Different Views of Christians and Pagans...
"I think the very different world views of Christians and Pagans needs to be
appreciated and respected. We do believe in one God, one truth, and one way to
Heaven. That alone makes us "intolerant" in the eyes of many pagans, but it's a
basic theological difference."
I would certainly agree that our different views need to be respected. But I'm personally not convinced that our beliefs are really so different. For example, most Wiccans and Pagans believe in ONE true power, (sometimes just referred to as The One), that is represented by both masculine and feminine aspects of the Divine. As you mentioned, Christians believe in one God ... but isn't this God represented by both the Son and the Holy Spirit?
In the Bible the Holy Spirit is referred to in masculine terms, but God's children are said to be BORN of the Holy Spirit, and this personification of God held the traditional feminine role of providing his children with guidance ... teaching and comforting them as they grew. Interestingly enough, the original texts of the Bible NEVER referred to the Holly Spirit in masculine terms, like we do today.
As for multiple gods ... Christians often seek help from "angels", while Pagans tend to ask the "lesser gods" for guidance. We use different words to describe our actions. Is THIS what makes us wrong in your eyes? Isn't this like saying that someone who speaks another language is wrong because they have described a person or thing using different words? I prefer to think we are all following the same God, but are using different "spiritual languages" to describe our beliefs!
I would certainly agree that our different views need to be respected. But I'm personally not convinced that our beliefs are really so different. For example, most Wiccans and Pagans believe in ONE true power, (sometimes just referred to as The One), that is represented by both masculine and feminine aspects of the Divine. As you mentioned, Christians believe in one God ... but isn't this God represented by both the Son and the Holy Spirit?
In the Bible the Holy Spirit is referred to in masculine terms, but God's children are said to be BORN of the Holy Spirit, and this personification of God held the traditional feminine role of providing his children with guidance ... teaching and comforting them as they grew. Interestingly enough, the original texts of the Bible NEVER referred to the Holly Spirit in masculine terms, like we do today.
As for multiple gods ... Christians often seek help from "angels", while Pagans tend to ask the "lesser gods" for guidance. We use different words to describe our actions. Is THIS what makes us wrong in your eyes? Isn't this like saying that someone who speaks another language is wrong because they have described a person or thing using different words? I prefer to think we are all following the same God, but are using different "spiritual languages" to describe our beliefs!
Posted by Kardia at 2/26/2010 1:39 PM 
Categories: The Christian Witch
Tags: Pagan and Christians beliefs
Categories: The Christian Witch
Tags: Pagan and Christians beliefs
I couldn't agree more with you Kardia. I also believe all the gods represented in every culture are part of one higher force. The problem comes, and it mostly does from Xians, when the person believes his or her faith is the only correct one, and attacks other faiths, and even tries to convert people. In fact, there are but a few Xians I've met who believe there are many paths to god. in the majority of cases they believe they hold the only truth and the rest of us are going to "hell" that's where the real conflict between religions start
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My mother is a very strong Christian and she does not agree with paganism. I'm still young, but I've been threatened out of my own home numerous times because she sees me as Satan worshipping and demonic.
She refuses to see the similarties between each of our religions or aknowledge the respectable aspects of paganism.
It really is sad that in most cases the religions simply cannot seem to coincide peacefully.
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I grew up in a strick Catholic family that would disown family members if they became even lutheran. So you see I can't come out of the broom closet and still have a family. What makes me sick is how much the two religions are a like.
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The problem is the three big religions all believe that their way is the true and ONLY way to heaven. The ironic part is they all ideally worship the same God, they even recognize the same prophets and teachers, but still they see themselves as different and separate. Now if these three religions cannot find a middle ground and try to see eye to eye, that certainly doesn't bode well for religions OUTSIDE of these big three. Until the Christians, Jews and Muslims can fix their differences and come together in peace, Pagans, Buddhists, Hindus and all other religious faiths will NEVER be "right". It's going to take many more years before the realization finally hits everyone that the one Divine God/dess is infinitely beyond just one religion. Until that time we continue to worship alone or in small groups just as "witches" have for centuries. Blessed be all.
