Outlaw393 Posted March 25, 2011 Share Posted March 25, 2011 Sup guys. I've been thinking about leaving Christianity for years, mostly for another Pagan religion like Asatru, Hellenism or Wicca. My biggest problem in trying to leave the church behind is my 1. Thoughts that I can get my former faith in Christianity back and 2. Lack of groups and fellowship in my area with Pagans of any kind. Apparently the church, with the many people I have seriously gotten to know, provides something for me in the fellowship and support I receive from the members of the church. I can't say I 100% disbelieve in everything, but I have serious doubts, and many of my religious and political beliefs directly conflict with those of the church. In my personal experience, I have experienced Odin as more real than Jesus. I even took Odin's mark. Dedicated 100%? Sure, if only I could leave the church. Oh how I wish I could find a kindred or a coven around here. What do you guys think? Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thurisaz Posted March 26, 2011 Share Posted March 26, 2011 It sure can be hard to find fellowship, considering that heathens don't tend to be too numerous compared to the morontheists. I rarely meet "my folks" in person either, most contact is via the web. Some can live better with it than others can, and fortunately I seem to belong to the former group. That said, if you feel drawn toward Asatru, you may want to check out The Troth. That site got my journey toward Asatru going years ago; I'd think there's some option there to establish contact with some Asatruar as close to you as possible Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J.W. Posted March 26, 2011 Share Posted March 26, 2011 "Fellowship" hmmmmm.... ritualized brainwashing can be found at any political rally-- confession can be found at AA-- the spirit of worship can be found at a porn convention-- but if you want fellowship you should sign up for a hiking class at your local community college. A whole class will be stuck with you through several trips into the wilderness. Thats my thoughts on the matter-- good luck 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Foxy Methoxy Posted March 26, 2011 Share Posted March 26, 2011 The term "pagan fellowship" reminds me of the pictures of Alexandrians running around a circle holding hands. Could never tell if it was a group ritual or nudists playing ring around the rosie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Outlaw393 Posted March 27, 2011 Author Share Posted March 27, 2011 That said, if you feel drawn toward Asatru, you may want to check out The Troth. That site got my journey toward Asatru going years ago; I'd think there's some option there to establish contact with some Asatruar as close to you as possible Thanks for your reply and suggestion. However I'm not real keen on paying membership dues to an organization that I doubt I'd be real active in anyways, since central WI tends to not have ANYTHING or ANYONE in way of Pagans of any shape, size, or species. lol. Driving about 300+ miles for a ritual is a bit extreme. An organization I'm involved with via Facebook has a Heathen meet and greet in northern MN, but it's at least 4 hours away from me. Plus it costs over $65, and is spread out over 3 days. Yikes. Anyways. Yeah. It sucks. Tons of kristjan churches but nothing for Heathen/Pagan covens/kindreds/circles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phanta Posted March 27, 2011 Share Posted March 27, 2011 Are you married to a particular kind of paganism? I have been getting into kirtan...which is an I-don't-know-what tradition and earth-based pagans (who do maypoles and celebrate the seasons changing). Is being part of that type of community appealing? If so, look up "kirtan" or the names of one of the solar holidays...maybe there is a small, informal group near you, as here. Phanta Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Outlaw393 Posted March 27, 2011 Author Share Posted March 27, 2011 Are you married to a particular kind of paganism? I have been getting into kirtan...which is an I-don't-know-what tradition and earth-based pagans (who do maypoles and celebrate the seasons changing). Is being part of that type of community appealing? If so, look up "kirtan" or the names of one of the solar holidays...maybe there is a small, informal group near you, as here. Phanta I'm not real big into eastern religions or anything related to hinduism. I am almost exclusively an Odinist and I follow the Norse pantheon. I used to follow other pantheons but for the most part don't anymore. I have been known to rarely deal with the Greek pantheon. For example I have Zeus and Artemis on my altar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phanta Posted March 27, 2011 Share Posted March 27, 2011 Are you married to a particular kind of paganism? I have been getting into kirtan...which is an I-don't-know-what tradition and earth-based pagans (who do maypoles and celebrate the seasons changing). Is being part of that type of community appealing? If so, look up "kirtan" or the names of one of the solar holidays...maybe there is a small, informal group near you, as here. Phanta I'm not real big into eastern religions or anything related to hinduism. I am almost exclusively an Odinist and I follow the Norse pantheon. I used to follow other pantheons but for the most part don't anymore. I have been known to rarely deal with the Greek pantheon. For example I have Zeus and Artemis on my altar. Gotcha. Well, I wish you luck finding your people. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SleeplessGhost Posted March 28, 2011 Share Posted March 28, 2011 Have you tried meetup.com? They might have some pagan groups in your area, although you may have to drive 50-100 miles to find them. I must admit that I have more or less given up finding a coven in my local area, but if you keep searching you might find something you like. