LadyCatW asked this question on 2/26/2000:

I have had discussions - both on and offline - in regards to a crisis of faith within Wicca.

In my experience, it very much relates to what you believed as you grew up. One who was raised a Christian, but follows another path in adulthood may tend to "fear hell" - whereas someone raised as an athiest or agnostic will more "fear delusion."

What are your experiences? And how do you deal with them?

Gwenivere gave this response on 2/26/2000:

Anonymous,

I guess I was sort of raised as a Catholic, but kind of an atheist at the same time. Because we never went to church or anything but my mom was raised as a Christian. Anyway, I never really feared death and have always been interested in Witchcraft. My family didn't worry about religion at all when I was little. My mom and dad are the only ones in my family who know about me being a Witch and I'm happy with it like this. I think whatever works for you is great.

*~*~ Gwenivere ~*~*

LadyCatW asked this follow-up question on 2/26/2000:

Ok, but do you experience any "crisis of faith" at any point?

As you work through your spiritual life, and deal with the different ups and downs of it - do you ever find yourself doubting, or occaisionally thinking you may have made the wrong decision?

In my own experiences, it usually hits when I am stressed out, or depressed. When things seem to be going radically wrong - I want to be able to blame it on something. I know - intellectually - that what I need to blame it on is myself; but my brain looks for that excuse to blame it on something outside of me.

Then again, with my students, different situations trigger these crises. Most recently, a movie triggered questions about the reality of the Divine, and Their actions towards humanity.

Or don't you really think about these things in your faith?

Gwenivere gave this response on 2/26/2000:

Actually, I know exactly what you mean. Once I questioned myself if Wicca was really my path or not and now I know it is. Actually, I look up to my religion when I am depressed. I do think about the same things you are, but I am sure that Wicca is my right path now. I visited my grandparents (they are heavily Christian) I questioned whether Christianity is right or not then I knew that Wicca is the right path for me.

*~*~ Gwenivere ~*~*

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