religion
Posts about religion, skepticism, and how it fits into the scientific world.
Statistical Data on Pagans
Pagans are varied in sizes, shapes, and colors. There are more of us now-than-ever-before, as right-wing Christians are becoming the minority in these modern times. A 2008 Pew Forum survey included New Age believers as well as neopagans, between 200,000 and 1-million, or 0.1% to 0.5% of the population. We pagans come in all sorts packages, too, with every pagan having a theology of their own depending on what they are studying. There are quite a few pagan belief systems this article will explore today. Wicca began in 1964 through Raymond Buckland, who got initiated at Gardener’s Isle of Man to gain initiation. There are other branches of Wicca, such as Gardenarian Wicca, Alexandrian Wicca, which refers to ancient Alexandria not Alex Sanders, the founder. There are more branches of neo-paganism. I practice with my clothes on, however, and I’m not necessarily Wiccan but an eclectic solitary who does go to a coven on occasion. I’ve hung out with reclaiming pagans on occasion during a pagan 12-step recovery group.
By Iria Vasquez-Paez8 years ago in Futurism
Tibetan Buddhist Rainbow Body
In Tibetan Buddhism there is a phenomenon of the Rainbow Body which involves the dissolution of the physical body into pure light that may occasionally be achieved by practitioners on or around the time of death. The process of obtaining the Rainbow Body is achieved by the practice of Tögal or "Direct Crossing" which is a way of directly perceiving the "Clear Light" which is believed to be the direct root of consciousness. An advanced practitioner of Tögal may potentially achieve one of three levels of this phenomenon:
By Buddhism & Taoism8 years ago in Futurism
A Complete Guide for the Baby Witch
Witchcraft is hard if you're starting out, especially if you're a closet witch. So here is a little guide for all the baby witches out there. First, look at what kind of witch you want to be. There's a huge list out there and it's easy to get overwhelmed. But it's important to do your research to find the perfect kind of witchcraft for you. Then again, you can always have more than one form of craft. Here is a small list of the different types of witches.
By Lilli Behom8 years ago in Futurism
What's the Difference Between Buddhism & Taoism?
Buddhism and Taoism are similar religions which contain many similar beliefs and practices, such as a belief in reincarnation and extensive use of meditation. At face value, many people perceive Taoism and Buddhism to be the same thing, and in fact the first Taoists to hear about the teachings of Buddhism coming out of India concluded that the Buddha must have been a reincarnation of Lao Tzu, the alleged founder of Taoism in China in the 6th Century BCE and writer of the Tao Te Ching, one of two central Taoist scriptures (The other is the much older I Ching).
By Buddhism & Taoism8 years ago in Futurism
Atheism
As a child, certain things are put aside. Santa Clause, the Tooth Fairy, and the Easter Bunny are all left behind as we mature. God fell into the same mix for me. I haven't believed since I was seven. Sounds young to make such a life-changing decision, but in my heart of hearts, I knew God did not exist. I had to hide it from my parents. They were very strong Catholics. I went to parochial school. I wore the uniform that screamed our faith. I had none. My friends could never hear my secret. I was the heathen we were warned about in school. I not only suffered through mass every Sunday but all the times the nuns dragged us to on first Fridays and funerals. I had to go to confession when I didn't think for one minute a priest could intercede for me and grant me forgiveness. You cannot imagine how lonely it is when your life is an unrelenting difference in basic philosophy.
By Monica Bennett8 years ago in Futurism
The Wicca Way
When you hear the word Wicca, what is the first thing you think of? Witches riding on brooms, bubbling cauldrons, and ugly warts? Well, I’m here to tell you those are all lies made up by Hollywood to make witchcraft seem less magical and more evil. Witchcraft is manipulating energy and putting your intent out into the world, not evil hexes and ruining lives. Real witches, those who live in the modern world, follow the pagan religion Wicca. It’s peaceful and its unstructured rules ensure they can become their best selves without judgement or limits. It encourages individuality and love for all. It’s looked down on and people always misunderstand the goodness in Wiccans. If the world had a better grasp of the Wiccan principles, it would be a better place. Wicca should be a major religion because it helps the Earth, allows people to choose their path, and its only rule is to harm none.
By Sharisse Martinez8 years ago in Futurism
Catholic Saints Feast Days - August
In the Christian calendar, there is a Saint's Feast Day every day. In August, there are several Saints celebrated on each day. For example, there are four different Saints whose Feast day is celebrated on 6 August while 17 August is shared between 25 different Saints. Overall there are hundreds of Saints celebrated in the month of August alone.
By Sapphire Ravenclaw8 years ago in Futurism
Wicca; The Questions, Answered
Wicca: These are the questions, answered. There are good aspects of it, and bad ones as well. What is Wicca you may ask? Wicca is a modern form of Paganism, and is also a nature-based religion. Wicca is a recognized religion, while witchcraft itself is not considered a religion. Thus, Wicca might be best described as a modern religion, based on ancient witchcraft traditions. Contrary to what those who choose to persecute or lie about Wiccans wish to believe, Wicca is a very peaceful, harmonious, and balanced way of life, with oneness with the God and Goddess in which they believe in, and all which exists. I will go further into their beliefs, practices, and good and bad aspects of Wicca.
By Serena Fix8 years ago in Futurism
The Pagan Wheel of the Year
Pagan can mean a lot of things. Pagans can be Wiccan, but not all pagans are Wiccan. We pagans have adopted a wheel of the year tradition that was somewhat practiced in ancient times only with four major holidays, not 8 as in the modern era. Each pagan tradition has its own version of the holidays. We are going to be discussing the Pagan holidays in general terms. The wheel starts with Yule in December, continues with Imbolc in February, followed by the vernal equinox, also called Ostara in March or April. In the summer time, we have Beltane in May, Litha for summer solstice. Then there are other harvest festivals such as Lammas/Lughnasadah, and the autumn equinox Mabon, Samhain is the last holiday of the year, or New Year’s Eve, when the veil between the worlds is thinnest. For Wiccans, Pagans, and witchcraft practitioners, the wheel of the year begins October 30th, and ends the next year on October 31st.
By Iria Vasquez-Paez8 years ago in Futurism
The Akashic Records
Many people, not just myself, can access the Akashic Records. The Akashic Records are defined as a huge record of everything ever spoken all over the universe, also encompassing different dimensions since we have to count those too, when you are contemplating the existence of other civilizations besides ours. You can’t read the Akashic Records for somebody else without permission but you can read for yourself. I’m sure every mean thing ever spoken to me is in the records, from anybody who was ever mean to me for a dumb reason.
By Iria Vasquez-Paez8 years ago in Futurism
