yesican32's Blog

I usually do not get into religious topics about my own beliefs because a lot of people do not know the difference between debating and mocking, but I thought I would go ahead anyways.

My beliefs rather merge on their type.  I am part Native America (though you can't tell it by looking at me).  My mother's side of the family is either Cherokee or Sioux (meaning, a combination of both), and one of my ancestors is the the great Sioux "chief" (as he technically wasn't), Sitting Bull.  Yes, I do like to brag about that.

In any case, though I was raised in a family that believed in the traditional baptist upbringing, my interests in our family history peaked, and I often would educate myself on what those Native Americans believed.

I did subject myself to the wonder that is church, and with heavy persuading, I went to church a lot of the time, mainly to please others.  I hated every bit of it, as it was filled with people who showed absolutely no spirit in their beliefs.  They praised in such a meloncholy way, I thought for sure I was mourning this Jesus fellow, instead of just giving thanks.  Even now, when I attend church with my lover, who is Catholic (I only go for holidays such as Easter), I am surrounded by people who aren't paying attention to what is being said.  I think I would pay attention if someone were discussing of something I deemed important enough to surround my life and try to make it better.  I guess most do not see that.

I digress.

In high school, I took that time to dive deep into different religions, and was surprised at how many different paths there were, and how old some of them were compared to christianity.  I was intrigued to say the least.  Then came the time when I visited a psychic.  She made incredibly accurate predictions that came true, but that wasn't what interested me.  She told me I needed to tap back into my native roots, and rediscover or relearn my wiccan ancestors.  I had no idea at the time, but apparently, I have several witches in my family.  When I read of their deep connection to nature, everything clicked.  All snapped into place.  I suddenly became a different person, because I had found my path.

Basically, I believe in Mother Earth.  She is the one who breathes life into me, and she is the one who will take it out if she sees fit.  Father Time (moreso father sky) is not significant so much in the mortal life as he is in the afterlife.  He is the keeper of "heaven"..he is in charge.

Seems simple enough, but there are many other factors that go into it.  Basic rules and morals that are essential in surviving this world, and thriving as a good human being.  You are judged by the Mother as to how you behave on her earth, and the Father will indeed create your punishment or celebration.  There are methods of praying to the Mother that echo praying to the "christian god" but do not include kneeling before your bed.  It is a very intense thing, to ask for anything, and when you do, you must be prepared to give back something in return, or you will have something essential taken away from you (if not the very thing you asked for in the first place).  This does not mean sacrifcing a goat...we do not do that.  A simple task of planting a seed, or picking up trash will often suffice.

In any case, this path has helped me quite a bit in my life, as I can appreciate what I have a lot more, and I'm not lost as I once was.  I know where I am, and where I'm going.

As far as my daughter is concerned, soon enough, in regards to her father's wishes, she will be "saved" by the church (not catholic, because I refuse to say I'm GOING to raise my child catholic just to get her saved), but that in no way means the christian path will be forced upon her.  I want her to experience the joy and enlightenment of finding her own way like I, and several others did.  She will learn more in the long run.

But that doesn't mean I will not teach her basic manners.  She will respect other religions.  When she attends church with her father (on those certain occasions), she will be respectable.  She will show much respect for the world and the people around her.  She will learn not to take life for granted.  That, in itself, is enough to make her at ease in whichever direction she chooses to go in her path.

I am not asking anyone to agree or disagree with me.  I am just stating my own beliefs and how I came to believe them.  We can debate on religion to we're all blue in the face, and personally, I love to!  It really makes us aware of how grounded we are in our faiths.  However, those that mock or poke fun have much to learn about respecting others and their beliefs, and it's terrible when some of them have kids.  They're teaching them the same thing.