Pagans, what do you want Christians to know about You?

[ShadowFire]

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Ok friend take care and let me know if there is anything I can do for you, my door is always open, sorry for calling you paranoid but I would never lie to a friend or sugar coat my concerns for them. If you are ever in Texas you are welcome to come with me to a wonderful Wicca group that celebrates the 8 Sabbaths of the year, they are a fun disciplined group of people to be around.

So thanks for the update, according to you some pagans do not want to have contact with Christians and we both agree I am a total idiot. I think that covers it very well and will be a funny ice breaker to have when I talk to the people out there to learn about their religion. I may not be your friend but you are my friend so take my advice and run away as fast as you can from me my FRIEND, before I corrupt you mind haha! be very wary of this old witch for I love people to death and I kill them with kindness

Life is too short to worry about idiots even if I am the idiot you are trying to avoid haha, so ignore them/me and have fun with your life I promise to do the same and stop being so angry because someone dropped a house on your sister! ***that is a joke I only share with some of my closest friends!!!*** Love you sis!

 

[ShadowFire]

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Hey my friend, I forgot to tell you about my first meeting with a Methodist Christian group yesterday. I warned them that I was a Christian Witch that was Wicca friendly and was wondering if they would mind if I attended their Mexican food/bible study group because I miss contact with Christians and wanted to have a chance to have fellowship with them. The woman pastor said it was ok and I got a chance to meet up with 11 people wow that was a lot of people that turned out for a meeting I wonder why so many showed up? (did they want to meet a witch? don't know haha) At any rate the people were very warm and inviting and didn't judge me, out of respect I requested I just be a humble observer and listen to what they wanted to talk about. They were concerned about the floods in Louisiana and was wondering how as Christians can they reach out not only to people in distress but to their neighbors as well if just to say "Hi how are you doing I am so glad to have seen you today!" I liked their attitude and some of them want to talk to me privately some time in the future I'm really looking forward to Tell them my about my Shamanistic Path, my sister who is also a witch and a full pagan but nothing like me, and my love for their Christian God. I hope my enthusiasm for life is contagious and that they can see a person who is happy with their life, has no religous problems or concerns and gives them a chance to see how one witch conducts their life. I'll let you know how it goes friend and see you laters take care

 

[ShadowFire]

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my friend, what is your opinion of an Ex witch I knew that was so happy to have been saved by Christians from their evil demonic forces they were worshiping?

When I found out about this ex witch, I asked her if she could please be truthful to her new Christian friends and just say what probably happened to her. That she tried a pagan religion, decided it wasn't right for her and now she wants to be a Christian.

I asked her why she felt the need to lie to her new Christian friends but i never got a response back from her? Now I just wonder, why do people do that? Are they afraid that if they don't demonize the religion they tried out the Christians won't accept them?

I also had another friend from ChristianChat.com that claimed she was an ex witch also but was very vague about the practice she engaged in and had no supporting evidence to back her claim other than saying she talked to demonic forces and thought all witches had an allegiance to Satan. I never got a chance to talk to her because surprise of surprises hee hee, I got a lifetime ban within hours of joining their site because I identified myself as a Christian Witch.

I once identified myself as a full Christian in the past to avoid the controversy on several Christian sites and became good friends with several people, that is until they wanted to befriend me on Myspace (this happened awhile back). Well when they saw that I had a lot of witchy friends and very friendly pagan articles on my site they became deeply offended because they thought I lied to them to trick them to join Satan but hey I didn't lie, I just omitted that little fact I was a Christian Witch that was Wicca/Pagan friendly haha!

So what did I learn that day and what is the moral of the story? I decided from then on I would identify myself to anyone I meet that I was a Christian Witch that was very Wicca friendly and I would be honored to be their friend if they would have me!

I think it is important to be honest with people upfront to at least give them a chance to run away from me if that bombshell was too much for them to take. I do the same thing to my Wiccan friends, I let them know in addition to being a witch that is Wicca friendly I am also a Christian that would love to have fellowship with them and join any public rituals they had as they celebrate their religion and life!

So what do you think of my life? Pretty crazy eh, but I wouldn't have it any other way, I just hope I can get the ex witches to be truthful to their new christian friends about their ex pagan life and promised to reveal my path to potential friends so they won't get shocked of who I am. Hope what I shared with you helps and feel free to share any part of your life with me I would love to hear some of your stories sis!!!!

 

[ShadowFire]

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Hello everyone I am your official representative and spokesperson for all of Paganism except for the one individual whom we dare never say her name!

