As you probably already know, I'm a Pagan.
Not a Neo-Pagan, Not a Wiccan -- Just a Pagan.
Many people question me about my religion and it's very difficult to elaborate on the spot so hopefully this will clarify my insane babblings a bit.
I don't follow any specific tradition although I do belive they are all valid. I don't discriminate against other religions because if anyone would take the time to really look at everything, they would see that we are all basically saying and doing the same things -- we are just calling them by different names.
Expressions of Faith
I believe that religion is a tool, and people should choose the tool which is most suitable for themselves. I choose to express my faith using pagan tools, such as spellcasting, rituals, celebrations and so on. It simply helps me focus better and I certainly enjoy it a lot more than if I were sitting in a church listening to some guy babble at me in latin for 3 hours, or at a temple somewhere kneeling down and doing whatever it is that you're supposed to be doing there in silence. (I'm generalizing here, so please don't get offended.)
I'm not very fond of organized religion only because I find that it is mostly used to make a profit or to have control over someone or something. Going to services or confession or church or temple doesn't make you a better person. You make yourself a better person. A place can't do that for you -- but then again, it can guide you if you use it correctly.
Spellcasting vs Prayer
I find it hard to convince people that praying and spellcasting are one in the same. When you pray, it's usually because you or someone you know is in need of something.
Spellcasting is the same thing. We just have a little more help focusing. We cast a circle to make sure that our 'prayer' space is clean and protected. It's kind of like having our own little piece of holy ground. This helps us focus on our task. We bathe in bath salts/herbs so that our bodies are purified -- we use tools, insence, offerings, much in the same way you would light a candle or dip your finger in holy water at church before crossing yourself.
