I've seen it touched on several places...but usually skirted as posters want to keep things on topic...well, its on topic here. I went to a fire dance by accident (I love dancing!)...and it turned out to be a Wicca event. I got a little freaked at the ceremony and bolted (didn't even get to dance!) But it was very interesting, far out and everybody was soo nice. So as a person w/ Christian views I've thought about it for some time. Hence I need your help! First, I need to explain my view of Christianity (if you don't want, don't read this). The Christianity concept has many components to it. But the general concept is warped by the old testament. I see the new testament as being what matters. The new testament is newer, actually written by participants and by definition, Jesus is God and corrects/adjusts the old testament. So if one takes strictly a Jesus approach...one comes up with two main attributes of the religion: 1. Peace...love thy neighbor as thy self...goodwill towards mankind 2. Put no God before 'the' God So looking at these two components I see that #1 works in many situations. One can live their life living #1 very easily as I see many on this board doing successfully. I am of the belief that this is the main reason why the Bible was written and Jesus existed...IMO #2 more just helped to extend the message. Regardless, I believe #1 can and is a religion-independent approach. #2 is the more challenging question. What is God? I know that in Wicca there is the Goddess. Is that a representation of earth? Could they be one and the same? The event I saw they 'worshipped' the elements fire, earth, water, air. Is this a blatant substitute for God...or is it all part of the same greater being that is everywhere. In other words, does it really matter? And yes, I want your opinion. So to sum, are Jesus' teachings in conflict with Wicca?
well i dont know a whole lot about paganism/wicca. but here is a good link which may help http://www.paganlibrary.com/introductory/christianity_wicca.php i'd recommend looking around the site more, they have very in depth explanations of their beliefs there.
I believe a guy named Jesus probably existed, but I do not believe in the bible completly. I see Jesus as an equal to the Buddha. But to answer some of your questions. Different wiccans have different beliefs. Go to witchvox.org and look up some stuff there.
I don't really think it does clash with his teachings. Firstly I mean Wiccans believe in a God and Goddess. But don't they believe that it's really one greater higher power that is found in everything including the earth and all its cratures, and they recognise the male and female aspects of that power? Because if that's true than really people all worship the one god. They just worship it in different forms. Don't they? Personally I follow mainly Hinduism with many Wiccan elements (it's a mad blend but it makes me happy!) I was Catholic up until a while ago. But it never sat right with me. When I found a belief system that matched what I had always believed in I had to reconcile my old beliefs with it. I came to see that maybe Jesus was sent by a higher power to bring love to the world. But that the message got tainted by humans. (corruption and sexism in the church and so on). But Jesus provides a basic message to love others and that applies to people of all religions and no religions. It's just a good way to live. So wicca has the same idea "and do what you will in perfect love and perfect trust." Therefore I really don't think they clash. Sorry if that's kind of confusing or off point I'm so tired. Feel free to IM me if you want any clarification. Peace, love and happy vibes.
As a Wiccan myself, I'll share with you my views. I was raised Methodist, but the teachings of the church never really worked for me. I am uncomfortable with the idea of one male God. I worship both the female and male aspects of the Higher Being, that is, the Goddess and the God. They are equal in power, and each balances the other. I call my Goddess and my God by the names Isis and Osiris, but I believe that all Gods and Goddesses are merely faces, aspects, and facets of one balanced force. Therefore, your God is still my God, and my Goddess and God are your God, although they are seen through a different perspective in each case. Many Christians today seem to forget that Jesus Christ preached love and understanding and acceptance. I believe that we are all children of the God and Goddess, and that Jesus' statement that he was the Son of God was a message that we are all Children of the Lord and Lady. I do not believe in Jesus as the Savior of mankind, but I agree with his teachings. I do read the Bible on occasion, the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John being my favorite books. Most importantly, we all need to learn to coexist. We are all one family, one people, if you ask me, but that doesn't mean we all have to be alike. Differences are what make the world interesting, and it is through learning to accept each other's differences that we grow and learn to love. I think that is a lesson that all people of all religions can agree is a good one to learn. Peace, and Blessed Be.
