One confused Pagan!!

[Grimble]

Hi folks,

My story is long so I’ll try not too go into too much detail!

But I’ve been a practicing Pagan for 10 years which has helped me through a very dark part of my life and has given me strength in our community.

Even though our Pagan community is abundant with members and I have a very active role in organising I feel I’m just playing and have a lack of depth to my religeon.
I get great joy (and fear) in visiting churches to meditate and it seems meditation is a key that keeps me level headed. I also pray & contemplate too, here I find my peaceful bliss (Wishing to stay). And it’s because of this that I have an interest in the Catholic Church and I’m listening to an audio version of the Catechist.
I listen with interest & curiosity although I’m not really sure why!

I do have the problem of thinking too much and this causes me no end of difficulties, It sometimes feels like I’m searching for God? and do have this emptyness.
I have suffered from Anxiety & Depression for many years altough the depression is not too much of a problem now but fear is!

I guess that sometimes I fear life! or letting go of something, making choices etc. etc. just going round in circles and getting wound up in my head. And as you can imagine this go’s for all the aspects of my life too. Ahhhgg!

I’m looking for thoughts on this, yes I know more thoughts for me to think even more about! But I’m looking at the Catholic’s perpective on this I suppose and everything helps.

Thanks for reading and have a happy bright day!!!

 

[lizaanne]

I listen with interest & curiosity although I’m not really sure why!

It’s because the Holy Spirit has wonderful and amazing ways of calling us to Him.

Welcome to this site!! I’m afraid I am quite busy with work today and can’t respond too much, but I hope others will make you feel at home here and answer your questions.

May God bless you in your quest for understanding of the Truth!

~Liza

 

[pigtown]

I agree with Lizaanne that the Holy Spirit is trying to lead you to the truth. You are confused because you know that your Pagan religion is not the place to find the truth. Write down a list of questions you want answered, talk to a priest and ask him to help you with the answers. If you can get a copy of the Catholic Catechism you may even find answers to some of your questions. You don’t have to be confused any longer. There is help for you and there are people who care. You have started on the right road; now it’s time to continue to move forward.
Good luck and God bless you.

 

[vee8]

I get great joy (and fear) in visiting churches to meditate and it seems meditation is a key that keeps me level headed. I also pray & contemplate too, here I find my peaceful bliss (Wishing to stay). And it’s because of this that I have an interest in the Catholic Church and I’m listening to an audio version of the Catechist.
I listen with interest & curiosity although I’m not really sure why!

My diagnosis. Shepherd Jesus is after you. It is He present in the Eucharist at the churches you visit that keeps you going back. Besides He likes your company and wants you there. So what are you supposed to do? Follow Him.

 

[CalCatholic]

It took me 46 years to discover Jesus Christ’s Church (Catholic Church). I spent many years not thinking about Jesus at all. But then I started getting this feeling that I should be going to church, I
didn’t know why, but the feeling would not go away. This went on
for about 4 years and it got a lot stronger in the last year. I finally
went to a Borders bookstore and started reading Bibles and
Christian literature. I finally answered ‘the call’ and went to a
Sunday Mass at a Catholic Church near me. I went every Sunday
for about 4 months, then I inquired about becoming Catholic and
went through the R.C.I.A. program. There I learned about the
Holy Spirit, who was the source of my ‘constant calling.’ Good
luck and God bless you!

 

[FightingFat]

Questions, questions eh? I think that’s very human and a great way to find yourself is to keep asking and searching! Feel free to get in touch via pm if you want to Grimble!

 

[utunumsint]

Hi folks,

My story is long so I’ll try not too go into too much detail!

But I’ve been a practicing Pagan for 10 years which has helped me through a very dark part of my life and has given me strength in our community.

Even though our Pagan community is abundant with members and I have a very active role in organising I feel I’m just playing and have a lack of depth to my religeon.

You know, this was the same experience of many people in the Roman Empire during the first four hundred years of Christianity. What was it about Christianity that was so appealing to these pagans? There was no social pressure for them to convert.

