Church & Religion

Where was this, carolyn?!

Well my ex-hub #2 ran into this at times...he lived in Chicago, northern Virginia & then eventually Kansas.  It was usually the result of a line of conversation...with the Christian in the conversation, upon learning of his atheism, making a leap from 'oh you don't believe in god' to assuming that because of this -- he was quite obviously being deluded (or tempted? or led astray?) by the devil and so on to Satan worship from there. Wheeeee!  Getting them to grasp the concept that one who doesn't believe in god also doesn't believe in the devil or Mickey Mouse or whatever often proved rather difficult.

Of course...now for some strange reason, the cowardly lion in the Wizard of Oz has just come to mind..."I do believe in spooks, I do believe in spooks; I do, I do, I do, I do, I do, I..."

carolyn - yeah the poopshoot of America, a.k.a  Mississippi can kiss my ass as of August 1. 

The weirdest thing that ever happened to me was at one of those crazy shaking in the aisles churches where they speak in tongues and stuff.  I had agreed to go to a revival with one of my coworkers (i felt sorry for her) and didn't realize it was a crazy church.  I must have looked startled because the preacher looked right at me and said:

"BROTHAS AND SISTAHS WE HAVE AMONGST US A NOOOOOOOOOOOON BELIVAH!!!!!!!!"

i thought i was going to get mobbed so I ran out.

Hee hee!  That's a great story.  The church I grew up in was pretty typical Midwestern I'd say...moderate in its views & worship.  One time -- some of the church's more evangelical fringe folks had arranged for some special musical group to come in & do a series of concerts/preachings/etc.  (Revival? well I don't remember it being called that per se)  Our pastor (trustingly) went along with the plan.  Once the outfit was in full swing -- it clearly became apparent that these were more of the crazy shaking in the aisles kinda people.  To say that our congregation was taken a bit aback was something of an understatement!  (Of course, I have conjured a mental image of them sitting their with their eyes popping out & hair standing on end -- our normal congregation, that is.)  Our poor pastor sat himself in the back pew, shaking, with his head in his hands.

I think some ppl in general that are not from the US don't get the level of involvement in the church and the extremes ppl go to related to religion in America, particularly in the bible belt. I will have to have steve read this thread to get a handle on some of the things of which I speak sometimes when I discuss religion w/ him.

Once the outfit was in full swing -- it clearly became apparent that these were more of the crazy shaking in the aisles kinda people.  To say that our congregation was taken a bit aback was something of an understatement!

While I agree that those people are sort of "crazy" people ... actually, to my way of thinking, it's no more unbelievable than what's considered regular, normal church activity. I guess none of it will ever make any sense to me.

You know...(evil thought- no wait! that's ok 'cause I'm not religiious)...people in the States could have a lot of fun calling that toll free number to ask for help!   I mean, some ultraconservative outfit IS footing the bill for that toll free number.  Mwooo haa haaa haa haa!!!  (If you can't beat 'em - bankrupt 'em)

Ooooh, you are evil! Evil but brilliant! My BF does the same thing with annoying unsolicited post -- you know, where they include a postage paid envelope? He figures they're going to have to pay for postage, so why just throw it all away and let them off the hook? He sends back whatever happens to be on his desk at the time -- from scrap paper to banana peels from his lunch!

Even though I don't go to church now, I do have to say that I did love my church.  As a youngster, they took us to every other kind of church, religious group that they could find in the area (northeastern PA) so that we could see that the central message of many religious groups was similar.  We were taught that church was about community...and that it was okay if you didn't come to church every week even though they'd miss your company.  I never once heard a message of hatred or anything like that - if anything it's all about love and support.  They've done a great job with hiring really good people to work at the church.  I think if I was with someone who was Christian and could find a similar church with a similar message, then I'd go back. 

My church life has been...varied to say the least.   

Mom was Catholic and dad was...a biker.    When I was younger we were pretty involved in the Roman Catholic Church (I still remember fasting hehehe), and I was even confirmed.  However, right before I was confirmed the priest made a pass at me in confession...so confirmation was my last attendance lol.

Mom always taught me to think for myself, and was very encouraging when I tried different churches.  I went to a Baptist church for awhile (because of a lovely Christian woman I met at the library) but the hypocrasy of most of the people I knew there was a huge turn off. 

I attended a Methodist church for awhile, with similar results. 

At 16 I had a vision (make of that what you will...) and decided I was pagan.

I still dabbled about (Methodist Church was around this same time period - so a bit of overlap) because I like to be *sure* of things.  (Probably why I want to be an engineer lol...) 

When I was in the Military I attended Morman services (they were off base and gave us icecream...it was a popular church! hehehe).  They were lovely people.  My friends (who were members) wanted me to get baptised in the church, but I didn't feel that the respect I felt for them (and their faith) was sufficient reason...but then I lost a bet (with god...) and got baptised anyway.  Lol.  Still not sure what I was meant to learn from that. 

After leaving the military and going through what the Chinese would call "interesting times" - I was certain that I was a pagan of some description, although I couldn't have given you a specific path (except maybe eclectic wiccanish...which isn't really a path lol).

Moving to Iowa, I started attending CUUPs ceremonys at the local Unitarian church - and some of the church services as well.    It made a strong impression on me, and I would like to raise my (hypothetical future) children in that sort of church.  As well as dragging them along to my own celebrations for as long as they're interested. 

