Thank you Mel for the thread! I think everyone has done an ace job at keeping judgement to a minimum

I'm Pagan. What I mean by this is that I believe in a higher power which inhabits all of us and to which we return when we 'die'. I believe this higher power not only inhabits humans, but all life forms - it's what makes it 'life'. I revere nature and treat all natural things as sacred.

I believe that we choose to come 'earthbound' to learn lessons to evolve (and to help others to evolve). When we have a baby - I believe that 'spark' or 'soul' has chosen us as it can learn the most from us or it can teach us the most. I feel very blessed every day that my son chose me.

My mother was catholic (as is the rest of her family) and my Dad was a non-practicing C of E. I was baptised catholic at birth (or close to), but it never 'rang true' for me. My parents never forced religion on us - but encouraged us to decide for ourselves what we believed in.

It was only after my Mother's passing that I really started to understand what my beliefs are. I believe too that my Mother helped me come to this understanding and that some of the 'information' I have - came from her.

I dabbled in the Lutheran faith for a short time after my Mother's death as my DH's business partner is a church elder there (and is very fervent!). He and I have some very interesting discussions and I think sometimes we're both suprised by how often we agree! However we both have VERY strong ethics that meet (for the most part).

I don't do ritual (except as prayer or meditation) - but would if I had the time and opportunity! Ritual is almost the same to a Pagan as going to Mass is for a Catholic. Except I run my own 'service'!

I believe in ghosts, reincarnation, karma and the law of threefold (what you do returns to you - times by three; good and bad). I also believe that all faith is true - so long as you harm none. The Gods and Goddesses don't mind by which name you call them!

Thank you Mel for giving us all the chance to discuss this and get a deeper perception of our 'online friends'. I thought I knew most of the Pagans on BB, but I see from this thread that there are more than I thought!