wiccan (Baptist, bible, faith, Catholics)

[arguy1973]

Originally Posted by dncngrl1964

well arguy then ummmm wouldn't we have been born jews then???
or should I say unto Jewish parents

Not exactly, we we accept Christ, we are "grafted into" the Jewish family. 27for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

[pirate girl]

Originally Posted by jkmewright

These were all a nice fit for me as I prefer a religion which does not judge others and is forward thinking. *ducking the negative points flying my way* lol

Exactly what I like about religions other than christianity. No negative points coming from this pagan...........only positives!!

[dncngrl1964]

Originally Posted by arguy1973

Not exactly, we we accept Christ, we are "grafted into" the Jewish family. 27for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

so then Abraham would be our Jewish father and in essence we are sister and brothers of Isaac

I had forgotten about that scripture
thanks for reminding me

[skywriter]

Originally Posted by kaykay

Well, I just got a red dot while ago for this post. Guess I offended somebody.
I don't mean to be offensive to anyone who chooses Wiccan, or to be a "know it all" or whatever. Just personally, I am not aware of the evidence that would persuade a person to choose Wicca. That's all I meant by it. From my understanding, Christianity offers more evidence, that's all.
Obviously,....I think that-that's why I'm a Christian. Sorry if I came on too strong and offended someone. I seem to be doing that a lot lately...

Not trying to be argumentative, but what kind of evidence do you mean? Is this your own personnal evidence of God? Evidence in the Bible? Or events that appear to be miracles (not saying they aren't) Or scientific evidence? Because I've never really encountered any evidence that specifically supports Christianity as true.
I don't think any religion really has evidence for how true it's beliefs are or that make it any more deserving of more practioners than any other religion.
Also, I don't see religion as needing evidence. The whole point of it I think is faith. Religion is about having faith and simply knowing. You shouldn't need facts to tell you which spiritual path to follow.

[kaykay]

Originally Posted by skywriter

Not trying to be argumentative, but what kind of evidence do you mean? Is this your own personnal evidence of God? Evidence in the Bible? Or events that appear to be miracles (not saying they aren't) Or scientific evidence? Because I've never really encountered any evidence that specifically supports Christianity as true.
I don't think any religion really has evidence for how true it's beliefs are or that make it any more deserving of more practioners than any other religion.
Also, I don't see religion as needing evidence. The whole point of it I think is faith. Religion is about having faith and simply knowing. You shouldn't need facts to tell you which spiritual path to follow.

Both. I think there is evidence that Jesus existed, was prophesied about years and years before He came that He would come and do just what He did. I think the resurrection of Jesus gives evidence that He was who He said He was. Of course, I know all that can be disputed and is and we've all argued about it to the "nth" degree on this board. But that is one part of the "evidence" I mean. And yes, I do have personal evidence. I'm a charismatic after all! I have answered prayers, healing, speaking in tongues and other things that manifest as evidence to me. (Now I know what I just shared is HIGHLY controversial even among Christians as to whether the gifts of the Spirit manifest today, but I say they do and I have experienced them. If someone wants to argue that...it's another thread and I think we've done that.)

About Wiccan, I guess I just have questions about the "evidence" because I have never heard anybody say what convinced them to be Wiccan or if there was anything other than they just like the ideas embodied in it. I guess that is why people choose it. And that's cool. People certainly have that right. Most people seem to need a little something on which to base the "leap of faith." I have done a little bit of study about Wiccan because of some of the people I've met on this board. I'm not planning to convert , just thought it would be interesting to have some understanding of it. You are right. It is about "faith" whatever our personal convictions are. I think we can have evidence, though, just maybe not knowledge if you know what I mean. In this life, we WILL be operating "in faith."

[kaykay]

Oh, and initially I started talking about "evidence" because the OP had said he might try Wiccan and then said he was having trouble believing what he couldn't see. That's how the "evidence" thing got started, skywriter.

[skywriter]

Originally Posted by kaykay

Both. I think there is evidence that Jesus existed, was prophesied about years and years before He came that He would come and do just what He did. I think the resurrection of Jesus gives evidence that He was who He said He was. Of course, I know all that can be disputed and is and we've all argued about it to the "nth" degree on this board. But that is one part of the "evidence" I mean. And yes, I do have personal evidence. I'm a charismatic after all! I have answered prayers, healing, speaking in tongues and other things that manifest as evidence to me. (Now I know what I just shared is HIGHLY controversial even among Christians as to whether the gifts of the Spirit manifest today, but I say they do and I have experienced them. If someone wants to argue that...it's another thread and I think we've done that.)

About Wiccan, I guess I just have questions about the "evidence" because I have never heard anybody say what convinced them to be Wiccan or if there was anything other than they just like the ideas embodied in it. I guess that is why people choose it. And that's cool. People certainly have that right. Most people seem to need a little something on which to base the "leap of faith." I have done a little bit of study about Wiccan because of some of the people I've met on this board. I'm not planning to convert , just thought it would be interesting to have some understanding of it. You are right. It is about "faith" whatever our personal convictions are. I think we can have evidence, though, just maybe not knowledge if you know what I mean. In this life, we WILL be operating "in faith."

Thanks. I was just curious.
I appreaciate how you actually did your own research on the subject. Too often you get people who have no knowledge of it saying things that end up making them seem ignorant. I like arguing now and then, but being called a devil-worshipper gets old.

