I was raised a protestant, attending the Reformed church that is two blocks away from where I am seated right now. I was, by definition, a fundementalist (I didn't know this at the time). My first true exposure to Paganism was a report I gave on Voodoun in middleschool.
In high school, I debated interpretation of bible verses with a good friend of mine. His interpretations brought me to realize that I might be wrong. Over a period of time, I eventually became agnostic (though nominally Christian -- attending church but not with any faith).
It was then that a man by the name of Aleister Crowley caught my attention. I began researching him, his writings, and Thelema.
I first heard of Wicca in highschool. The first Pagan I discussed my beliefs with was a friend from a MUD I play. The first Wiccan I met (in person) was a fluffy bunny on various narcotics, so he scared me away from that path for a bit of time.
I eventually researched Wicca in college, and discovered that it was very similar to things that I already believed in. I joined the coven headed by a good friend of mine.
One of the covenmates of the coven was destructive, and we eventually had to excommunicate her. She is still slandering our names. This experience has led me to see weaknesses in the structure of Wicca.
Since then, a new tradition of witchcraft has been forming itself within my mind -- something different. However, I want to do as much research as possible. Not only do I wish to research Pagan religions, but I wish to research as many religions as possible. Including various denominations of Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, Bahá'í, Buddhism, etc.
I'm also writing an accompanying religious philosophy that is compatable with all beliefs and non-beliefs that I can think of.
Let me know any religious texts you think I ought to read (Bible & Quran are already on my list) and feel free to give me any advice or ask questions.
In high school, I debated interpretation of bible verses with a good friend of mine. His interpretations brought me to realize that I might be wrong. Over a period of time, I eventually became agnostic (though nominally Christian -- attending church but not with any faith).
It was then that a man by the name of Aleister Crowley caught my attention. I began researching him, his writings, and Thelema.
I first heard of Wicca in highschool. The first Pagan I discussed my beliefs with was a friend from a MUD I play. The first Wiccan I met (in person) was a fluffy bunny on various narcotics, so he scared me away from that path for a bit of time.
I eventually researched Wicca in college, and discovered that it was very similar to things that I already believed in. I joined the coven headed by a good friend of mine.
One of the covenmates of the coven was destructive, and we eventually had to excommunicate her. She is still slandering our names. This experience has led me to see weaknesses in the structure of Wicca.
Since then, a new tradition of witchcraft has been forming itself within my mind -- something different. However, I want to do as much research as possible. Not only do I wish to research Pagan religions, but I wish to research as many religions as possible. Including various denominations of Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, Bahá'í, Buddhism, etc.
I'm also writing an accompanying religious philosophy that is compatable with all beliefs and non-beliefs that I can think of.
Let me know any religious texts you think I ought to read (Bible & Quran are already on my list) and feel free to give me any advice or ask questions.
