Talking about religion - Round 2!

[junescrater716]

So do you celebrate the same holidays christians and catholics do or are they different?

[IRescue452]

I'm Gardnerian Wiccan. I follow the same calandar as above with 13 months and 8 holidays.

I am a high priestess, which means I've gone through all required paths and numerous rituals along with 13+ years of practice. I am ordained by the Universal Life Church. That means I can legally perform wedding, funeral, and other ceremonies.

I know about and follow dozens of gods and goddesses. I believe in the Christian god, but not as my own high power. No god is higher than another. Gods and goddesses are all a manifestations of a single polar entity.

I do believe in absolute evil, but it cannot manifest itself as one being. Not even Satan. I believe the only place that can be considered close to a Christian's description of hell is right here on earth. I believe Satan is a Christian god, because most of what they do in daily or weekly ritual is centered around avoiding his wrath. This follows the definition of worship.

I do not perform "magic". I can do rituals and prayers for certain things. But I cannot type this on a keyboard without using my own fingers. I do practice things using psychic energy such as scrying.

Being Gardnerian, I do not welcome everybody to practice my beliefs. To become Gardnerian takes dedication and years of work. This is very similar to the idea of baptismal at adulthood rather than at birth. I hate when religious groups are used as trends, which is why I expect people to work to become a member.

[Zippy]

I believe Satan is a Christian god, because most of what they do in daily or weekly ritual is centered around avoiding his wrath.

I am a Christian and Satan is not god.I am not scared of Satan because God will protect me form Satan.I am scared of God's wrath.
Jesus died on the cross for my sins.

[CathyBogart]

So do you celebrate the same holidays christians and catholics do or are they different?

Some of the dates coincide, but the celebratoins are very different.

[junescrater716]

Ohhhhhh! How so? This is interesting!

[IRescue452]

Our holidays are quite comparable to the later formed Christian holidays. Keep in mind that these will be different slightly for each pagan group.

To start with there is Samhain, two spirit nights celebrated on Oct. 31-Nov. 1. It is known as the last harvest. A time of reflection as the earth says goodbye to god. Celebrations vary from person to person. Most consider this our new year's day.

Then comes Candlemas, Yule, or Winter Solstice. This is celebrated on the winter solstice Dec. 21 or the 23rd of the month Astraea. This holiday is celebrated as the return of the sun god. Symbols are the yule log, evergreen tree, cloved fruit, poinsettias, and holly. Activities are wassailing, caroling, and honoring Kriss Kringle. Spellworkings are for peace, harmony, love, and happiness.

After Candlemas is Imbolc or Oimealg. Celebrated on Feb. 2 or Bridhe 10. You could compare it to groundhog day as we celebrate the first showings of spring. We say a snake emerges to test the weather. Activities for celebration are going for walks and searching for signs of spring, making corn husk dolls, and having bon fires.

Next is Spring Equinox or Ostara. It is celebrated on March 21 or Columbina 2. This is the first true day of spring. The theme of the conception of the goddess was adopted as the Feast of Annunciation by the Christians. Symbols are eggs, bunnies, chicks, violets, daffodils, and pastels. Activities are long walks, planting gardens, and any traditional Easter activities. Easter is the one Christian holiday the borrows almost all pagan traditions.

Next is Beltain, Roodmas, or mayday. It is celebrated on April 30 or May 1, Maia 12 in our calandar. This is a time when the first flowers are gathered in honor or the young gods. Activities are maypole, making flower baskets, and gathering flowers.

After that is Summer Solstice, Midsummer, or Litha. It is celebrated June 21 or Rosea 8th. It is the first harvest of herbs. It coincides with the Christian Feast of St. John. Activities are a rededication to religion.

Next is Lughnasadh or Lammas. It is celebrated on July 31 or August 1, Kerea 20th. This is the first full harvest. Symbols are bread on the altar, apples, grapes, and grains. Activities are a feast, walk and reflect on the bounty and love of the Lord and Lady.

Last is Autumn Equinox or Mabon. It is celebrated on September 21 or Mala 15. It is the second harvest and days and nights are equally balanced. Activities are gathering and making wine. All autumn colors are used as symbols.

[junescrater716]

Thats cool! My mom told me that christianity is probably one of the newest form of religions. Thats why it's so similar to most of the other ones?

[Giselle]

Thats cool! My mom told me that christianity is probably one of the newest form of religions. Thats why it's so similar to most of the other ones?

In relation to all of the religions throughout the world, Christianity is not new but I wouldn't call it old either. Many Christian beliefs and rituals stem from Roman/Greek rituals (i.e. Romans called their rituals sacramenta while Catholics call them sacraments). That's part of why Christianty is so similar to some pagan beliefs.

I can't say I follow a religion. I find them all too restrictive and artificial. I believe in a higher power and I believe this higher power doesn't care if I follow a specific religion as long as I help as many beings as I possibly can.

[junescrater716]

Oh. I'm starting to get interested more in paganism and wiccan. Those are beginning to interest me.

[ramanth]

I can't say I follow a religion. I find them all too restrictive and artificial. I believe in a higher power and I believe this higher power doesn't care if I follow a specific religion as long as I help as many beings as I possibly can.

That's a really great way of looking at it Giselle. I feel the same way, though like Cathy, a lot of my beliefs tend to lean towards the Pagan side.