An Open Letter from a Pagan

[Refuge]

Thanks everyone for your comments. This is a letter that was written by someone who was involved in witchcraft, not wicca.I am not the author. She simply wrote down her experiences as they occurred. Did you find the letter enlightning as you had the opportunity to 'walk in someone else's shoes'? Do you think that it helps us as Christians to read things like this? Thoughts?

[other one]

Refuge, I hope this person some day comes incontact with someone that can explain to her that being a christian is not going to or belonging to some church organization. Someone needs to get the inforamtion to her to simply go intot the closet and take her questions to the Father Himself. Read the book He left us and build a relationship with Him, and not a group of people.

I have attented many churches and I would say that I have had some of the same experiences as she has. Both my grandfather and my father in law turned away from churches from multiple experiences of unfaithful preachers doing things during the week that we don't even talk about.

It's sad......

se

[OneAccord]

I would say that letter is a pretty good picture of what visiting churches is like for a non-Christian.

I found Jesus completely outside of the churches, in fact an unbeliever led me to the Lord, definitely a Holy Spirit thing so no Christians can boast in my salvation.

Then I tried to go to church and it's been a pretty sour experience for the most part. My best fellowships and encounters with other Christians have been outside the churches. Not to say that there aren't good people inside some of the churches, but for the most part they are a turn-off. I don't think most folks who are caught up in them realize what a terrible witness they are to unbelievers. I have experienced just about every scenario presented in the letter posted here after I found Christ.

Refuge, I hope this person some day comes incontact with someone that can explain to her that being a christian is not going to or belonging to some church organization. Someone needs to get the inforamtion to her to simply go intot the closet and take her questions to the Father Himself. Read the book He left us and build a relationship with Him, and not a group of people.

Ha! I doubt anyone would tell a new Christian that! I have heard several sermons this year about so-called Lone Ranger Christians. They also teach that you need to get under a shepherd so you don't get led astray. Also reading the Book for yourself, taking your questions to the Father, and trusting the Holy Spirit to teach you causes you to become a heretic if what you discover in the Bible doesn't line up with the pet doctrines being preached.

[JohnS]

And what pet doctrines might those be?

[JohnS]

Sorry, I just thought of a recent example of a favorite sister of mine. She began communicating with a woman she met online and everything seemed great at first. Her newfound friend also had a problem with churches and had recently left one because they didn't agree with the 'truths' she had discovered while studying and praying. It seems she was convinced that the Epistle of James didn't belong in the Bible and the rest of the congregation didn't agree, nor did my sister.

Suddenly, I have thought of many examples.

[nebula]

This is a letter that was written by someone who was involved in witchcraft, not wicca.

Would you explain this please? I thought they were one and the same.

Did you find the letter enlightning as you had the opportunity to 'walk in someone else's shoes'? Do you think that it helps us as Christians to read things like this? Thoughts?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I agree that we as Christians do need to be set straight at times.

Over the years, "the Church" has become too much of an institution. It's like the church program has become more of the focus than the people who make the church.

Yes, I too have had to take time away from the institution of church.

However, I do not believe throwing darts at the congregations or the fellowship of believers is the solution.

But this is a side-track from the message meant to be presented by this letter, isn't it?

We need to stop acting like being educated about witchcraft, Wicca, the occult, etc. is like touching the plague.

We need to understand what these things are about so we can effectively minister to them - the same way we can educate ourselves about Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormons, Muslims, Buddhists, etc.

Those that are into dark witchcraft and such - yes, we need to be on our guard - for they have given themselves over to evil. But your average neo-pagan, Wiccan, and such just want happiness and harmony.

We need to be wise, knowledgable, discerning - and "full of grace seasoned with salt" to these people.

My 2 cents.

[Refuge]

This is a letter that was written by someone who was involved in witchcraft, not wicca.

Would you explain this please? I thought they were one and the same.

Did you find the letter enlightning as you had the opportunity to 'walk in someone else's shoes'? Do you think that it helps us as Christians to read things like this? Thoughts?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I agree that we as Christians do need to be set straight at times.

Over the years, "the Church" has become too much of an institution. It's like the church program has become more of the focus than the people who make the church.

Yes, I too have had to take time away from the institution of church.

However, I do not believe throwing darts at the congregations or the fellowship of believers is the solution.

But this is a side-track from the message meant to be presented by this letter, isn't it?

We need to stop acting like being educated about witchcraft, Wicca, the occult, etc. is like touching the plague.

We need to understand what these things are about so we can effectively minister to them - the same way we can educate ourselves about Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormons, Muslims, Buddhists, etc.

Those that are into dark witchcraft and such - yes, we need to be on our guard - for they have given themselves over to evil. But your average neo-pagan, Wiccan, and such just want happiness and harmony.

We need to be wise, knowledgable, discerning - and "full of grace seasoned with salt" to these people.

My 2 cents.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

This letter was written by someone who had been involved in traditional witchcraft , not wicca for 7 years. Wicca is a 'modernized' version of witchcraft. There is more info on my website.

Also, this letter was written with the intent to openly share a human being that was involved in witchcraft experience. It may be interpreted as many things. many have received it as a rebuke, some have been brought to tears while others.....God is using this to speak to many peoples hearts in many different ways.

Yes, indeed the church needs education on the various belief systems that are outside of its walls. But, I think that you made an unfair assessment about those involved in trad witchcraft. They simply want what every human being wants. Love.

[alexd]

Wicca is the belief, Witchcraft is the practice.

[nebula]

But, I think that you made an unfair assessment about those involved in trad witchcraft. They simply want what every human being wants. Love.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Not denying that - the problem is while you are trying to show them "love" they can wreak a lot of havok.

Ever hear the testimonies of missionaries and pastors trying to set up a church in a town or village under the control of a witch doctor?

When I mentioned "being on your guard" it is with such I was referring to.

Make sense?

[Refuge]

Wicca is the belief, Witchcraft is the practice.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Wicca has it's own belief system and pratice from Traditional Witchcraft. They are not the same thing. Two completely separate beliefs and practices.