Solitary or group?
By blummus
@blummus (451)
United States
February 4, 2010 12:39am CST
Although there are a number of Pagan religions today, most of the Pagans I know well who are not Hindis practice their religion alone or only within their families, so I have a question for anyone who cares to answer.
How important is it to you to gather with others of similar faith, say at the main holidays or more often? What benefits and disadvantages are there in gathering together to worship, and what benefits/disadvantages do you feel if you are solitary in your practice?
3 people like this
9 responses
@cannibal (650)
• India
4 Feb 10
I would rather prefer it solitary. Worshiping in a group, though superficially appears as a booster of equality, my observations and experiences lead me to believing that it rather breeds the dangerous and unhealthy attitude of 'Us versus them'.
In any case religion ought to be a personal matter and it need not be a pompous affair especially when none can be convincingly proven to be right compared to others.
I reckon religion is a tool for self-development and should not be mixed with politics and society at large.
@blummus (451)
• United States
8 Feb 10
I have run into that one myself, even among Neopagans. Someone finds a way that works for them, they have friends who do the same sorts of things, and then you see them looking for ways to find other or persuade others to join in. I personally think there's a balance between the two somewhere, and I find there are times that I want to spend time with others in prayer, ritual and companionship as well as my own practices.
@blummus (451)
• United States
5 Feb 10
You make some very good points, Cannibal. I've worked both solitary and in groups of various kinds, and the process _is_ different. When you say 'us vs them', do you mean factions within the group, or the development of a group identity that stands distinct and opposed from another?
@ghieptc (2522)
• Philippines
5 Feb 10
I thought that the first post did not make it, I'm amaze it's double.I also think that if you will pray in solitary place, there is quite time with God & you can communicate better like Jesus did in Gethsemane.
On the other hand as I have said in the first post Prayer warrior tends to pray hand in hand with praise & worship as this is a ritual worship of Christian. It's more powerful prayer if you gather in one place with prayer list so that you pray without interruption.Prayer is a devout petition to God.
@Ravenladyj (22902)
• United States
4 Feb 10
I'm very much a Solitary person...simply because my path is MINE and though I know several Pagans who share SIMILAR beliefs etc for the most part our habits are different..HOWEVER I do have family members that are Pagan to one degree or another that I've celebrated holidays with etc and of course my hubby and kids (though NOT Pagan) celebrate holidays and special occasions etc with me and join in some of my Witchy ways....
As far as benefits and/or disadvantages of practicing with others or alone..it all depends on the individuals really I mean for SOME it may work out very well and for others (such as myself) not so much...and the reasons vary..
@blummus (451)
• United States
8 Feb 10
They do indeed. I have a number of Pagan and otherwise magical friends, and we often take very different paths toward similar results. A couple are Wiccan, one is Setian, etc., yet we all seek spiritual understanding and a bettering of our physical circumstances. Sometimes things work on a one-on-one basis better, but for the most part I am solitary as well.
@Galena (9110)
•
4 Feb 10
like most of us, I do mostly practice alone.
most of the purpose of meeting with others is to discuss ideas and learn from each other, and to celebrate.
celebration is a more outward expression than the progression of the soul, which takes place more on the inside, and is quite a private thing.
when the need arises for stronger workings, it's good to get together with others, but you really need to be quite compatible. this doesn't mean that your paths need be the same, but you need to feel able to work with their energy, and they with yours.
sadly the people I've met that I know I'd have the best results working with live a long way from me. but when we have the opportunitites to work together, it's always quite something. if they lived closer we'd probably all be a lot more inclined to work as a group more often.
@blummus (451)
• United States
8 Feb 10
I do hope you find others of a like mind closer to home as well, Galena. I lean toward a Druidic path, but it's hard to get together with the Druids here due to transportation issues. Still, I'm planning to move in a few months; I'm hoping to make connections with others once I'm settled into the new place.
@CRIVAS (1815)
• Canada
4 Feb 10
Personally I am more comfortable on my own. I am a solitary practitioner. I think that it has something to do with the fact that I don't practice like anyone else that I know. I practice my own religion in my own way and I think that it is hard for others to accept my mixed beliefs. Personally I respect all religions and I wish that that was true of more people. I also feel that when I practice on my own, I get more one on one time and it makes me feel important. I know that sounds kinda bad but it's just the way that I feel. Happy mylotting.
@blummus (451)
• United States
5 Feb 10
There's nothing wrong with wanting one on one time, and personal or private worship does allow for that more than a group working or celebration does. We all come to our paths from different angles and backgrounds; for many it's a very personal relationship, rather religion for the sake of family and community.
@pmbhuntress09 (1608)
• United States
7 Feb 10
We are not pagan but we also don't believe in most churches. We believe in praying to the great spirit and giving thanks to the mother earth, and also we give thanks to nature itself. But we believe that it is best to be in a group rather then solitary, but then again I have seen times when its best to be solitary. Because at some point you may have different feelings, and oppositions that others don't. As a minister I have to say that what we do is different.
@thuhuong (823)
• United States
4 Feb 10
As groups gather, it becomes more of a social gathering of thoughts and ideas. I guess the bigger the group the more it wants to recruit. You can call it a business model nowadays as it's looking for those who are like-minded and who are deeply and truly committed. The benefits can be the experience of being at one with another, having company to motivate you on the way and keeping the faith strong. On the other hand, with solitary beliefs done in private and at home, there is no need to prove to others what you believe. You're living it daily in a quiet time of which from what I understand is solely with God or whatnot. It's only you and your belief. I am fine with both as I see there is more flexibility in solitary belief without having to abide to strict group rules.
@advokatku (4033)
• Indonesia
4 Feb 10
perform the ritual worship together, in my opinion, much better and more sacred than running alone worship ritual
@ghieptc (2522)
• Philippines
4 Feb 10
Gather the believer will have the advantage to show the faith in God. Spreading the message to others will help their awareness that we have god that is king of king & lord of lord. Payer warrior tends to pray hand & hand can do more good and can answer payer immediately.
