Anyone have any advice...?

[Agaliha]

I've been thinking about this for a long time and I'm not sure what to do...Um I don't even know where to start really. I wasn't even going to post this, but uh, too late. Heh. I hope it makes sense. Sorry it's so long!

I keep having this draw to Christianity and um, I don't know what to do about it. I don't believe in traditional Christianity that's preached in chruches, rather I'm more into the Gnostic/Mystic/Pagan side of it because I've done my research and that's what makes the most sense to me.

I don't know if it's echoes from a past life or what. I suspect I was a Vestal Virgin in Rome, but I also feel like I was a Coistered nun (more recently). I have these longings to join a convent and it boggles my mind. I love churches, the chanting of monks, rosaries, and basically all things Catholic (minus the doctrines) as well as other things I won't get into now. Basically I am sure I was a pious Christan before.

I wasn't raised Christian, my mother and father (Catholic and Lutheran) both hated their upbringing and so I never learned about it, I was raised in a "New Age" faith. I was never baptised and I never went to a Church until I was 16/17. I got into this Christian phase where I read the Gospels, checked out billions of books about it all, went to RCIA class with my (ex)best-friend and even wore a cross and prayed the Rosary. The one thing I was lacking with belief in the Churches doctines and faith. But I always seem to lack true faith. Heh. ::sigh::
I've read about Sophia, Mary Magdalene, Mother Mary and all of that in the Gnostic and Pagan context. I have no problem seeing Jesus as another form of the Dying God and Mary as the Mother of God like so many before them. But I can't see them how the Churches see them.

The first time I went to a church (Catholic one) (when I was 16-17) it was at night so no one was around. Just me, my friend and the chruch. Since it was night there were tons of candles lit and it just looked so pretty. I walked around and took it all in. I sat in a pew and was sort of in awe at the beauty of the dimness and all the candles. I was drawn to Mary right away, she was shrouded in black (for Lent) and I just felt so comfortable and at peace there. I went to the confirmation classes just to see the church at night. I was obsessed. I bought a rosary and got it blessed (I lost it though. I have a rosary of my Grandma's in its place). I actually carried it in my pocket for months (I just felt like I had to have it). I even slept with it!
That church at night was the most peaceful places I've ever been to. I don't feel the peaceful feeling during mass, which I've only been to twice, or in the day--just at night, candlelit and empty...

Soon after that I "snapped out of it" and stopped with the whole Catholic thing. It was around that time my best-friend (the one who got me to go) started to screw me over and betray me. Maybe that contributed to it, I don't know. Since then I've educated myself on other forms of Christianity that aren't mainstream.

And for a long while now I keep feeling the need to go back to that Church at night- like it's calling me. I have dreams of me kneeling before the cross and altar, bowing my head and whispering prayers. I see myself walking though the isles just as I did before and feeling at peace. I hold my rosary and just stare at it.

I really don't know what to do about these feelings. I don't even know what it all means. I tried to talk to my mom about it, but I don't think she can look past her hate of Catholicism to help me. She wasn't suprised when I told her I thought I was a nun in my last life, she said that made sense. But she doesn't have any idea what I should do. So I asked here.

I'm not saying I'm going to join a convent or anything, I just don't know if I should honor Jesus, Sophia, Mary and Magdalene in a Gnostic/Pagan POV or what.
If these are just past life echoes should I act of them? She I go to the church at night? Pray to Jesus and Mary even though I think modern-church-preached-Christianity is false and the Gnostic/Christo-Pagan view is more correct?
It's a constant "battle" for me. To act or not to. And most of all to act when right now I have no real Faith (I'm always asking, doubting, questioning myself and my beliefs).

Does anyone have any advice, any idea how I should deal with this?
I feel so weird posting this, it's like some "dark" secret of mine I hide away. Heh.

[Cassie]

(I'm always asking, doubting, questioning myself and my beliefs).

You seem to see this as a lack of faith, I see it as a proof of an enquring and open mind.
My instinct tells me you have very deep faith indeed.

