Comments on: Paganism and the Search for Truth and Proof http://powertochange.com Mon, 04 Jun 2012 18:19:01 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Bri http://powertochange.com/students/paganism/comment-page-1/#comment-1347343 Bri Sun, 13 May 2012 21:06:59 +0000 http://powertochange.com/students/paganism-and-the-search-for-truth-and-proof/#comment-1347343 Joel, I was brought up as a Protestant. I then switched to an assembly of god church and found that that wasn't much better. I switched to paganism because a nature religion just kind of made sense to me. I understand the seasons and it just made sense to me that it would be based upon that. Thanking the gods for having an easy transition into the seasons. Odin is indeed thors father. And yes Thor is the one from the avengers movie. He carries a hammer of justice. Of course the cape and other accessories are false but the idea is pretty accurate. I switched from Christianity to paganism because the elements of Christianity didn't make sense to me and their ideas were different from mine. In order to get to the pagan heaven one must obey mother nature. You just have to be good to the earth and all it's beings and you will be granted a place in the pagan heaven Joel,

I was brought up as a Protestant. I then switched to an assembly of god church and found that that wasn’t much better. I switched to paganism because a nature religion just kind of made sense to me. I understand the seasons and it just made sense to me that it would be based upon that. Thanking the gods for having an easy transition into the seasons. Odin is indeed thors father. And yes Thor is the one from the avengers movie. He carries a hammer of justice. Of course the cape and other accessories are false but the idea is pretty accurate. I switched from Christianity to paganism because the elements of Christianity didn’t make sense to me and their ideas were different from mine. In order to get to the pagan heaven one must obey mother nature. You just have to be good to the earth and all it’s beings and you will be granted a place in the pagan heaven

]]> By: <span class='mentorBadge' title='Joel Pukalo is an official Power to Change mentor.' >Joel Pukalo</span> http://powertochange.com/students/paganism/comment-page-1/#comment-1345266 Joel Pukalo Sun, 13 May 2012 03:06:13 +0000 http://powertochange.com/students/paganism-and-the-search-for-truth-and-proof/#comment-1345266 Wow I know many people of many different religions but I have never met someone who quite believes the same things you do. Please excuse my ignorance but is this the same Odin that is Thor's dad in mythology, as in like from Thor the movie. Obviously, I realize a movie is not likely to have an accurate depiction of him but I am wondering if there is a connection between the two. As someone who is really fascinated by why people choose the religions they do, you have peaked my interest and I am really wondering what made this religion more meaningful or appealing than Christianity? I am also really interested what your Christian upbrining was. I know friends who have walked away from Christianity because of past experience. I certainly would not want to paint you with the broad brush of others, so this is why I am interested in what lead you in searching for a more meaningful religion. Also one final question, I am really interested on how one can get to pagan heaven? Thanks for enriching my life and expanding my horizons, Joel Wow I know many people of many different religions but I have never met someone who quite believes the same things you do. Please excuse my ignorance but is this the same Odin that is Thor’s dad in mythology, as in like from Thor the movie. Obviously, I realize a movie is not likely to have an accurate depiction of him but I am wondering if there is a connection between the two.

As someone who is really fascinated by why people choose the religions they do, you have peaked my interest and I am really wondering what made this religion more meaningful or appealing than Christianity?

I am also really interested what your Christian upbrining was. I know friends who have walked away from Christianity because of past experience. I certainly would not want to paint you with the broad brush of others, so this is why I am interested in what lead you in searching for a more meaningful religion.

Also one final question, I am really interested on how one can get to pagan heaven?

Thanks for enriching my life and expanding my horizons,
Joel

]]> By: Bri http://powertochange.com/students/paganism/comment-page-1/#comment-1345208 Bri Sun, 13 May 2012 01:35:46 +0000 http://powertochange.com/students/paganism-and-the-search-for-truth-and-proof/#comment-1345208 We are best known as eclectic pagans. An eclectic pagan is one that takes their beliefs from many pagan traditions. We are best known as eclectic pagans. An eclectic pagan is one that takes their beliefs from many pagan traditions.