If you ever wondered how I received this title it was really quite easy: I just acted my natural self around people, I mean come on now, I could say I'm a full Christian but no one would believe me. Do Christians walk with people in the morning and suddleny stop to pay homage to the rising sun bringing life back to our Mother Earth? Do Christians dance with the trees by lightly holding on her branches as Mother Earth blows sweet wind kisses to move the branches up and down as I dance with my sister tree? Do Christians ask their coworkers if they could bless the 4 corners of their car before they depart on their journey? Do Christians ever say the word, Mother, Earth? I was severely corrected by an individual that it was The Almighty God's Earth and Not Mother Earth and please by all means don't be crazy enough to allow me to drive you anywhere during Sun set time because when that happens I have been known to pull off the road slam on my brakes jump out of my car with my passengers following me frantically asking "What's wrong?" While I smile, point to the horizon and awe inspiringly proclaim "isn't it sacred to see Father Sun leave our side of Mother Earth for the night's sweet slumber of death until morning arrives to restore life?"

OK so I have a very quirky and twisted nature and I am a child of the night, of the forest and of Mother Earth that never quite grew up but I wouldn't have it any other way because I am having too much fun enjoying life and being one with nature, still,,,

I realize when people see me they think they are seeing a representation of what pagans are like and aren't you proud to have a strange Christian Witch such as myself to represent the kind of person you are? Haha, but the funny thing is that anyone who is not Christian and on a spiritual or Atheistic path is going to be judged as a representation of their respective group! So fellow co-host/hostess of your religion or secular way of life do you see the tremendous burden placed on you when you have contact with people that are outside your faith?

Although I have a quirky disposition I will still try my best to be the best representative of your faith because people are going to associate me with paganism whether or not I'm a pagan by definition. So as your co-spokesperson of Paganism I promise to try and give the faith the respect it deserves, be kind and hope my extreme happiness is contagiousness to all, have a blessed day everyone from a Pagan perspective, and from a Christian perspective may God bless you as well!

 

[Cassandra]

my friend, what is your opinion of an Ex witch I knew that was so happy to have been saved by Christians from their evil demonic forces they were worshiping?

When I found out about this ex witch, I asked her if she could please be truthful to her new Christian friends and just say what probably happened to her. That she tried a pagan religion, decided it wasn't right for her and now she wants to be a Christian.

I asked her why she felt the need to lie to her new Christian friends but i never got a response back from her? Now I just wonder, why do people do that? Are they afraid that if they don't demonize the religion they tried out the Christians won't accept them?

Interesting story. Assuming you are telling the truth, these Christians probably already know that and she may play a double role. Often Christians tell converts to hide their conversion so they can use them to get near the ones they prey on. Christan conversion is often a cloak and dagger game.

That people need to tell everything to their Pastor and group is part of the Christian repression system. The confessions gave and give the church tremendous power over the people. The elders were created by John Calvin as religious police to spy on the flock. You can see where the NSA and KGB come from.

You seem to tie in Witchcraft with Demons. But we want to remember that Abrahamic ideology considers every other God but their own a Demon by definition. That is the monotheist lie. Most covens I read about clearly state that they do no black art and stay away from that. However you and your Christian friends all seem to be drawn to the dark side, which is worth noting.

The funny thing is that you claim to be a witch but spread a one-sided negative image of witchcraft. I noticed Christians on this forum like to talk negative of Wicca. Christianity has a long history of persecution of witches. The male closet homosexual Christian brotherhood never liked women in religion. As far as I can judge Wicca is far more benign than Abrahamic religions, which are layer on layer of deceit.

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As to your question, what I think about the person being saved from Demons by Christians. First let me state that no one is good or evil by being Pagan. Some Pagans feel attracted to the dark site and get involved with spirits a good person will want to stay free from. And then it easily goes bad to worse.

Now let me tell you a true story. There was this rich businessman dealing in real estate. He was not really evil but his greed made him seek shady deals from time to time. In his circles, not his friend, was also a very rich criminal always seeking inroads into the establishment. A very sleek kind of person, he lived in a classy neighborhood under a different name and his neighbors thought he was wonderful, he would always offer to put the garbage out for them. The rich criminal was always friendly to the businessman, offering him a helping hand if he needed one. Mi casa es tu casa, you know what I mean. Off course the businessman kept him at bay.