From what you have said above, two thoughts come to my mind. The first is that you maybe try to do too much with your head and not quite enough with your heart.
The second is that you almost seem to be 'asking permission' to follow the path that appeals to you.
I don't think you need to explain or appologise to your parents, Pagans, Christians or anyone else for the way your path takes you.

If you feel a connection to Jesus, Mary or Sophia I suggest you forget all about doctrine and religion and explore what they mean to you in prayer and meditation.

The church you mentioned sounded lovely. I certainly wouldn't rule out a return visit. ;)

Good luck with everything. :hugz:

[Agaliha]

Thanks for replying Cassie :)



You seem to see this as a lack of faith, I see it as a proof of an enquring and open mind. My instinct tells me you have very deep faith indeed.

Well I see it the same way, but I think I do it too much (which leads to my feeling of lack of faith), which leads to your comment--



From what you have said above, two thoughts come to my mind. The first is that you maybe try to do too much with your head and not quite enough with your heart.

This is a big possiblity. I really think I think too much. See this for example (http://www.mysticwicks.com/showpost.php?p=2556800&postcount=2).
I don't know how to stop and not hestiate and honor whoever completely and not question every little thing. This is probably the biggest problem for me. I talked myself into believing in nothing (which is why I left MW for 6 months). And because of it I can just let go and follow my heart. It's really aggrivating.



The second is that you almost seem to be 'asking permission' to follow the path that appeals to you.
I don't think you need to explain or appologise to your parents, Pagans, Christians or anyone else for the way your path takes you.

Not so much. My parents don't care what I do. It maybe that my up bringing made me look at Christianity in a unfavorable light, I don't know. Intellectually I do not like modern mainline Christianity/Catholicism and I want nothing to do with it. Yet there is that emotional pull, perhaps this ties in with thinking too much?



If you feel a connection to Jesus, Mary or Sophia I suggest you forget all about doctrine and religion and explore what they mean to you in prayer and meditation.

Sounds like a good idea.
Though I admit I am afraid of where it will lead.
Billions of questions flood my mind-- how to honor them? Listen to the Bible or not? Wear a cross? What sabbats to honor? What would it all make me? Do they even listen to me when I am not following the doctines and I renounce fundamental Christian beliefs? Etc.
Goes back to the thinking too much.
I'm going to give it a try though-- meditating and praying.
And somehow I have to get to the church at night.


The church you mentioned sounded lovely. I certainly wouldn't rule out a return visit.
Yes it was.

Thanks for the comments. :hugz: They got me thinking-- in a good way, lol.

[Cassie]

I don't know how to stop and not hestiate and honor whoever completely and not question every little thing. This is probably the biggest problem for me. I talked myself into believing in nothing (which is why I left MW for 6 months). And because of it I can just let go and follow my heart. It's really aggrivating.


..... Intellectually I do not like modern mainline Christianity/Catholicism and I want nothing to do with it. Yet there is that emotional pull, perhaps this ties in with thinking too much?


Sounds like a good idea.
Though I admit I am afraid of where it will lead.
Billions of questions flood my mind-- how to honor them? Listen to the Bible or not? Wear a cross? What sabbats to honor? What would it all make me? Do they even listen to me when I am not following the doctines and I denounce fundamental Christian beliefs? Etc.
Goes back to the thinking too much.
I'm going to give it a try though-- meditating and praying.
And somehow I have to get to the church at night.




One step at a time. :)

[Agaliha]

One step at a time. :)

Lol. Yeah.
I know, that's the way my mind works though. :(
::sigh::
I have obsessive OCD thought tendences and I can think things to death.

