@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?