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Outlaw393 Posted March 28, 2011 Author Share Posted March 28, 2011 Have you tried meetup.com? They might have some pagan groups in your area, although you may have to drive 50-100 miles to find them. I must admit that I have more or less given up finding a coven in my local area, but if you keep searching you might find something you like. Thanks for the suggestion. Yes, I checked. Nope, didn't find anything pagan related anywhere in the state. Lots of New Age things though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lunaticheathen Posted March 30, 2011 Share Posted March 30, 2011 Fellowship is always an issue with pagan religions. Even when I found other pagans in my area, I rarely found anyone who followed the same tradition. Pagans these days are far-flung and a wiley bunch. I had to move two states away to get near an ounfu I could participate in (Vodou, and no, that wasn't the only or main reason I moved). I'm also involved in Kemetic Orthodoxy (Ancient Egyptian), but the only fellowship I get there is online. The main House is in Illinois. I have spent most of my years in various pagan traditions totally solitary. Try finding any pagan in Alabama. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Outlaw393 Posted March 30, 2011 Author Share Posted March 30, 2011 Fellowship is always an issue with pagan religions. Even when I found other pagans in my area, I rarely found anyone who followed the same tradition. Pagans these days are far-flung and a wiley bunch. I had to move two states away to get near an ounfu I could participate in (Vodou, and no, that wasn't the only or main reason I moved). I'm also involved in Kemetic Orthodoxy (Ancient Egyptian), but the only fellowship I get there is online. The main House is in Illinois. I have spent most of my years in various pagan traditions totally solitary. Try finding any pagan in Alabama. Well there are events, like one in northern Minnesota this summer, but it's a four hour drive one way. The event goes 3 days and costs over 60 bucks. I HATE driving long distances. Yuck. Plus the 3 days thing is a bit much. I'm not a big fan of camping out for too many days, I can't survive without my technology. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lunaticheathen Posted March 30, 2011 Share Posted March 30, 2011 I can understand cost - but the drive, just make a kick-ass mix cd! Well, I don't mind long drives, or camping. There aren't one-day tickets? Most pagan meets I've seen have those. Otherwise, online might just be your best bet. Like I said, I can only contact my Kemetic people online. They do have a New Year's retreat coming up (Kemetic new year is the rising of Sirius), but I have no car, it's over 12 hours away, and it's over $200! Of course, that includes days of workshops, rituals, a couple of meals, and other odds and ends. Sadly, I can't make it to that, but I do ok with my personal worship and online contacts. Often, for the modern pagan/heathen, you have to cultivate a lot of inner spiritual strength, and not have it rely on the whole "fellowship" thing. Of course, it's wonderful to be surrounded by people who have the same spiritual interest you do, but if you really, in your heart, believe in your god(s), you don't need them. Christians try to tell you that you do, but you don't. I speak from personal experience. It's only in the past 3 years I've been able to be in physical contact with fellow Vodouisants, and I find my strength of belief isn't all that affected. I carry my gods/loa with me. They know me. Fellow people are wonderful, and it's great to take advantage of the opportunity to share with them, but they are not necessary for your to know your god(s). Peace and strength on your path. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rev R Posted March 30, 2011 Share Posted March 30, 2011 Often, for the modern pagan/heathen, you have to cultivate a lot of inner spiritual strength, and not have it rely on the whole "fellowship" thing. Of course, it's wonderful to be surrounded by people who have the same spiritual interest you do, but if you really, in your heart, believe in your god(s), you don't need them. Christians try to tell you that you do, but you don't. I speak from personal experience. It's only in the past 3 years I've been able to be in physical contact with fellow Vodouisants, and I find my strength of belief isn't all that affected. I carry my gods/loa with me. They know me. Fellow people are wonderful, and it's great to take advantage of the opportunity to share with them, but they are not necessary for your to know your god(s). +5 I was a solitary pagan and am still solitary as a Zennist. I like it that way. It's my experience that when the group forms that is when the tribe dynamic settles in. If you aren't completely down with the party line then there will be issues. The same holds for cyberspace. Better to only have a couple of folks whom you respect and trust to support you than a large community of folks where you have to constantly watch your back or always involved in a power struggle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deva Posted March 30, 2011 Share Posted March 30, 2011 [i was a solitary pagan and am still solitary as a Zennist. I like it that way. It's my experience that when the group forms that is when the tribe dynamic settles in. If you aren't completely down with the party line then there will be issues. The same holds for cyberspace. Better to only have a couple of folks whom you respect and trust to support you than a large community of folks where you have to constantly watch your back or always involved in a power struggle. I agree that the group situation is a bit problematic. It is really the same in every organization. Eventually you will come up against the unspoken expectations - the party line being one of them- and it usually won't be pleasant. This is why I stay on the margins of the groups I am affiliated with and don't want to become one of the "regulars". I am finding my way and only participate in what I feel comfortable in participating in. I am not interested in a lot of one-upsmanship and power plays. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Outlaw393 Posted March 31, 2011 Author Share Posted March 31, 2011 This issue finding fellowship is probably my primary reason I am still affiliated with Christianity and have had problems trying to get out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lunaticheathen Posted March 31, 2011 Share Posted March 31, 2011 This issue finding fellowship is probably my primary reason I am still affiliated with Christianity and have had problems trying to get out. Huh. I honestly don't identify with this at all. Maybe because I never really "fit in" at church. My beliefs are mine, not a group's. Maybe you should find what YOU believe, not what a group believes. