are just different ways of worshiping, so yeah, i believe ther eis a lot of good to be learned in Christianity, but only if you read between the lines. I prefer Paganism because of the openess and the ability to study and learn and worship at my own pace without having to come to someone on a power trip to ok if i'm on the right path. Just because this works for me doesn't mean it will work for someone else ;) Just my observations

Good luck!!

[Eowyn]

Good topic! :) hope you can get all you need from it ;)

1) How come you are in Paganism/any of the branches of Paganism and not Christianity?
Well, i was drawn to Paganism, Wicca most specifically because of the freedom to learn at my own pace and not feel like i had to compete or constantly feel like i wasn't good enough. I got to learn, worship, and through finding my place in wicca, i could branch out and re-learn about christianity, and other religions but feel secure in my choice.

2) Have you ever been a believer of Christianity? What made you gave it up?
I was a believer in Christianity, and to an extent i still am. I believe that all gods are the same god, so my way of worship is different. I was born and raised Baptist, and i gave it up when i got tired of the Preacher telling me that he knew gods path for me and i didn't. But if i wanted to, i could come to church and learn my path through him. Um, i don't think so. I also had a problem with the way women were portrayed in the bible and most specifically how women were burdened with the gift of childbirth. There were so many stories in the bible that i didn't agree with. Like why was Eve to blame? why did Cain feel so worthless that the best he could do was kill his brother? i didn't like the limits of christianity, and in wicca, you do what you will as long as it doesn't hurt anyone else... I like that better than 10 thou shalt not... ;)

3) Are you a believer of Christianity? *there's a chance there are some here, a small chance* What makes you prefer Christianity to Paganism?
Like i said before, i believe that all gods are the same, there are just different ways of worshiping, so yeah, i believe ther eis a lot of good to be learned in Christianity, but only if you read between the lines. I prefer Paganism because of the openess and the ability to study and learn and worship at my own pace without having to come to someone on a power trip to ok if i'm on the right path. Just because this works for me doesn't mean it will work for someone else ;) Just my observations

Good luck!!

Thank you so much :) I hope I'll write a good essay, maybe.... Just maybe if I feel creative I can always translate it later and maybe post it here so everyone that's helped me can see the finale product.

[~BEBZ~]

1) How come you are in Paganism/any of the branches of Paganism and not Christianity?


2) Have you ever been a believer of Christianity? What made you gave it up?


3) Are you a believer of Christianity? *there's a chance there are some here, a small chance* What makes you prefer Christianity to Paganism?

OK, well, I was going to answer them individually, but for me it's all the same question.

I grew up going to church. My father made me go to Sunday School all the time when he was around, and after he left I kept going. But as I look back I realize that it was transparent to me. I tried to believe, but could never quite achieve the same closeness as I saw others around me having. As I grew up I observed the ugliness of the ppl in those religions. They would go to church every Sunday, after being out all night Saturday drinking and raising hell. They would lie, steal, cheat on their spouses, and then go on and on about how righteous they were because they went to church. Then the Bible itself has so many contradictions and things in it I just couldn't stomach. I especially didn't like feeling like I had to be a second class citizen just because I was a female, when I knew that I was smarter and better than 75% of the men around me.

As I started nearing my teen years, I had an attack of religion. I wanted so badly to find my niche. I had studied some things on witchcraft, Wicca and Paganism, and they struck a cord with me. But society does not accept them so I did everything I could to fight it's draw. I went to almost every church in my small town trying to find a religion that would stick. The more I sought, the less I found though. Finally, around 17, I gave in to my Pagan beliefs and haven't looked back since. For me it is more pure, less lying, than any other religion there is. I also had a deep respect and link to nature. I did not like how other religions didn't seem to care at all and even put themselves and their selfish pursuits above the wellbeing of the earth.

