And Hoenir, your English is a lot better than you give yourself credit for (which seems to be a national trait in Finland

Oh dear, this sounds seriousHoenir wrote: Frater Wyrmfang have used lots of mental and physical violence to force me here, and i just couldnt take it anymore.
Thank you very much (to all who welcome me). Yes, it seems to be a constructive and interesting forum, with an overall excellent attitude between members. Glad to be here.Heith wrote:Welcome on the forums Circaeon! Very interesting to have members of other occult societies partake here. I look forward to reading more from you.
Västra Götaland is somewhat familiar to me, as I lived in the area for a couple of years.
ShieldAnvil wrote:Greetings, everyone!
I grew up in a Lutheran religious environment, church every Sunday etc. I was 'confirmed' as a member of the church at age 15, but stopped believing not long after this as I started to become more comfortable with thinking critically for myself. I started asking questions and wasn't satisfied with the answers. Some years later, I found a copy of my confirmation speech and was horrified at the blind faith I had professed. I believe this kind of blind faith to be spiritually deadening, which is why a long period of a total lack of spirituality followed for me. Matters of the spirit were not important, I was only interested in living material life to the best of my ability day by day, believing this was all there is. When it's all over, the body dies and that's it. I subscribed to science and atheism.
It took time, but I began to realize this type of thinking was as much of a dead-end as the Christianity I'd left behind. It was blind faith in science, and it did not have the answers I was seeking regarding the burning fire I feel inside, the desire to create and express, or the immense energy felt when in a particularily beautiful setting in nature. I love hiking and being out in nature, and I credit that interest as the beginning of my awakening - how can the spirit be denied when it is all around, so plain to see? I find getting out to the mountains to always be the most humbling of experiences.