Non-debating religious thread...let's learn!! :)

[ramanth]

I'm also Pagan/Wiccan.

I was baptised and raised Catholic. Attended CCD and did confirmation. Though it never sat well with me. When in 6th Grade my mom stopped going to Church and said we (my sisters and I) wouldn't have to go either if we didn't want too. So we didn't.

I was pretty much agnostic till late in High School. Then my friend told me how she was looking into the Pagan religion and it was like a beam of light. I feel at peace and comfortable with myself.

Originally posted by sirrahbed
Do you perform magic? What kind if so? Does it work and can you tell us about something magical that happened? If you do magic - is it you or does a god help you? Is it good or white magic?

I believe there is good magick and bad magick. It all depends on who is practicing and what their purpose is. I only perform good magick. I am not out to harm anyone.

This past Ostara, during our coven ritual, I asked the Goddess and her consort to bless Kia with good health this year. So we'll see.

What do you call a man witch in your religion?

A witch. The word warlock is not used by myself or anyone else I know.

How are you different from Wiccan? That is the only "witch" I have heard of.

I'm Pagan and Wiccan. Like Wolfchan said, there are many different sects of Paganism.

All Wiccans are Pagan, but not all Pagans are Wiccan.

It's like all German Shepherds are Dogs, but not all Dogs are German Shepherds.

Make sense?

Do you dress differently to identify yourself?

Nope. I'll wear Rennasiance type dress for rituals, but on a whole, I don't wear anything different than what you might wear. I'm a jeans and t-shirt kind of gal.

Do you find that people are fearful of you? Are they curious? If fearful, is it better if you explain what you believe?

I don't go around broadcasting that I'm a witch and since I don't have it written on my forehead, I tend to find that people are not afraid of me. I only tell those I'm most comfortable with... if the subject of religion comes up.

Do you have a group to meet together with? If so, is it regular like a service most people would be familiar with - that is - a Saturday or Sunday weekly service?

I do now. I found a Yahoo Group of local pagans and we had a meet and greet at a local restaurant. It was there that I was invited to an Ostara ritual and that night we decided to become a coven. I'm new to the whole experience, but it's a wonderful group. Every Saturday night our coven tries to get together for a lesson of sorts. The Saturday before the full moon or a Sabbat we'll have a ritual.

Do you believe in the Judeo-Christian God at all?

No.

Do you believe in evolution?

Yes! No true evolutionist will say that we came from Apes. That's false.... but we did evolve from something.... far down the family tree.

Where will you go when you die?

In the ground. Seriously... I think when I die, I'll just die. No biggie. But if I'm lucky, maybe I'll be reincarnated. But if not, I'm not going to worry about it.

Do you believe in a heaven?

No. Nor do I believe in hell. These are Christian beliefs.

Are people basically good or bad in your religious belief?

That's a pretty vague question. I'm a good person and the women in my coven are good people, but I can't speak for everyone else. I would hope they are good people.

It's like me asking you if Christians are basically good or bad.

Originally posted by Sara luvs her Tinky
You believe in several gods and dieties.. where do you (and others in your belief) believe they came from?

They just are. I don't dwell on where they came from. They could be aliens for all I know. There is just this spiritual energy about the Earth and that's all I know and care about.

Where do you believe the Christian God came from?

[slick]

My question is one about food.

All my aunts and uncles were/are Roman Catholic and they always ate fish on Fridays which (I think) symbolized Jesus when he feed a city on 1 fish and 1 loaf of bread.

PCB: Muslims don't eat pork do they??? Why??? What does a pig symbolize??

My best friend is Jewish and she does tries to keep kosher and she does not eat pork either.

For other religions, are there any food restrictions??

[Sara luvs her Tinky]

Originally posted by ramanth

Where do you believe the Christian God came from?

The Bible says that He has always been...

I got another question for Wolf Chan or Kimmy...
Do you guys have any sort of religious books that you study like I have the Bible?

[CathyBogart]

Originally posted by Sara luvs her Tinky
I got another question for Wolf Chan or Kimmy...
Do you guys have any sort of religious books that you study like I have the Bible?

No. There are many books of information ABOUT the religion(s) published, but most people make their own "Book of Shadows" that encompasses their own practices and beliefs. In mine, for example, I have the sabbat rituals I have written for myself, a dedication ceremony I am currently writing for when I feel ready to officially commit myself for life, and all sorts of other information I've found useful over the last few years. (recipes for sabbat celebrations, magickal uses of stones/colors, and lots more!)