[wicca1]

Here's the myth behind Wicca:

Back in the days, the world was asleep in the arms of black chaos. Then, in the dark heart of emptiness the spirit was born, establishing our ruler of her infinite love. The ruler was dancing in heaven, and steps have been the rhythm of creation. Sparks, frustrated with her hair, producing stars and the planet. While she felt, celestial bodies began to move with it in the divine symphony of the universe. When her dance accelerated, she created land, sea and mountains. She sang words of love and joy, and when the sound of her voice fell to the ground, it produced trees and flowers. The clean white light of her breath appeared paint universe filled all that is a shining splendour. On her loquacious sounds of laughter born of water pouring down, but her tears of joy were vibrant rain.

When her dance slowed, the ruler began to seek a partner, which was able to share with her the wonders of the world, the spirit of a master. The essence master half Jesus, half spiritual, that together they could populate our planet. Strength master moves through it, and hurling land their blessings. Together they gave meaning and birth to birds, fish, animals and people of our world.

To protect and mentor people, the God and Goddess created angels and spirits. Their energy is always there with us, although we usually can not see them. The Goddess gave a magic song to each bird, and the Master gave each animal instinct for survival. The God rules over the animals and vegetable kingdoms, and his head crowned with a magnificent deer antlers. The animal aspect is the joy of his life in the spirit world creatures.

When the human race began to multiply and flourish, the God and Goddess saw the need for medicine, owned by the forces of nature. So they took power from the angel kingdom, animal kingdom and the kingdoms of life for sorcerers and witches. War brought wisdom master and ruler, skill and art of healing magic. Thy taught their children up a virtuous circle and talk to Spirit, and the Master taught them to communicate with the spirits of fire, air, land, water and wander freely on the animal and vegetable kingdoms.

Initially, people were lit and well received by them, but because witches were other people, some began to fear the wise which were created by the God and Goddess. These magic holders were hidden people. They were on their faith and called positive energy in deep secrecy to avoid capture and death at the hands of those who hated and feared them.

When the world's chaotic darkness of ignorance, the Goddess chose pale moon face as a symbol of its soothing light and the Lord of the elected bright rays Sun as a symbol of strength and perfect love. Every month during the full moon, witches celebrate and remember the great blessings mother. We appeal to the energy that it gave us the strength to take care of ourselves, our families, friends and our world. Four times a year, when there is a change of seasons, witches fire suit celebration marking the master and his love for us. In the four quarters of the year witches talk about the cycle of life and praise the earth gifts.

The ruler has many names - Ishida, Astarta, divine wife, Diana, Arcadia, etc. It stands next to a woman of any race. The master has many faces, from the powerful as Tsernunna to the excellent Pan. He defends and protects us; Its strength is in every man of any race. When heaven iron thunder and lightning ignited, and the Lord and Ruler perform dance works, that we can remember them and know that we are not alone. With each sunrise we dip in the light of his love for us, and when the moon moves through its phases, we are to become acquainted with the cycle of birth, growth, death and rebirth inherent in the nature of man. When our time witches enter into a perpetual summer (in the tradition of the earth's magic is a kind of paradise, where souls go after physical death to further their education and development). Through the spirit that moves and runs through master and ruler, we learn the great secrets of the universe eternal rebuilding and serve our brothers and sisters. In each of the next spirit gives us new lessons of wisdom and experience, and prepares us to meet our individual missions. Sometimes we are born among themselves; In other cases, we have to find its "spiritual family." Many do not recall that option until reaching maturity, but others instinctively know their heritage, as are just beginning to think independently.

We belong to the tradition of wise, once appeared on our planet. We are a hidden people returning from the dead in every race and every culture. We are earth angels.

I dug it out of Wicca Spells website.

[Jazzedforhim]

Originally Posted by HomeAgainInWestPittston

I am not a Wiccan, but, I am a Pagan.I believe in the Goddess as Maiden, Mother and Crone. I do believe in the God - actually, I see them as representations - male and female of everything.

Wicca is to Paganism as Baptists are to Christianity or Hasidm to Judism ... a defined and organized religion following a similiar spiritual path.

Someone mentioned that there was more credibility in Christianity, or more proof... interesting, since many things Christian, were adopted from the Pagan practices - holidays, alters, decorations and arguably, some would say a God and a Goddess and their offspring.

I wonder if the discovery of the Wilendorf Goddess which pre-dates Christianity by a few zillion years is any proof? How about those cave drawings? How about all those spirit quests?? Ever hear of Stone Henge? Sorry - I forgot the Earth of Christians was only 2,000 years old. Those antiquities were also produced by people who didn't know any better - they were not literate like that Roman Ceasar who had a vision during battle and decided Christianity was the way to rule people.

I was raised Catholic and just found a different path - no regrets, no anger. I still distantly participate in that Church as it gives my family great peace, but for myself, I do walk in a different road now. I don't need to convert anyone at the end of a sword - I need my sword for ceremonial magic.

My philosophies are much different now - here are a few of them:

* Live and let live
* 'an it harm none, do what thout wilt
* Stay in the fellowship where you found it
* Keep right except to pass

Cheers and Blessed Be,

Linda

Didn't Allister Crowley coin that term "do what thou wilt"?

[staceface]

Wicca is a beautiful religion. It's based on equality and harmonizing with nature.