After moving to the UK - I explored by pagan path further...and ended up in a rather unexpected place.  In late 2002 I (almost literally) stumbled over Heathenry (or Asatru if you prefer).  The more I learnt, the happier I was.  Nearly 3 years into it, I've never been happier (or more content) with my choice of faith.  I'm a proud Thorswoman, but I honour the other gods as well.  I'm actually known by other heathens around the globe (which is a very strange feeling).  I've written a few songs which are rather popular with the locals.  I've found kindred spirits, and real friends in the UK.

Heck, even my hubby likes me being Heathen...and he's agnostic. 

So yeah...a brief (religious) history of wench. 

Sorry about that...

Oh - and as to people asking you strange things in the bible belt...I grew up in Georgia...and was accused of being a devil worshiper...when I was still Catholic.     That said, there are daft people everywhere, and they aren't restricted to any one faith!

After moving to the UK - I explored by pagan path further...and ended up in a rather unexpected place.  In late 2002 I (almost literally) stumbled over Heathenry (or Asatru if you prefer).  The more I learnt, the happier I was.  Nearly 3 years into it, I've never been happier (or more content) with my choice of faith.  I'm a proud Thorswoman, but I honour the other gods as well.  I'm actually known by other heathens around the globe (which is a very strange feeling).  I've written a few songs which are rather popular with the locals.  I've found kindred spirits, and real friends in the UK.

Man, you have had an interesting spiritual journey, haven't you!!!? I thought I was bad ... a half-Muslim child going to Catholic school and hanging out with BAC friends in the deep south!

Anyway, tell me more about Heathenry. I've never heard the term Asatru. Am I woefully unenlightened? Have others heard of it? What are the core beliefs? How do you practice it?

I dunno Belindaloo - yours sounds pretty fraught too!   

Heathenry varies (like most faiths) from individual to individual.  I'll just cover a few things (I'm at work...hehehehehehe).  It's a polytheistic (man I hope that's spelled right) faith, meaning we honour many gods.  The gods themselves can be drawn (again this varies from Heathen to Heathen) from more Northern areas (the Norse, Swedes, etc), Pan-Germanic, Anglo-Saxon.  The tribes tended to get around. 

You might recognise some of the names...Thor, Odin, Freya, Frigga, Hel, Heimdall, Loki, Tyr,  etc. 

In general community values and individuality (hey it works for us...) are important factors.  A respect for nature and honouring of your ancestors play a part as well. 

As a general rule we don't worship the gods, but consider them to be more...on a personal level - like distant relatives (some people take this more literally than others) that we know and like, but don't see too often.  Are gods are not all knowing or all powerful, but they can do a pretty darn good impression of both (at least compared to us mere mortals!).

Many Heathens tend to find their path almost by accident - usually when they're researching something else... And that research tends to continue, some call it the "religion with homework".   

Quite a few Heathens tend to find links with their heritage playing an important part in their faith - but it's not necessary to be from Europe to be drawn to it.  An appreciation of the culture and history can be just as big a draw.  The first Heathen I met was a black lady named Holly - so I can attest that we get all sorts.    I figure if they'll take me they'll take anyone!   

Hmm...

Sorry, this is turning into a bit of a book. 

Let me know if you want to know more, I can certainly send you some links to webpages that describe it with a great deal more elegance that I can provide. 

Let me know if you want to know more, I can certainly send you some links to webpages that describe it with a great deal more elegance that I can provide. 

Please do! I'm not saying you're going to have a convert on your hands, but I'm always interested in learning new stuff.

I think the things you've mentioned -- community values, individuality, respect for nature, honour for ancestors, etc. -- are already important in my life, and probably in others' lives as well. I just don't know if I could get my head around having gods (whether it's only one or a bunch of them) in my life.

Very interesting, tho! Thanks for sharing!

I think the things you've mentioned -- community values, individuality, respect for nature, honour for ancestors, etc. -- are already important in my life, and probably in others' lives as well.

I've always admired Native American spirituality for these reasons.

LOL!  Don't feel bad...sometimes I'm not sure I can get *my* head around having gods in my life!  Especially when I keep getting random ideas...

I get random ideas anyway - but sometimes you get one and think "waitasecond...I didn't think that!"

Example = Just got off work, sitting at a roundabout, happily anticipating finishing my drive and getting home my mind popped out "I should paint a portrait of Loki!" - this was immediately followed by the thought "wtf???"

I don't generally have much to do with Loki, and I certainly don't paint male portraits (they always end up looking like women anyway lol) - so it was a bit beyond random.

I'm not saying the gods speak to me per se - just occasionally you'll find yourself doing / thinking something that is a bit...out of character - and can be laid to one of their doors.  

I've always admired Native American spirituality for these reasons.

I'll second that.   

Never heard of heathens, but I have heard of pagans. Very interesting to see that it stems from Europeans roots. I love history and religion is a huge part of that. So, suffice to say, just like Belindaloo, I would like to learn more, if only for pure curiosity.

For Belinda & Pitt (and anyone else who was curious) - a few links. 

Heathens for Progress is UK based
http://s8.invisionfree.com/HFP/index.php?act=idx

From the BBC (this was written by members of the yahoo group ukheathenry - I even helped with a few sentences!)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/paganism/subdivisions/heathen.shtml

And a starting place for many new heathens (or those simply curious about it...)
http://www.asatru-u.org/beginner/asau-beginner-outline.htm