An Open Letter from a Pagan

[Refuge]

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?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.........

I agree, being on your guard is excellent advice....until motives and intent are known, however, the church should not perceive a Pagan with disdain.

And, yes I have heard of the missionary and witch doctors stories. I'm not sure if this may be a case of comparing apples with oranges. Different culture and practice. Witch doctors are shamans that usually are the 'lord' of their village. They would protect their 'kingdom' per se, be doing whatever would be necessary. In other words, the presence of a church, pastor and missionary would invoke the perspective of a threat. Fight or flight behavior would kick in.

The majority of Pagans do not care about the church in the US. They are on their spiritual path and you are on yours.

[nebula]

I agree, being on your guard is excellent advice....until motives and intent are known, however, the church should not perceive a Pagan with disdain.

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And I quite agree!

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

Can you go into detail on that?

The girl I mentioned having met who was a "witch" had mentioned to me that there were three kinds: white, grey and black.

Put briefly: Whites are "good," blacks are "evil," and greys are inbetween.

She called herself a grey - as she prefers "goodness," but enjoys the freedom of putting a "bad" spell on "bad" people - something like that.

[Refuge]

I agree, being on your guard is excellent advice....until motives and intent are known, however, the church should not perceive a Pagan with disdain.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

And I quite agree!

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

Can you go into detail on that?

The girl I mentioned having met who was a "witch" had mentioned to me that there were three kinds: white, grey and black.

Put briefly: Whites are "good," blacks are "evil," and greys are inbetween.

She called herself a grey - as she prefers "goodness," but enjoys the freedom of putting a "bad" spell on "bad" people - something like that.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Wicca and Witchcraft have many differences.

Wicca is a newer type of neopagan religion, started by Gerald Gardner in the late 1930's.

It was constructed by using bits and pieces of Western European folk traditions, Eastern philosophy, Cabbalistic mysticism, and Masonic practices. Typically they worship "The god and The goddess" in varying ways, and practice "white witchcraft". Wiccans are generally quite ecclectic in their beliefs, and can be self-initiated into their religion. They follow the Wiccan Rede and the Three-Fold law. Wiccan beliefs are not secretive and are often written in various forms.

Traditional Witchcraft is the practice of the native religions and cultural beliefs of Europe as they were before the advent of Christianity. Many gods and goddesses are recognized and each is complex and usually independent of others. Trad Witchcraft is heavily based in certain traditions. These traditions are very well gaurded and passed only by word of mouth, never in written form, often during initiation or rite of passage. The oaths are taken quite seriously and there are harsh consequences for those who do not keep them. In Trad. Witchcraft there is no good or evil, each individual takes responsibility for their own actions and does not follow any Rede.

[Guest antiantichrist]

Yes all the thins that you heard from god is trew and the reason why you got no Knowledge of anything when you went to our church is because you need to pray to God and he will guide you; for he is the Alpha and the Omega The Beginning and the End.

Just Pray,

Love Ryan

[Refuge]

Yes all the thins that you heard from god is trew and the reason why you got no Knowledge of anything when you went to our church is because you need to pray to God and he will guide you; for he is the Alpha and the Omega The Beginning and the End.

Just Pray,

Love Ryan

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

[ted]

t.