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Originally Posted by gothicusmaximus
So you're saying that your gods or forces or whatever only exist 'for you'? That's interesting, I really have never heard anything like that before. Usually, with divine forces, people either assert that they exist and influence the universe in a substantial way or that they just aren't real.
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I believe the personification of deity is personal yes. For me it has no distinct image
as of yet. I don't feel I need one right now.
I do believe it exists in general, but I don't think it can really affect you unless you allow it or ask it to.
You, as an atheist do not believe in deity correct? So for you it is not needed, wanted, and has no particular effect, since you do not or will not attribute any possible " spiritual " occurrences or experiences whatever they may be (
as they would be seen by those who do believe it exists ) to deity.
For you, it basically doesn't exist, and has no impact or meaning in your life, and you get along fine without it. Which , if it works for you and makes you happy, then great.
I personally believe it exists and has it's root, strength and "power" in the natural world. That belief is shared by many pagan faiths, and I feel a strong connection and identification with the beliefs of a good few pagan traditions (
many share similar traditions and mythologies between them ) . I feel I need to revere the earth that provides me with the means to live (
air, food, water ect ), I feel I need to do it in more ways than doing my best to re-cycle and not use so many chemicals ect. I have a want in me to do something of a spiritual nature to show my own thanks, and Paganism fits very well with that. It makes more sense to me personally, than Christianitiy's seemingly endless bowing and scraping to a man who died 2000+ years ago, and to the exclusion (
and often intolerance ) of all other beliefs because someone somewhere said it was wrong . If it works for Christians? fine, but it doesn't feel right for me.