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Outlaw393 Posted March 31, 2011 Author Share Posted March 31, 2011 Huh. I honestly don't identify with this at all. Maybe because I never really "fit in" at church. My beliefs are mine, not a group's. Maybe you should find what YOU believe, not what a group believes. Not many people "identify" with my situation. I decided a while ago that I didn't want to be any longer involved with paganism of any sort and just be Christian, if I could not find any fellowship within paganism itself. However I can't just end my connection to my gods nor their ability to call me. And part of me will always believe in the gods. I attend a conservative christian church. However there are many discrepancies between what I believe and what they believe. I'm not even sure about Christianity itself. But I feel drawn in that direction too and hence why I'm there in the first place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
♦ Fuego ♦ Posted March 31, 2011 Share Posted March 31, 2011 I've found the local New Age rock shop to be a nice meeting ground. We met a medium there, and my wife has taken a lot of classes from her and met lots of other women in energy-healing and hypno classes. The place is run by a guy with shaman leanings, and their energy practitioners range from professed witches to "just" Reiki masters. It's a fun place to go just to chat, and I usually buy something to help them stay in business. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Outlaw393 Posted March 31, 2011 Author Share Posted March 31, 2011 I've found the local New Age rock shop to be a nice meeting ground. We met a medium there, and my wife has taken a lot of classes from her and met lots of other women in energy-healing and hypno classes. The place is run by a guy with shaman leanings, and their energy practitioners range from professed witches to "just" Reiki masters. It's a fun place to go just to chat, and I usually buy something to help them stay in business. We don't have anything like that around here though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lunaticheathen Posted March 31, 2011 Share Posted March 31, 2011 Honestly, I don't see how you can be both at the same time, especially in a conservative church. Something has to give. Far be it for me to push you in one direction or another, but if you feel the call of the gods, and it's only people (who can be famously fake in a church situation) keeping you in christianity, well, strike out on your own. But, you have to make your decision on your own. Best of luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Outlaw393 Posted March 31, 2011 Author Share Posted March 31, 2011 Honestly, I don't see how you can be both at the same time, especially in a conservative church. Something has to give. Far be it for me to push you in one direction or another, but if you feel the call of the gods, and it's only people (who can be famously fake in a church situation) keeping you in christianity, well, strike out on your own. But, you have to make your decision on your own. Best of luck. I've heard many say "something has got to give". But that's not true. I've been walking this path (researching many religions, unable to find one to fit me) for over 5 years. It's just within the last 1-2 years that I feel comfortable where I am. Attending a christian church but still believing in Odin, Thor, Loki, etc... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lunaticheathen Posted April 1, 2011 Share Posted April 1, 2011 Then why ask about pagan fellowship? You said it was what you needed to "break free" from christianity. Are you comfortable in church or not? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Outlaw393 Posted April 1, 2011 Author Share Posted April 1, 2011 Then why ask about pagan fellowship? You said it was what you needed to "break free" from christianity. Are you comfortable in church or not? I have to quote myself in an earlier post. "I attend a conservative christian church. However there are many discrepancies between what I believe and what they believe. I'm not even sure about Christianity itself. But I feel drawn in that direction too and hence why I'm there in the first place." No, I'm not 100% comfortable. How could I be? I'm a polytheist in a monotheist's church. They believe in Christ unquestioningly and I can't. They are bible literalists and creationists and I'm not. They believe in Satan, Hell, Heaven and Angels. I can't say I believe in Satan, Hell, or Angels. Not sure any of that exists. I believe in reincarnation, starpeople, UFOs/aliens, auras, chakras, ghosts and the power of meditation. They don't. I read tarot cards and toss runes. They think that's of the Devil. I have seen Odin and Loki in my dreams. They don't believe in either because they are demonic false gods. I feel like a black sheep sometimes because I think their belief in the "Holy ghost" might be the rising of human energy to make people dance, laugh, "get happy" and speak in tongues. They believe it's the spirit of God himself coming down. I have short hair, because I hate long hair. They believe women should grow out their hair, and if they do they are blessed by God. I wear pants because they're more comfortable. Many of the women wear skirts ALL YEAR ROUND even in the cold freezing winters. One more thing: Regarding ANY pagan gods...I don't think they care about me. Because honestly since I started following Odin seriously I have had so many bad things happen to me it's not even cool anymore. Anyways. I think I made my point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Midnight-mindwanderings Posted April 3, 2011 Share Posted April 3, 2011 You can see if there is a Unitarian Universalist church near you. It won't be people just like you, but it should be open to your beliefs and you could find other individuals like yourself. UU frequently has christian undertones but in a much more all encompassing way and usually incorporates different religions. I don't know where you are exactly, but in a google search I found one in Wassau and there is a website that lists the groups. http://cmwd-uua.org/index.php?option=com_wrapper&view=wrapper&Itemid=172 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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