[Brenda]

I won't be much of a help, but I can try...
1) How come you are in Paganism/any of the branches of Paganism and not Christianity?
I don't believe in God like it's seen in the bible, the bible is alright and has wisdom in it, but in my opinion it didn't happen like that. It's just metaphorical.
In Paganism there are no real rules you have to follow, you can add your own things, or leave them out, I've been always interested in nature and the vision on life in general is better.
2) Have you ever been a believer of Christianity? What made you gave it up?
I was, until I was 8 years old, my father forced me to believe, but somewhere deep in myself I just couldn't accept the explanations and rules from church. So as soon as they divorced, I started searching for my own path.
3) Are you a believer of Christianity? *there's a chance there are some here, a small chance* What makes you prefer Christianity to Paganism?
N/a

[Wytchie]

1) How come you are in Paganism/any of the branches of Paganism and not Christianity?
I always had my own beliefs etc., i just didn't know that they were called 'pagan' until i happened to start reading on it, can't even remember why i did that now lol, but paganism just seemed to fit what i already believed.

2) Have you ever been a believer of Christianity? What made you gave it up?
I was taken to church as a child but I never really believed, i was the hated child in sunday school who always asked those 'awkward' questions lol

3) Are you a believer of Christianity? *there's a chance there are some here, a small chance* What makes you prefer Christianity to Paganism?
I don't myself, but I have a few thoughts on why people might if that might help...some people want to be seen as respectable and in many countries eg Eire, being a church goer is part of this, people want to belong to a group, they feel safer as part of a large number, some people don't actually want to have too many choices and questions to ask themselves, they would prefer to be told this is how it is now believe it type thing (could be totally wrong here but just some ideas lol)

I am doing a degree course in religion and its role in society at the moment so if you have anything you think I might be able to help with don't hesitate to pm me ;), I have just recently done an essay with a part on why people choose paganism, so if you want a bit of that emailing or anything just give a yell!
BB

[Toki Wartooth]

1) How come you are in Paganism/any of the branches of Paganism and not Christianity?
I did not want to adhere to laws/commandments/rules/values I thought were questionable. One thing I really disliked was having my Sunday school teacher tell me that if I didn't do all Seven Sacrements of Catholicism, including marriage, I would go to Hell. Thanks, but no thanks. I also disliked the idea of 'getting rid of' atheists, agnostics, &c. I do not believe in following all kinds of set-up things from the Ten Commandments to the Seven Sacrements to the Golden Rule and what-have-you. Maybe I sound too egoistical, but I want to learn about everything and anything to educate myself and enjoy it, too. I'd much rather put focus on my own spiritual growth and pursue whatever subjects I want with my own rules.

Plus, I naturally disagree with beliefs that are held by many of Christianity...or something like that. I'm all for the gay marriage, the choice of abortion, contraception...I also don't find those Seven Deadly Sins all that deadly, in all honesty. So Christianity and I don't generally mesh, but I will say I respect it, and I'm certain there are similarities to be found between my own spiritual path and Christianity. Nevertheless, I could never be totally a part of it.

2) Have you ever been a believer of Christianity? What made you gave it up?

One could argue that I was. I was merely being brought up in it by my mother. I'm not sure if I ever truly believed in anything I was practically force-fed by my mother, Sunday school, the church, &c. More detail was provided in my answer to the previous question.

3) Are you a believer of Christianity? *there's a chance there are some here, a small chance* What makes you prefer Christianity to Paganism?

No. I am not of the Christian faith.

[-Ember]

1) How come you are in Paganism/any of the branches of Paganism and not Christianity?
2) Have you ever been a believer of Christianity? What made you gave it up?
3) Are you a believer of Christianity? *there's a chance there are some here, a small chance* What makes you prefer Christianity to Paganism?



1) Because I researched my religious options very thoroughly and carefully (and while I wasn't watching, Paganism snuck up behind me and hit me with a big blunt concept... it just fit.)

2) Nope. More aetheist/agnostic upbringing. I'm more of a Christian now than I was before becoming Pagan.

3) Some versions of Christianity. For some versions I'll even claim to be a better practicing Christian than a lot who belong to the Christian religions. I don't prefer it, however... obviously, being Pagan.

[Karma Chameleon]

1) How come you are in Paganism/any of the branches of Paganism and not Christianity?

I am not in Christianity because I am not a Christian. And I believe what I believe now because to me it makes sense.



2) Have you ever been a believer of Christianity? What made you gave it up?

