BellaOnline Forums Religion and Spirituality Pagan Misunderstanding Paganism

Well, Jenna, my own feelings are that we all tend to be shaped by our experiences more than anything. All that I think or feel about Christians comes from what has been said to me by people online who openly identified by that term and made it clear it was part of the reason behind why they were chosing to engage me, or from instances where I related with them in my personal life. I've had experiences in both realms that were wonderful and a few that were downright awful. Sort of like the rest of life in general.

Sorry, my post wasn't very clear. I was talking about how instead of basing *this* life on ensuring one's place in the *next* life, I find it more comforting to put my best effort into *this* life. And I agree completely that includes being the best human being I can, taking responsibility for my actions, etc. But because (as I see it) there is no secret ritual for being saved that others may not know about, there is no pressure to spread the information around as there is with some religions where the belief is that one has to take a specific action/decision in order to be saved.

Jesus practiced the art of witchcraft. If you look at the similarities, they are quite real. He had a coven (of "disciples"), practiced divination, magic and energy work, healing, meditation and prayer. Christian holidays also have their roots in pagan origins. The list goes on and on. I find it quite fascinating that the majority of christians just have not made this connection.

Jesus did not practice witchcraft. The similarities are that both are supernatural but Jesus would tell you that the source was different. Christian holidays were superimposed over pagan holidays as a means of supplanting them.Not that they are related. Just that Christianity deposed them. Christins will tell you that there is a spiritual war going on and using the holidays of the enemy is the equivalent of using the enemy's weapons against him. Quite common in warfare.

To say that religion is a type of warfare is disgusting.

Gang, this is Rae, the Pagan forum editor/moderator here. I just want to let people know that after last year's several-months-long period where everyone attacked each other over their religious beliefs, I won't stand for such behavior in these forums. I will lock threads down if it comes to mudslinging in public, and I will delete posts if it comes to threats and impolite language.

You wanna have a huge argument with someone? That's fine, but it has to be in private emails to each other, not here on the public boards.

Thanks!

(Rae, please delete this comment if you feel it's not appropriate or exascerbates the situation)

I just wanted to add that these individual forums are a haven for each group who uses them. They are not intended for those who object to a belief to come in and try to convert others. That is why there are various Christian-focused forums and many other forums taking specific viewpoints shared by many but also not shared by others - otherwise there would be one forum only for "Religious discussion and/or debate".

I am not saying that someone who does not share the beliefs of a specific forum are not welcome in that forum: if you are interested in having a productive, fair, and open-minded interaction, you will be met with equal courtesy and respect regardless of your stand.

Elle - That's the sort of message I was going to post next if things escalated.

Everybody - I'd also like to say explicitly in case anyone hasn't figured this part out yet, but this is not a place for Pagans/Wiccans/Witches/Whatever-We-Are to start mudslinging and name calling back in the other direction either. That sure as heck doesn't solve anything.

The comment was made that Jesus practiced witchcraft. Being a Christian, I responded. I was explaining, that's all.

And I'm just posting gentle reminders about forum conduct because that's my job as moderator.