does your religion influence your selfsuficientish life?

[possum]

OK correction, pointy hats are not obligatory, but there is nothing preventing the wearing of them in wicca

(got it right? )

[Super.Niki]

there you go fee! Pointy hats are ok!... seriously though if you've ever seen her in a pointy hat, you'd agree!! It DOES suit her!

[QuakerBear]

I'm a Quaker (member of the Religious Society of Friends). Our main tennant is that there is something of God in everyone, which can't help but effect every aspect of your life. It makes me try to be green because I don't want to spoil the world for other people. We also have testemonies, one of which is simpicity (the others are peace, integrity and equality, I think some American Quakers also have community but don't quote me on that). The testimonies are more freely interpreted by individuals. For me simplicity is not living a hard life, I'm too much of a wimp for that, no, simplicity is looking at something and trying to think, how will it change my life/me, and what is positive and negative about it. I really do think that 'stuff' doesn't make you happier. Integrity makes me try and be honest, even when I don't want to, and that means being honest about my needs and taking my responsibilities seriously, which includes...the enviroment.

If anyone's in the Guildford area on Saturday there's a talk at the Meeting House on Enviromentalism and Quakerism. I don't know any more then that and I think it starts at 7.30 but I'll find out for sure. Could be good, could be boring....

I love Quakerism, I find it so exciting in my day to day life

[QuakerBear]

P.S.

I wish Quakers wore pointy hats. I might have to re-instate bonnets just so I get to wear a cool hat.

[mrsflibble]

[Meredith]

Hello Hedge witches! What are Hedge witches? Are you similar to conventional witches?
If witches can be said to be conventional that is.

In brief, a witch is a follower of wicca. Wicca itself can vary considerably. A hedge witch is one who is not a member of a covern, but works alone. What are termed spells are really meditations or in christian terms you could call it prayer.
Some followers of wicca belief in a higher being, the tripple goddess and the horned god, my personal believe is that they are elements within us rather than being theistic if that makes sense.
About the only thing that all wiccans have in common is a belief to live in harmony with nature and also the phrase "do as you will, harm none"
It is nothing to do with satanism or devil worship or sex orgies and does not involve wearing a pointy hat.

Sorry to put a spoke in the wheel but I am a witch and I am not Wiccan. I'd classify myself as a traditional witch, there is a difference. Anyway, no matter, to go back to the original question, yes, my spirituality does influence every aspect of my life, including my atttempts at self sufficiency.

Meredith.

[rag_grrl_nz]

I'm an Athiest. I guess it influences me in that I'm all for self reliance and taking responsiblitiy for my actions in the here and now.
Also for me it's about working in co-operative communities and directly linked to my politics - eco-feminist with anarchic tendancies

[circlecross]

pagan, not wiccan. I guess it affects how I live, as it affects how I think about the world, about how the earth is treated, about how people are treated, and about how animals are treated. I don't incant over every tomato, nor offer herbs to the goddess every time I want to make a dressing. But I do think most religions allow the potential for followers to behave decently.

[snapdragon]

err - No


religion seems to be very complicated - I have enough trouble remembereing to put me jumper on the right way round

[red]

err - No


religion seems to be very complicated - I have enough trouble remembereing to put me jumper on the right way round

[Martin]

I'm really heartened by this thread.....
I hold no formal beliefs, certainly lean towards paganism, and find this rather sums it up - from Chief Seattle, a native american, writing circa 1850

"We know that the white man does not understand our ways.
One portion of the land is the same to him as the next;
-for he is a stranger who comes in the night and takes from the land whatever he needs.
The Earth is not his brother, but his enemy, and when he has conquered it,
he moves on.

His appetite will devour the Earth and leave behind only a desert"

"Our God is the same God....
This Earth is precious to him and to harm the Earth is to heap contempt on its creator...."

[thefriarandme]

for me it is about passing on a decent world to the next generation.

I agree with Andy. I, if any label applies, am agnostic. I think I'm somewhat spiritual but tend to pull away from being religious. I was induced into Christianity and brought up as a Catholic. I hope, however, that my views are not too influenced by the club rules.

My stimulus is leaving a better world. I have both children and grandchildren. I want them to have fresh air, good food, peace and serenity.

We, our family, decided to have KFC one night on the way home from a long, busy day out. Whilst waiting for my wife and daughter who were purchasing our meals, a Ford Escort pulled up.

Music was bouncing out at an horrendous volume and terrifically fast beat. The four young male occupants had purchased their food at the drive through window. They ate so fast. Bouncing with the music. Gorging drinks whilst food was still in their mouths. It was all just so damned fast. No time to think about or even taste the food. It wasn't right. They had driven off at high speed before my wife had returned to the car.

I want my children and their children to have somewhere to enjoy and time to enjoy it. Beaches to walk along. Animals to husband and coexist with. Food to enjoy and so forth.

We have a beautiful planet and those guys were travelling life far too fast to notice it. I believe that we are custodians of our little spot in the universe, and that it is our duty/responsibility to preserve it. For everyone to enjoy despite age, race, class, colour and creed.

Now, how do I recycle this soapbox?

[snapdragon]

................................
Now, how do I recycle this soapbox?

1 add some wheels and you have a handy truck to carry stuff

2 firewood

3 part of a chicken coop

4 loan it out to the local council as a 'conference facility'

[thefriarandme]

[mrsflibble]

5. line with a permeable membrane or some moss sheeting, fill with compost and grow veg.