Yes, I used to be a Christian and was one for about 16 years. I gave it up calling myself that because I would be a hypocrite if I pretended to continue believing in something I no longer believed. What made me disillusioned with Christianity? Part of it was the majority of people who call themselves Christians, they tend to be the nastiest bunch I've ever met. I no longer wanted to associate with people like that. The more I studied the bible the more I didn't like the god of the bible and the more the bible didn't make sense (I do not mean that it confused me or I couldn't understand it, I mean it didn't make sense as in it contradicted common sense, science and history.)


3) Are you a believer of Christianity? *there's a chance there are some here, a small chance* What makes you prefer Christianity to Paganism?

N/A

[sirius]

1. I am Pagan and not Christian because I noticed a lot of hypocrisy in the Christian teachings.
2. I grew up going to Catholic, and Methodist churches. I also have been to some Baptist churches as well as Non-Denom. I gave it up because most of the teachings I was exposed to painted Deity/God as a vengeful, jealous, spiteful being who would smite you for breathing wrong. Also there was a great deal of looking down on others for being different (i.e. homosexuality, difference of religion, race, etc.). I just can't believe that a being or beings that created us would hate or be prejudiced against any of us. I also don't believe in Hell. Also all of my ancestors have roots in Paganism and I have always felt the call of my ancestors. I have decided to follow, as closely as possible, the way it was before Christianity.
3. I am no longer a believer in Christianity.

[Kendrah]

1) How come you are in Paganism/any of the branches of Paganism and not Christianity?
2) Have you ever been a believer of Christianity? What made you gave it up?
3) Are you a believer of Christianity? *there's a chance there are some here, a small chance* What makes you prefer Christianity to Paganism?


1) Well, paganism was the only religion to explain the feelings I was having and the things I saw. It just stuck since then.

2) Yes; One of my churches I went to as a kid lied to me and stole a little flash light that I had paid for. Since one of the commandments was not to steal, I reasoned they weren't the true church. I was going through a stage with my OCD were I was very religious, and for them to blantently lie and steal to me crushed me.

3) Nope.

[Kudzu]

1) How come you are in Paganism/any of the branches of Paganism and not Christianity?

Because I am called to serve my Gods rather than the Christian God. Every moment I spend walking in their ways is fulfilling, even when it is difficult, and I would never turn my back on them. It's a feeling of coming Home.


2) Have you ever been a believer of Christianity? What made you gave it up?

Nope.


3) Are you a believer of Christianity? *there's a chance there are some here, a small chance* What makes you prefer Christianity to Paganism?

Nope!

['Lara Shadowstalker]

this is tough,,, i was raised russian/greek orthodox catholic, but i had a pagan mother figure, who contributed to my being here today. here goes

1) How come you are in Paganism/any of the branches of Paganism and not Christianity?I blend my catholic and pagan beliefs along with many others for a religion that most closely resembles my own personal beliefs. i disagree with many traditional organized religions, so ive made one to suit me
2) Have you ever been a believer of Christianity? What made you gave it up? hmmm, i think that is answered above.
3) Are you a believer of Christianity? *there's a chance there are some here, a small chance* What makes you prefer Christianity to Paganism?oops! also answered above...oh well

[Flar's Freyja]

1) How come you are in Paganism/any of the branches of Paganism and not Christianity?

I began to question Christianity when I moved from the east coast to the Bible Belt in Oklahoma. I was raised Catholic and hadn't questioned my religion much until then. It was quite a culture shock, especially in that the social norm is to invite people to church. I accepted some of these invitations. The first was to an Assembly of God that implied that my great-grandmother, who broke her hip on the ice on the church steps going to the daily 6 a.m. Mass that she attended every day of her life, went to hell because she was not "born again." Their way was the only way, they said, and they had me believing it for a while. I even dropped makeup and jewelry and only wore skirts for a while based on the scripture that we shouldn't be concerned with adornment -until I noticed that there seemed to be huge french braid contests going on in church. I tried several different branches of Christianity and still didn't find answers. The final straw was when I belonged to a Baptist church that voted out a wonderful music director because he had been divorced 20 years ago. If that was a problem, half of us shouldn't have been allowed in the building. Services were incredibly boring without their music, so those were the last services I attended.

