Devil or Demon Worshipers?
A reader submitted the following comment: "After a long dragged out process i have decided that what you all say is
absolute bull**** and you should look to god to repent you demon worshipers from
hell! This is what my friend said after seeing me on this site."
To this comment I would simply reply that the Christian religion taught me I could recognize my true brothers and sisters by the fruit they produced in their lives. The fruit of God's Spirit was love, joy, peace, etc., leaving things like hate, anger, rudeness and hurtful actions as the fruit of the devil or that which opposed Divine will. Whose fruit do you think is being produced with a comment like that?
To this comment I would simply reply that the Christian religion taught me I could recognize my true brothers and sisters by the fruit they produced in their lives. The fruit of God's Spirit was love, joy, peace, etc., leaving things like hate, anger, rudeness and hurtful actions as the fruit of the devil or that which opposed Divine will. Whose fruit do you think is being produced with a comment like that?
i think both need to become more educated before they base such a strong opinion. then look at what they learned and take more care how their answer is worded. i faced the same kind of attitudes in my family. still do.
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Don't the bible say somewhere: "Do not judge, for ye will be judged"?
When people judge others there is this 'us versus them' mentality that suggests a degree of insecurity about their own spirituality.
I get judged even when it doesn't involve religion. I'm just an eccentric "weirdo". Even though it's not very nice at the time, I kind of feel ok and just understand. I feel this connection with God in my heart and it is my "Teddy Bear", and this gives me a certain detachment to their ignorant attitude.
You know what I am trying to say here?
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I think its obvious to most people reading that comment realize it is springing from a person who lacks maturity.
Having been a born-again Christian for 17 years there have certainly been times in my life, as a Christian, when I have acted immaturly, foolishly, and harshly. Did this mean I was not a Christian? Of course not. It meant I still need some growing up to do, and I am still growing in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.
The book of Proverbs in the Bible desribes four types of people: 1. The Naive 2. The Fool 3. The Scoffer 4. The Wise. When we choose to walk the path of righteousness we are choosing the path of the wise. If we take the other roads, naivity will lead us to foolishness and foolishness will lead us to be scoffers.
Christians need to learn to be wise. Yet, if we observe them in foolishness or being a scoffer (which the above comment represents) its obvious to all that they are not walking according to wisdom. Being a father of seven, I see this in the training of my own children. The begin naive (open to anything, good or evil) and sometimes choose wisdom and sometimes foolishness.
But the fundamental question here, really, is: What is a Christian? And in seeking to answer that question, on what will be look for our authority? A particular Church? A scholar? Or, is it more reasonable to say that we ought to look to Christ Jesus and His Apostles through their teaching found in the Bible?
I think it is far more resonable that Christianity and Christians are defined by the Bible than a Church or theologian. The Bible should serve as judge to both! It is a plumbline and standard for what the Christian believes and how they practice their faith. It is like a mirror of the heart and mind showing exactly what kind of person we are. And no where in the Bible does it teach a concept of perfectionism for the Christian. Rather, it teaches us that as imperfect, fallen/sinful people we may have redemption and forgiveness of our sins through Jesus Christ alone. As it relates to our righteousness, we understand that our righteousness is not our own...it is a foreign righteousness, that of Christ Jesus, accounted to us because of God's grace and mercy through faith.
Education/knowledge is an important step toward avoidng such foolish attitudes. Choosing the path of wisdom will be the application of that knowledge.
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I agree with you, it is pretty obvious that the comment is not very mature. Unfortunately that does not mean it was a young kid, it just means this person has not grown. You mention that you have done foolish things in your past, but have since out-grown them. You either have a very strong personal growth desire(which is rare) or you have a very good support structure. Either way you are growing in your faith and that is what is important.
The original quote tells me that the person does not have a very good support structure for their faith and is not growing.
One of the strengths that our technologically connected world has is that it can broaden our personal support structures. It allows us to reach out to people and resources that otherwise would not be accessible. On the flip side of this is that connections are easy to make and so many are shallow. We all still need to work on each and every connection to keep it strong, deepen our connections to the people and resources.
My advise to the reader that submitted the quote would be to go with that other person to help them strengthen their faith. They do not have to pretend to "convert", just help the person find some good strong connections so they can grow.
Some of my best personal growth conversations was with a friend of mine that did not believe in anything I believed in. We would have long discussions to explain the how and why of what we each believed. Neither one of us swayed the other but that was not the point, the point was to deeply examine what we each believed by having an outside observer look in.
