reasons given for religious belief

[Draka]

Do you agree with the following?
Generally speaking, Wiccans believe that witches become one with their deities through rituals, which bring them in harmony with the energy of the cosmos. They believe that this oneness with the deities gives them the ability to control and direct that energy to some degree. Wiccans think that a witch's energy vibrates with both a physical and spiritual rate of vibration, and that these vibrations are compatible with the vibrations observed in matter by modern science.

Nope.

 

[Skeptisch]

Nope.

Do you agree with some of it, and if yes with what?

 

[idea]

I have faith because I have had experiences that have proven to me there is a God.

Ditto!

 

[Draka]

Do you agree with some of it, and if yes with what?

Generally speaking, Wiccans believe that witches become one with their deities through rituals, Not exactly, that's invocation.

which bring them in harmony with the energy of the cosmos. Eh, kinda sorta.

They believe that this oneness with the deities gives them the ability to control and direct that energy to some degree. Somewhat.

Wiccans think that a witch's energy vibrates with both a physical and spiritual rate of vibration, Not really

and that these vibrations are compatible with the vibrations observed in matter by modern science. Nope


Alrighty, now what's your point?

 

[Gemini]

I once met a Wiccan who was into black magic and apparently brought about the death oh his ex-girlfriend through black magic alone. Is that really possible?

 

[charles brough]

Which verses did you read, and which translation? (I suspect Griffith, considering the mentioning of pleas to overpower enemies; something that seems oddly absent from Wilson's translation.)

There's actually several hymns of the Rig Veda that really betray the grand insights that these Sages had that most theists today would shy away from, such as the Nasadiya.

the
I'm sorry that I cannot recall the translator. I do remember a few curious statements in it, one was reference to the women "and their man," which suggested a polygenous relationship. Indra was one of the gods and mostly there was only one other mentioned in what I read. The men all tempted the two gods with "soma."

My enterpretation of the data about prehistoric Northwest India is that it was invaded by IndoEuropean Kurgan tribes who set up feudal estates as they hunted, herded and spread East across northern India. From the melding of the Kurgan and Tamil cultures, the Hindu religion and civilization developed.

In Indonesia where I lived three years, much of the Hindu culture still survived. I remember the goddess of the Indian Ocean, Ratu Kedal who even Muslims in the region feel that it is dangerous to swim at a beach I went to on the north coast of Java because "She pulled swimmers down into here watery abode."

 

[charles brough]

Really? Explain to me then why I should sit here and spend hours trying to put into words numerous different experiences I've had in my life. For what exact purpose would I spend all this time and energy? Just what do you think "neuroscience says" about such experiences? Why should I put my life experiences out there to be ridiculed and my intelligence and sanity questioned and insulted by those who think they know better than I merely for the fact that they don't believe? Like somehow that makes them better to judge or smarter than I. Whatever. :witch:

Personally, I never argue with someone who claims to have a supernatural experience. I just never had any myself and am quite happy about that. But since you label yourself a Wiccan, it is no wonder that people in this thread are asking you what a Wikken believes. My wife asks me and I cannot explain it because Google does not really give a good picture of what it is. Am I right in assuming Wiccans believe more than that they just experience supernatural experiences?

 

[idav]

I once met a Wiccan who was into black magic and apparently brought about the death oh his ex-girlfriend through black magic alone. Is that really possible?

Sure. One time someone died just from me thinking it. Just from thought alone. Coincidence?

 

[Breathe]

My enterpretation of the data about prehistoric Northwest India is that it was invaded by IndoEuropean Kurgan tribes who set up feudal estates as they hunted, herded and spread East across northern India. From the melding of the Kurgan and Tamil cultures, the Hindu religion and civilization developed.

A form of the Aryan Invasion Theory. Urgh, Really?

 

[Draka]

Personally, I never argue with someone who claims to have a supernatural experience. I just never had any myself and am quite happy about that. But since you label yourself a Wiccan, it is no wonder that people in this thread are asking you what a Wiccan believes. My wife asks me and I cannot explain it because Google does not really give a good picture of what it is. Am I right in assuming Wiccans believe more than that they just experience supernatural experiences?

Of course. Our experiences lead us to our beliefs just like anyone else's do. Consider them glimpses, clues, windows for us to see through and try to ascertain the enormity of the other side. The main reason there are so many different religions in the first place is that people see different glimpses, different windows, and put their clues together in a different fashion.

 

[Draka]

I once met a Wiccan who was into black magic and apparently brought about the death oh his ex-girlfriend through black magic alone. Is that really possible?

I won't say that it wouldn't be entirely impossible to kill someone through magical means, though I would doubt it upon hearing it. Most people who claim such kinds of things seem to be more full of themselves and their supposed "power" than anything else. I will say though, that since the main rule of the Wicca religion is to "Harm none" that the person you met was not Wiccan. He probably wore the name and donned the "witchy" attire thinking it was cool or whatnot and imagined himself a "powerful witch".:areyoucra At least, that's how I picture such.

 

[Erebus]

But when someone is trying to make a point by telling us s/he had a certain spiritual experience that changed their reality, wouldn’t it be fair and courteous if these posters would explain, in detail, how their revelation and enlightenment came about?

If it helps think of it this way: Would you be happy to explain to a virgin how sex feels by describing in detail your most intimate encounters? I know I wouldn't especially if I didn't know them personally.