I'd been trying to deal with chronic physical pain through spirituality and found Louise L. Hay's book,"You Can Heal Your Life." That led to attending metaphysical fairs and my meeting pagans. Pagan beliefs fit what I'd believed all my life and I felt that I'd finally found my true spiritual path.

2) Have you ever been a believer of Christianity? What made you gave it up?

I actually still have some Christian beliefs. I've found out that not only are some of the Catholic saints similar to pagan gods and goddesses, some are one and the same. I believe that Jesus Christ is a deity in his own right but I don't buy the salvation story. I believe that God is both male and female. I have a "take what you need and leave the rest" approach to "religion." I guess I've kind of made up my own religion by combining what makes sense from various paths. I focus on practicing spirituality rather than practicing a religion.

I don't agree with the way the Bible is manipulated to mean what people want it to mean and I don't agree with using "what God said" as an excuse for hate. If that's the case, then is incest okay if you're a little drunk, as in the story of Lot? Or should we publicly stone our misbehaving sons? I got a particularly bad taste in my mouth from the Bible-thumpers I've met here who don't walk the talk. For instance, a group of women I worked with had a weekly Bible study at the office. The same group was the worst bunch of backstabbing gossips I have ever come across in my life. In short, it wasn't the religion. It was the people who said that they practiced the religion and then acted in those ways that factored in my decision to turn away. I basically turned away from Christians more than I turned away from Christianity. I know pagans who are more Christian than some Christians, and I do know a few Christians who truly practice what they believe - and interestingly, they don't preach.

3) Are you a believer of Christianity? *there's a chance there are some here, a small chance* What makes you prefer Christianity to Paganism?

I don't really prefer one to the other or that any one way is the right and true way. In fact, I'd be very cautious of any religion that claims that. I believe that God manifests in a vast multitude of ways. After all, God is huge and omnipresent and everywhere - from the grass and trees to the sun and sky to each living, breathing creature on this earth. We are all individuals and can and should serve/believe/worship in our own individual ways. Compare the teachings of Christ to the majority of other religions and you'll find that the teachings are exactly the same in different words. "Love One Another." "Do Unto Others." 'Be Kind to Strangers."

[MoonDust]

So I have a few questions, that I'd be thrilled if you could answer.
Sure!

1) How come you are in Paganism/any of the branches of Paganism and not Christianity?
My family is all Christian/Catholic. I was raised Christian Apostolic. My grandmother is very devout; my dad/grandpa was a minister in their church when he was 30ish.
It was all I knew or was taught. I was taught that it was all or nothing our way to heaven or no way. Anything other that what they said was true was it. To question it was to be against the church.
It always grated.
I didn’t agree with a lot of what they were teaching. It didn’t fit with what I felt and believed. I always asked myself; does this mean I’m evil? Will I go to hell because I don’t agree even though I’ve made it a point to live a good positive life?
These are not good questions to have to ask yourself and worry about at 10.
I was about 14/15 ish when I started to pull away.
By 17 or so I didn’t go to church at all. Any mention of the Christian faith would anger me. I had a lot of anger back then.
I was about 21 or so when I admitted to myself that I believed in a higher power and was willing to explore other paths.
22-23 when I became Wiccan. I’m 25 now.

2) Have you ever been a believer of Christianity?
Uh… sure. I was about 12 when I’d convinced myself to get more involved with the church did the whole youth group/choir bit.
What made you gave it up?
See above.

3) Are you a believer of Christianity? *there's a chance there are some here, a small chance*
I believe the Christian faith/theology works for some. The same way Buddhism, Islam, or any other path works for some. But no, the Christian theology is not for me.

Idiotic questions with weird formulations I know, but I'd really appreciate if you answered these questions.
I don’t think they are. They are intelligent questions and answers you’re seeking. Good for you for seeking them.
Good luck. Oh! If you’re willing to share once you’ve written it I’d be interested in reading it.