[Garm]

Following my first instinct, hit google with search string "gnostic recon"

A couple of examples that turned up

http://egina.blogspot.com/

http://www.gnosticsanctuary.org/articles.html

Don't know if likes of Jordan Stratford are sincere or scam

But there does seem to be scattered about a community of people trying to reconstitute Gnostic Christianity so if there is a chapter operating locally to you that might be a workable next step

[Agaliha]

Thanks for the links, Garm :)

[shuvanilu]

Agaliha: I hear ya'! I'm glad you posted, it makes me feel less weird about some of the odd thoughts I've been having. I was raised Mormon, stopped being active as a teen, and have a praticing Pagan/Wiccan for 15 years. As of a couple of years ago, I started having all these weird dreams about being a nun, praying the rosary, hangin' out with Mary. It all came as quite a shock, let me tell you! The Catholic church had never appealed to me before, except for a stint where I thought I'd like to be a nun just so I wouldn't have to deal with dating, lol. At any rate, I started studying Gnosticism because I just couldn't come close to agreeing with a lot of the Catholic dogma, and since I am a solitary witch, I feel comfortable blending some of those Gnostic ideas into my craft. Don't let anyone tell you that your beliefs or feelings aren't valid. And if you feel like visiting a Catholic church some night to think and chill, you should. If I had one near me that was half as cool as the one near you, I'd go. Not join, but go....just to....*be*. Maybe it's a place of power for you. Peace be with you---shuvanilu

[Agaliha]

Thanks, shuvanilu! Now I don't feel so weird! :hugz:

[Ninjakitten]

I have to say that Cassie had some very good advice for your situation. Like she said, take it one step at a time. Just remember that true spirituality is not a destination, but it is an evolution. Just as one human can never know everything, neither can one human comprehend the everything that is the Divine.
The pull towards Christianity (and I say this as a Christian and a witch) could be the Divine's way of telling you to explore it (the Divine). Since Christianity is so varied, you may have to search a little, and maybe even do some more trial and error and exploration. The Divine will let you know where you need to be in order to explore your personal relationship with it. It does sound to me that looking into the non-mainstream Christian paths is for you. Just be patient. Things will be revealed in their proper time, so long as you remain with a mind open enough to hear the whisper of Godde behind the raging storm of your mind and your life (as in Ezekiel when Ezekiel ran to the caves when the Queen was threatening his life for defeating her priests of Baal). Godde isn't always the raging storm itself.

[Agaliha]

Thanks for the comments and advice, NinjaKitten! :)

[Agaliha]

Well I know I put a little bolded note on the first post that this didn't apply anymore....I was wrong. It does.
All those feelings came back fully force recently. _inabox_

I'm praying the Rosary again. Sleeping with it around my hand. Again. Heh.
I'm reading about tons of saints. Perpetua and Felicitas (I've been "obsessed" with them). Bernadette. Catherine of Alexandria. Dymphna. Lucy. Cecelia. Philomela.
I even went to a Catholic store two days ago and bought laminated saint prayer cards/icons and cheap saint medals.
I bought a statue of Mary at a thrift store too.
I was looking for Gregorian chants online.
I looked up Saint James Cathedral in Seattle and saw the pics and was drooling (not literally :lol: ). I'm determined to go there soon.

I did discover and confirm my suspicions. I was a Catholic in my past life. I know it. Perhaps a nun or monk. Or someone very devout.
I have no idea why these aspects of the past would be in this life, but they are. I've been fighting them though because there is no quick fix-- I can't just become a Catholic because I disagree with their teachings and doctrine about tons of stuff. It would be a lie to myself and the Church to do that.
So I figure to deal with it on my own...not sure how to go about that, but I hope I'll figure it out.
Perhaps I'll just have Catholic flared spirituality. :lol:
Become a Christo-Pagan. Or something.

I think the above comments are ones that I should pay attention to again.


If you feel a connection to Jesus, Mary or Sophia I suggest you forget all about doctrine and religion and explore what they mean to you in prayer and meditation.



Like she said, take it one step at a time. Just remember that true spirituality is not a destination, but it is an evolution. Just as one human can never know everything, neither can one human comprehend the everything that is the Divine.
The pull towards Christianity (and I say this as a Christian and a witch) could be the Divine's way of telling you to explore it (the Divine). Since Christianity is so varied, you may have to search a little, and maybe even do some more trial and error and exploration. The Divine will let you know where you need to be in order to explore your personal relationship with it. It does sound to me that looking into the non-mainstream Christian paths is for you. Just be patient. Things will be revealed in their proper time, so long as you remain with a mind open enough to hear the whisper of Godde behind the raging storm of your mind and your life (as in Ezekiel when Ezekiel ran to the caves when the Queen was threatening his life for defeating her priests of Baal). Godde isn't always the raging storm itself.


