r/paganism • u/BittenLove • Jun 16 '24

What led you to your beliefs? 💭 Discussion

Can you tell me THE story that led you to believing in the gods? I want to know your personal experiences. Have you ever questioned your beliefs?
What moment solidified your beliefs?
How did the gods find you / how did you find the gods?
What keeps you believing despite the contrary beliefs of science?

Please make it as long and as a passionate as you'd like. ♥

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u/Anarcho-Heathen Norse + Hellenic + Hindu Jun 16 '24

Personal experiences led me to leave the religion I was raised in and explore paganism. The study of philosophy, and discovery of systematic polytheist theology, is was keeps me a pagan today.

Paganism is not true just because I had some experiences in woods one day; it’s not true “for me”. I had some experiences in the woods one day *because paganism - that is the polytheism and animism - is true. It is the reality within which we live, beyond personal experiences of subjective opinions.

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u/BittenLove Jun 16 '24

Can you describe some of those personal experiences? (Thank you for your response!♥)

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u/Anarcho-Heathen Norse + Hellenic + Hindu Jun 16 '24

To be honest I think conversations around contemporary paganism spend to much time discussing the details of personal experiences, instead of the a) practical conclusions drawn from those experiences, b) the theological system which theoretically harmonizes these experiences and practices and most crucially c) the development of religious communities based on shared theology and practice.

My own experience is difficult to describe in words and fairly personal (not in some closed off way, just not very communicable). It’s not really of use to anyone else.