But then the businessman made a business deal with some Russians and the deal turned sour, and the Russians who turned out to be mafia started threatening his life. He became so scared and in his panic he remembered the friendly rich criminal. He decided to ask this acquaintance who was very influential in criminal circles to help him. Of course I will help you, said the rich criminal and somehow he made the Russian threat go away.

He was now saved! Or was he? What is your estimate?

 

[GoodbyeDave]

Do Christians walk with people in the morning and suddenly stop to pay homage to the rising sun bringing life back to our Mother Earth? Do Christians dance with the trees by lightly holding on her branches as Mother Earth blows sweet wind kisses to move the branches up and down as I dance with my sister tree? Do Christians ask their coworkers if they could bless the 4 corners of their car before they depart on their journey?

Well, yes they do: you are the living example! Actually, blessing things like cars is quite common
http://www.mliles.com/melkite/autobless.shtml
http://www.catholic.org/prayers/prayer.php?p=198
It's a modernisation of a much older custom
https://www.achurchnearyou.com/parracombe-christ-church/page/35577/

Revering the natural world is hardly unknown, either
http://www.catholic.org/prayers/prayer.php?p=183
http://earthministry.org/worship/songs/

So none of this makes you a Pagan. Nor does doing magic, for that matter. There have been many well-known magicians who were Christians, like Gareth Knight.

But if you want to help your fellow Christians towards a better understanding of Paganism, that must be a good thing. But make sure you are clear what Paganism is first! Pagans are polytheists: we worship the gods, whether Athena, Ganesha, Thor, Shango, Xi Wangmu, or even our ancestors. Many of us may believe in a Supreme Being (e.g. in Africa and India) but our beliefs about the creator are more deist than theist.

 

[Brickjectivity]

***Mod post
1. This thread has been moved to Religions Q&A.
2. This is a discussion area not a debate area.
***

 

[ShadowFire]

***Mod post
1. This thread has been moved to Religions Q&A.
2. This is a discussion area not a debate area.
***

Thanks Brickjectivity, my intention on this article was to discuss and not debate my question I thank you for moving the thread for me. By the way on a different note, could you help me delete my account, I can't seem to find any place to delete it? My apologies but this place is not for me and I do not want to have any association with your site anymore, Thanks for your help and many blessings to you.

 

[The Emperor of Mankind]

Even though I am not fully Pagan the Christian community identifies me as a Pagan and I want to represent the Pagan community as best as I can to demystify and hopefully end the Hollywood stereotype of what people think about pagans.

I regret not reading the OP more fully and relying more on the title before I responded. I'm with Cassandra; you have no right nor authority to speak for Pagans. It's actually pretty rude of you to presume:

1. Pagans are homogeneous enough to require one speaker
2. That you, a non-Pagan, should be that speaker.

We don't need you to be our 'messenger' - or whatever you see yourself as - to the Nailed God's worshippers. We can speak for ourselves on a local level, and through trusted organisations beyond that when the need arises, and that's for the best.

Moreover, the Christians you mingle with probably identify you as a 'pagan' (note the small 'p') which is somewhat different to being called a Pagan.

But you want to talk to the Christian "community". Christianity is an artificial community strongly led by artificial leaders called pastors on the basis of ideology.

To be fair, most communities are by their very nature 'artificial'.

 

[Brickjectivity]

Thanks Brickjectivity, my intention on this article was to discuss and not debate my question I thank you for moving the thread for me. By the way on a different note, could you help me delete my account, I can't seem to find any place to delete it? My apologies but this place is not for me and I do not want to have any association with your site anymore, Thanks for your help and many blessings to you.

We cannot delete accounts, however if you open a Site Feedback thread to request to be blocked you can request that from admin that way. Then you won't be able to post.

 

[NadiaMoon]

Not all pagans are wiccans, not all pagans worship a God and Goddess ( not all pagans abide by "Duality" thinking) Not all pagans are polytheistic. Not all worship any Gods at all. Lastly- not all pagans worship nature or practice witchcraft, and the ones that do practice witchcraft dont all abide by the "harm none" law

 

[Unveiled Artist]

@ShadowFire I know what you mean about "representing pagans." I know you're not saying you are representing each pagans' and Pagans' individual belief systems but I see more of you saying, "this is what I believe as a Pagan" and I am one of many people who have differing beliefs under the pagan umbrella.

It's like a Christian representing other Christians to a Islam community. He doesn't represent Christianity but he at least can speak for Christianity in a sense of his perspective and experiences even though he can't speak for all because not all Christians believe the same thing. (like the trinity for example).