Makes sense.

Oh and funny thing. I realized my beliefs matched a great deal with Reform Judaism (according to this (http://www.beliefnet.com/story/80/story_8054_1.html)). Perhaps a look into that as well?

[BlackMagicalCat]

A lot of what you said,sounded like me a little,only my pull was to witchcraft.

How strange.

I felt drawn to it,like I was being guided by an unseen hand,and I felt comfortable,and peacefull,around full moons,and drumming circles,and ,well,everything witchy.It was like I was a witch in another life,even though I knew so little at that time.

I dont know why all this happened.

And now it has consumed me.

I feel owned by a Goddess.

I had a lot of dreams that are Goddess,Egyptian,in nature,and seemed full of symbolism.

Maybe Im a backslider,I guess I am.But I gave up on christian witchcraft,the two are opposite of each other.

But I still love God.

So,maybe God is calling you,he knows how to get your attention,and he may be doing it through Mary,I dont know.

God speaks to your heart,where his love and Spirit dwells.Inside you.
Its there you will hear his gentle loving voice,letting you know which way to go.

Christians have been mean and hatefull to me,and Im pissed at them.Because I told them I felt loved and owned by a Goddess.

I did go to a catholic church last year I think it was,,but after I took comunion,lighting struck outside,and a hell-ayshious thunder rolled,I almost jumped out of my skin,,,they left the door open,so you could hear it really well.

The woman sitting besides me,tried not to laugh,but I did ask her if it was okay to take it,she said she wasnt sure,but thought I should take communion.

God might be angry with me,I dont know.I feel a little evil now,I dont know,Im not the same somehow.

But my advice to you,,,is to follow your heart,,,go somewhere,,alone,,pray,,and seek the One who is calling you,,,,you will get an answer Im sure.

May you be blessed on your search,and may your end be a blessed one.

[Agaliha]

Well thank you Asseenasman. :)
It's all quite confusing to me, but like you said, I'm sure I'll get my answers.
I hope you get yours as well.

[StephanieAine]

Instead of worrying about which specific tradition to "aim towards" or investigate, if I were in your shoes, I think I'd probably blow all of that off for the time being. Worrying about which feasts, festivals, holidays and whatever else to celebrate seems like it might be taking the cart before the horse, so to speak.

If I were you, I think I would begin with one thing - and that is to form a relationship with Jesus and His life story and message. I'd grab an easy-to-read Bible (personal recommendation: the NIV version, meaning the New International Version, which was translated into everyday speech by scholars of a vast range of denominational and theological viewpoints... so the version is considered accurate by people of a wide range of viewpoints. It's not a Catholic Bible so it won't include a few of the Catholic books, though. But the good thing is that it contains everything that would help you understand the full range of Catholic scripture once you get to that, if you chose that route.)

I'd read the New Testament first - and some people would say begin with John, which is good, but personally I think I'd start with Luke, then Mark, then head to John and Matthew. Then I'd read Hebrews and Galatians nice and slowly because they will really help you to see examples of faith in the lives of ordinary people, and the various things we go through trying to deal with the spiritual in the worldly world - so to speak.

As you're reading Luke and Mark, you'll be getting a wonderfully detailed view of Jesus' life and his earthly ministry, and how Mary submitted to the idea of being the woman who bore Jesus. This may help you a lot to understand your feelings about the Rosary and so forth.

As you read the books, you may decide to begin reading parts of the Old Testament too, to get your feet wet. In that area, I think I'd just read whatever struck me... perhaps by using the footnotes in your NIV to guide you (if you're in Mark, for instance, the footnotes may point you to various Old Testament passages). Later you can go back and read from Genesis onward.

Anyway, as you're in the process of reading NT gospels and letters, if I were in your shoes, I'd be praying before studying to ask God to lead your heart and mind to understand, and to help to unveil the meanings of the text. I'd ask Jesus to be with you and to guide you.

