Lyricb

I was brought up a practicing pagan. Then in high school I took a leap over to agnosticism. In college I became a Christian. Ten years late, I'm still a practicing Christian and I find it has given me more hope than anything else I have ever experienced, but I do acknowledge that people find hope in different ways.

I'm wondering how many other people out there have a similar experience to mine, with having been exposed to many different religions?

wlctrent

I have had similiar experiences except in reverse. I was brought up christian and am now in the pagan practice. I am more of a nature based believer with all her mystical glory.

Lyricb

I know that there is definite power in pagan beliefs, since I've seen it and lived it. I think that gives me an advantage to understanding where pagans and agnostics are coming from.

Paula62

For whatever reason, my exposure to various religions has mostly been through ritual and music, not belief. Except for the Christians I've been around who had an evangelical bent, I've learned most of what I know about religious beliefs from reading on my own.

Lyricb

Paula, do you seek out knowledge about various religions, or is it all kind of incidental exposure?

Melos

I was raised casually Christian - we went to church on Sunday but that was about it. As I grew, I started reading about many different religions and talking to the burgeoning pagan and muslim community in my high school. What I eventually came out with is what this forum is all about.

LilOne1989

I was raised up in a Southern Baptist church but never got the feeling about it that so many people talk about having in a church. I never felt that I belonged. They just put up with me out of sympathy for my family situation.

I have always leaned towards witchcraft/pagan beliefs, even when I was in church but never really expressed myself until I was out of my fathers house at the age of 16. I really hate following rules (example only: do this = go to hell / do this = go to heaven --- so hate it) so I never really fell into any one tradition of any sect, rather I take what I need when I need it and use it as it suits me best. Hope that makes sense.

Paula62

Some of both. Some spiritual paths have interested me and I sought out information. But I also have attended services in many different churches, courtesy of a small singing group I was part of as a teenager, so was exposed to many traditions (although mostly christian) I may never have even heard of till many years later.

There are some churches that I actually admire quite a bit, but without believing in their faith system. And there are some faith systems that I find make sense to me, but have yet to see a worship setting for that faith that I thought was worth the time (really I wanted to say "worth a damn" but censored myself )

Melos

I always think that it is very interesting to note that most religions are very very similar. Even Christianity started out with both a god and a goddess and then there was an evil dude who came along. Basically, most religions personify the balance between positive and negative in nature and in us.

SithLord

More proof that it's man mad ein my opinion.