]]> By: Bri http://powertochange.com/students/paganism/comment-page-1/#comment-1342235 Bri Sat, 12 May 2012 13:24:47 +0000 http://powertochange.com/students/paganism-and-the-search-for-truth-and-proof/#comment-1342235 Joel, Of course I can share my beliefs. What I think is confusing for many is the concept of paganism. Paganism is not one religion. It's a term meaning many religions. So under paganism you have Wicca, odinism, Celtic, Norse, Germanic, and many others. My beliefs are actually a mixture of odinism, Germanic neo-paganism,and Norse neo-paganism. ( neo-paganism is just a fancy way of saying modern pagans)I was not born a into a pagan religion... I was actually born a Christian but found that most elements of Christianity didn't match my beliefs or just didn't make much sense to me. So about 2 years ago I made the switch to paganism. Pagans do call themselves pagans and it does get a little confusing because under that there's many other religions. When I was learning about my religion I was told to pick one god or goddess as my main higher power and then the other gods/goddesses fall behind that. I chose a god named Odin from the Norse paganism. Each god or goddess is different, they mean different things and do different things. Odin for instance protects one who goes out into battle. Battle could be any form of war or dangerous environment so myself having a law enforcement career in the making chose him as a main higher power. Our religion is based on nature. We thank mother nature for what she gives us everyday in hopes we will end up in the pagan heaven. Our year runs by the seasons. There's a festival for every change of the season. It's probably way more confusing for someone who isn't practicing such as yourself but any pagan you ask would most likely be more than happy to help explain things. Joel,
Of course I can share my beliefs. What I think is confusing for many is the concept of paganism. Paganism is not one religion. It’s a term meaning many religions. So under paganism you have Wicca, odinism, Celtic, Norse, Germanic, and many others. My beliefs are actually a mixture of odinism, Germanic neo-paganism,and Norse neo-paganism. ( neo-paganism is just a fancy way of saying modern pagans)I was not born a into a pagan religion… I was actually born a Christian but found that most elements of Christianity didn’t match my beliefs or just didn’t make much sense to me. So about 2 years ago I made the switch to paganism. Pagans do call themselves pagans and it does get a little confusing because under that there’s many other religions. When I was learning about my religion I was told to pick one god or goddess as my main higher power and then the other gods/goddesses fall behind that. I chose a god named Odin from the Norse paganism. Each god or goddess is different, they mean different things and do different things. Odin for instance protects one who goes out into battle. Battle could be any form of war or dangerous environment so myself having a law enforcement career in the making chose him as a main higher power. Our religion is based on nature. We thank mother nature for what she gives us everyday in hopes we will end up in the pagan heaven. Our year runs by the seasons. There’s a festival for every change of the season. It’s probably way more confusing for someone who isn’t practicing such as yourself but any pagan you ask would most likely be more than happy to help explain things.

]]> By: <span class='mentorBadge' title='Joel Pukalo is an official Power to Change mentor.' >Joel Pukalo</span> http://powertochange.com/students/paganism/comment-page-1/#comment-1340451 Joel Pukalo Sat, 12 May 2012 03:48:42 +0000 http://powertochange.com/students/paganism-and-the-search-for-truth-and-proof/#comment-1340451 Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts Bri. "Yet most world religions don’t like Christians because they’re bigots who say they treat everyone with love and respect." You make a very good point here Bri. It is very sad that there are many people who misrepresent Christianity and give people like yourselves a bitter taste for Christianity. I promise you not all Christians are like this. I once felt exactly like you did but then I discovered true Christians who loved and accepted me for who I was. This lead me to meet the person of Jesus Christ and my life has never been the same since. I used to think I knew alot about world religions and Christianity but I was wrong. I humbly admit there are many things I still do not know. I have really good friends who are atheists and of many different religions and I aboslutely love learning what they believe and sharing ideas back and forth. I would really like to hear more about what you believe and your life story, if you would ever like to share it. Once again thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and I hope to hear from you in the future. Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts Bri.

“Yet most world religions don’t like Christians because they’re bigots who say they treat everyone with love and respect.”

You make a very good point here Bri. It is very sad that there are many people who misrepresent Christianity and give people like yourselves a bitter taste for Christianity. I promise you not all Christians are like this. I once felt exactly like you did but then I discovered true Christians who loved and accepted me for who I was. This lead me to meet the person of Jesus Christ and my life has never been the same since.

I used to think I knew alot about world religions and Christianity but I was wrong. I humbly admit there are many things I still do not know. I have really good friends who are atheists and of many different religions and I aboslutely love learning what they believe and sharing ideas back and forth. I would really like to hear more about what you believe and your life story, if you would ever like to share it.

Once again thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and I hope to hear from you in the future.