Any two Books of Shadows will be completely different, but essentially the same, if that makes sense. ^_^


You believe in several gods and dieties.. where do you (and others in your belief) believe they came from?
I honestly don't know.

[ramanth]

This is nice. Ya'll are good people... but you already knew that.

Originally posted by Sara luvs her Tinky
I got another question for Wolf Chan or Kimmy...
Do you guys have any sort of religious books that you study like I have the Bible?

Not really. I read Pagan/Wiccan books that I pick up from the book store.

Our coven is putting together a Book of Shadows. It's a book commonly used by witches but doesn't have to be used by everyone.

Here's a definition:
BOOK OF SHADOWS- A book of spells, rituals, recipes, traditions, and other guides and materials written by a witch or coven. The Book of Shadows is usually a very personal book to the Witch or Coven which created it, and the information within is rarely shared with outsiders, even other Witches.

*edit* I posted at the same time as Wolfchan.

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

Originally posted by slick
So what would you classify me as???

Slick, my question for you would be - you say you believe in God, but do you believe in Christ and all he stands for? If so, you can classify yourself as a Christian - no further explanations necessary. If not then I don't know what to classify you as. Maybe just a good person trying to live a decent, moral life? And what's wrong with that?

I don't have time right now to get into my whole background and what I believe, but it's real similar to Slick. Like someone mentioned about their Catholic mother, I think a lot of so called "religious" people are really hypocrits (sp?) and I don't want to be that way. I may not go to church on a regular basis, but I do pray and I try to leave a decent - basically moral - life. I was raised Catholic, but there is so much about it that I don't agree with and can't live by - but those are arguments for another day - so I, like Slick, really don't know what you'd classify me as. I guess I believe in Christ so the easy out would be to call myself Christian.

Anyway, great thread and I really wish more of this type of discussion would go on world wide. It would really help people understand different cultures and religions and maybe we could all just get along a little better.

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

Originally posted by ramanth
I don't go around broadcasting that I'm a witch and since I don't have it written on my forehead, I tend to find that people are not afraid of me. I only tell those I'm most comfortable with... if the subject of religion comes up.

I guess this means you're really comfortable with us PT'ers, eh Kimmy? Thanks for feeling that way.

And thanks to everybody for sharing. People are so often afraid to discuss religion and it's refreshing to have a civil discussion about it.....so far anyway.

[ramanth]

Originally posted by Tubby & Peanut's Mom
I guess this means you're really comfortable with us PT'ers, eh Kimmy? Thanks for feeling that way.

Yes I do.

[emily_the_spoiled]

I found this posting absolutely fanscinating. I would like to thank everyone for thier willness to share their believes and to answer the questions we have posted.

I am not sure what I would be classified as. I was raised as a fundamentalist Roman Catholic (yes there are plenty out there). But I had a difficult time accepting many of the beliefs, rule, regulations (what ever you want to call them) of the Catholic religon. (I was even asked to leave the Catholic High School in my town because of that.)

Over the years I have explored many different types of religions including Anglicanism, Lutherism, Buddism, and even Taoism. I haven't found one that fits yet, but I do know some of the things I believe in:
- A supreme being who can be called many things including God, Allah, or Yahweh.
- We were all put here on earth for a reason and we need to grow and search for that reason.
- We should all try to lead a "moral" life. Although this may have different meanings for different people I think we can all agree on some basics like "Don't murder someone".
- I am not sure if I believe in heaven or hell (but I grew up being told I was going to burn in hell ... a long long story), but I think there is somekind of afterlife.

I guess my over riding belief is to treat others as you would want to be treated, because it will come back to you eventually.

[Edwina's Secretary]

Slick - a person who believes in God without the other stuff is a Deist. Thomas Jefferson was one.

There are many dietary restrictions if you are an orthodox Jew. No milk and meat together (forget the cheeseburger!), no shell fish, pork. Animals must be slaughtered a specific way (and under the supervision of a rabbi) to be kosher. There are special rules for ice cream, butter, cheese, chocolate, just about any processed food.

[popcornbird]

Thanks for the answers everyone. I must admit I am still confused about Trinity, but perhaps its something I will never understand. I have some more questions....

