Hello fellow ATSers! I have been a member here for a couple of months now (lurking for about a year prior to that) and felt that it was time to
introduce myself.
I guess I should start at the beginning, since that it usually the best place to start
...
I grew up in the rural NE Georgia mountains. Some of my earliest memories stem from being able to "read" the seasons. As a small child I based the
calendar around the changing world around me. I could tell you the date (within a matter of days) simply by which flowers were blooming, which bugs
were buzzing, etc. I have always felt a very deep connection with nature.
I was raised in a Christian household, though it was not a conservative one. We began attending a Presbyterian church around the time I was 9 years
old. My first questionings of faith began at the age of 11, when my siblings and I had been sent to a private Christian school, and part of our
studies were Bible classes. At the time the 1st Gulf War had begun, and I convinced myself that Sadam Housein was the anti-christ.
Through out the rest of my childhood and teen years there were many teachings that just didn't sit right with me. There was just to much that
didn't make sense and I couldn't take "because the Bible tells us" as an answer, and I began my search into as many religions as I could find.
Then a dear friend introduced me to the Pagan religions. With my "natural" connection to Mother Nature so strong, these teachings made much more
sense to me than what the Christian Bible was telling me. For years I considered myself "Pagan", though with no specific path, but continued on my
quest for knowledge. I now consider myself to be of no particular "religion" (I have a serious problem with authority
) but a culmination of
everything I have learned.
Now, at to everything else ATS...
Like I said, I have a problem with authority. I have never believed everything I have been told and accepted the "because I said so" answer. I
believe there are 3 sides to every story - yours, mine, and the truth. I take everything with a grain of salt, and try to hear every version before I
come to my own conclusions.
I am not an "expert" in anything. I like to think of myself as a "jack-of-all-trades", and dabble in a little bit of everything. If it peaks my
interest I will study it in a very obsessive manner.
I look forward to getting to know all of you here. I have always enjoyed a good debate, and feel that ATS is an amazing place to share what little
bit I have to offer, and to learn so much more!
Please, if anyone has any questions feel free to ask.
I ask only one thing... Please remember why we are here on ATS. I have seen more petty arguments and hateful statements on here lately than there
needs to be. We are all here to share our opinions, beliefs, and questions. There is no need to sling mud at each other. Let's agree to disagree,
and help each other to find the answers to all of our questions.
Peace and love to you all
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