In the process, you may decide to start hanging out more at the church when you can be alone with God, think, and pray. Or just sit and *be* with God there. Maybe light a candle to ask God to illuminate your journey and guide you in the direction you're meant to go in.

The thing is, Christianity has become so confusing to so many people, I think the best thing to remember is that really, it's about the relationship with Jesus. It's not about the tradition or label. A lot of people have traditions they identify with because they have family in a certain denomination, or they have a habit of attending church to please others, and all sorts of things... but they don't know Jesus, aside from knowing him as a "character in a book." They may not have even read a Bible before; they just follow along with the crowd and live their lives, but there is no closeness, no spiritual connection. The relationship with Jesus is the heart of the whole thing, the point.

If you remember that, and if you look for *Him* you will find that the questions you ask will be much less difficult to answer, because you will be guided by God's Will for your life rather than being distracted by confusion or obsession.

Just my views!

[Agaliha]

Instead of worrying about which specific tradition to "aim towards" or investigate, if I were in your shoes, I think I'd probably blow all of that off for the time being. Worrying about which feasts, festivals, holidays and whatever else to celebrate seems like it might be taking the cart before the horse, so to speak.

Well the first post was in May-- 5 months ago. I am not focusing or worrying about that anymore. The recent post is like three up.
And I'm not new to Christianity or Catholicism. And I've read the Bible. And tons of other Christian books and things on the subject.


If I were you, I think I would begin with one thing - and that is to form a relationship with Jesus and His life story and message. I'd grab an easy-to-read Bible (personal recommendation: the NIV version, meaning the New International Version, which was translated into everyday speech by scholars of a vast range of denominational and theological viewpoints... so the version is considered accurate by people of a wide range of viewpoints. It's not a Catholic Bible so it won't include a few of the Catholic books, though. But the good thing is that it contains everything that would help you understand the full range of Catholic scripture once you get to that, if you chose that route.)

I have two Bibles.
American Standard Version (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Standard_Version)
New English Bible (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_English_Bible) with the Apocrypha, Oxford study edition-- this was has very helpful historical and informational footnotes.


I'd read the New Testament first - and some people would say begin with John, which is good, but personally I think I'd start with Luke, then Mark, then head to John and Matthew. Then I'd read Hebrews and Galatians nice and slowly because they will really help you to see examples of faith in the lives of ordinary people, and the various things we go through trying to deal with the spiritual in the worldly world - so to speak.

I've already read the Gospels. Many times. I was going to read them again too.


As you're reading Luke and Mark, you'll be getting a wonderfully detailed view of Jesus' life and his earthly ministry, and how Mary submitted to the idea of being the woman who bore Jesus. This may help you a lot to understand your feelings about the Rosary and so forth.

Yup, I remember all that. My favorite Gospel was John actually.



As you read the books, you may decide to begin reading parts of the Old Testament too, to get your feet wet. In that area, I think I'd just read whatever struck me... perhaps by using the footnotes in your NIV to guide you (if you're in Mark, for instance, the footnotes may point you to various Old Testament passages). Later you can go back and read from Genesis onward.


I've done all this before, lol. I haven't read the whole OT, but I've read enough. I've also read all the footnotes in the NT and read the passages they apply to in the OT. How they like to the Psalms and all of that.


Anyway, as you're in the process of reading NT gospels and letters, if I were in your shoes, I'd be praying before studying to ask God to lead your heart and mind to understand, and to help to unveil the meanings of the text. I'd ask Jesus to be with you and to guide you.

I do pray to god. And I listen. Just in a different way that you described.


In the process, you may decide to start hanging out more at the church when you can be alone with God, think, and pray. Or just sit and *be* with God there. Maybe light a candle to ask God to illuminate your journey and guide you in the direction you're meant to go in.

I do that when I pray the Rosary or imagine St. Nicholas' church in my head. Or meditate. I also pay attention to my intuition and clues and signs.


If you remember that, and if you look for *Him* you will find that the questions you ask will be much less difficult to answer, because you will be guided by God's Will for your life rather than being distracted by confusion or obsession.