[pawnman]

I used to be a christian, but I stopped believing for one simple reason: I never felt worse in my life than when I was a christian. The constant "nothing you can do is ever good enough, you can't save yourself, only Jesus can save you, you're sinful and horrid" just got to me. I felt guilty all the time, like I was unworthy. I felt like I was never praying enough, or well enough. One day I came across my wife's copy of "Teen Witch" (she wasn't my wife yet at the time). I just started reading, and reading, and reading. I sat there in my room and prayed, very tentatively, to the Goddess. And for the first time in my life, I felt like someone was listening, and answering, ever so subtly. And the message was "you're good enough for me just the way you are. I don't think you are too sinful, or wicked, or dirty".

That's how I made the conversion.

[Willow Rosette]

1) How come you are in Paganism/any of the branches of Paganism and not Christianity?

~Once I moved out on my own and did not have that feeling of needing to make my family happy by going to church I just sorta drifted around till I picked up my first book. It wa just like it made sence. Of course not all of it because that is the authors take on religion but the basic idea was like a pieces of a puzzle that started fitting together.

2) Have you ever been a believer of Christianity? What made you gave it up?

~Well my family likes to hop around from one church to another. So I have done everything from unitarian to four square and was even baptised in high school as a baptist. But as I said above I did those more to keep the peace and not have anybody mad at me than anything else. I just never saw what they saw. I never understood how I could worship what I could not see. Here I can see it and feel it and touch it and it isnt so much a religion as just a part of who I am. I know with the path I am on now if it changes or if I veer off my current path I am not bad or sinfull just growing and changing. I like that and think it is much more healthy for my daughter as well.

3) Are you a believer of Christianity? *there's a chance there are some here, a small chance* What makes you prefer Christianity to Paganism?

~Sorry cant help you with this one. Azzy would be a great one to get his take on this. He is christian but very openminded and such a kind soul.

[FroggieThePunk]

1) How come you are in Paganism/any of the branches of Paganism and not Christianity?
2) Have you ever been a believer of Christianity? What made you gave it up?
3) Are you a believer of Christianity? *there's a chance there are some here, a small chance* What makes you prefer Christianity to Paganism?



To be honest, Wicca gives me a sense of fufillment. It is the first religion where I can say that I actualy feel the presence of the Deities pertained within. It also tends to fit my senses and veiws on things as well.

For a short time I was. When I was living in Seattle, I was attending an Assemblies of God church. But I think that it was more of the youth group where I felt accepted and wanted. Not so much the church or religion itself.

[Ninjakitten]

1) How come you are in Paganism/any of the branches of Paganism and not Christianity?

I am a Christian, but ask any church going Christian and half of the Pagans, and I'm not only not a Christian, but I apparently mock everyone rather than try to find the truth beyond single systems (ever heard "noone has a monopoly on the truth"?).

2) Have you ever been a believer of Christianity? What made you gave it up?

Became a believer when I was 24ish (almost 25). Wasn't really raised Christian despite my mom's silly notion that I was. Let's just say I was raised Christian in the way the founder of the Church of Satan was, and almost became a Satanist in part for those reasons... never mind that the ninja in me says many of their main philosophies make a lot of sense to me.

When I became a believer, I was a fundamentalist, though I didn't tend to push unless "provoked" (not with "wrong religious symbols" but with "silly ideas" for example), probably because I wasn't raised that way but became that way when I was already mature. I gave that up when I reached my next stage in spirituality that told me that staying a fundamentalist would only stagnate my walk with Christ, not enhance my "eternal brownie points". I can only preach Christ if I walked like him, and I see so many more Pagans walk with his love for others and his abilities to heal and "dine with sinners".

3) Are you a believer of Christianity? *there's a chance there are some here, a small chance* What makes you prefer Christianity to Paganism?

Yes. I've had personal experiences with the Divine that have directly told me, when I hated Christianity, to "look in the one place I was unwilling to look", and the Divine filled me with the feeling that Christianity was where I was to look. That, and my boyfriend (the one I've now had for over 7 years) showed me the heart of the Christ when I had a suicidal moment early in our relationship, which softened my heardened heart to the Christ.

[sari0009]

1) How come you are in Paganism/any of the branches of Paganism and not Christianity?

I found much of what I could pick and choose in Paganism to be logically and otherwise healthier, being that I could make my own connections and subject everything and anyone to tests/questioning -- there is no given text accepted as the bible (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bible) of Paganism and there is no Pope either. In short, I can reject what is unhealthy or even sick -- and although it certainly has some wisdom and beauty in it, I actually read the entire bible and I reject it as all truth or all the word of God. That's what really did it! I read it all. No wonder only priests were allowed to read the bible for quite some time in the history of Christianity!

