Sharing the faith

[cheddarsox]

I feel sometimes, that I have become a pantheist evangelist.

No, I'm not knocking on doors or handing out tracts, but people keep showing up in my path with souls that are screaming to hear the pantheist message.

People asking the same questions I used to ask. Feeling the same frustration that I know so well.

I'm not seeking to convert anyone, but when I see someone in such spiritual torment and confusion, and I remember how it felt...I feel like I need to share my story, if only so they won't feel so alone and crazy.

So, I was wondering how "sharing the faith" comes up in your life.

it doesn't feel like I am looking for opportunities, it feels like the opportunities are looking for me.

[Windsmith]

So, I was wondering how "sharing the faith" comes up in your life.Well, there's here. It seems like every time I mention Pantheism or my beliefs (even if I don't mention them by name) somewhere on this forum, someone pops up asking to know more and saying that what I'm describing sounds so much like what they've always believed but never had a name for.

There hasn't been much else so far. My wife and I discuss our beliefs and practices sometimes, but they're much more conversational than what you're describing.

Butsomething like what you're talking about may come my way fairly soon. I've recently come back into contact with some folks I know who are active in Reclaiming, Anderson Feri, and Blue Star circles. We may need to have some frank discussions about how some people in Reclaiming view deity and magic, and how someone can be a Pantheist and a Reclaiming witch at the same time. I started this conversation with a few of these folks at Winter Witch Camp back in February, and the time may have come to continue them more in depth. From other conversations I've had, I know I'm not the only Reclaiming witch who doesn't believe in the literal existence of deities. Whether any of the others consider themselves Pantheists, I don't know, but we're starting to stand up and talk about the way we view the Divine, and my time may be next.

[airmist]

The question prompted me to reflect a little on whether I share it at all. The answer is I share very little, very rarely.

I can offer the probably common feelings of people who don't talk about their beliefs that my spirituality is personal, that I don't belong to any organized, creed based church, and that would be accurate. I could say I rarely have the opportunity to discuss my beliefs, which I'm not sure would be so accurate.

I was asked a couple of months ago to talk to an 8th grade class in a UU church about my beliefs and did so. In the middle of the class of 7 students and 4 parents it suddenly dawned on me that I was speaking more and publicly, as it were, on my beliefs than I ever had. I almost choked for a minute. The need to do it led me to accept the request without ever thinking about what I was doing.

I belong to a different group, not specifically religious, but spirituality is part of it and I sometimes mention what I believe, although usually rather obliquely. On occassion that will bring a question privately from someone which I will then answer specifically, but that is fairly rare.

That's about it. I'm not honestly sure why I feel I should be doing more.

[Diotima]

Good question!

My policy is "answer honestly when someone asks a honest question." That happens very rarely though, and I rarely start with "I'm a Pantheist, so this is what I believe." It's often the other way around: I explain, what I believe about something and why...possibly only then I attach the name tag.
Other than that, I share my faith by example. I live my life, and people who see me, see that I am happy, confident and content. They see on the first glance (or alternatively, from the very first bits of information about my lifestyle) that I'm different.
I'm a great believer in "live as you teach"- principle, and I hope that perhaps one day, someone will be encouraged to start her own spiritual journey because of my example.

[airmist]

"I really only need to allow myself to be turned,
Like the earth,
Like the seasons,
Trusting the cycles that will renew me again."

And that is a beautiful verse. I would like to use that in my conscious contact.

[Windsmith]

I started a Pantheist Prayer Place thread on the Altar of the Ancients forum here on Mystic Wicks.Great idea, Cheddar!

*wanders off to check it out*