Well I don't know if you read, but my confusion was because these feeling were conflicting with my beliefs. I've discovered I was a Catholic (monk/nun/devout person) in my past life. I know I was. That explains why in this life it's comforting and why I am drawn to it in this life.
My interest and draw to Catholicism is different from the average Christian seeker. I'm not looking to join a church or become a full fledge Christian, which your advice seems to be for. I'm just wanting to know how to incorporate these feelings as aspects I am drawn to into my present life. I don't think I'm being distracted. I was lead here yet again. If I didn't pay attention to various signs (reading about various saints, praying the Rosary, etc) I wouldn't have made the progess I have. I've finally come to realize my past life. I've come to terms with these feeling I have. Now it's just working them into my life. Hence why I mentioned Christo-Paganism or Catholic flavored Spiritualy (pseduo-Catholicism?).

Thanks for the advice though.

[StephanieAine]

Well the first post was in May-- 5 months ago. I am not focusing or worrying about that anymore. The recent post is like three up.
And I'm not new to Christianity or Catholicism. And I've read the Bible. And tons of other Christian books and things on the subject.



I have two Bibles.
American Standard Version (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Standard_Version)
New English Bible (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_English_Bible) with the Apocrypha, Oxford study edition-- this was has very helpful historical and informational footnotes.



I've already read the Gospels. Many times. I was going to read them again too.



Yup, I remember all that. My favorite Gospel was John actually.



I've done all this before, lol. I haven't read the whole OT, but I've read enough. I've also read all the footnotes in the NT and read the passages they apply to in the OT. How they like to the Psalms and all of that.



I do pray to god. And I listen. Just in a different way that you described.



I do that when I pray the Rosary or imagine St. Nicholas' church in my head. Or meditate. I also pay attention to my intuition and clues and signs.



Well I don't know if you read, but my confusion was because these feeling were conflicting with my beliefs. I've discovered I was a Catholic (monk/nun/devout person) in my past life. I know I was. That explains why in this life it's comforting and why I am drawn to it in this life.
My interest and draw to Catholicism is different from the average Christian seeker. I'm not looking to join a church or become a full fledge Christian, which your advice seems to be for. I'm just wanting to know how to incorporate these feelings as aspects I am drawn to into my present life. I don't think I'm being distracted. I was lead here yet again. If I didn't pay attention to various signs (reading about various saints, praying the Rosary, etc) I wouldn't have made the progess I have. I've finally come to realize my past life. I've come to terms with these feeling I have. Now it's just working them into my life. Hence why I mentioned Christo-Paganism or Catholic flavored Spiritualy (pseduo-Catholicism?).

Thanks for the advice though.


Eeeks - five months ago. I hate it when old threads get bumped upward accidentally and I end up thinking they're brand new! Sorry about that. Seeing new replies queued up confused me!

Really, the advice wasn't intended as advice for a person trying to find a church denomination to join or to go 'full-fledged Christian' as you put it... it was more of the *opposite* really. More about forgetting the denominations/traditions etc. and just getting into the Bible in a way where a person can become familiar with it. And also focusing on building a relationship with Jesus rather than a relationship with an organization, I guess you could say.

I realize none of this applies to your situation anymore, though. Sorry about that!

(And an idea about thread-bumping to all thread-bumpers out there: personally, I think if someone finds an old thread and replies to it in order to renew the conversation, it would be a great idea to consider *mentioning* that you're bumping up an old thread for further conversation. At least that way people who might not notice a thread dated months or years ago will have a heads-up; maybe the conversation can be refreshed, and hopefully improved with new information... rather than having an old thread *appear* to be current.

It's just my own personal "thing" I guess - but to me, old threads bumped upward should have a *reason* to be bumped, you know? Okay - end of my mini-soapbox speech! <g>

[Agaliha]

Eeeks - five months ago. I hate it when old threads get bumped upward accidentally and I end up thinking they're brand new! Sorry about that. Seeing new replies queued up confused me!
Wasn't accidently. I posted an update. :lol:


More about forgetting the denominations/traditions etc. and just getting into the Bible in a way where a person can become familiar with it. And also focusing on building a relationship with Jesus rather than a relationship with an organization, I guess you could say.

