Welcome to UK Pagan

For me the religion springs from my ethics and not vice versa. Respecting the gods is like respecting the environment and other humans.

I suppose the practice of making charitable donations as offerings is a spin-off. Tomorrow is the festival of Artemis, so the London Wildlife Trust benefits. Would I have thought of giving if I weren't a polytheist? I'd like to think so, but perhaps not.

And there are practical benefits to me from hand-on gods like Asklepios.

What do I get out of it...?

Principally, freedom.  Freedom to think, to experience, to go my own way and to stick up two fingers and the doctrinal "we know better than you and you must agree with us" types.  Been a part of that.  Never underestimate the value of freedom.

Also, a sense of mystery.  I don't mean in some sort of "ooh - I'm so occult and strange..." way.  Rather, it gives the latitude for me to explore my own mind, psyche, whatever you want to call it, whether logically, emotionally or meditatively, and to seek to synthesise these.

Of course! 🙂 

6 hours ago, Pearlbrook said:

I definitely connect with that idea on an emotional level, and would love to hear your thoughts on it.

Yes but let's see a few other responses first.

20 hours ago, Moonsmith said:

Yay Pealbrook.  Starter's Orders is the perfect place for a question like this.  It is the only thread that we allow outsiders [Guests] to see.  As well as being of general interest it is a showcase for the Valley.  I quite often point outsiders here.

What do I get from my Paganism?

An explanation for the existence of the universe that suits my way of thinking and which is founded on thoughts, ideas and principles that accord with my philosophies.  A bloody good fit.

My Paganism carries no commandments, no sin, no guilt, no faith and no self [or other] judgement.   Right action, by my own tenets, is my contribution to my beliefs not the result of them.

As I've said elsewhere, learning, trying to understand how the universe works is the most important function that I can perform.  In doing this it is important that DNA is nurtured so that the learning continues, hence my three legs of rectitude.      Oh - those are on a different thread.

Sorry to repeat them for those who only read them two days ago.

• Act legally
• Act socially and
• Act with kindness.

Thanks for the post.

 

Thanks, Moonsmith! If you don't mind me asking:  thinking back to when you first considered yourself a Pagan, how did you come to really formulate these ideas into a cohesive reality? Was there a process? And you say that the most important function for you is to understand the nature of the universe - can I ask what makes this the principle role for you? I definitely connect with that idea on an emotional level, and would love to hear your thoughts on it.

Hi Moonsmith,

As our views on good and evil etc are subjective and speaking for our own selves (I've been writing about my own view of these matters only rather than speaking on behalf of society in general) do you include yourself in the statement that you made that people are not free to review their thinking about general concepts like good and evil?. If so doesn't this contradict what you're saying about learning the power of your own thoughts, choosing your own way?

Also if you have become heretical and that is acceptable to our society why do you not see reviewing your ideas of good and evil to be acceptable to society?

As regards opportunity and motivation to do this sort of work - yes I think it is serious spiritual work but then there are many people who have put thousands of hours into their spiritual practice. We spend time doing what we need and want to do. That is a given. 

Each of us can ask ourselves whether we can spare some time each day to do some introspection. Why would they? That is for each us to answer not me on anyone else's behalf. If people are happy with their situation then that's ok.

 

Edited April 17 by Earthdragon

Yay Pealbrook.  Starter's Orders is the perfect place for a question like this.  It is the only thread that we allow outsiders [Guests] to see.  As well as being of general interest it is a showcase for the Valley.  I quite often point outsiders here.

What do I get from my Paganism?

An explanation for the existence of the universe that suits my way of thinking and which is founded on thoughts, ideas and principles that accord with my philosophies.  A bloody good fit.

My Paganism carries no commandments, no sin, no guilt, no faith and no self [or other] judgement.   Right action, by my own tenets, is my contribution to my beliefs not the result of them.

As I've said elsewhere, learning, trying to understand how the universe works is the most important function that I can perform.  In doing this it is important that DNA is nurtured so that the learning continues, hence my three legs of rectitude.      Oh - those are on a different thread.

Sorry to repeat them for those who only read them two days ago.

• Act legally
• Act socially and
• Act with kindness.

Thanks for the post.

 

Edited April 17 by Moonsmith

4 hours ago, Earthdragon said:

In either event can you relate the above comments to the lack of freedom to choose our own thinking that you describe in the Dark Side thread?

Of course!

The dark side thread refers to the very general concepts of good and evil, light and dark held by "people" [unspecified].  We are agreed in that thread that these concepts are subjective and vary with cultures and contexts.

I doubt whether many individuals consciously act in ways that they believe to be evil.  They will always rationalise and see justice in their actions. Why should they review their thinking?   Societies look across borders and sometimes perceive evil in those who are not of their kind; as might those looking back.  In general individuals in those societies are neither free nor motivated to look beyond their learned thinking for all the real and perceived reasons that we have discussed..  To do so might even be dangerous.

 

This thread refers to my thinking which has been jolted out of its complacency by accident and by association with other societies and changed in ways permitted by my own.  This post was my own thinking and advice to an individual.  Yes, circumstance and liberalism coupled with inclination  may allow a few of us the luxury of introspection.  Even in a liberal society most of us are far too busy for that. 

Edited April 17 by Moonsmith