Religion

My brothers they never went blind for what they did
but I may as well have.
In the name of the Father, the Skeptic and the Son,
I had one more stupid question.
(Alanis Morissette: Forgiven)

How soon will I be holy?
How much will this cost guru?
How much longer 'til you completely absolve me?
(Alanis Morissette: Baba)

Angry words. Religion (although not necessarily any organised one) is the essence of morality, ethics, explanations of the world and the Soul. Somehow we all need to believe we're right, we search for the reasons and even beyond. Why does that search need to include stepping on others, declaring their Paths wrong and evil, harassing them? I believe in freedom of religion. Gandhi said that all religions have errors, all of them have a piece of the truth. I believe it and that it describes my Path as well as all others.

Is there a difference between religion, mythology, faith? I have all of them. My religion is that of the Pagan Path, my mythology all around me, in my bookshelves, in ancient Greece and tomorrow's Finland, my faith on the palm of my hand. My personal views on religion are very eclectic, so it's not right to separate my scholarly and mystic views on this subject, really. Still I chose to place this part of me behind the scholarly mask, because so much of my religious life includes studying, learning to see and understand, and sharing views and information with others.

• Catechism for a Witch's Child, a poem by J.L. Stanley that somehow sums up the very basis of my understanding of the World.
• Pakanaverkko ry, a society of Finnish Pagans and a great source of information on (Neo-)Paganism.
• Pakanatieto (FIN), works for religious equality in Finland.
• Uskontojen uhrien tuki UUT ry (FIN), supports people that have fallen victims to abusive religious communities.
• for information, against prejudice.

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