What is my religion?

Question

We have a form to fill in at work to ensure there is no discrimination and one of the questions this year is religion. I realise that this can be an emotive issue, so please respect the following points when you answer:

I am in UK - religious freedom and tolerance is not an issue.
I am not here to debate the existence of a god.
I am not here to "rubbish" any belief system and would appreciate it if you did not do the same.

I have always considered myself an athiest. I do not believe a a supreme creator with His reward system, but I do believe that there is an energy in the world which keeps things going and I think that as a race, Humanity has lost touch with its natural place in the world and that we need to respect our environment and the natural cycle. Does that make me a Pagan? I am not sure what the difference is between Wicca and Pagan; I assume one is an offshoot of the other, but I do not do rituals as such so I don't think Wicca really applies in this case.

Answer 1

Possibly agnostic?

Answer 2

In the UK there is a catch-all phrase which, to the official mind, means 'doesn't know, undecided, could be anything' And that is Cof E. It actually stands for Church of England but it can be just something you put down because there is the space on the form.
Doing that would give you some breathing space to go and do some serious thinking if you want to.
You could start with a book called The Worlds Living Religions - sorry, can't remember who wrote it.
If you don't want to actually take up a religion, and why should you?, C of E would get you off the bureaucratic hook.
Good luck,
Jon C

Answer 3

Agnostic maybe an accurate name, as atheists don't believe in any form of divine.

You would not be considered Wiccan by most since you do not practice rituals, nor know much about it. It is an offshoot of Paganism, which is an umbrella term for nature based religions and belief structures.

If you have a strong belief and connection to nature, you could be considered Pagan, but I would do more research and see for yourself what you feel holds true for you.

BB
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Answer 4

You could go with Pagan, agnostic or spiritual. Agnostic's the one most people are going to understand, although I think spiritual would be closer to what you actually feel.

Pagan generally implies the worship of a particular god or set of gods, so you might not want to go that route. You are definitely not Wiccan, as that is a particular branch of Paganism which involves rituals and beliefs that you don't seem to have. (Kind of like all Anglicans are Christians, but not all Christians are Anglican, if that makes any sense.)

Answer 5

Wicca is a neopagan religion, which means it draws from pre-Christian and pre-Judaic practices. From what you've stated in your question, it does not sound like you actually practice (or rather, perform or otherwise engage in) any rites, rituals, or observances of either Wicca or Paganism. You have expressed a belief system not necessarily a religious affiliation. If I were completing the form (and if I were you), I would indicate atheist since you stated you have always considered yourself so. There's not harm in stating you have "no religion." Just my thoughts.

Answer 6

Wow! You should look up and re-search Paganism. Paganism is an inclusive term that for Earth based "religions". They believe in a Deity or a pantheon. I would consider you "spiritual but not religious"

Answer 7

Secular Humanist

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secular_humanism

Answer 8

Perhaps if you don't know what you are... agnostic applies? Otherwise, I would say you should go with athiest.

I call myself agnostic because my beliefs tend to be athiest with an opening to possiblities. I just haven't found a possibility I agree with yet.

I hope that helps.

Answer 9

If you believe that there is an energy in the world....... have you never think who creats this energy? Anyway according to your belief you are Logical Naturalist.

Answer 10

Sure try pagans. They're nice open-minded folkes.