The Forum Site - Join the conversation
Forums: Religion & Philosophy:
Religion

Nature Based Religions, Without Nature...

Reply to Topic
AuthorMessage
azrial_x On July 11, 2007




Blanchard, Oklahoma
#1New Post! Mar 21, 2006 @ 06:13:10
This is something that just confuses the heck out of me. I've met and have read about several followers of Nature oriented faiths that do not care to much for nature.

I'm not quite sure, even thought I'm Christian, but doesn't it stand to reason that in order to have faith in nature...one would need to "like" nature in the first place? I mean please stop me on this one if you disagree but it just doesn't make sense to me for someone that practices say "Wicca" yet hates to camp out under the stars or hates to go outside very often because of the elements.

It just confuses me, because I've been told by various Wicca?s, Druids, and Pagan's alike that their followers are called to their beliefs. So in turn, I would think a follower of a Nature based faith would be "called" by nature.

Lilly, I'm looking to you here darlin for some wisdom on it...
shaggyjebus On August 26, 2008

Deleted



Goodlettsville, Tennessee
#2New Post! Mar 21, 2006 @ 06:49:46
It does seem pretty stupid to be pagan and not like nature. After all, it's all about nature! How can you be akin to Mother Earth yet not want to sacrifice indoor plumbing?
lillymongoose On January 24, 2007




,
#3New Post! Mar 21, 2006 @ 14:05:20
@azrial_x Said
This is something that just confuses the heck out of me. I've met and have read about several followers of Nature oriented faiths that do not care to much for nature.

I'm not quite sure, even thought I'm Christian, but doesn't it stand to reason that in order to have faith in nature...one would need to "like" nature in the first place? I mean please stop me on this one if you disagree but it just doesn't make sense to me for someone that practices say "Wicca" yet hates to camp out under the stars or hates to go outside very often because of the elements.

It just confuses me, because I've been told by various Wicca?s, Druids, and Pagan's alike that their followers are called to their beliefs. So in turn, I would think a follower of a Nature based faith would be "called" by nature.

Lilly, I'm looking to you here darlin for some wisdom on it...




Wicca is a nature spiritualism; a way of living life (I purposefully do not use the word religion) based upon beliefs and rituals rooted in ancient practices. Wicca is a direct connection to the Ancient Ways which are in harmony with Mother Earth. However, one must realize that Wiccans are not to be seen as members of a religion. We share a spiritual basis with nature and the universe. Wiccans do not have a written creed to which the orthodox must adhere. Nor do we build stone temples or churches in which to worship. Our rituals are performed in the natural environment because it is nature to which we pay homage. How can one profess to be spiritually attuned to nature which is the very core of the belief if one does not love and pay respect the universe? To this I would respond, ?hmmm false idol?.

What you also have to realize is that in all religions there are people who claim alliance to that religion, not for the love of the religion and not for the belief system, more so to meet a certain self-gratifying purpose. In other words, a hypocrite...

You say, ?It just confuses me, because I've been told by various Wicca?s, Druids, and Pagan's alike that their followers are called to their beliefs. So in turn, I would think a follower of a Nature based faith would be "called" by nature.?

One is not born a Wiccan, a Christian, a Buddhist, etc. For Wiccans it is to sense the call of the Great Mother. Our ways are a foundation of the four seasons, the solstices and the equinoxes. If I cannot feel the heartbeat of the Earth beneath my bare feet then how can I feel the touch of my beliefs. What is there to guide my spirit?

I cannot speak for others who consider themselves to be followers of a Nature based faith. It is not my right to condemn anyone?s beliefs. For myself, if I do not embrace my true beliefs then I stand before you without any tenets. As a Wiccan I do not pray to some unnatural god beyond all experience. My life is dedicated to continually seek self-awakening together with balance and harmony to nature.

Today there are many neo-pagan and neo-wiccan sects. They each set up there on system of practice. Perhaps these are the ones you have encountered.

Did I answer your question?
alljive On March 03, 2007




trondheim, Norway
#4New Post! Mar 21, 2006 @ 14:13:48
Just like the weirdly coloured mongoose says, the varieties are endless.