]]> By: Bri http://powertochange.com/students/paganism/comment-page-1/#comment-1334432 Bri Fri, 11 May 2012 02:33:44 +0000 http://powertochange.com/students/paganism-and-the-search-for-truth-and-proof/#comment-1334432 I find it funny that as soon as we pagans even say one word Christians are so quick to try and shoot us down. The person that said Christians stole everything from pagans is 100% correct. For instance Halloween is actually all hallows day or Samhain ( pronounced sowen) for us. The ancient pagans would pray to the gods and goddesses so they would survive the winter with a good harvest. They gave small cakes to children who begged for food. Christians turned that right around, made it about candy and shoved the devil into it. It has also been proven that shortly after your Jesus was executed millions of pagans were murdered because Christians saw pagans as standing in their way. That's right even thousands of years ago such hatred caused Christians to kill millions of pagans because they wanted to be the superior religion. Do you ever notice the only religion that has a problem with paganism is Christianity? Yet most world religions don't like Christians because they're bigots who say they treat everyone with love and respect yet turn around and say I can't live a certain way because a bunch of people back in 12 b.c. Sat down and made up a story about a talking snake and a bush that magically caught itself on fire. Tell me how it's possible for a dead human being to magically come back to life after 3 days of being dead? With no medical attention? I think not. So before you judge our religion and tell us our religion doesn't make sense examine yours. Because all it sounds like is a bunch of crap made up by people who drank just a little too much wine. I find it funny that as soon as we pagans even say one word Christians are so quick to try and shoot us down. The person that said Christians stole everything from pagans is 100% correct. For instance Halloween is actually all hallows day or Samhain ( pronounced sowen) for us. The ancient pagans would pray to the gods and goddesses so they would survive the winter with a good harvest. They gave small cakes to children who begged for food. Christians turned that right around, made it about candy and shoved the devil into it. It has also been proven that shortly after your Jesus was executed millions of pagans were murdered because Christians saw pagans as standing in their way. That’s right even thousands of years ago such hatred caused Christians to kill millions of pagans because they wanted to be the superior religion. Do you ever notice the only religion that has a problem with paganism is Christianity? Yet most world religions don’t like Christians because they’re bigots who say they treat everyone with love and respect yet turn around and say I can’t live a certain way because a bunch of people back in 12 b.c. Sat down and made up a story about a talking snake and a bush that magically caught itself on fire. Tell me how it’s possible for a dead human being to magically come back to life after 3 days of being dead? With no medical attention? I think not. So before you judge our religion and tell us our religion doesn’t make sense examine yours. Because all it sounds like is a bunch of crap made up by people who drank just a little too much wine.

]]> By: <span class='mentorBadge' title='Jamie is an official Power to Change mentor.' >Jamie</span> http://powertochange.com/students/paganism/comment-page-1/#comment-1286594 Jamie Thu, 03 May 2012 18:04:06 +0000 http://powertochange.com/students/paganism-and-the-search-for-truth-and-proof/#comment-1286594 How has the author misunderstood Paganism Kelly? What corrections would you make? How has the author misunderstood Paganism Kelly? What corrections would you make?

]]> By: Kelly http://powertochange.com/students/paganism/comment-page-1/#comment-1265829 Kelly Tue, 01 May 2012 21:40:37 +0000 http://powertochange.com/students/paganism-and-the-search-for-truth-and-proof/#comment-1265829 I really hate when Christians try to talk about and explain something they really have no idea about. I really hate when Christians try to talk about and explain something they really have no idea about.

]]> By: <span class='mentorBadge' title='Doris is an official Power to Change mentor.' >Doris</span> http://powertochange.com/students/paganism/comment-page-1/#comment-817933 Doris Mon, 19 Mar 2012 18:35:21 +0000 http://powertochange.com/students/paganism-and-the-search-for-truth-and-proof/#comment-817933 Ghaladh, I really like what Jamie said in an earlier comment on this thread, that 'Christians speak with certainty because that is the way that Jesus Christ spoke. It was He who said, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father [God] except through me.” (John 14:6) For a follower of Jesus who accepts His claim to being Emmanuel (which means “God with us”) it stands to reason that he/she will have a lot of confidence in the uniqueness of their faith. ' So it's not about being more mentally flexible at all but about being certain. You are right that we will have to agree to disagree. Ghaladh,
I really like what Jamie said in an earlier comment on this thread, that ‘Christians speak with certainty because that is the way that Jesus Christ spoke. It was He who said, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father [God] except through me.” (John 14:6) For a follower of Jesus who accepts His claim to being Emmanuel (which means “God with us”) it stands to reason that he/she will have a lot of confidence in the uniqueness of their faith. ‘ So it’s not about being more mentally flexible at all but about being certain. You are right that we will have to agree to disagree.

]]> By: ghaladh http://powertochange.com/students/paganism/comment-page-1/#comment-781316 ghaladh Wed, 14 Mar 2012 19:08:46 +0000 http://powertochange.com/students/paganism-and-the-search-for-truth-and-proof/#comment-781316 Heidi: What you say can applied to your God as well. Can you ask to your God to make it rain right now? Honestly I have a intimate relationships with my Gods, as I am sure you have with your God. I respect your opinions: what I would like to see, is more mental flexibility amongst the believer of the monotheistic religions: as long as people do like you did (stating to be part of the only true religion...), there will never be a constructive exchange of ideas. We can only agree that we disagree. Heidi:
What you say can applied to your God as well. Can you ask to your God to make it rain right now? Honestly I have a intimate relationships with my Gods, as I am sure you have with your God. I respect your opinions: what I would like to see, is more mental flexibility amongst the believer of the monotheistic religions: as long as people do like you did (stating to be part of the only true religion…), there will never be a constructive exchange of ideas. We can only agree that we disagree.

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