Hey, less work for me =]
I’m glad you asked ainee, I would be very interested to follow that thread too. :teehee: I’m not pagan, and I don’t know much about it. But I definitely admire and respect your beliefs. 
willowangel, I am a physicist too, and I think your point of view is really interesting! When I was doing my undergrad, I had a prof who was convinced it was impossible to be a physicist and believe in God. For him, your job as a scientist is to explain the universe without any involvement from a god or any supernatural force. And if you believe in “something”, you will automatically be biased. I think his point of view is rather extreme, many physicists are religious and can do a very good job!
This being said, I would LOVE to see you two have a conversation about that! :teehee: And your explanation gives me a lot to think about. I totally see how you can link magic and physics!
It’s great that so many non-pagans here are so curious and cool.
I joined the yahoo group! I’m aleamilr
Wow! You are a fast worker!!!:out:
Iza - it’s something that has always been a pet issue of mine - to me, being a scientist is about keeping a completely open mind about any possibility. You’re supposed to go into experiments and research with an idea of what you’re looking for, but open to whatever causes it - if your mind is closed, then you’re risking missing major discoveries. So, from the same point of view, then closing your mind to a huge possibility, that we can’t disprove, then you’re not being scientific.
From my point of view, getting hung up on proving or disproving divine involvement isn’t going to get anywhere in science. Working out what the laws of our universe are is what’s important. My image of the divine is not as a ‘the earth popped into existence fully created’ idea, but that there is some intelligence, way beyond the comprehension of a human brain, that permeates the universe. It is the energy that is within and all around us - all matter is energy at a slow vibration, it is all energy. That’s what I think is the divine. That whatever it is set up the universe and its laws, and set it in motion. I think that science and belief easily coexist, because they’re about the same thing. I just think that science is about analysing the universe, however it came into being in the first place. I totally agree that science and new-earth creationism can’t coexist, but there are many, many more beliefs and religions that work easily with science.
I’ve actually known quite a few scientists who were atheists growing up cause they thought that was the proper scientific viewpoint. Once they got into university level physics, though, they found that they couldn’t not believe in an intelligent force, seeing the beauty of how perfect it all was, and that there are things that are so unlikely that, scientifically, intelligence is the most likely reason. So they don’t believe in a man on a cloud pointing at things, but do believe in an incomprehensible force behind things.
Lol, sorry, babbling again 
WillowAngel, You sound like me. Or I sound like you. or we sound like each other.
I’m pagan, and I’m a knitter!
Specifically, I celebrate the wheel of the year (per Wiccan traditions), though I don’t celebrate specific deities. I practice alone, I hand-make my incense, candles (when I have the time/inclination), and write my own rituals. It’s a constant project, and I love every minute of it.
Years ago, I tried to substantiate my beliefs by being an initiate of a traditional Dianic coven, but couldn’t wrap my head around goddess worship. So, back to solitary, undefined heathen-land for me! (Also, practicing skyclad wasn’t my thing…)
It’s so nice to belong to a community of many faiths – knitting folks are the best!
I am.
Been one for nearly 15 years.
I never really was one for any kind of organized church religion practices…they just didnt “feel” right to me…you know?
After high school, I went through a rough patch, and found myself drawn to paganism, and its nature loving, gentleness…and its acceptance. I never felt that way with other places I tried to fit it. Not saying that everyone feels that way, Im just saying that was my personal experience.
Ive only had one bad experience with someone insulting my choice of spiritual path…and it hurt me tremendously.
She is my sisters friend, and when she found out about my, via a small graphic on my Myspace page, she immediately told my sister I was going to hell, and my children would burn with me. :doh: Her ignorance shocked and upset me terribly.
And shes a devout Christian who claims to love all, and respect all because that is what she was taught.
But she will not respect me…she condemns me.
She even condemns me for talking about Stitch and Bitch. How its an AWFUL thing to be a part of, and she could NEVER be in a group with such a terrible name.