I don't understand how a child can be born *sinful*. The child wasn't a part in anyone else's sins in the past. The child didn't even exist in the past. Why would God judge a newborn child as *sinful* when the child has never committed a sin? Do you believe that if a baby dies, and that child was not baptized yet, will that child go to hell? Do you believe the children of people of other faiths will go to hell if they die young, before the age of accountability? I ask these questions because its something soooo different from how we see things. We see children as completely sinfree. We believe that if a child dies at a very young age, whether that child is a Jew or a Christian or a Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, whatever, that child will go to heaven because he/she never committed any sins.

Another question. I know Christians believe Mary, the mother of Jesus, was a Virgin, as we do. How could she be a virgin from your faith if Jesus had a father..........God? How could a woman have a son with God? Do you not believe Jesus was a human being? How could God Almighty have a son like a human being?

Ok, now answers.

Originally posted by Sara luvs her Tinky



Popcornbird....
As much as i have learned from you already... ... You say muslims believe Jesus will return and bring peace for 40 years.. What do muslims believe is the purpose for Jesus doing this.. what is going to be accomplished from it?

I'm not sure I know the complete answer to this, but I guess, to *clarify* the confusion about him (as in Christians/Muslims believing differently about him being/not being God's son, and as in him being/not being crusified), and to establish God's word in the land. We do believe that after Jesus returns, each and every person remaining on the planet will become a believer.

Popcornbird...
After Jesus dies then what happens? Most christians believe in the rapture (Jesus' *God's son* return) and we will be taken to heaven in the rapture...
How do muslim's believe life on Earth will end?

We believe that the Day of Judgement will start soon after Jesus dies. We believe the Day of Judgement will start with an angel blowing a horn. With that, all that is left alive in the world will die. Then the angel will blow the horn again, and all of mankind will be risen back to life...........from Adam, all the way to the last person on Earth. Then God will question/judge every person and will place them in Heaven or Hell, according to their deeds and how they lived their lives.

Slick

No we do not eat Pork because God has told us not to, in the Quran, which we believe to be 100%, the Words of God. We believe God has a reason in all he tells us to do/not to do. We are also forbidden from eating the flesh of any carnivore. Our meat has to be from an animal slaughtered in a certain way (similar to the Kosher way). If it was slaughtered improperly, we can't eat its meat. We are forbidden from consuming alcohol as well.

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

How to Practice Deism

Think, think about thinking, find wonder and awe in the universe.

Love yourself. Love the Deity.

Don't be a beggar when praying. Just be thankful.

Know that all others are just as special as you. But, also know, that no one is any more special than you.

Be respectful and tolerant of others. They too are imperfect.

Know that you are not perfect, and that is okay!

Search for the truth, and embrace any truths you may find along the way.

Hmmm....looks interesting, I'll have to look into it a little further. Thanks Sara!

Although I have to admit that I have a sort of skepticism towards "joining" any "organized" religion....but this looks interesting.

And PCB, re: "I must admit I am still confused about Trinity, but perhaps its something I will never understand." Don't worry, even some of us who were raised with this have trouble understanding it.

[Sara luvs her Tinky]

Originally posted by popcornbird

I don't understand how a child can be born *sinful*. The child wasn't a part in anyone else's sins in the past. The child didn't even exist in the past. Why would God judge a newborn child as *sinful* when the child has never committed a sin? Do you believe that if a baby dies, and that child was not baptized yet, will that child go to hell

I don't know about other religions.. but I do not believe children are born carring the sin of their parents or forefathers or anyone else.. i believe they are born into sin... wich just means to me that they are born into a sinful world and can rebel and such (which is sin).. but until the child reaches the age of accountability they will not go to hell.. because God judges you based upon what you know and children are blameless. sounds like the same you believe.

[Sara luvs her Tinky]

I know Christians believe Mary, the mother of Jesus, was a Virgin, as we do. How could she be a virgin from your faith if Jesus had a father..........God?
Mary was a virgin because she never knew a man (well untill she married Joseph)

How could a woman have a son with God?
Mary didn't have a son "with" God... God used Mary to carry Jesus so he could be born..

Do you not believe Jesus was a human being?
hmmm... i believe Jesus was God in the flesh.. so in a way yes...

