religious crisis?

Question

So i'm going through a religious crisis sort of for a few weeks now.

I've tried christianity, that didn't work for many reasons, i had been a christian since i was 9 till 14 and i realised it wasn't the way for me.

I've tried wicca, I was comfortable with it more then christianity it complimented the buddhist philosophy very well and i become more open minded and tolerant. The only thing that kind of disapointed me was the vast amount of sites and people who were just in it for the "magic and mystery" appeal.

I don't know, i want to go back to paganism. I just don't want to be wicca. Anyone here who struggles with finding your niche in the belief systems? I want faith, i want structure and paganism fits my beliefs but where should i start looking for more information on it that has everything well organised?

Don't say google because i've tried and came up with tons of "cast spells 4 free" crap.

ah i forgot. Books would be very appreciated too

Answer 1

If it were me, I would just let it rest for a while. Its really hard to just decide you are going to be a certain religion and then be it. Just approach life with an open mind and heart and maybe your right place will find you.

dabunny

Answer 2

The Triumph of the Moon: A History of Modern Pagan Witchcraft - Ronald Hutton

Witchcraft Today - Gerald B. Gardner.

Witch Crafting: A Spiritual Guide to Making Magic - by Phyllis W. Curott

Positive Magic - Marion Weinstein

Book of Shadows - Phyllis Curott

The Second Circle - Venecia Rauls

Evolutionary Witchcraft - T. Thorn Coyle

Witchcraft: A Concise Guide - Isaac Bonewits

Way of Four - Deborah Lipp

Answer 3

I have been stuggling too. I havent converted to anything yet, but I am ocnsidering Sikhism, Islam and possibly hinduism.
Sikhism is more flexible than Islam with the western world, but there are small problems I have with it such that reverance of the holy book. Hinudism has some montheism in it, but I dont know which one is the One. Islam is very straight forward, but I'm not sure about Jesus not being the Son of God etc.

Religious tolerance.com has a ton of essays of different religions, including various pagan religions. Also you should maybe consider something polytheistic like Asartu or Greek Religion, taht might fit your like of philosophy. And you should stay away from any sites devoted to only one religion, they are usually extremely biased to either get you to convert to or hate that religion.

A good thing I do is jsut read some holy books and decide which one you agree with most. You might also want to look around at the sources for the Wikipedia pages for the religion you are considering. Those are usually fair and balanced.

Good luck.

Answer 4

Well, there's more to Paganism than just Wicca - and more to Wicca than just the neo-Wiccan "woo-woo" that it appears you encountered.

My first recommendation would be to get a good book that surveys a number of Pagan religions - something like Margot Adler's "Drawing Down the Moon". It's a little dated, but it'll give some basics. Then, I'd recommend hitting someplace like Beliefnet.com, or some place with a diverse Pagan population, so you can ask questions and get a variety of answers. That should help give you a couple of better options for starting points.

Answer 5

It does sound a bit confusing.
If you have Buddhist beliefs, is there a reason that you don't fully embrace Buddhism?
You say that you want to return to a pagan religion. Have you considered Traditional Wicca? It has more structure than eclectic paths. Some people flourish with structure and some without. This is my favorite Yahoo group on the topic of Traditional Wicca:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/amberandjet/

Perhaps you would be more comfortable in a Reconstructionist pagan religion. This describes Recon faiths and has quite a few links for more info at the end of the essay:
http://www.thetroth.org/memsvc/stewards/flyers/benw/reconflyer.pdf
This is a more updated site on Celtic Reconstructionism than the one they provide:
http://paganachd.com/faq/index.html
More links about various Reconstructionist pagan religions:
http://www.silver-branch.org/ssbbiblio/ssbbibpa3.html

Answer 6

Your question sounds alot like you're asking for medicine to cure a cold. "What kind of cold remedy works for you?" But the need for religion and spirituality is not like a cold that can be cured with another person's home remedy. A religion is firstly and foremostly a set of *personal* views and beliefs about how the universe works. You should not feel pressured to decide which religion you are and then force your beliefs and practices to conform. Instead, take your time. What resonates with you? Do you believe in one male God who rules over earth like a protective and angry father, who sacrificed his only begotten son for the good of all who believe? Or do you believe in gods and spirits everywhere, in all things, from which you can draw energy that you can use to change yourself and the world around you? In the end, the dogma is all that really differs in the different world religions. Most of the world's faiths all teach the same fundimental concepts:

1) Respect the world and respect life
2) Respect yourself
3) Harm none, not even yourself.