I understand what you mean, but I don't see the Bible or Jesus in the way most Christians do. My views are way liberal and more gnostic than anything else. So your advice, though great, doesn't really apply to me. I can read the Bible all I want it's still not going to change my views.
Methods of interpreting the Bible (http://www.religioustolerance.org/chr_inte.htm) --Method two is more my view than anything else.
I also believe in the Jesus as myth (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesus_as_myth)view.
I'm reading The Jesus Mysteries: Was The Original Jesus A Pagan God? (Paperback) by Timothy Freke, Peter Gandy (http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0722536771/vexencrabtree)--it's al; making sense to me.
So again your advice doesn't really help-- which is not your fault!



(And an idea about thread-bumping to all thread-bumpers out there: personally, I think if someone finds an old thread and replies to it in order to renew the conversation, it would be a great idea to consider *mentioning* that you're bumping up an old thread for further conversation. At least that way people who might not notice a thread dated months or years ago will have a heads-up; maybe the conversation can be refreshed, and hopefully improved with new information... rather than having an old thread *appear* to be current.

I understand what you mean, but I personally always look at the dates. :shrug: People bump old threads all the time and don't say they are, dates are a sure way to know how current something is. I also look for any new comments to see what's going on...sometimes it is easy to get confused.

For example, there was a poll bumped from 2001 in another area so I looked for the new comments by looking at the dates so when I commented they were up to date not to something 5 years ago.

Obviously if this was in the new posts of the day list or in the top of the Christian Witchcraft forum there is a new post in it (or someone answered a poll-- but this isn't a poll).

I'm not going to make a note in the first post saying I've bumped it. Sorry. Even if I made a note of it in my recent post, people can miss it.
I didn't see the point it making a whole new thread for the same topic so I posted my recent comments in this one.



It's just my own personal "thing" I guess - but to me, old threads bumped upward should have a *reason* to be bumped, you know? Okay - end of my mini-soapbox speech! <g>


maybe the conversation can be refreshed, and hopefully improved with new information... rather than having an old thread *appear* to be current.

Uh. There was a reason for posting in here again and bumping the thread.
Did you miss this post-- Number 12 (http://www.mysticwicks.com/showpost.php?p=2834415&postcount=12)? It's current.
Here it is:



October 4th, 2006 11:35 PM
Well I know I put a little bolded note on the first post that this didn't apply anymore....I was wrong. It does.
All those feelings came back fully force recently. _inabox_
I'm praying the Rosary again. Sleeping with it around my hand. Again. Heh.
I'm reading about tons of saints. Perpetua and Felicitas (I've been "obsessed" with them). Bernadette. Catherine of Alexandria. Dymphna. Lucy. Cecelia. Philomela.
I even went to a Catholic store two days ago and bought laminated saint prayer cards/icons and cheap saint medals.
I bought a statue of Mary at a thrift store too.
I was looking for Gregorian chants online.
I looked up Saint James Cathedral in Seattle and saw the pics and was drooling (not literally :lol: ). I'm determined to go there soon.
I did discover and confirm my suspicions. I was a Catholic in my past life. I know it. Perhaps a nun or monk. Or someone very devout.
I have no idea why these aspects of the past would be in this life, but they are. I've been fighting them though because there is no quick fix-- I can't just become a Catholic because I disagree with their teachings and doctrine about tons of stuff. It would be a lie to myself and the Church to do that.
So I figure to deal with it on my own...not sure how to go about that, but I hope I'll figure it out.
Perhaps I'll just have Catholic flared spirituality. :lol:
Become a Christo-Pagan. Or something.
I think the above comments are ones that I should pay attention to again.

That is the recent comment. The reason of the bump after which Azzy commented and I commented back.

You see when I created this thread five months ago I soon thought I was though with these feelings as I thought pantheism was for me. I put a bolded note on the top on the first post saying it didn't apply anymore (which I deleted on the 4th when I made the update). Then five month later (now) I realized I was wrong and it does still apply. Hence the reason for my posting. Same topic so same thread. Though my angst and issues in the first post don't apply, the topic does.

Sorry for the confusion.