How could God Almighty have a son like a human being?
exactly like you said ... He is God Almighty... he spoke this universe into existance... He can do anything

[sirrahbed]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by popcornbird
Thanks for the answers everyone. I must admit I am still confused about Trinity, but perhaps its something I will never understand.
yes, the Trinity is a hard one. I don't really understand it completely either and I have not had a good explanation from a pastor either. The best analogy is One God in three persons - Father , Son and Holy Spirit, 3 in One, like Ice, Water and Mist are all H20. The Father was the Creator, the Son was the Redeemer and Savior and the Spirit is the Comforter and Enabler to Come to Faith and Remain in Faith, yet all the same person. How can that be? I don't know - He's God.

I don't understand how a child can be born *sinful*. The child wasn't a part in anyone else's sins in the past. The child didn't even exist in the past. Why would God judge a newborn child as *sinful* when the child has never committed a sin? Do you believe that if a baby dies, and that child was not baptized yet, will that child go to hell? Do you believe the children of people of other faiths will go to hell if they die young, before the age of accountability? I ask these questions because its something soooo different from how we see things. We see children as completely sinfree. We believe that if a child dies at a very young age, whether that child is a Jew or a Christian or a Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, whatever, that child will go to heaven because he/she never committed any sins.
this one troubles many people. maybe a better way of putting it is that we are all born with the capacity to sin. obviously, a newborn infant is not going to lay there and commit sins, but nobody has to teach that little baby to become selfish and to learn how to get his/her needs met, etc. They learn "me first" pretty quickly. That is the natural sin in us. Some Christian denominations insist an unbaptized baby will go to hell but this is not taught in my church (Lutheran) However, we do baptize infants as soon as possible, just to make sure they are given the opportunity to have God place His Holy Spirit within them. But, it does not depend on us so we dare not say what happens to a baby who dies unbaptized - but rather leave that infant in God's loving Hand. I would only worry about - say a believing parent who refuses baptism for her infant after being taught that baptism is the proper thing to offer her infant - why refuse to bring your child to God if you are a believer? There is lots of room for debate about baptism even among Christians. Lutherans believe baptism is a sacramental work of God and leave it at that. It is a miracle. Others denominations see it as an outward sign of what has already occurred in the heart - a symbolic washing. The thief on the cross was likely not baptized and yet when he confessed his faith in Jesus, he was told that "Today I will see you in Paradise". So, baptism is a controversy - the way it is done, when it is done and what it accomplishes. Only God knows and I cannot say anyone is going to hell for any reason that has to do with baptism or lack of baptism. That is up to God. The Bible only says BELIEVE and you will be saved. Please no debate from other denominations - it would be counterproductive - these are my Lutheran based beliefs and do not affect our eternity. I happened to have been fully immersed in a Baptist church, but that is what was available as I was an adult convert so I guess i have all bases covered

Another question. I know Christians believe Mary, the mother of Jesus, was a Virgin, as we do. How could she be a virgin from your faith if Jesus had a father..........God? How could a woman have a son with God? Do you not believe Jesus was a human being? How could God Almighty have a son like a human being?
Jesus was both true man AND true God at the same time. You cannot separate the two. He was not an ordinary man per se because he always had the divine nature as well - we do not hear about it much until he was 12 years old and conversing in the temple. The Catholic Bible does have some stories of miraculous things he did as a child but the Protestants do not use these books of the Bible. He was conceived of Mary, a virgin - by the Holy Spirit - he had no biological father - in that way He was Divine by nature. Joseph had no relations with Mary until after Jesus was born, she remained a virgin. Yet, he was human in the sense that he felt things like hunger, emotions, pain, etc. He cried and he bled.

Ok, now answers.
That is the best I can do, based on my study and understanding. Some of it is "head knowlege" and some is just embedded deeply in my heart and hard to explain because I just believe it by faith even though it may not make sense of have logic to it - some of it even offends my intellect. I was not raised as a believer. My mom was Roman Catholic and my Dad was a Unitarian and sometimes an Agnostic - encouraged me to seek and think for myself. Unfortunately, when I did think for myself and become a Christian - he laughed at me and told me I was gullible and a hypocrit - based on other Christians he has known. It makes me sad. Christians can be some of the most closed minded people i know. I am still a believer though. I remember my dark and searching years and would never want to be without my faith again. Jesus is my Savior from sin and I will live in heaven with Him for eternity. I am still a sinner and sin every day, but He loves me anyway! THAT is amazing and that is grace. It is NOT an excuse to sin. I try not to - but I am weak like everyone else. I try to be better because I love God, not because my future depends on it. This is what I believe.