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Hey there merry greetings to you.
May i say the church isnt a building. A church is a groupd of people following the word of God. Im new to this path but i observe alot about christian conflict. From my experience and my observation ive seen all kinds of "christian" being a lesbian ive delt with lots of rejectment but still followed what i believed because it was true to me. Alot of people classify themselves as chrostian even when they arent following it correctly, ive seen controlling, manipulalative, but ive seen the true christian who does their best to abide not judge and be open minded. When people are scrared cause ththey dont knoe the truth they act out, people shouldnt judge based ok n religeon, career, or style ect... They should get to know the person first but its rare to find people who are willing.
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It is judgment, hate and fear mongering like this that turned me from Christianity at the age of five. I knew as a child that the fear and sin being preached was hypocritical and immoral. The first time I heard the story of Adam and Eve in my first Sunday school class I felt dirty and especially bad because I was female. I vowed that the church would not make me ashamed of my sex and I would not allow it to stifle my powers as a woman. People who spread such hate as the person who made this comment should repent to whom ever they follow for their ignorance and intolerance.
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unfortunately, there are so many closed-minded people in this world of ours and sometimes it's really hard to have enough patience with them. still do tho, cuz i know that's the right thing to do.
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while we are on the subject. my 19 year old nephew asked me if i was a witch. didn't quite know how to answer.
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I am happy and proud to see so many thoughtful answers to the ignorant comment. It truly warms me to hear from Christians who see that all is love, as it is with Wicca.
To the comment above about how to react if someone asks if we are a witch... a happy and compassionate Yes is always appropriate, if you feel you are a witch. Hopefully it'll spark an honest and non-judgmental conversation. (I am at an interesting point with my 2-year-old daughter when we read books that show typical "witches" in hats and brooms. I suppose when she's older I'll explain the difference!)
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Yes, I known what you mean. My daughter asked me the same thing. I told her I wasn't sure how I would classify my self at this time. I practice Wicca. I worship and have rituals that at those time yes I would be called a witch, but that I try not to prescribe to lables. I try to live the way that is most pure that I can maintain. That the modern "thoughts" of what a witch is and what a Wiccan is are two totally different things. She is 13. I know she was just hoping that I could pull off some "magic".
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my family comes from irish wiccan beliefs i am not familiar with this but it would make me proud to know more.
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Agree wholeheartedly. I met a born-again Christian at the library the other day. You could feel the spirit just emanating from her. She was such a joy to be around. She did not judge me, in fact we had a wonderful conversation about the spirit within Jesus's philosophies. It is such a shame that all Christians (the same goes for other Wiccans) choose not to live with the same loving forgiveness and acceptance.
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I love to hear stories like this. I have a friend at work who is a strong Christian, yet loves me as a sister, even though she knows I am now Pagan. (I used to be Christian and she and I were 'sisters in the Lord' for many years. It took me 3 years to tell her of my spiritual path change, but when I did she was completely non-judgmental and loves me no matter what. We respect each other's beliefs. That is what is important. We *can* learn from each other if we allow ourselves to.)
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Oh myyyy, what a lovely way to say it. thank you ~ Namaste and blessings
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Here, here!
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I am sorry to see that kind of thing happening even today. It is hurtful and cruel to be so closed minded, not only to others, but to yourself. There are all kinds of people in the world, most good, some bad, but my beliefs do not make me bad or good, what I do with those beliefs does. It is my opinion that is why the Lord God gave free will to His children, and unfortunately, living in a free country means we will encounter this kind of opposition and negativity. I am proud to be a Green Witch, and I would hope others are proud to be who and what they are without fear, regardless of the negative messages that get sent out.
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Green witch? awesome...
I love our mother earth, from were we all came. our healing answers are within her nurturing, loving womb.
God Bless you, on your path my dear !!
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I feel it a waste of time to try to aline Wicca with Christianity. They are to different religions. I feel one is not better or worse than the other, but different traditions.I beleive religion is a matter of faith. It is a very personal thing.We beleive something, because somewhere along the way something has made it real to us. I don't think we truely beleive something just because someone tells us we are supposed to. I am a Wiccan because I have experianced it. But I do respect the beliefs and experiances of others even though they may differ from mine. I love to talk about peoples different beliefs, as long as they are not tring to condem mine.There is wisdom to be found in most all traditions.I feel that to condem and to critisize only turns people away. Many people like to quote biblical text to justify what they say. Although I do believe there is much wisdom in the Bible, and interesting reading, I veiw it as another ancient manuscript writen by men. Just as is all Pagan books I have read. I feel the main thing is tolerance of others beliefs and what works for them. And I offer no apologies or excuses for my own beliefs. Without tolerance and understanding, are back to the middleages.
