As you may or may not know, this girl is a non-practicing Wiccan (meaning I have the beliefs of my branch of Wicca, but I don't practice the rites, rituals, etcetera for every occasion...monetary reasons), which is a branch of paganism. What you probably don't know is that I frequently read Revelife's blogs, and occasionally attend church on Wednesday nights. A Christian church. And I sing their songs. And I hold hands and give my own religious blessings (in my head, of course) to those in need. Yet I'm still thoroughly a Wiccan.
It's just struck me how odd that is.
I also realise that most Chrisitans (actually most people in general) either have no idea what true paganism really is, or that they're taught to hate and fear Wiccans. I should know, I used to
be that Christian (oh ye, that's the plot twist). I'd like to point something out, though: pagans do not believe in God, ergo we do not believe in the devil. That means we can not worship the devil. Devil worship is for
Satanists /gasp, DEVIL WORSHIPPERS, who are definitely
not pagan, no matter what they (or Wikipedia) may claim.
I read Revelife because there are some amazing stories, and because I
like seeing from a different perspective. Believe it or not, reading
all the testaments to God and Jesus have made me a stronger Wiccan. I go to church because I love the atmosphere of so many people pulling together to show their love and aprecciation for Him. I sing their songs because they are beautiful songs, and the words have a powerful effect on the people around me.
So I was just wondering (considering I'm Pagan and all):
would you be even a little offended if I came to your church?
Comments (39)
i wish i understood the purpose for the final question. it sounds like a set up because really, what is someone going to say, "no! come on in! we love EVERYBODY!" which is of course a lie. you see that you have to keep your beliefs quiet in church, right? go ahead and announce your wiccan beliefs and watch what happens. i am also one of your sisters and i DO practice. i still like to go to a catholic church as well for the beauty, and i DO believe in God. but i'm extremely jaded to mainstream christianity because i can't be honest and open with who i am there.
i love your playlist. ~sarina
I wouldn't be offended. I'd be surprised, but not offended.
That's cool.
I wouldn't be offended, but the little old ladies would. I think they already whisper behind my back about the friends I've brought to church with red streaked and/or blue hair wearing ripped jeans and band tees.
No right to judge. :]
@life_on_my_level - Haha I know people like that...but the church I go to is filled with goths, punks, emo/scene kids, etcetera. I bet those ladies would have a heart attack at the way we do worship. Meaning we have our own rock band and we mosh... >.>
@HeartOfPandora - Some of them would probably die. But I don't know, the church has changed a lot in the fourteen years I've been there. I don't think there are quite as many judgmental people there now. Fourteen years ago, you would have gotten funny looks if you didn't show up in Sunday clothes (i.e. a dress). Now, you get asked what you're dressed up for if you show up in anything fancier than slacks (and jeans are the norm). Unless you're an old lady. They do what they want. :)
But I understand so well what you said. - "I go to church because I love the atmosphere of so many people pulling
together to show their love and aprecciation for Him. I sing their
songs because they are beautiful songs, and the words have a powerful
effect on the people around me."
I am a Christian, but even when I'm unsure of my faith, I continue to go to church because the people are amazing - they're a second family. And I've grown up with that music.
It's nice to know there's another Wiccan out there who believes, as I do, that it is possible to respect Christianity and even worship alongside Christians while maintaining your own faith. I applaud you for posting this.
i think you'll soon be Christian... posts and songs about Jesus is always comfortable and fab.
@jodi_elf - "I think you'll soon be Christian..." Been there, done that. :] I've only got Barlow Girl on my playlist (and my computer) because I think the overall sound of their music is amazing.
To answer the question: no, I wouldn't be offended, but I'd be a little sad. Not that you were there, just that you look at Christianity as having a "good vibe" or a "nice atmosphere." Church isn't *just* supposed to be a spiritual experience-- it's supposed to teach you to hold onto Christ when you don't have that spiritual high and be a place of worship to the Lord. I'm not faulting you for getting the impression you do, I just don't like that some of the Christian churches like to be all hunky-dory-feel-good. And I guess it kinda saddens me that you miss the point, but again, I don't fault you. And it's not a pity thing. O.o Lol, hope I haven't offended you in turn. I don't hate or fear Wiccans. I think you're wrong, but I don't hate you for it.
