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Weeping... Welcome!Hello, new to these forums, I joined so I can try to understand my beliefs and where they fit into the various religions, or indeed where they don't!
My apologies if this is in the wrong section.
So first I'll give you a quick run over my religious history. I've grown up in an Atheist family and my parents and grandparents generally frowned upon religion. They did however encourage a healthy interest in the outdoors and that's had a big influence on me.
My first genuine foray into religion was Theistic Satanism. I was 16 and was (and still am) very interested in the occult, anything dark and mysterious attracts me. I researched into it, found several "spells" and even performed a few of them, in particular I remember evoking (if that's the correct term), Asmodeus, who is one of the 7 princes of hell and represents the sin of Lust.
Yep I was that sorta teen
After that I drifted from Satanism and a few months later began to get very interested in Paganism. Norse Paganism is what drew me in, I knew a number of the Gods already from TV shows or Books and the idea of Valhalla appealed to me. I never truly felt a deep connection to it though, as I always felt strange to try and practice another cultures faith (I'm British). Around the same time I also gained an interest in Greek Paganism, though again the culture gap prevented me from properly getting into it.
A short while after that I came to my belief that God, is not a particular individual deity, but rather a underlying force that is in everything. I suppose like Mother Nature? This force has been represented by many different "gods" throughout the ages, but ultimately is one underlying power. I'm not decided as to whether he/she/it is sentient or not.
So to recap, my only serious religion thus far was Satanism, I'd developed an interest in Paganism and gained one of my core beliefs.
Last year I met my Girlfriend and she's a Christian, though certainly not an overly devout person. I guess casual Christian is the right term? She occasionally goes to bible study groups, helps out at her local church and prays. Her mother is also Christian but is much more religious. This made me think about Christianity more and I recently looked into the bible. I find it interesting, to me it seems very much like story rather than a sacred text. I did enjoy reading the small amount I've read so far.
I've been to Christian Church's several times, on Remembrance Day and other days like that and I've never gotten into it, finding it to be rather long and dull.
That's pretty much my brief history with religion, I'll now get onto my main beliefs.
I've already mentioned that I believe God to be a single force that resides in everything. I do pray now and then. Death isn't the end and I do believe there's something after it. I think that if you have enough belief in where you go after death, then you shall go there.
God doesn't have direct power over us, rather an influence, that can be requested via prayer to assist you or others.
I believe one should do in his or hers life that which makes them happy, improves them and strives for perfection, though not at the expense of others. That we should make the most of our very short lives and try to make even a small impact on the world, our communities or our families.
I know it might not be much at the minute, but this is merely the start of me digging into my religious side. I'm very open to questions, there's probably a lot I've forgotten to post so I'd appreciate questions, advice or criticism.
Many thanks,
Weeping Raven.
Thing with knowing God is that it goes hand in hand with knowing yourself. And you seem to be searching for your identity. Asking around "do I remind you of someone?" won't help. That is not the way. Sure, inquire, read, associate with different people, start as an eclectic - gradually you will find your way. For it was told "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you". There are two main ways of becoming religious. One is through a family or society. Even without an urge, or inner call, one was introduced or initiated into local tradition. Another way is when even without being so enthusiastic about spirituality, one day you come across a person who's presence leaves a striking impression on you. And you recognize "that is it!" and you follow his example, since it was your self-to -be that you recognized in someone else. So travel, or maybe watch Youtube? 
You are the most close to agnostics. Since they don't have a clue about God
When I was young, I couldn't have cared less about God. I only knew I could be more then what I was. All I wanted was self-realization. But, if you are doing it right, God-realization comes automatically. My path was yoga, so that is all I can share. One of the first steps in yoga is about qualifications, about who can start doing yoga at all. One qualification is ishvara-pranidhana or worshiping God. Note that there are many gods in India, and that the author of the above requirement had not said Vishnu-pranidhana or Shiva-pranidhana etc. No one should program you what to become. Since the path of yoga means that you are discovering who you are and simultaneously deciding what you want to become. And that is your exclusive right, it is between you and God. That is why yoga is universal and common for so different spiritual goals, like Buddhism and Hinduism. Yoga is about rituals for self-realization. I say rituals, since Satanism or paganism are usually about desiring power, through rituals. Yoga also can give powers, but that can be a trap.
All your speculations about God or even about yourself may turn out to be silly, the moment you get an experience. Practice first, theology later.
Oh, no. You should do what is right, even if that does not make you happy. That is Bhagavad-gita classic: prince Arjuna is on the battlefield, between two armies. He is desperate, since his friends and relatives are on both sides. Not only he do not want to fight them, but he would give his life for them. And yet, the battle is about to begin. No outcome could make him happy...
