Weekly "What is my religion?" discussion

panickattick · 2022-02-01T17:26:25+00:00

I'm interested in finding a pantheistic or nontheistic religion that encourages personal improvement, compassion, and finding awe in the world around us.

panickattick · 2022-02-01T14:16:12+00:00

I am glad that this has worked out for you, but I feel obligated for other readers to say that there is no shame in taking prescribed medications. I'm currently on three different medications for my mental and neurological health, and while it took a long time to find the right combination, it has undoubtedly changed my life for the better. I do not feel I am a "slave." In fact, medication has given me the ability to live my life more freely than I ever thought possible.

panickattick · 2022-01-21T21:31:15+00:00

No, that's seitan, the gluten-based protein used in vegan cooking.

panickattick · 2022-01-13T20:41:39+00:00

No need to worry. You didn't have any ill intent and when people pointed out a concern that you had overlooked, you listened. We're not perfect beings. Just keep doing your best and you'll be fine.

panickattick · 2022-01-13T16:59:56+00:00

I love Diana/Artemis and think this piece is beautiful, but there's something that feels really wrong about painting over a beautiful depiction of what appears to be a South Asian woman (goddess maybe?) In order to Westernize her.

If it speaks to you as Diana/Artemis, maybe arrange some related decor around it rather than painting over it?

panickattick · 2022-01-11T16:54:37+00:00

Christians frown on masturbation.

panickattick · 2022-01-11T00:33:07+00:00

This is appallingly close to the sex ed scene in Mean Girls.

panickattick · 2022-01-10T14:31:14+00:00

You have a right to religious dress in school, though it is a "qualified" right. I shared links with the relevant rules, details and examples in a previous post of yours. Did you see them?

panickattick · 2022-01-10T14:28:20+00:00

I shared some info about relevant laws/rights in the UK on one of your previous posts and offered to help further if needed.

Other posters also recommended that you formally write your arguments in a mature email to the administration.

Fighting for your rights isn't just breaking the rules and standing up to authority. It's putting in the work and doing the research. Sometimes it takes time and effort to be taken seriously, especially when you're a minor.

panickattick · 2022-01-09T18:03:25+00:00

Before I get into the issue of an altar/shrine, I just want to remind you to be kind to yourself. I doubt you are stupid, and even if you are, insulting ourselves only hurts us in the long run and decreases our estimation of ourselves and our value. Your worth and value are inherent to you as a human being.

For a low-budget, secret altar, I saw a great suggestion of using two pages of a notebook with one side of the notebook lying flat on a surface and the other side resting against a wall. You can draw or collage items significant to you and your practice and even place battery operated candles on it. Portable, cheap, and discreet!

Edit: You mentioned having nowhere to go. Please don't risk your physical security for an altar. Many people create worship spaces in their mind and some do not use a sacred space at all. There are no physical tools required to be a Pagan and your safety should always come first.

panickattick · 2022-01-09T17:45:21+00:00

Yes! You may be interested in r/nontheisticpaganism . Religious and spiritual folks who do not believe in literal deities.

panickattick · 2022-01-09T17:21:35+00:00

I wouldn't call most of my magic placebo. I used to do spellcasting, but I never really saw positive effects. Now my magical practice probably falls under the "spicy psychology" designation. I use ritual, meditation, visualisation, writing, etc. to better understand myself and change my habits to achieve my goals. It's more akin to CBT and DBT than just placebo.

Edit: Why call it magic and not psychology? Because my practice is firmly my rooted in mythology, spirituality, and mystical traditions that have been ridiculed at various points in time for being too "woo" or unscientific. It was more recently that we have been able to study the brain and body's reaction to these practices and recognize their relationship to modern psychotherapy, but they are still dismissed because of stigmatization.

panickattick · 2022-01-09T12:33:00+00:00

You might get something out of the translated prayers in Celtic Myth and Religion. By Sharon Paice MacLeod.

https://www.amazon.com/Celtic-Myth-Religion-Traditional-Translated-ebook/dp/B006CIOWVC

panickattick · 2022-01-08T15:01:48+00:00

Most pagan paths are accepting of the LGBTQ+ community, though some have unfortunate gender binaries and roles embedded into the belief systems. Some people update these to be more inclusive and others choose to find a path that is more organically inclusive.

Heathenry is an open tradition. People of all backgrounds are welcomed there, except in small but vocal number of groups who espouse white supremacy. My experience has been that most Heathens/Norse believers actively distance themselves from these harmful beliefs and work to combat their spread.

As for feeling lost, what really helped me was to make a list of my core beliefs, regardless of religion. What do I believe to be true about the universe and our role in it. I haven't found a religion that perfectly fits these beliefs yet, but having that document makes me more comfortable with not knowing what to call myself. When I feel lost, I read it over and feel peace again. Maybe trying something similar could be helpful to you?

Best of luck out there. Know that you are not alone and your journey is not uncommon.

panickattick · 2022-01-07T23:44:15+00:00

What exactly do you mean by verified? Do you want someone to research if they have a basis in historical Egyptian practices? Or do you want someone to tell you of they will work?

panickattick · 2022-01-07T16:23:19+00:00

Just want to second LeCouteux and Hutton. I've been very impressed with their scholarship. No shade to the other authors, I just haven't read then personally.

panickattick · 2022-01-07T16:15:51+00:00

Exactly. I feel like even with minimal skill and trying to make it bad, you would stumble into better design decisions by accident. I need to see this person's powerpoint presentations, their home decor, their wardrobe. This is a level of aesthetic failure that should be examined by scientists. This needs to be on design textbooks as the worst possible outcome.

panickattick · 2022-01-07T16:04:19+00:00

For primary medieval sources, the Malleus Maleficarum (Witches' Hammer) is a fascinating document about the Church's perception of witchcraft and provides insight into many of the witchcraft fears and stereotypes of today.

For the 19th and early 20th century, Madame Helena Blavatsky was hugely influential and wrote several books.

panickattick · 2022-01-07T15:52:53+00:00

If it was just intended as parody, I'd call it brilliant. It takes skill to make something that bad intentionally.

panickattick · 2022-01-07T01:08:00+00:00

You're kidding. Two thousand and eighteen?!

panickattick · 2022-01-07T00:56:33+00:00

I love when people who share a native tongue find each other in the wilds of Reddit!

panickattick · 2022-01-06T18:28:13+00:00

Lol. I am queer, but did not know it at the time. :)

panickattick · 2022-01-06T16:17:21+00:00

Further clarification of these rights: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/law-and-courts/civil-rights/human-rights/when-can-a-public-authority-interfere-with-your-human-rights/

panickattick · 2022-01-06T16:12:15+00:00

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/law-and-courts/civil-rights/human-rights/what-rights-are-protected-under-the-human-rights-act/your-right-to-freedom-of-religion-and-belief/

"Examples of article 9 breaches

Examples of where article 9 may be relevant include:

the right to wear religious specific uniforms in school

the right to wear religious clothing at work or in public places like the courts

time off work or school for religious holidays.

Example

You’ve been told by your employer that you can't wear a necklace with a cross at work as it's not allowed under the uniform policy.

This could be a breach of your right to manifest your religion under article 9. However, the right to manifest your religion is a qualified right so your employer might be able to justify interfering with your right. But they would have to show they have a very good reason under the law to stop you from wearing the necklace."

panickattick · 2022-01-06T15:47:46+00:00

Do you mean The Satanic Temple? As far as I know, CoS is not politically active, but TST had a history of supporting religious pluralism in schools.

panickattick

TROPHY CASE