I attended a non-denominational service as a part of an anthropology project once and was pleasantly surprised by how welcoming and open the people there were. (It *was* kind of a hippie 'spiritual center.') I'm not religious, but I have a hard time seeing why people would be offended by your interest and appreciation. Openmindedness is a lovely thing!
And my favourite place on earth is Durham Cathedral, which is so beautiful and at peace with itself that it feels welcoming and home-like even to a total non-believer.
@Ailanna - Ahhh I love cathedrals! I also love that I feel kind of forbidden being in them.... >.>
hi, I saw that you posted the question about becoming vegetarian or vegan. And i just wanted to come here "cyber-personally" to tell you that I think it's horrible. If god(s) didnt want us to eat animals, then they wouldn't have been made so delicious! besides animals eat each other and humans are nothing but animals that can use computers.
@RaunchyMothBalls - Then why don't we eat other human beings? We're animals too, you know.
no. I wouldn't be offended if you came to my church :)
Let me extend an invite....If you are ever in my area feel free to drop in at my church. we would be happy to have you.
If you ever come to Lancaster or Chester county Pennsylvania you are welcome to come :)
@Kristenmomof3 - Well when I turn 18 (and get my license), I'm taking a road trip all around the States with a friend, so maybe Pennsylvania will be a stop on the map! Think I have family to visit there, too... As it is, I'm up in Minnesota so it's kinda long distance to drive to get to church lol. Thanks for the invite! ^_^
we do eat each other. were called cannibals. I myself have not sampled any human flesh, but there are places in the world where cannibalism does occur. It is not a regular practice, however, as humans have also invented things like morals and right and wrong.
Somehow I missed this blog. I wouldn't be offended AT ALL. I don't believe everything my religion does and I do some things they are supposedly against. So, I couldn't be offended anyway. But regardless, my answer still stands the same
Hello Ms. Pandora,
I see that you find Wicca to be compatible with Christianity. A lot of other people do. The best of both worlds! Unfortunately, neither one has a future. Only one religion gives people a future; the rest are all worthless fiction authored by Satan. The very people who believe they are not worshiping Satan in their beliefs still are, after all!
I want to help people to really get to know know God and His plans for us, especially in these troubled times:4You refused to answer when I called out; you paid no attention to my instructions. Instead, you did what I hated, knowing it was wrong. Now I will punish you in a way you dread the most. (Isaiah 66:4) (CEV)
@avoiceinthewilderness - "I see that you find Wicca to be compatible with Christianity. A lot of other people do. The best of both worlds! Unfortunately, neither one has a future." So then Christianity, being one of those worlds, also has no future. Cool!
Oh, wait...not what you were going for? Keep your stupid bible pushing propaganda off my blogs, thank you and GOOD day.
@avoiceinthewilderness - REALLY?
Wow! I didn't know that! Thanks for telling me! Had you not said
something, I wouldn't have known. I don't know how I can ever thank you
enough for opening my eyes and saving my life!!! I owe you one.
I'm going to go post in my blog now about how avoiceinthewilderness turned my life around.
True Satanists don't worship Satan. You might want to research that first.
@avoiceinthewilderness - You do realise that the Bible was written by Man right? It's fiction. Shocking, I know. But thanks, you made me giggle.
@Schristian - I actually did see that as I was looking up what Wiki thought about Paganism. However, as far as most people are concerned, Satanism/Paganism = Devil Worship(!), and I didn't much feel like getting into that...not really the point of this particular blog. Besides, true anything almost doesn't exist anymore, everything is perverted from...whatever it started out as.
@HeartOfPandora - Ah, but "almost" means that "true (insert religion here)" still exists and should be acknowledged. Remember that Wiki is not written by scholars or certified people in those fields. It's a community centric information sharing site that is written and edited by average joes as well as qualified people. There are big differences and it's important for those of us who want to keep an open mind to acknowledge those differences, rather than shrug our shoulders and say "Well, why bother?"
@Schristian - Haha ye I know (I'm one of those average joes, but not so nice about it) I don't particularly like Wiki unless I'm really bored and I'm looking for something to do... >.> However, it is AMAZING the places you can get with three hours of clicking, starting at a Pearl Jam track list. *cough* Anyway.
Some people are apparently under the impression that Wiki is some sort of god, though, which is really a fail kind of situation.
All in all, Wikipedia, FTL! Unless you're really bored then I guess it's FTW.