I believe it was the social aid that the poor were given through Christian charity. The poor in the Roman empire, and elsewhere, did very little to aid the poor and the sick, the orphaned and the widow.

Christianity also levelled the socially stratified Pagan world. The rich worshipped in the same place as the poor. It was, in fact, explicitly forbidden to treat people more favourably based on social and economic status. This gave the poor a sense of dignity that was not present in the pagan Roman social and economic system. The pagan religion did nothing to address these ills.

Christianity also did much to aleviate the brutality inherent in the Roman Pagan world view. This may have contributed to the fall of Rome, but so what if it did. Maybe Rome was due for a fall.

Just some thoughts to add to the discussion…

I get great joy (and fear) in visiting churches to meditate and it seems meditation is a key that keeps me level headed. I also pray & contemplate too, here I find my peaceful bliss (Wishing to stay). And it’s because of this that I have an interest in the Catholic Church and I’m listening to an audio version of the Catechist.
I listen with interest & curiosity although I’m not really sure why!

Peace and bliss are illusive things in this world. I wish I had more of that.

I do have the problem of thinking too much and this causes me no end of difficulties, It sometimes feels like I’m searching for God? and do have this emptyness.
I have suffered from Anxiety & Depression for many years altough the depression is not too much of a problem now but fear is!

I know what you mean.

I guess that sometimes I fear life! or letting go of something, making choices etc. etc. just going round in circles and getting wound up in my head. And as you can imagine this go’s for all the aspects of my life too. Ahhhgg!

I’m looking for thoughts on this, yes I know more thoughts for me to think even more about! But I’m looking at the Catholic’s perpective on this I suppose and everything helps.

Thanks for reading and have a happy bright day!!!

Faith, hopefully, is somethign that will give you peace. Faith, hope, and love. But at the center of the Christian faith is Love. The physical manifestation of that love is Christ. All of the teachings and tenants of Christianity are geered towards this end, and sometimes this is forgoten, even by those who practice the faith.

As Pope Benedict says, our hearts are geered towards a love that cannot pass away, that conqueres death, that promisses a permanent and eternal bond. There is nothing in this created world that can claim this kind of permance. No loved one, no creatures, no institutions. Only God can fill this need. And the love he offers is not grudging, or hatefull, but abundant, life giving, with the promise of eternal life.

More thoughts… I hope this helps.

God bless,
Ut

 

[srferdave]

Hi folks,

My story is long so I’ll try not too go into too much detail!

But I’ve been a practicing Pagan for 10 years which has helped me through a very dark part of my life and has given me strength in our community.

Even though our Pagan community is abundant with members and I have a very active role in organising I feel I’m just playing and have a lack of depth to my religeon.
I get great joy (and fear) in visiting churches to meditate and it seems meditation is a key that keeps me level headed. I also pray & contemplate too, here I find my peaceful bliss (Wishing to stay). And it’s because of this that I have an interest in the Catholic Church and I’m listening to an audio version of the Catechist.
I listen with interest & curiosity although I’m not really sure why!

I do have the problem of thinking too much and this causes me no end of difficulties, It sometimes feels like I’m searching for God? and do have this emptyness.
I have suffered from Anxiety & Depression for many years altough the depression is not too much of a problem now but fear is!

I guess that sometimes I fear life! or letting go of something, making choices etc. etc. just going round in circles and getting wound up in my head. And as you can imagine this go’s for all the aspects of my life too. Ahhhgg!

I’m looking for thoughts on this, yes I know more thoughts for me to think even more about! But I’m looking at the Catholic’s perpective on this I suppose and everything helps.

Thanks for reading and have a happy bright day!!!

Hey Grimble,

I too suffer from Anxiety and Depression. And I can totally relate to your questions about everything. I am the same way, I question everything.