What also did it? Finding out the history of the God of the bible. I guess he started out as a thunder mountain god or something. Then the story and following grew. So, in short, the whole story changed, the legends and beliefs got bigger, and so on. Even the image of Satan changed dramatically over the centuries (for political reasons, among other things).

2) Have you ever been a believer of Christianity? What made you gave it up?

I read the entire bible, I thought and it was finis. I mean ... when I read about how a woman is supposedly spiritually and physically unclean during her menses, it reminded me of the menstrual huts and fear/ignorance toward such things in many cultures.


http://www.dreamtimevillage.org/articles/graphics/menstral_hut.jpg

What totally bunk! I could go on but I'll spare you other than offer the X Rated Bible link:

http://www.postfun.com/pfp/NC-17Bible.html (http://www.postfun.com/pfp/NC-17Bible.html)

Hey, if racism is unacceptable, then misogyny (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Misogyny) is unacceptable. I mean, get a load of Judges 19:24-29! That's about gang rape and dismemberment ... and to think that I used to sleep with the bible by my bed, as a child. Did my parents know what the bleep was in the thing???

Well, I did question people. I asked if the Old Testament is so ugly and messed up and if the story of the bible's formation and adulterations/rewording is that complex, why do people include the Old Testament or go by the book? I was told that essentially they don't. They also pick and choose. Drives at bible thumping and proclaiming that the book is the actual indisputable word of God (despite having thousands of interpretations with different emphasis on different parts) only push more away and skepticism or idiocy/evil (such as Robertson and the like) grows.

Most haven't even read the whole Old Testament and would be flabbergasted at what's actually in it or the complete complex history behind it.

[sari0009]

If you really want to shake things up, read these three pages (all of 'em) about God:

El-Shaddai, 'Divinity of the Mountains' http://www.mystae.com/restricted/streams/thera/canaan.html (http://www.mystae.com/restricted/streams/thera/canaan.html)

Now see references to El in 1 through 3 in the "Road to Monotheism" section of http://www.eblaforum.org/library/bcah/intbibarch05.html (http://www.eblaforum.org/library/bcah/intbibarch05.html) It talks about merging gods and pantheons! This is where the God of the bible came from? Complex story and we weren't there to witness it all. The best we have is evidence and interpretation.

This page is so loaded with links I won't even try to sum it up! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/God (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/God)

And people wonder why types other than those who believe in strict unquestionable Christianity and total right wing power suit Republicans (not al Republicans are like that, I know) abound at Universities!

[Philbo]

1) How come you are in Paganism/any of the branches of Paganism and not Christianity?
2) Have you ever been a believer of Christianity? What made you gave it up?
3) Are you a believer of Christianity? *there's a chance there are some here, a small chance* What makes you prefer Christianity to Paganism?




1) How come you are in Paganism/any of the branches of Paganism and not Christianity?
Personal experience. I have seen spirits/ghosts, I read tarot cards, I can communicate with stones, I have felt the presence of certain forces unseen to most eyes, and my respect for nature borders on reverence. Also, I have never had any experience with Jesus Christ or the Christian God. All this talk of "God's love" that I've heard for many years, I've never felt it. God's sense of humor, on the other hand...

2) Have you ever been a believer of Christianity? What made you gave it up?
I grew up in a Lutheran household, and went to church every Sunday. I don't think I ever fully believed, and was quite relieved to discover that there were other religions in this world. I guess I started giving it up as early as 5 years old, when I questioned everything that my Sunday school teachers said. I dabbled in all sorts of religions after I was about 15 or so, and questioned all of them too, without getting any answers. I guess I kinda gave up on all of them.

3) Are you a believer of Christianity? *there's a chance there are some here, a small chance* What makes you prefer Christianity to Paganism?
Well, I believe Jesus existed, but he existed in a culture where everyone unquestionably believed in God, and Jesus' teachings and ideas were restricted to a somewhat limited worldview. I don't believe he was the son of God, as I don't believe in that God.