what backround do most wiccans, pagans ect have?

[[wind_wolf]]

sorry for the inconvience but please partisipate, im curious:P
plz list your backround and 'why/how' you got into it

(im a male wiccan-shaman mix decended from the irish, the scotish and the native americans. I was inspired to try magic/the craft because i always had a pulls to it...i hope my own personal one serves as a good enough example.)

may the light watch over you
and shadow be blind to you

(ps the poll option thing kinda failed for me lol)

[FireSpirit]

I'm a wiccan and I came from a mostly non denominational household. Both of my grandmothers went to Catholic school, but I wasn't raised in any religion. I think my mom always sortof believed in Christianity, but she never took me to church. I'm a mix of Welsh, Sioux, and British. I felt the same pull to the Craft like you did. That's how I think most people find it, and any other religion for that matter.

[Selene-Aine]

Hello!

I'm a female Wiccan and I come from a backround of Catholicism (both my mother & fathers sides are strong Catholics..) I've always been fascinated by Wicca since I was a child and dabbeled in it with friends every now and then but I didn't fully emerse myself into it and stop identifying myself as Catholic until last year when I was 19!
I've always felt a connection and an understanding to it were as I always questioned things in Catholicism and had been confused by some of their beliefs. Whenever I'd ask my parents a question that didn't make sense to me I was often told to, "Stop asking questions like that" and to "just believe" whatever the bible and Church said because "it was right".. end of story. My parents have since learned to accept my new beliefs (this came after explaining to them the common misconceptions about it and instead what it's truly about) even if they don't necessarily agree with them but they love me unconditionally
Oh, and I'm Native American, East Indian, French and Irish

Love & Light,
Selene-Aine

[Lily Cantodea]

I'm a female and I come from a background of conservative Protestantism. While I do believe in and love God, it's the hypocrisy, hatred, politics, and intolerance that drove me away from the church. I was simply sick of it. I was sick of the racism (yes, that's still in the church, believe it or not), sexism, homophobia, religious intolerance and exclusivity, and just general b.s.

I've always been the black sheep in my family - I've never been a "cookie cutter" Christian. I've been feeling the pull of Wicca for several years now, but with me it's always been a tug-of-war. I have an intimate relationship with God/Goddess, as s/he speaks to me frequently, and I never wanted to throw the blessings and gifts s/he's bestowed upon me back in his face. Yet I never felt at home in the church. With Wicca I feel more at home.

I'm still confused myself, to be honest. I don't know whether it is the God or Goddess I worship, or if I can just call him God, because according to Wicca, all deities are One.

[Zili]

I'm female and raised Catholic (even confirmed under the name of St. Joan of Arc)

Shamanism is definitely a huge part of my path, but i walk many at once. I've always been fascinated by other religions and I entered karate when i was 7 years old allowing for further exploration of different paths, at this time i was introduced to Buddhism and Hinduism, both still evident in my faith.

I come from an "American mutt" family on my mother's side Baptist and Native American Spirituality are prevalent (I myself lean very much towards NAS) on my father's side all of us have been cradle catholics, but NAS has been prevalent there as well. My own father admitted to me last summer he's been on the path of NAS since around the time I was born, this conversation got started when I told him I was following this path lol.

[[wind_wolf]]

thank you all for your responces, its nice to see where you all are coming from

blessed be

[Sallydreams]

My household growing up was Biblical Christian... they followed the bible like it was a life rule book. Hated it.

I mainly felt repressed and guilty most of the time because of my parent's religion. I hated the way it made me feel and what it did to people around me. It felt like a big nasty lie and I was contributing to it by being present.

As soon as I could I stopped going to church with them and started my own research. (Around 15 or 16yrs old)

My sophomore year we studied the Crucible in my english class and it really struck home to me. The "Witch"s in the story called out to me like a secret had been revealed.

I studied Wicca (a long with all other religions I could get my fingers into) for years. I was 19yrs old before I realized that no matter how much studying I did and how many books I bought or websites I read, I always went back to Wicca. It felt right to me and natural. I told the Goddess and Moon that I was their's and my life has been peachy ever since.

I studied Wicca for 5yrs before claiming it as my path. I see it more as a spiritual than practice because my life is so busy I don't do ritual like I should... but I do enough "appreciation" and "candle ceremony" I feel like I'm doing my part.

[August Mayflower]

My father is Catholic, although he newer went to church. He doesn`t even know the meaning of word God.
My mother is Orthodox, and so are her three children, even we didn`t wanted to be baptized.
My mothers grandparents were totally Atheists, etc, etc.
Me and my brother believe in energy and our own vision of Gods, and that -
Men without believing is a men without faith, courrage and knowledge.