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Unfortunately, this is a tragic response by most who follow any religion by blind faith. The most important thing that you can do is to try and educate these poor folks. I have explained Wicca to Bishops, Baptist ministers, and numerous "born-again" Christians. As long as it's done in a loving and non-judgmental manner, you will usually find that most will at least understand your point of view.
All Blessings Be. )O(
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Why change their thoughts. I read, read and read material that lead me to where I am today. I believe in the way I live my life. I live one day at a time. Besides, the people who hate others usually don't like themselves. If they were to change it would have to start with themself. Again, why try to change them or their thoughts?
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I see this a lot. "devil" and "demonic" words being associated with the words "wiccan" and "witch". WEll, seeing how we don't even accept the devil as a part of our religion, that's kind of an oxymoron and seems to me that the people(s) who say such things are ignorant to other religions and have no sense of what an "open mind" is. I for one, accept every religion, I may not believe in them, my true religion is Wiccan, but I will have an open mind and not judge a person for their beliefs. Do not judge, have an open mind to all things and you WILL find that sometimes although you don't believe in their concepts or lifestyle, you can sometimes come to the agreement at a certan level of life.. may sound like mumble jumble to some, but I've lived by this standard for quite some time and I have found that it's a great way to live.
hope my insight helped!
- newagearthmother +(also my email, yes spelled JUST like that, @ aol.com if anyone is interested in sharing any words or just anything !)
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Wow.I don't go on Christian websites or blogs to tell them they shouldn't be Christian. Nor do I go on Christian blogs to have long discussions of wicca. If I wanted to read that much about how to be a good Christian, I'd find a Christian blog.
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hi my name is cashaun and im 13 years old. I love to research on things i think this is the coolest and i have been thinkin for the longest to become one as i get older i would love to experiance mother nature's world in a whole new way.im so glad that wiccas arent satanic because my grandmothers a preacher and is always talkin bout sourcery and how they cast spells i mean like for real christianty was a government made religon i can belive this way before that plz help me get more information on u guys before i make the decison.i am really interested plz get in contact with me at my face book or twitter. facebook:cj simmons twitter:cj13sims
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I have been a Christian for most of my life. And comments like this one, deeply saddens me. So many who follow the teachings of Jesus Christ have no idea what they mean or why they follow him. If any religion is simply a list of rules, it can only fail to fulfill the person. It will not be able to satisfy the longing that every living entity has; the longing to be with God (or deity if you prefer).
The truest Christian is not unlike the true practitioner of any religion. If the essence of the Divine One is within us, then the worshiper lets that light shine through them. This is true regardless of your system of belief. It is the basics of religion.
If find it dissapointing that some who use the name of Jesus, use it only to subdue and destroy other people. They have missed the point.
PY
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we're not evil or satanists, if anything we're better people then you we believe we have to take care of earth and celebrate it, not just the gods and goddess and we're not so closed minded to only see our own religons. we have no problems with other religons, but most of you freakin christians and catholics only see things your way and everyone whos different is going to hell most of yall think jesus was christian HE WAS JEWISH!!! he didnt worship himself! yet people who are jewish are going to hell?! Wiccans believe in peace to all and celebration, and for some reason yall think thats a sin. we dont try to convert people we except them, and we respect their choice why can't you do the same?
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I agree! If you read my comment above^ (newagearthmother) you will see that I said some of the same things. I don't understand why we can not be accepted as a religion (although we are legally a religion) by other religions, nor do we get any respect. It makes me a bit upset but you can't let that eat at you, for some reason the wiccan/pagen religion has been, and most likely always will be portrayed as evil or demonic. It's been that way for a very long time, just think back to the "witch hunts" in salem and such other parts of the world. I suppose some things will never change, all we can do is try and get the word out and educate the ignorance.
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I'm sorry to hear that you've been getting abuse. We need to be respectful, this what the Prophets taught. I'm Muslim and I have an article for any potential converts to Wicca or Paganism on my blog called "For those thinking to convert to Wicca or other neo-pagan faiths."
I do not wish to provoke animosity, but I do wish to encourage debate. I respect Wiccans and Pagans rights to worship the way they want to, I would just like to provide a resource to help those who aren't sure about converting to Wicca etc. It's meant as guidance, one piece of guidance.