Yet she writes fan fiction that involves worse things than the words Stitch and Bitch. (very horrible things done to fictional characters that would have real people hospitalized, and arrested)
And I am the horrible person.
I dont understand it at all. But I digress.
I truely try to follow the rule of three…and realize that everything I do in my life will have effects and consequences…and I better be ready to reap what I sow.
I dont conjur up magic potions, or change shapes, but I do practice gem and candle magic, and believe in dreams and such.
For the longest time, Ive considered myself a solitary eclectic, just because Im not comfortable enough to join people at this stage in my life.
she immediately told my sister I was going to hell, and my children would burn with me.
that’s really, really awful. :shock:
i’ve known folks from all faiths respond to other beliefs with such despicable judgments. but then i remember that they’re on a journey, too; one that will (hopefully) foster acceptance for all walks of life.
[FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=3][COLOR=darkorchid]:waving:Just joined the Yahoo group! Come on, the rest of y’all! :happydance:[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]
i just joined as well, i’ll do my intro post in a second… need to go add more duct tape so my kids’ll stay on the wall (just kidding LOL)
I just keep reminding myself that eventually, she will become as accepting as she claims to be. That all her words are just that, words…
Untill then, I just avoid her, and if my sister has questions, I answer them as honestly as I can. 
This is all so interesting, I never really understood Paganism before. Thanks for posting this thread!
:oo:wonders who else will be popping out of the broom closet
:teehee:
runs off to join the yahoo group
lmbo
I’ve been out of the broom closet for many years… When i told my biological mother she called me a satanist and thenwhen i told her about the tribe she said "oh, more of your freak **** " My adoptive mom (i’ve made a family from my friends) is the Anbethuzyle (basically advisor) of the tribe and also has an Asatru background 
I’ve been very careful with what I tell my family. I think that most of the ones who know think it’s a “phase” (that’s lasted 10+ years). The others…I just don’t see it as any of their business. The family’s pretty well divided between catholics, agnostics & aethists anyway.
I find this thread very interresting… I’m very glad that you are able to discuss your beliefs here with being attacked. I guess I’m sort-of without a religion/belief. The closest I come is believing in the scientific reason for our being here. For a while I had my own little religion, I called it “biblical evolution.” I was brought up in a Christian household, but got so sick and tired of being told I was a sinner and I wasn’t good enough to go to heaven. No matter what you do, you’re still a bad person. My oldest and youngest both claim to be atheists but the youngest does believe in magic and self spirit. My second oldest doesn’t really think about it, and oldest dd used to attend youth group at the Baptist church with her friends until one night a counsellor(sp?) told her that no one loved her but God and that if she died right then, no one would care but God. That upset her so much that she’s not been back. Thanks for giving me some more paths to try.
Just wanted to say thanks again to all the KH people who’ve been so accepting - it’s always a risk for us to put something like this up, so thanks for being your usual selves and lovely about it
I’m mostly solitary too - I have some friends that I work with sometimes, we have parties to celebrate the seasons and do some rituals together, but it’s a very organic process where we all do what feels right, rather than sticking to specific rituals. I never felt a coven was right for me, or any organised group that had a hierarchal structure (I get that groups need to be organised but having a pyramid system wasn’t for me). I’ve seen way too much infighting and power struggles which kind of negates what it’s supposed to be about. I’m really happy with how it is for me now, and it’s nice to be going out with a pagan again - my previous partners were understanding but uninvolved in it, which was fine but kinda lonely sometimes, but bloke is very much the same as me in his beliefs and so we work quite well alongside each other
Fi xxx
i’ll be reading with interest too. i am christian, but a lot of what i know about paganism and nature worship (which isn’t a lot, so sorry if i use the wrong terms) seems very forgiving and … soothing? hmm. i have always been interested in it, i am not a practicing christian in that i don’t go to or participate in any church or services. just personal prayer. i think i am at a growing point in my life. thanks for sharing with us here!