Best wishes

August Mayflower

[Wolfmoon caster]

Grew up roman catholic, was always at church over the weekend, was an alter boy for 4 yrs, my parents especially my dad are all about god, ever since I was young I could sense things and I astral projected as a kid without knowing what the heck was happening, I was always in the public library afterschool as a kid (and even sometimes now) and I was always drawn to books about magic and those types of fantasy novels and when I stumbled upon a book about lucid dreaming and astral projection that's when I realized I had been astral projecting and then I always continued my research on the occult, magic, witchcraft, etc... When I turned 15 my parents didn't force me to go to church as often until I eventually stopped altogether, of course I still can never tell them I'm not catholic because my dad is very ignorant ( he told a friend of mine who is Pentecostal that his religion doesn't know anything and that if he doesn't change he will burn in hell, great dinner conversation) I consider myself pagan am 17, male, and feel good about all of this.

[Wolfmoon caster]

Altar server

An altar server is a lay assistant to a member of the clergy during a Christian religious service. An altar server attends to supporting tasks at the altar such as fetching and carrying, ringing the altar bell, etc.

Hide Altar servers in the Roman Catholic Church

Formerly, and still in traditionalist Catholic orders (FSSP, Institute of Christ the King, SSPX, etc.) only young men, whom the Church hoped to recruit for the priesthood, and seminarians, who need the training, are altar servers, and thus altar boy was the usual term until Canon 230 was changed with the promulgation of the Code of Canon Law in 1983 which provided the option for females to serve at the altar. The term altar server is now widely used and accepted due to this. An acolyte is one of the instituted orders which is installed by a Bishop. The title of acolyte is still only given to men as it is historically a minor order. This term is now usually reserved for the ministry that all who are to be promoted to the diaconate, whether permanent or transitory, must receive at least six months beforehand (Canon 1035 of the Code of Canon Law).

Duties in the Ordinary Form

In the Ordinary Form of the Roman Rite of the celebration of Mass, Acolytes have the following responsibilities during

Entrance: Acolytes may carry the processional cross and candles (also called acolytes, or flambeaux) at the front of the entrance procession. Others may carry incense and a thurible.
Proclamation of the Gospel: If it is a regional habit, candles and/or incense can be carried in procession to the ambo or lectern.
Offertory: When the priest receiving these gifts, acolytes assist him by carrying them.
Preparation of the chalice: Acolytes present the cruets of water and wine for the deacon or priest to pour in the chalice.
Lavabo: An Acolyte administers the water to the priest as he ritually washes his hands.
Liturgy of the Eucharist: Acolytes ring altar bell at the Hanc Igitur and both elevations of the species.
Recessional: When the priest and the Acolytes leave the altar, again the processional cross and candles are carried.
At a solemn Mass, four or more Acolytes is ideal. A weekday Mass usually only requires 1 or 2 servers. If a bishop celebrates Mass solemnly, two vimpas, so as to take care of mitre and crosier, as well as other functions.

I know what you mean earth wolf.

[[Guardian Wolf]]

I practice Voodoo which started in areas around West Africa, and morphed into what it is today, after a lot of the Africans were sold into slavery.

I am a Roman Catholic during the day and practice Voodoo at night. I got into it when I learned my grand mother was a voodoo priestess and I met people that knew her. I think she was probably pulling me to it from the Spirit world.

Also were did you all go to church. My service was always over in 45 minutes or less.

[Wolfmoon caster]

My dad always thought I would end up being a preist as a kid, boy was he dissapointed when I stopped going to church.

[Wolfmoon caster]

Tell me about it, if you beleive your haunted or what not then your not wanted because your a satanist and you must have an exorcism performed on you.

Guardian wolf:Also were did you all go to church. My service was always over in 45 minutes or less.

I went to a roman catholic church were mass was usually over in an hour and a half. Which was 3 hours for me since I went to the English and Spanish mass since I was an alter server.

[riri205]

female pagan. i grew up in a denominational household (still am) my dad was raised catholic went to church and he believes greatly in that faith. my mom is more neutral though. she just kinda goes with whatever. shes not a atheist but not technically "catholic" my parents never forced a religion down my throat but my dad always encourage christianity still does and considers me "catholic" even when i will tell him that i dont believe in a god etc etc etc yea. i struggled trying to find myself. when i was littlier i went back and forth with christianity then i was finally like screw that and was agnostic for awhile. i tried studying wicca but felt it just wasnt me. and now im where i am today and feel so much happier this way and "myself" if you know what i mean. ^_^ im greek i have italian in me english etc

[Laarien]

Female pagan. My father (estranged) was born in Cuba (Cuban) and is Catholic (non-practicing). My mother is Dutch, German and Irish, and is Lutheran (although she's VERY faithful, she doesn't attend church). She actually wanted to be a nun when she was in grade school.

I don't broadcast the fact I'm Pagan to my family or friends, but if someone asks, I'll tell them. I'm pretty sure my mom knows. When we were young she instructed Bible Study at home. I simply wasn't interested. I told her when I was about 13/14 that I didn't believe in Jesus (as son of God), or most of what she taught from the Bible. She cried. It made me sad to see her hurt, but I didn't want to lie to her any more. Fortunately, we still have a wonderful relationship. Religion just isn't a topic of conversation.