I also used to have fear. I had the deepest darkest fears I think a person could have. But as I’ve been growing closer to God, and realized how important He is in my life, that fear has been deminishing. It’s actually been turning into to joy at times. And the closer I get the better it gets. I don’t want to get into my story too much, I just want to let you know I think I’m coming from the same place as you.

Do you ever feel like there has to be something more? And, the more you think about there not being something more to this life makes you more and more depressed?

Good news is… I think you are headed in a direction that will give you more joy that you ever thought possible.

 

[RLT]

Welcome Grimble,

I suggest reading up on the Saints and the History of the Church. You will learn about the Early Church Fathers, who set the basis of what we believe even before the Bible existed. You will learn of the Saints, many of whome were pagans, that ultimately became champions for Christ and his Church. You will learn of how the Holy Spirit has been and is always present and has worked through His saints. You will learn of the Church’s perseverance and her (name removed by moderator)act in western society and how She was intrumental in the survival of western civilization. Hopefully this will inspire you and give you a good idea on how Catholicism isn’t just another denominination but the Truth.

 

[Lion_of_Narnia]

Welcome Grimble!

From someone who has studied neo-paganism, including some of its more sophisticated writers (Hutton, Adler) and some of its more dippy (Starhawk, Ravenwolf) spokeswomen, I have a good idea of what you are going through.

The prime difference of believing the claims of Christianity in general (and the Catholic Church specifically) from those of paganism is that there is **only one honest reason for believing the claims of Christianity—**because it’s TRUE

Not because we are a collection of interesting, unconventional counter-cultural types who are into the accepted social mores and trends of the moment (enviromentalism, feminism, gay rights, women’s ordination, “reproductive rights”, etc…).

We adhere to our faith because we hold it is true–That Jesus of Nazareth is the Incarnated Second Person (the Son) of the Eternal Triune God, that his birth, life, death and resurrection actually happened in history, in a historical time and place and that He founded a Church (ONE Church, not many churchs teaching differing "truths’) that exists today and continues Jesus’s teaching to this day. That self same Church is Christ’s chosen means for spreading His Grace through humanity, to save us from sin and eternal death.

Home is in sight–the Truth shall set you free.

 

[Nickkname]

Everyone seeks God because God is the source of perfection and happiness. Hence, everyone seeks to live a Godly life, even before they articulate it. This seeking is natural, too, for God placed it in man’s heart. He created man in His Own Image, so man seeks to become like God, to become perfect and happy through, with, and in God, even before they articulate it. This is the truth, and hence, this is what the Catholic Church teaches.

 

[Rawb]

I’m not going to tell you to convert, or that this is the Holy Spirit leading you, whatever my beliefs may be on the subject.

I am going to give you one piece of advice, and if you follow through, a lot of things will be explained to you.

Pray the rosary. It’s a meditation, which is why I recommend it to you, you mention you enjoy meditation. As you pray and as you dwell on the mysteries and ask our Blessed Mother to help you in whatever aspect of your life you find yourself needing help with, a lot of things will start to fall into place.

If you need help on how to pray the rosary, just ask. My blog has a post on the rosary that goes into the meditative aspects of it.

athanasiusagainsttheworld.blogspot.com/2008/05/body-and-soul-of-rosary.html

The rosary is a very deep, comforting prayer.

O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee!

 

[cheese_sdc]

Hey Grimble. I’m actually a former Catholic who has been attending Unitarian Universalist services since February of this year.

My personal thinking is this:

Right now, I understand that the Divine can reach us through many different ways and all religions can teach us something about It. There may be something in Catholicism that you need at this moment. Don’t be frightened of searching in Catholicism because it is a different tradition - Truth can be found in the most unlikely of places.

 

[blacktiger057]

Right now, I understand that the Divine can reach us through many different ways and all religions can teach us something about It. There may be something in Catholicism that you need at this moment. Don’t be frightened of searching in Catholicism because it is a different tradition - Truth can be found in the most unlikely of places.

---

I agree with this too. You don’t even have to leave your Pagan path completely behind. Incorporate what works for you from eahc tradition to get the most benefit. Or maybe you need to leave Paganism behind, or maybe not. Whatever works onn your spiritual path!