There ARE wiccans that DO build temples of stone and DO follow a prescribed body of text. There are also those of nature based religions that only feel afinity for that part of nature that is considered "unnatural", the computers and the concrete and the chemestry, sometimes out of a sense that this part of natures spirituality is being neglected.

There is no true faith, no matter what name you look under, it will ALWAYS be individual.
azrial_x On July 11, 2007




Blanchard, Oklahoma
#6New Post! Mar 21, 2006 @ 16:07:16
Thank you...I agree Lilly, I think the people I talk to or know of that just aren't "nature" lovers per say but follow a nature based belief are "Neo-Pagens" or "Neo-Wiccans" of one form or another...people that follow for the sake of some "fad", rather than a calling of any kind...
lillymongoose On January 24, 2007




,
#7New Post! Mar 22, 2006 @ 17:55:54
I think its a good thing to wander around trying to find happiness. In reality this what most of us do.

We just get caught up in the day to day life and try to survive. Some people need an ideal to cling to for security the same as some people must constantly be in a relationship coz they can't stand to be alone.

There's nothing wrong with be outside a relationship. This is the way we learn who we are.

And I think maybe the same holds true for having a belief. Some people just need the security of knowing that they belong to something.

There's nothing wrong with saying, "I just dont know".
azrial_x On July 11, 2007




Blanchard, Oklahoma
#8New Post! Mar 22, 2006 @ 19:03:54
I thought you didn't consider it okay to be outside a relationship?

Of course I guess it depends on what kind of relationship you are talking about...
lillymongoose On January 24, 2007




,
#9New Post! Mar 23, 2006 @ 06:02:19
@azrial_x Said
I thought you didn't consider it okay to be outside a relationship?

Of course I guess it depends on what kind of relationship you are talking about...


Noooooooooo I consider it to be good to be outside a relationship. I believe a person needs alone time. Learn about yourself; time to grow and find out what makes YOU the self happy. We cannot depend on others for our happiness. We have to learn to make our own happiness.
In other words, I dont have to be in a relationship to consider myself whole, happy, and content.
azrial_x On July 11, 2007




Blanchard, Oklahoma
#10New Post! Mar 23, 2006 @ 06:08:13
I think we have to be happy with who we are individually and on our own. But being alone has never made me feel complete...I've only felt complete twice in my entire life and both times were within 5yrs of eachother.
cobber On July 22, 2006

Deleted
Banned



Rockhampton, Australia
#11New Post! Mar 23, 2006 @ 06:14:17
How can you be of nature spirituality without the reverence for nature is beyond me. All of my spirituality is drawn all of nature. Yep, including the very annoying mozzie's and such but without them, there is great loss.

That should not mean that one must cry when a tree is cut, as long as it is done within means. Taking what is needed and no more for we are all part of this cycle of life.

This cycle of life is a circle just like most spider webs. We walk our paths and our decisions will either entrap us within our fears, or lead us to a brighter path.
lillymongoose On January 24, 2007




,
#12New Post! Mar 23, 2006 @ 17:41:08
All life begins. Living things all have a moment at which they become "alive" ... awakened.

That beginning of life marks the first point on the circle of life. I personally recognize three circles of life.

The First Circle is the moment of being alive and self discovery.

The Second Circle begins once you are ready to move forward to seek discovery from others.

The Third Circle is a higher achievement. It is a monastic life dedicated to a chosen path.

Not everybody's sole reason for being is to further their spiritual being and it should never be compulsive or mandatory.
Reply to Topic<< Previous Topic | Next Topic >>

1 browsing (0 members - 1 guest)

Quick Reply
Be Respectful of Others

      
Subscribe to topic prefs

Similar Topics
    Forum Topic Last Post Replies Views
New posts   Religion & Philosophy
Thu Nov 12, 2009 @ 23:36
88 2890
New posts   Random
Wed Feb 27, 2008 @ 00:42
13 623
New posts   Photography
Fri Oct 26, 2007 @ 22:27
16 1546
New posts   Politics
Mon Jan 21, 2019 @ 01:26
13 3685
New posts   Politics
Fri Nov 12, 2004 @ 19:49
22 3423