I Am Hanging Up My Robe

Angel could not have said it better and what I would have said to you as well. Take care!

Hugs from me........Rosemary

I read in your words a profound peace in the knowledge you know where you are to be and for that I am very happy for you.

And, believe it or not, even though I belong to an organized Christian denomination, I so relate with what you said here. I never understood the words practicing Catholics. Practicing seemed a strange word to use, like it is a performance like you say. I have had difficulty with the word worship as well. Not that I don't believe that God is worthy of worship, but that the God I know isn't a vain God who requires a lot of performance. Does this make sense? Anyway, I agree wholeheartedly that honor is such a better word.

And I as well am most connected with the Spirit when feeling the wind in my face, watching water dance in the sunlight, looking at a tree. I get more out of ten minutes contemplating a tree than I do many worship services. Not that there is anything wrong with worship services, only that I feel more connected in other, less conventional ways. That's just me, the odd duck.

I am excited for you as you enter this next phase of your journey. As long as you can feel the Spirit in the wind and dancing water, you will always know joy in your life. Too bad we can't live all the time in those places.

I think the word Worship could easily be replaced with Devotion, and would have a much more profound effect. When you're devoted to something, it means you have love for it, and appreciate it, not that you are a slave to it.

Good point, oldraven!

ooh, nice!

True relgion, no matter what it is, is ridding yourself of all the tools and what not that symbolize and/or aid in some sort of worship. You can just exist and believe in something and have peace in that and have peace that you do not need to be labeled in your religion or in anything else.
I do believe that, yet I do follow the old ways. But I also do know that the goddess (or whatever force you believe in) understands and comepletely knows that your faith is enough for them, and enough for you.

Sounds like you're still pagan, just not Wicca.

There are other traditions that incorporate a respect for the gods, without kow-towing. Heathens and native Irish paganism are two which might be more suited to your feelings about deity.

Blessed Be! I must say that you don't have to give up on Wicca, because other people may try and tell you that you have to "worship" a deity or "Perform a Ritual". I don't worship nor do I perform any rituals. To me Wicca is not a religion, it's a way of life! I honor my Gods and Goddesses everyday, by giving food and/or drink to their creations...