Namaste!

Blacktiger

 

[uglygal]

Hi folks,

My story is long so I’ll try not too go into too much detail!

But I’ve been a practicing Pagan for 10 years which has helped me through a very dark part of my life and has given me strength in our community.

Even though our Pagan community is abundant with members and I have a very active role in organising I feel I’m just playing and have a lack of depth to my religeon.
I get great joy (and fear) in visiting churches to meditate and it seems meditation is a key that keeps me level headed. I also pray & contemplate too, here I find my peaceful bliss (Wishing to stay). And it’s because of this that I have an interest in the Catholic Church and I’m listening to an audio version of the Catechist.
I listen with interest & curiosity although I’m not really sure why!

I do have the problem of thinking too much and this causes me no end of difficulties, It sometimes feels like I’m searching for God? and do have this emptyness.
I have suffered from Anxiety & Depression for many years altough the depression is not too much of a problem now but fear is!

I guess that sometimes I fear life! or letting go of something, making choices etc. etc. just going round in circles and getting wound up in my head. And as you can imagine this go’s for all the aspects of my life too. Ahhhgg!

I’m looking for thoughts on this, yes I know more thoughts for me to think even more about! But I’m looking at the Catholic’s perpective on this I suppose and everything helps.

Thanks for reading and have a happy bright day!!!

The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want, He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

The Lord God is drawing you to him

 

[jean8]

Hi folks,

My story is long so I’ll try not too go into too much detail!

But I’ve been a practicing Pagan for 10 years which has helped me through a very dark part of my life and has given me strength in our community.

Even though our Pagan community is abundant with members and I have a very active role in organising I feel I’m just playing and have a lack of depth to my religeon.
I get great joy (and fear) in visiting churches to meditate and it seems meditation is a key that keeps me level headed. I also pray & contemplate too, here I find my peaceful bliss (Wishing to stay). And it’s because of this that I have an interest in the Catholic Church and I’m listening to an audio version of the Catechist.
I listen with interest & curiosity although I’m not really sure why!

I do have the problem of thinking too much and this causes me no end of difficulties, It sometimes feels like I’m searching for God? and do have this emptyness.
I have suffered from Anxiety & Depression for many years altough the depression is not too much of a problem now but fear is!

I guess that sometimes I fear life! or letting go of something, making choices etc. etc. just going round in circles and getting wound up in my head. And as you can imagine this go’s for all the aspects of my life too. Ahhhgg!

I’m looking for thoughts on this, yes I know more thoughts for me to think even more about! But I’m looking at the Catholic’s perpective on this I suppose and everything helps.

Thanks for reading and have a happy bright day!!!

grimble,
Your alone in your paganism. Perhaps that’s why your hurting.
I have a passage for you from the word of God.

"God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life."Jn.3:16 This verse is often called the’ Little Gospel.’ Because it’s true.

God the Father sent his Son, Jesus Christ to die on the cross for the sins of mankind. He loves you, He loves the world. We come to the Lord by grace through faith. Eph.2:8-9
Try it. :“Pray, simply say " God I need you, help me.” He’ll be with you forever, all it takes is your step of faith.

God bless you,
jean8

 

[latin_rite]

Hi folks,

My story is long so I’ll try not too go into too much detail!

But I’ve been a practicing Pagan for 10 years which has helped me through a very dark part of my life and has given me strength in our community.

Even though our Pagan community is abundant with members and I have a very active role in organising I feel I’m just playing and have a lack of depth to my religeon.
I get great joy (and fear) in visiting churches to meditate and it seems meditation is a key that keeps me level headed. I also pray & contemplate too, here I find my peaceful bliss (Wishing to stay). And it’s because of this that I have an interest in the Catholic Church and I’m listening to an audio version of the Catechist.
I listen with interest & curiosity although I’m not really sure why!