It may seem odd, but for many people experiencing deity is honestly that private. For some people it's even more so, as those (like myself) who live in a culture where religion is losing its importance have to face the threat of being labelled psychotic.

 

[Riverwolf]

the
I'm sorry that I cannot recall the translator. I do remember a few curious statements in it, one was reference to the women "and their man," which suggested a polygenous relationship.

In the Ramayana, King Dasaratha had three wives, so that sort of thing would have existed at the time.

Indra was one of the gods and mostly there was only one other mentioned in what I read.

Probably Agni.

The men all tempted the two gods with "soma."

I'm not sure "tempted" is the right word.

My enterpretation of the data about prehistoric Northwest India is that it was invaded by IndoEuropean Kurgan tribes who set up feudal estates as they hunted, herded and spread East across northern India. From the melding of the Kurgan and Tamil cultures, the Hindu religion and civilization developed.

And just FYI, there are tons of Hindus who believe this theory to be bunk. I, myself, have not done enough research to make a personal determination myself. (Though I do believe that, at the VERY least, an Indo-European culture somehow mingled with Dravidian culture. Whether or not it was through invasion, I don't know.)

In Indonesia where I lived three years, much of the Hindu culture still survived. I remember the goddess of the Indian Ocean, Ratu Kedal who even Muslims in the region feel that it is dangerous to swim at a beach I went to on the north coast of Java because "She pulled swimmers down into here watery abode."

Never heard of her. The Vedic God of the oceans is Varuna.

 

[Skeptisch]

Would you be happy to explain to a virgin how sex feels by describing in detail your most intimate encounters?

Probably not, but if a virgin would ask me to deflower her I probably…:hugkiss::bounce

Look, most of us would want not only the best for us but also for all of mankind and unless more of us accept the magic of reality, also called science, the world will sink into an even deeper mess. As long as the majority of us are convinced that the laws of nature (physics) can be altered or changed, we are in deep trouble. There is no scientific evidence at all for the existence of anything supernatural and paranormal and no amount of praying or “wiccaning” will change that.

 

[Riverwolf]

Probably not, but if a virgin would ask me to deflower her I probably…:hugkiss::bounce

Look, most of us would want not only the best for us but also for all of mankind and unless more of us accept the magic of reality, also called science, the world will sink into an even deeper mess. As long as the majority of us are convinced that the laws of nature (physics) can be altered or changed, we are in deep trouble. There is no scientific evidence at all for the existence of anything supernatural and paranormal and no amount of praying or “wiccaning” will change that.

Now put yourself in the shoes of someone who has had these experiences. Imagine you're that person, reading this paragraph.

Do you now understand why she was disinclined to share her experience?

 

[Draka]

Probably not, but if a virgin would ask me to deflower her I probably…:hugkiss::bounce

Look, most of us would want not only the best for us but also for all of mankind and unless more of us accept the magic of reality, also called science, the world will sink into an even deeper mess. As long as the majority of us are convinced that the laws of nature (physics) can be altered or changed, we are in deep trouble. There is no scientific evidence at all for the existence of anything supernatural and paranormal and no amount of praying or “wiccaning” will change that.

A Wiccaning is a blessing on an infant or a child when welcomed into the family. Much like a Christening or Baptism. If you don't at least know enough about a religion to use the terms properly, or at least learn what they mean before you use them, perhaps you shouldn't speak about it. Not to mention the obvious "duh" moment here. But most of the things referred to as supernatural are considered outside of the natural world. Since science can only examine and test for the natural, then it stands to reason that there wouldn't be scientific evidence either for or against the supernatural. That does not discount the possibility of its existence in the least. Lack of evidence does not equate to evidence against. Lest we even mention that there are different accepted forms of what is considered evidence in general or a court of law.

 

[Skeptisch]

But most of the things referred to as supernatural are considered outside of the natural world. Since science can only examine and test for the natural, then it stands to reason that there wouldn't be scientific evidence either for or against the supernatural. That does not discount the possibility of its existence in the least.

"A universe with a supernatural presence would be a fundamentally and qualitatively different kind of universe from one without. The difference is, inescapably, a scientific difference. Religions make existence claims, and this means scientific claims".
RD

 

[Draka]

"A universe with a supernatural presence would be a fundamentally and qualitatively different kind of universe from one without. The difference is, inescapably, a scientific difference. Religions make existence claims, and this means scientific claims".
RD

Whoever RD is, that is only their opinion and does not make it fact. How would that person know those things to make such a statement? Do you have nothing to contribute on your own or must you post obscure quotes from initials?

 

[Breathe]

But when someone is trying to make a point by telling us s/he had a certain spiritual experience that changed their reality, wouldn’t it be fair and courteous if these posters would explain, in detail, how their revelation and enlightenment came about?

No.

My (few) spiritual experiences are between the Deity and I. Nobody else.
Not to mention, discussing them is pretty near impossible. Like describing the taste of a fruit to someone who has never eaten it.
If someone wants to know them, they can get their own.

 

[Photonic]

I won't say that it wouldn't be entirely impossible to kill someone through magical means, though I would doubt it upon hearing it. Most people who claim such kinds of things seem to be more full of themselves and their supposed "power" than anything else. I will say though, that since the main rule of the Wicca religion is to "Harm none" that the person you met was not Wiccan. He probably wore the name and donned the "witchy" attire thinking it was cool or whatnot and imagined himself a "powerful witch".:areyoucra At least, that's how I picture such.

A...vampire witch...if you will?