What do I believe?

I visited a blog recently that stated what the writer believed in (it's a christian blog, so I'm not sure if I should link or not) and this got me to thinking; as humans we use labels to describe what or who we are; each label carries with it the perceived or preconceived notions about who and what we believe. Clearly I have stated several times that I am pagan, but what does that truly mean to me??

Being pagan clearly means anyone not of the Abrahamic traditions. But what else does it mean? Each time we tell someone we are pagan what are we conveying. or hoping is been shared?? When someone says they are christian we know it means they believe in Jesus, and follow the bible (however loosely they may do so), but what am I sharing when I say I am pagan??

This got me thinking what do I believe and what don't I believe?  Here are a list of things that are concrete beliefs for me:

• I know that I believe in the duality of Divinity, which is the Goddess and the God. I know the Gods are real, just as I know I am real. I know magic exists, I have been blessed way too may times within my life not to know the existence of the magic that weaves us all together.
• I believe in Gaia, that the planet is alive and consciously aware of us. That we are all interconnected and that what happens to 'one' happens to 'all'.
• I believe in the sanctity of life; & that we are all have a right to be happy, healthy and loved. I do not however thing that it means becoming a victim; you have the right to protect yourself and your family, up to and including harming others whose intent it is to harm you. But only when all else has failed. 
• I believe in a woman's right to choose.
• I believe in the Fae, and all the other beings that are present within their world.
• I love to read the tarot but I believe they are simply tools to help you open up to the unconscious mind, I'm still not convinced that they can predict the future.
• I believe that I am a witch and a follower of the an eclectic path that includes many teachings from my ancestry as well as draws from what i have been exposed to within my life
• I believe that sex is sacred and powerful and that even though it should be practiced freely it isn't something to just do with anyone, it should be shared with those who understand the gift they are being given.
• I believe int he sanctity of the human body. That is a temple and should be treated as such, taken care of, decorated as you see fit since it's the home of the Goddess.
• I believe in the sanctity of marriage, and that it should be available to all those who would seek it. It should be open to consenting adults regardless of race and orientation.  
• I believe that magic is real, and tangible.
• I believe in the existence of demons (i have had way too many altercations not to)
• I believe in ghosts and spirits (my family is filled with mediums)
• I believe in mediums and psychics
• I believe that color and crystal therapy works ( we even learnt about it in nursing school so I know there are scientific reasoning as well behind it)
• I believe in the power of herbs 
• I believe that when all else fails, a hex is a good thing to have as a back up.
• I believe in reincarnation, 
• I believe in soul mates. I believe that there can be several soul mates created from each person, and if you meet them you will know, but if you never meet then they can still be happy with one of their other potentials.
• I believe it is possible to love more than one person at a time.
• I believe that Jesus did exist. And that like most of the prophets in other traditions was sent by the Divine to be a guiding light to his people. Each generation gets one, one who stands out more than others who leads them towards greater consciousness and seeks for them a better world. I believe that each tribe also gets one. Many of the great names can be called prophet for that generation. Some examples would be Krishna, Buddha, Gandhi, Dr. King, & Mohammed (peace be upon him).  Even though i do believe these prophets have all existed I don't believe that thier beliefs are the only valid ways to Divinity.

What I don't believe:

• I personally don't believe in animal sacrifice, I however know that the magic that comes from hat is generally stronger than magic that doesn't use this
• I don't subscribe to the belief of light/dark magic, magic and energy can be manipulated but like all things that exist it doesn't exist in one phase only.
• I don't believe in reiki ) I know for some it works and for other it doesn't it's not tangible for me ( yes i see the irony) and i don't believe in it. 
• I don't believe in the existence of blood sucking vampire *until they do come out* I'm going to have to go with no they don't exist.
• I don't believe in or worship Satan, as he is a Christian (actually a Abrahamic figure) he doesn't have a role in my beliefs.
• I don't believe in 'otherkin' you are more than welcome to that belief but I don't and won't until there is other proof *scientific*, i'm just going to go ahead and say "Nope, don't believe in that either".
• I don't believe in the myth of the "Burning Times". I know the Inquisition took place, and that despite the name almost none of the people who were actually killed, have any actual ties to witchcraft. Many were labeled as witches because they didn't follow the rules of society, they turned down the wrong man, or made enemies with the wrong people. There was money to be made from labeling someone a witch, both for the church and the person making the accusation.  Many women were killed, midwives were killed so that doctors could take over their roles in the society, people who were diseased were accused, but there is no concrete proof that any of the people accused were ever actually witches. I need y'all to stop spreading this myth, Just. Stop. It. 

These are the highlights of what I believe and don't believe, these are by no means the only things I believe, but when I think of being a witch I hope that these are the some of the things people are thinking about when they hear the label. Why not share in the comment section some of your own beliefs??