You'll find the article on my blog (scroll down)
islamonlinelearning.blogspot.com called
"For those thinking to convert to Wicca or other neo-pagan faiths."
Any questions, discussion or debate can be posted on there in the comments section.
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I am new to the world of Wicca but I find the comments made by the original poster to be very alarming.
There is already a lot of bad in the world, most of it caused by religious intolerance.
We should all be allowed to choose and practice a faith without fear of comments like this.
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I am leaving my comment re the "dragons and demons" person. First, I am not a wiccan. Second, I have informed myself about many "religions" including Wicca and Christianity. Finally, my own decision would have been to leave that person's Reptilian, vile remarks unanswered because he/she represents something very nasty and reflects the dark side of the Human condition that we probably inherited from Tyrannosaurus rex who to my understanding was not a very "religious" or loving creature nor a very good neighbor in its time and so it disappeared. Sadly, it left its mark on our genes and this too often shows up.
I have respect for all belief systems that stem from Nature and whatever harmony remains in our world. I don't know if one should respond to the dragons and demons mentality, ignore it, or lecture to it. I think that lecturing to people like that only supports their anger and their belief that you are weak and vulnerable. My style (sadly) is to respond in kind but I think that ignoring such creatures is the wisest path. Sorry for the lecture, but I am sick and tired of people like the Reptilian creature who atacked your beliefs and such attacks get me going.
Be Peaceful,
Herb
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Our god is ur god! the god of different names!! sambi,alah,jehova.. etc
keep the heads up and dont let them goof! buawjajajaja why are they in our sites if we work with the devil?? ironic
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It pains me greatly to hear so called Christians react in this manner. If they were walking the walk they claim to be they would not be spouting such hatred. I am a Christian - a follower of Jesus - these people clearly are not in fellowship with the same Jesus I know and love - he only reached out to people in LOVE - I do the same - Blessings to all in HIS name.
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Hello all,
I am currently in nursing school and for my senior project for Culture and Religions and how they affect nursing practice I chose Wicca. If there is anyone out there that can tell me if there are certain medical practices that are not allowed to be done on wiccans can you please get back to me asap? Are there foods you are not allowed to eat like muslims can't eat pork etc.
Thanks in advance for your help!!
Michael
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To believe that spells and charms don't work, yet believe some giant man watches us from the sky. I don't know. People should be open-minded.
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It is so unfortunate when individuals spew such hatred and ignorance. God, regardless of the name you use or face you see, would never condone or support such behavior. It is appalling how so many (past and present) have used God's name to justify some of the most horrific acts, verbal and physical, against each other. It shows we as a human race still have a long way to go, and I hope the individual who made the above comment is able to show more maturity and respect in the future before the tables are turned and someone just as immature attacks their beliefs in such an inappropriate and abusive manner.
See my blog post: Is god a bigot?
http://caleencanady.blogspot.com/2011/05/is-god-bigot.html
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Each to their own, not worth fighting about! Religion has caused more wars than anything!
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Wow, I am new here, however I like and trust what I see here so far. Of course I clicked over to Kardia's blog and was floored by that first statement. I do not want to judge them for their comments however it is difficult not to react to them with more judgment..., so instead my reaction is to continue to realize that there is simply much to learn and much to teach, and to keep on believing that this world can and will continue to be a better place.
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just because you don't understand something doesn't mean you should force another religion unto being wiccan or pagan. you should try to understand before you just assume. in other words think before you speak and make sure that whatever you say cant be proven wrong.
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Some people think Wicca is a cult. Want to express your opinion? Piney D Press is calling for submissions to its new anthology --cults--your definition, your experience, your viewpoint! http://pineydpress.blogspot.com
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My question is not in regard to this specific post, but I am new here and do not know how to add new posts...
My question is in reference to Cleansing & Consecrating a candle: Submerge the candle in sea salt and the ask The Lord and lady to bless it. Do you then get rid of the salt or can it be used for that purpose multiple times> Thanx!
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People never cease to amazed me with their ignorance. Believe me, I live in the south and see it everywhere, against, black people, against Mexicans, against Jews, against Catholics, against atheists, against everyone! A group of people who just constantly streamline hate hate hate.
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how could anyone think we wiccans are bad?! We only want to lived in peace with all other religions!What have we ever done to have anyone hate us so much!?I would never harm someone else. How can some religions say we hurt other people when harming someone else would go against the Wiccan Rede! It makes me very sad that so many people would judge someone for their religion. So many people have died because people argue about religion, why cant people just live in peace and respect each other...
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