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Wow! Having been an "Xian" for many years I can understand your plight. I know how dogmatic and broken this religion, that speaks of having access to a love that surpasses undertanding, can be. It makes me sad. I will try to pray that your mother will show you real Spirit-inspired love and understanding and embrace you for who you are.
Unfortunately too many Xians turn to dogma and fear, and skip the love, patience, gentleness, kindness etc. So sad. I guess I'm one of those rarities who really believes that those who seek find, who knock have the door opened and God is big enough to embrace all people's varied ways of searching a.k.a religion.(and yes, I agree with Kardia the Holy Spirit is "she" not "it")
I enjoy this blog and my own path is enriched from what I learn from your paths. Peace.
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I am currently a Christian who is starting to look seriously at other religions and other paths. What I have found so far, is that Wicca seems to say all of the things that I already believe (and yes, I believe them as a Christian.) I do find the idea that there is only one way to find the divine to be ludicrous, and just to point out, I would say only half of my current church really believes that; however, the half that does is a very loud group. I am finding more and more, that with Christianity, I have to constantly translate what is being said, to what I believe. Because while I can believe in Jesus' teachings, I can't always believe in the churches teachings. I am finding in Wicca, there is a lot less translating that needs to be done. We are one, the kingdom of Heaven is Now, we just have to open ourselves to it. Thank you for this discussion.
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I come from a christian family. My mother believes I'm going to hell and she doesn't kick me out bc I already live out. My husband is lutheran. And they're super conservative. I never felt comfortable at any church I went to(and my mother took me to many trying to get me to like one) ant when I was 17 I bought my first wicca book. She threw it away as soon as she got a chance. I'm afraid that'll happen with my husband so I don't even dare to buy books that will help me explore beyond what I already know. I agree that the big three religions are to "stubborn" (for lack of a better word) to accept any other faith but I also believe that they are not going to accept anything else but their religion as acceptable. It's sad bc I'm stuck not being able to learn as I would if I was free from that prejudice. Hopefully I can convince my husband to accept me as I am and not as an abomination when I gather the courage to tell him that I am not a christian.
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Reading these blogs, my husband and I are deeply moved and touched. We too were brought up in religious homes. He a catholic and I, Xtian. We both knew that there was more to it than what we were being taught. We both feel blessed that when we met, we found that we were on similar spiritual paths. Together, we have been able to grow and explore the different paths to find what is right for us. We have learned that we are not so different from the big 3 religions, but then again we are. We are in the sense that we know that our path is not the only one true path and we understand that what may be right for one may not be for another. We don't push our beliefs on anyone, but rather share if asked. We don't try to convert or change anyone's way of thinking, but rather help others to open their minds and hearts to understand that there is more out there then they have been previously taught.
We firmly believe in educating people about Paganism, what it really is about and about the different paths that fall under that umbrella term. Helping them to see that it is about a spirituality.
Our hearts reach out to all of you that are in situations that prevent you from growing and being who and what you are wholeheartedly. We have both been there.
We pray for you that you find the strength you need to make it. Though you may need to practice in the dark, if you stay true to your path and allow the Divine love to flow through, your light will shine brightly.
Live your life full of integrity, and allow the love, light, tolerence and openess to shine through.
You can't control what people think, only how you react to the situations around you.
With much love and many blessings,
Essence
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Good Evening, Essence.
Well said!! Everyone needs to set a good example. Love, kindness and tolerance is the key. That is what people will see and want.
Please keep your wonderful light shining!
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i have been getting harrassed by "christians" alot in the past few days about being a wiccan. i was wondering if you could email me a copy of your blog soi could show it to them? i would grettly appreciate it. blessed be
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