I was once a Christian. From as young as I can remember I held on to my faith, it was rock solid, at one time unshakeable. It held firm no matter what environment I was placed into, no matter how out numbered I was. I was never one to try and force my opinions onto others, could not understand people trying to force their opinions upon me. I was firm in what I believed, but never thought my truth was the one and only truth, or the only correct one, but it was mine.
In truth most of my outlooks still hold true for me today, as they did when I was a Christian, only now I look at things from a Pagan point of view. I still respect everyone else’s outlooks. Still accept that I understand so little, but I also understand that everyone else understands so little too, and that statement goes for everyone; the Pope, the head of any church you wish to mention. They, like me must be true to themselves. How I wish they could all accept differing faiths. Yes there has to be a certain limit to what we can all tolerate as acceptable, any belief system that allows or wishes harm onto anyone I have no time for. And if it harm none, then so be it.
When I was a Christian, I bent the faith all out of shape to fit my changing views, then I came to understand that Paganism fitted my views like a glove, no bending required; but it was still hard to walk away from my Christian faith.
When I was a Christian, I bent the faith all out of shape to fit my changing views, then I came to understand that Paganism fitted my views like a glove, no bending required; but it was still hard to walk away from my Christian faith.
I went through many of the torments that committed Christians go through when they abandon their faith; you know this kind of logic..."Am I losing my soul?", "Will I be forever condemned?"...But, I realised, if I no longer believe in Father, Son and Holy Ghost then none of those fears are real anyway, so there is nothing to fear.
But, what if I am wrong?
Will my soul burn?
Hmm...maybe I should cling onto my faith no matter what? But then I lie to myself. So what? Lie...it's better than burning! But if God sees everything, he knows I am lying...so do I burn anyway? There can only be one course of action:
TO THINE OWN SELF BE TRUE!
I am not a Christian. Now I am content to say that, I am not afraid to say that. I am Pagan, in love with nature and the world around me, in love with my creator, peaceful and content.
So there we have my short story on faith, freedom and being true to oneself. Let me leave you with this thought:
So there we have my short story on faith, freedom and being true to oneself. Let me leave you with this thought:
I am not afraid of you or your faith, nor would I ever want to try and change you.
Real freedom is not afraid to let others be free too
To visit the Pagan Heart forum, please click here.
To visit the Pagan Heart website, please click here.
