How I Came to be a Pagan

Merry Meet Everyone!

I will start out by explaining to you that my mother is a Jehovah’s Witness, and I grew up as such. My father died when I was 4, so she was a single parent. She finally let me quit going to the meetings when I was around 13 years old. However, I had known long before then that wasn’t the religion for me. It had never felt right for me. There were just too many things that contradicted each other or just simply made no sense to me.

Even as a young child I was put off by the fact that this 'loving God and Father' would send his 'disobedient' followers and/or children into an 'everlasting hell' with his nemesis, the Devil, no less.

Please don't take what I'm saying in a bad way. There are a lot of religions out there that have that belief or one that is very similar. I am in no way saying that they are wrong to believe that. I'm simply saying that is not the way that I believe.

It has taken me a great many years to be able to move past that part of my life and realize that there was a religion out there for me. I simply had to be willing to look for it and be able to have an open heart and mind to receive it.

None of the more “common” religions were for me, I felt the same way about many of their thoughts and ideas as I did Jehovah’s Witness’s. Simply too many contradictions, bigotry, and entirely too judgmental for my way of thinking.

I believe that everyone has their own path to follow, and that one path cannot be the same for everyone. Everyone in this world has different tastes in food, entertainment, clothing, and many other things. If everyone was the same, it would be a very boring world indeed. Yet we are supposed to believe that there is one “true” religion that suits everyone? I’m sorry, I simply cannot believe that. I respect everyone’s right to their own way of living their life. I don’t tell anyone else what food to eat, or what clothes to wear, or what hairstyle I think that they should have, so who am I to tell anyone what religion they should have? I am not here to judge anyone, I am here to live my life in the best way that I can for ME.

I had previously read about Wicca , but at the time I was just not ready. About a year ago I started reading more about it on the internet and getting books at the library. This time I was ready. My heart and mind were ready to accept religion into my life. The more that I read about it, the more I went “Yeah, that’s exactly it.” I haven’t looked back since.

I have spent a lot of time researching, reading, and thinking about what I believe. It's taken me quite awhile to discover what I truly believe and to fit those pieces together. Even now I have yet to complete the puzzle. I know, however, that I am on the right track and that I have all the pieces available to me. It's simply a matter of discovering where all those pieces fit.

Although now I consider myself a Pagan and not necessarily a Wiccan, because I really do not follow a specific sect. I have become very eclectic and follow a very nature based path. I suppose I am probably closer to a Druidic path that anything. Not many people know about my religious preference. The only people that know about my being a pagan are my sister, my husband, my daughter, a couple of my daughters friends, and a few people at the Center for Spiritual Living of Greater Dayton that I attend.

I haven’t told many people because there is still such a stigma when it comes to Wicca, Witchcraft, and Paganism. I’m alright with that. I know that I have my connection to the Divine, and that’s what truly matters to me.

I hope that everyone can feel as positive about their religious beliefs as I feel about mine. If you don't, perhaps it's time to explore the other religions out there. There are so many different faiths and beliefs out there to explore. Do not be afraid of getting out there and exploring all the different beliefs out there. Especially now, there are so many places where this information is readily available to everyone.

Don not simply be a bystander in your religious beliefs. Find your path and follow it with your heart, mind, and soul. You are sure to discover what it truly means to be happy and blessed.

I can tell you that this has been a truly enlightening period of time for me. I do truly feel blessed by the Divine.

Blessed Be