My name is David, and what I said in my introduction is probably better here.

[David]

My name is David, and I'm a 26 year old American who lives in Florida. I have been many religions in the past, but I have not found peace in them.

I was a Pagan once before. I was Asatru (or identified as one at least) for a short period of time. I had a lot of trouble with the religion over some of the teachings that did seem compassionate enough for me. I mean no offense to anyone who is a Heathen who reads this. That was just my personal feeling.

I am saying that I'm an Eclectic Pagan, but I'm not satisfied with that, because I don't have any references to read up on. There is so much information that is considered pagan, and I don't know what to do.

This is what I know I believe right now (or want to believe). That there are gods//goddesses that are kind and loving. That these gods//goddesses hear//answer prayers and help people who reach out looking for help and are actual individual beings. That it is not a "do this or else" type of path//religion. That there is a great respect and or worship of nature. I believe that I have a spirit and that animals do as well. I don't think I can be a vegetarian right now however. I am also looking for a religion//path that focuses more on the gods//goddesses and myths//stories than I am about magic. I am personally not that concerned with magic, and I am not sure if I believe in it. I also am not able to practice any path with other people. I live in my parents house, and I am an online college student. My parents are Christian, and I am almost sure they would not support me in driving me to Pagan events. I do not currently have the funds for a car or for any kind of public transportation from where I live. I am looking for a path//religion as a way of comforting and enriching my life, and not a religion that is about following the rules or get punished. I also am very open minded about human sexuality. Also, I do not drink alcohol under any circumstances based on past substance abuse issues.

I really appreciate any suggestions about paths based on what I have written or just in general. Thank you everybody.

David

[Laveth]

My name is David, and I'm a 26 year old American who lives in Florida. I have been many religions in the past, but I have not found peace in them.

I was a Pagan once before. I was Asatru (or identified as one at least) for a short period of time. I had a lot of trouble with the religion over some of the teachings that did seem compassionate enough for me. I mean no offense to anyone who is a Heathen who reads this. That was just my personal feeling.

I am saying that I'm an Eclectic Pagan, but I'm not satisfied with that, because I don't have any references to read up on. There is so much information that is considered pagan, and I don't know what to do.

This is what I know I believe right now (or want to believe). That there are gods//goddesses that are kind and loving. That these gods//goddesses hear//answer prayers and help people who reach out looking for help and are actual individual beings. That it is not a "do this or else" type of path//religion. That there is a great respect and or worship of nature. I believe that I have a spirit and that animals do as well. I don't think I can be a vegetarian right now however. I am also looking for a religion//path that focuses more on the gods//goddesses and myths//stories than I am about magic. I am personally not that concerned with magic, and I am not sure if I believe in it. I also am not able to practice any path with other people. I live in my parents house, and I am an online college student. My parents are Christian, and I am almost sure they would not support me in driving me to Pagan events. I do not currently have the funds for a car or for any kind of public transportation from where I live. I am looking for a path//religion as a way of comforting and enriching my life, and not a religion that is about following the rules or get punished. I also am very open minded about human sexuality. Also, I do not drink alcohol under any circumstances based on past substance abuse issues.

I really appreciate any suggestions about paths based on what I have written or just in general. Thank you everybody.

David

 
*points at introductory post*

[David]

*points at introductory post*

I said it was my introductory post in the title of this thread.... I thought it was more appropriate to put here based on what is said.  I can delete it though if there is a problem.

[Laveth]

I said it was my introductory post in the title of this thread.... I thought it was more appropriate to put here based on what is said.  I can delete it though if there is a problem.

 
Didn't say problem, said my response was in your introductory thread. :p

[David]

Didn't say problem, said my response was in your introductory thread. :p

I am sorry Laveth that I overreacted.  I didn't understand what you meant.  Thank you for your response, and I will consider more as to what to believe in.

[Nyktelios]

This is what I know I believe right now (or want to believe). That there are gods//goddesses that are kind and loving. That these gods//goddesses hear//answer prayers and help people who reach out looking for help and are actual individual beings. That it is not a "do this or else" type of path//religion. That there is a great respect and or worship of nature. I believe that I have a spirit and that animals do as well. I don't think I can be a vegetarian right now however. I am also looking for a religion//path that focuses more on the gods//goddesses and myths//stories than I am about magic. I am personally not that concerned with magic, and I am not sure if I believe in it. I also am not able to practice any path with other people. I live in my parents house, and I am an online college student. My parents are Christian, and I am almost sure they would not support me in driving me to Pagan events. I do not currently have the funds for a car or for any kind of public transportation from where I live. I am looking for a path//religion as a way of comforting and enriching my life, and not a religion that is about following the rules or get punished. I also am very open minded about human sexuality. Also, I do not drink alcohol under any circumstances based on past substance abuse issues.

 
Hi David,

The thing about pagan traditions is that they really don't require specific beliefs, and "paths" are not necessarily mutually exclusive. Paganism of the past was more about worshiping gods within a cultural context, not organized systems of beliefs, ethics, and practices. Many cults within one culture contradicted each other, which was not seen as problematic. You don't necessarily need to find a specific path. I would recommend researching deities to find one or more you feel a connection to, and see where they lead you.

There are many deities associated with nature and positive sexuality who are kind and loving. As a follower of Isis, she is the deity that sticks out in my mind. Vanir gods of Norse tradition might be of interest to you, since you mentioned you had previously practiced Asatru. The Olympian gods of Greece definitely are not the kind and caring gods you are interested in, except maybe in the context of mystery cults like that of Demeter and Persephone. You may also be interested in a tradition like Wicca. The popular witchy books do make a lot of magic and super cool spellz, but in its true form, it is a nature-based tradition that honours sexuality as the life force and emphasizes a personal relationship to the gods.