I do have the problem of thinking too much and this causes me no end of difficulties, It sometimes feels like I’m searching for God? and do have this emptyness.
I have suffered from Anxiety & Depression for many years altough the depression is not too much of a problem now but fear is!

I guess that sometimes I fear life! or letting go of something, making choices etc. etc. just going round in circles and getting wound up in my head. And as you can imagine this go’s for all the aspects of my life too. Ahhhgg!

I’m looking for thoughts on this, yes I know more thoughts for me to think even more about! But I’m looking at the Catholic’s perpective on this I suppose and everything helps.

Thanks for reading and have a happy bright day!!!

At least you’re looking at the Church teachings in what seems a rational and respectful manner. Which i think that says a lot of positive things about your personality.something a lot of people whether they are pagan, atheist or even a non catholic Christian seem unable to do. (yes a lot of us too when it comes to other denoms).
I don’t know what your final decision will be, i suppose only God and you know that. but what ever it is, at least you can say you gave the teachings of the Church teachings a fair hearing.

 

[IanCorrigan]

But I’ve been a practicing Pagan for 10 years which has helped me through a very dark part of my life and has given me strength in our community.
Even though our Pagan community is abundant with members and I have a very active role in organising I feel I’m just playing and have a lack of depth to my religeon.

I’d start by asking what your Pagan practice consists of. Much of neopaganism is so very individualistic and unstructured that it can be possible to self-identify as ‘Pagan’ without actually committing to anything at all, except perhaps to the community, and to Pagan organizing, as you say. But organizing without personal spiritual practice is no more profitable in Paganism than it is in Christianity, where many folks make the mistake of focusing on the social life of their church and neglecting their own spiritual life.

I get great joy (and fear) in visiting churches to meditate and it seems meditation is a key that keeps me level headed.

Any well-established holy site, of any religion, is likely to produce those sorts of feelings in an open-hearted visitor. The issue with Neopaganism, being brand-new as such things go, is that we haven’t yet established those sorts of permanent temples, groves and shrines. One method of creating that effect for yourself is to establish a personal devotional shrine in your own home. By making a place of beauty and peace devoted to the Gods you can approach them in the same way you might approach ‘God’ in a Christian church.

It sometimes feels like I’m searching for God? and do have this emptyness.

Being a Pagan, I’m not sure what you mean by ‘God’, but I’ll guess you mean the presence of the divine. There’s no reason you can’t find that in a Wiccan circle as surely as in a Christian sanctuary.

**I have suffered from Anxiety & Depression for many years altough the depression is not too much of a problem now but fear is! I guess that sometimes I fear life! or letting go of something, making choices etc. etc. just going round in circles and getting wound up in my head. **

Do you practice meditation? I don’t just mean contemplation of pleasant things, but mental discipline in which you practice control of thought and reaction. That’s the most reliable way to defeat irrational anxiety, imo.

Spirituality is a part of the grand pattern of nature - it is a various as trees or flowers, and each of us must find the sort that pleases us, to be at peace and happy. If Roman Christianity does the job for you, then dive in, but I’d suggest looking in greater depth at Pagan options too, since you’ve been involved in those ways for these many years. Feel free to contact me if you want to talk.
Nine Blessings
Ian

 

[Lion_of_Narnia]

I agree with this too. You don’t even have to leave your Pagan path completely behind. Incorporate what works for you from eahc tradition to get the most benefit. Or maybe you need to leave Paganism behind, or maybe not. Whatever works onn your spiritual path!

Namaste!

Blacktiger

Yep, not even “cafeteria” faith–more like smorgasboard–one ultimitley destined for producing spiritual indigestion.

 

[IanCorrigan]

Yep, not even “cafeteria” faith–more like smorgasboard–one ultimitley destined for producing spiritual indigestion.

Actually, I agree - it is always better to choose a specific system and work it whole-heartedly than to choose bits of this and that - especially for beginners, or uncertain students. A highly skilled piano player might make something beautiful out of a combination of classical, barrelhouse and jazz, but most folks would just make a mess.
Ian