I'd probably say more that you are representing how you live as a pagan and add a clause that everyone is different and there aren't core tenants as in the Christian faith. So you're still representing pagans but not in the sense you are speaking for them but speaking with them because you are one too.

Nothing wrong with that.

Peace.

 

[ShadowFire]

@ShadowFire I know what you mean about "representing pagans." I know you're not saying you are representing each pagans' and Pagans' individual belief systems but I see more of you saying, "this is what I believe as a Pagan" and I am one of many people who have differing beliefs under the pagan umbrella.

It's like a Christian representing other Christians to a Islam community. He doesn't represent Christianity but he at least can speak for Christianity in a sense of his perspective and experiences even though he can't speak for all because not all Christians believe the same thing. (like the trinity for example).

I'd probably say more that you are representing how you live as a pagan and add a clause that everyone is different and there aren't core tenants as in the Christian faith. So you're still representing pagans but not in the sense you are speaking for them but speaking with them because you are one too.

Nothing wrong with that.

Peace.

Thanks Carlita, since I been talking to Christians I wanted something positive to say to them about my pagan friends, that is why I started this post, I wanted people to give a chance to share something good that came from their religion and nothing more. Some Christians are very curious about pagans in a good way and I just wanted to tell them something good about the Pagan Religions that are out there.

I see I have touched some nerves with some people out there and that was not my intent for that I am sorry. I understand that Paganism in general is very diverse, complex and hard to understand for Christians but I can't tell them the complexities of Paganism to them since most people only have a 5 minute attention span when it comes to religion.

I just wanted some simple things I could relate to a Christian and encourage them to talk to pagans if they get a chance and see the wonderful people they are.

 

[ShadowFire]

I regret not reading the OP more fully and relying more on the title before I responded. I'm with Cassandra; you have no right nor authority to speak for Pagans. It's actually pretty rude of you to presume:

1. Pagans are homogeneous enough to require one speaker
2. That you, a non-Pagan, should be that speaker.

We don't need you to be our 'messenger' - or whatever you see yourself as - to the Nailed God's worshippers. We can speak for ourselves on a local level, and through trusted organisations beyond that when the need arises, and that's for the best.

Moreover, the Christians you mingle with probably identify you as a 'pagan' (note the small 'p') which is somewhat different to being called a Pagan.



To be fair, most communities are by their very nature 'artificial'.

You have been placed on ignore and reported to this site for bullying, being disrespectful to the Christian religion by your disgusting quote remark "Nailed God's worshippers" and trying to sabotage the direction of this thread by being an antagonist.

If my question brings you that much grief and anger to ridicule a religion with your despairingly remarks I suggest you refrain from participating in subjects that anger you.

If you think it is wrong for a person to reach out to different faiths than their own then start a thread into the debate section and leave this thread in peace!!!

 

[The Emperor of Mankind]

You have been placed on ignore and reported to this site for bullying, being disrespectful to the Christian religion by your disgusting quote remark "Nailed God's worshippers" and trying to sabotage the direction of this thread by being an antagonist.

So you're not actually interested in whether Pagans want you to speak for them; you're going to do it whether they like it or not. That confirms rudeness. Pointing out that I don't want a perfect stranger who has made literally no effort to understand my religious practice (and, presumably, those of others) speaking for me is not bullying. And I certainly don't want someone speaking for me who is so unable to deal with a dissenting opinion that they block & report the source of that opinion.

And if you want to block me then go ahead. It's most definitely your loss.

If my question brings you that much grief and anger to ridicule a religion with your despairingly remarks I suggest you refrain from participating in subjects that anger you.

Oh nice, projection. It may shock you but people who write things aren't necessarily investing emotions in them. You seem to be judging my mood based on what the tone of voice you're imprinting on to my previous post sounds like. I'm not angry, not in the slightest. More bemused than anything else.

If you think it is wrong for a person to reach out to different faiths than their own then start a thread into the debate section and leave this thread in peace!!!

I think it's wrong for you to presume to speak for people you've never met or engaged with. How many times have you ever asked me about my personal practice? How many times have you asked the Pagans around you on this forum about theirs'? If you want to speak for yourself, fine. I can take no issue with that. But it's monstrously arrogant for you to presume to speak for Pagans you've never met.

