ItsAllALie wrote:

Your Pagan faith that you love,,,,something that I may not know,,,,something you want Non-Pagans to know, to understand, to internalize,,,,

Well, first off, that I'm not Wiccan. 

Secondly, that my faith, Asatru, has nothing to do with racism.  There is a public perception that is fed by some angry morons that have one too few holes in their head, if you know what I mean. 

ItsAllALie wrote:

What do you love?

The pragmatism.  You live here and now, and deal with reality as it happens. That seems to be as big a part of my belief structure as it is in Buddhism. 

Also, and this is going to sound strange I'm sure, but Asatru is not a pacifist ideology.  Non-violent resistance has it's place, but it is not the right tool for every job.  It seems that most belief structures out there preach non-violence.  Instead of giving you a code and a means to channel it, they just say, "don't".   

ItsAllALie wrote:

What do you not love?

It's hard.  You focus on personal change, personal growth and development.  Even when the ideals are ones you always strove for, seeing what needs to be done in order to achieve and maintain them is very humbling.  The gods will show you the way, and give you encouragement (whatever form that might take) but they will not do it for you. 

I suppose it's similar to the answer you would get from a dedicated athlete if you asked them.  I'm sure they would tell you that yes, sometimes they don't want to get up and train, that they would rather just stay in bed.  But they do it anyway.

ItsAllALie wrote:

What do you find valuable in your faith? What fulfills you, makes your soul sing

This is actually a really hard question.  I'd have to say, the discipline, the strength of character.  Persistence and self sufficiency. 

ItsAllALie wrote:

,,,,makes you grind your teeth about others not of your faith as pertains to your faith

Honestly, nothing.  Those outside of my faith are just that, outside of my faith.  I cannot expect them to live up to my standards.  They likely even hold to different standards. 

ItsAllALie wrote:

,,,,or even about those of your same faith that makes you grind your teeth,,,(and let's face it, we all have them,,,,,

Just those I mentioned before that give us all a bad name.  After that a persons relationship with the gods is their relationship with the gods. 

ItsAllALie wrote:

Do you have a holy scripture?

Not the way you think of it.  We have writings, but it is not so much scripture as it is stories to learn from.  Unfortunately, most of our tradition was passed down orally at the time of the Christian conquest of Europe.  What we have left is due to a handful of people from outside the faith preserving it.  As such it should be treated a bit suspiciously, IMO.

ItsAllALie wrote:

Do you worship in a "church",,,out in the open,,,,alone,,,with others???

Well, I'm a solo practitioner, so I practice alone, although I keep looking around for a group blot.  If I'm ever up north, I'm looking John up, that's for damn sure.  My practice is more in the open. 

ItsAllALie wrote:

Is there a basic doctrine I don't know?

That's a toughie.  Although there are some organizations out there, for the most part we are unorganized and don't like others telling us what to do or how to believe.  Generally, an Asatruar is going to hold to something similar to the nine noble virtues.     

   1. Courage
   2. Truth
   3. Honor
   4. Fidelity
   5. Discipline
   6. Hospitality
   7. Self Reliance
   8. Industriousness
   9. Perseverance

It struck me that although many of you are very familiar with Christianity (probably from growing up around it) and very open to learning about other faiths, as illustrated by your EXTREME patience with some of the Christian-Jewish debate that's been going on around here for the past several days,,,,,I really am very ignorant of Paganism.

I hope that helps. 

all

gillyflower wrote:

Oh yes, I miss the music more than anything else! I have religious holidays and don't mind a bit celebrating several religions holidays together.

I am going to have to think about the rest of the answer. But I still hum and sing all the secular christmas songs, frosty the snow man, and I watch all the non religious children's show around the christmas season. I am truly a kid at heart. Like "The Year Without a Santa Claus"  and similar cartoons. I love the music in those shows, :o And it is all secular so I feel fairly safe. More like celebrating Winter, not christmas

I love my faith because it brings me into contact with the unseen world. One I did not realize existed. No not ghosts, although I am interested in that as well. But the Spirits of the wood and Glen,  nature spirits and guardians .  Listening to trees and plants. Those things mean more then I can describe, and of course my relationship with deities.

I'll be back must think more:)

p.s. I do try and worship out of doors, in the woods or under my Apple tree. Other wise alone in my room.