10 commandments, Wiccan Rede, the teachings of Buddah, when you break them down, they all say the same basic things- "Be a good person."

Religion, then, is ultimately a tool that helps you connect with the universe and the world around you and humanity on a spiritual level, much like the ritual tools and trappings of each individual faith (the cross for christianity, the wand for pagan religions, for example). Religion, and religious symbols, are reminders, really. The power is within you already to connect to Deity however you see it. You don't need a specific religion to open your mind and heart to those teachings, but sometimes it helps.

Answer 7

You know I really understand but I think you are putting too much pressure on yourself to adapt to a "label". Why don't you just try figuring out what you believe and let it go. Try these

Simple Taoism- C. Alexander Simpkins
Buddhism for Dummies
Buddhism Plain and Simple- Steve Hagen
Complete Idiots Guide to Taoism

And try reading some basic Wiccan books for the solitary practice.
Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner -Scott Cunningham

The spells are not really that crucial to Wiccan. Understand the fundamental elements of the religion before you get into the intricate practices and rituals.

The first step for me was coming up with my own beliefs. I figured out what I felt in my heart was true before I decided on what label that was. And yes if you are young the majority of Wiccans just love the magik and spell casting part. But religion is not a group activity but a relationship with your spirtuality. By the time you hit your mid-20s, those who are still Wiccan are serious about their convictions.

Answer 8

Picking up on what "angels have the cell field" mentioned -- There is tale in which a person took his "realistic" son to synagogue over the objections of persons who mentioned he's going to simply disrupt offerings. For a time, the son simply sat there taking all of it in, then he was once conquer with emotion, took out a flute and started to play that emotion out. When persons complained, the rabbi came visiting and mentioned that his realistic attempt to arrive out together with his center was once probably the most robust prayer there that day. Pray along with your center -- cry, yell, inform God the whole thing you're feeling On the opposite hand, we (Jews) do not simply pray for the think well. We name prayer "avodah" (paintings) -- day-to-day, ordered prayer the best way we do it may be tough paintings (typically, it will probably also be paintings you would as a substitute get out of) For a hindrance like you've, prayer on my own would possibly not do it For a hindrance like you've, many intelligent Jews (and fairly a couple of intelligent non-Jews) constructed Therapy. If you had ordinary complications or belly aches, you might most likely take tablets and cross to a health care professional. If you've psychic suffering -- Find a Psychologist and manage the underlying disorders which can be preserving you in hindrance.

Answer 9

Pagan may be too much for you, you don't like complexity and restriction right! So why don't you try Buddhism with Mahayana branch! This one is very lenient. The goal of normal people is that they may become better, gentler and more merciful so that they can live in harmony with everything! May be it fit you since magical appealing is not an issue here!

Answer 10

The only thing I can offer is find as many books on other pagan paths as you can. I am not wiccan and I know how hard it is to find non-wiccan things but it can be done. It took me several years to find the path that was right for me but I finally did and I've never been happier. You could try witchvox.com and ask around about other paths, write to people who are not wiccan. Good luck. If you need to you can contact me and I can try to help.

Answer 11

Don't feel bad... what you experienced with the people who use Wicca for their egos made me a bit nauseous too, which is why I turned completely to Buddhism, and kept my shamanism which doesn't disagree with Buddhist teachings.

YOU must do what works best for you. Remember, you'll have people in ANY religion using it for their own egotistical agenda, you have to cultivate YOUR mind to be at ease, no matter how the wind "blows". Do what teaches you altruism and wisdom and work with it... be Wiccan, pagan, whatever... and best wishes to you.

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