 

[ShadowFire]

So you're not actually interested in whether Pagans want you to speak for them; you're going to do it whether they like it or not. That confirms rudeness. Pointing out that I don't want a perfect stranger who has made literally no effort to understand my religious practice (and, presumably, those of others) speaking for me is not bullying. And I certainly don't want someone speaking for me who is so unable to deal with a dissenting opinion that they block & report the source of that opinion.

And if you want to block me then go ahead. It's most definitely your loss.




Oh nice, projection. It may shock you but people who write things aren't necessarily investing emotions in them. You seem to be judging my mood based on what the tone of voice you're imprinting on to my previous post sounds like. I'm not angry, not in the slightest. More bemused than anything else.




I think it's wrong for you to presume to speak for people you've never met or engaged with. How many times have you ever asked me about my personal practice? How many times have you asked the Pagans around you on this forum about theirs'? If you want to speak for yourself, fine. I can take no issue with that. But it's monstrously arrogant for you to presume to speak for Pagans you've never met.

You have been placed on ignore and reported to this site for bullying, being disrespectful to the Christian religion by your disgusting quote remark "Nailed God's worshippers" and trying to sabotage the direction of this thread by being an antagonist.

If my question brings you that much grief and anger to ridicule a religion with your despairingly remarks I suggest you refrain from participating in subjects that anger you.

If you think it is wrong for a person to reach out to different faiths than their own then start a thread into the debate section and leave this thread in peace!!!

 

[The Emperor of Mankind]

You have been placed on ignore and reported to this site for bullying, being disrespectful to the Christian religion by your disgusting quote remark "Nailed God's worshippers" and trying to sabotage the direction of this thread by being an antagonist.

If my question brings you that much grief and anger to ridicule a religion with your despairingly remarks I suggest you refrain from participating in subjects that anger you.

If you think it is wrong for a person to reach out to different faiths than their own then start a thread into the debate section and leave this thread in peace!!!

So you've got nothing worthwhile to say; just the same mindless response over and over. Thought so. Is this how you'll treat Christians who don't believe what you tell them?

 

[Quintessence]

Just a couple of comments.

First, I'd like to remind folks that this thread has been moved to a non-debate area.

Second, observing iresome responses to well-intentioned interfaith work is quite... disappointing.

 

[Maponos]

Should there be something I want them to know about me?

 

[Unveiled Artist]

So you're not actually interested in whether Pagans want you to speak for them; you're going to do it whether they like it or not. That confirms rudeness. Pointing out that I don't want a perfect stranger who has made literally no effort to understand my religious practice (and, presumably, those of others) speaking for me is not bullying. And I certainly don't want someone speaking for me who is so unable to deal with a dissenting opinion that they block & report the source of that opinion.

And if you want to block me then go ahead. It's most definitely your loss.




Oh nice, projection. It may shock you but people who write things aren't necessarily investing emotions in them. You seem to be judging my mood based on what the tone of voice you're imprinting on to my previous post sounds like. I'm not angry, not in the slightest. More bemused than anything else.




I think it's wrong for you to presume to speak for people you've never met or engaged with. How many times have you ever asked me about my personal practice? How many times have you asked the Pagans around you on this forum about theirs'? If you want to speak for yourself, fine. I can take no issue with that. But it's monstrously arrogant for you to presume to speak for Pagans you've never met.

I hate to interupt but Im a peace keeper at heart.

Unless I am wrong, Shadow is saying she/he is a pagan (I didnt know other pagans can define someone else's belief-sounds christian minded), she wants to talk to christians about the pagan beliefs, and knowing she Is Not defining my and your faith as a pagan but saying "because I am pagan here is what " I " believe from a pagan perspective."

No need to be threatened by her representing paganism because she is not. How can you represent a umbrella system that is individual natured?

That and

How can another pagan (thinking of a few) define what is pagan to another person. I am a Pagan. So what people dont believe me. They only know what I type. They dont know my beliefs. My worship. My associatio with the spirits. My practice. They know, cough, nothing.

NOW (caps on purpose) if she was Christian ONLY and represented the pagan faith "in general" (which is impossible, mind you), then yes, thats an insult.

How can and a couple pagans here know another person's relationship with the gods?

So, since his is question and answer, let me rephrase. Since paganisms is diverse, how do you define it "in general"?

I see a lot of christians try to define their peers faith. Id ask them too, how do you define christianity to were ALL christians agree?

I think the point was interfaith discussion about how one can share his/her faith with other religions.

Another Q and A. Is there different types of pagans or many.

Im peaceful at heart. Whatever happens from my trying to understand and calm the miscommunication, so be.