[Pseuds Corner] Are Paganism and Christianity mutually exclusive?

[Avoid normal situations.]

[ Article crossposted from alt.pagan ]
[ Author was Marc Line ]
[ Posted on Tue, 28 May 1996 08:27:56 +0100 ]

On Thu, 23 May 1996, at 23:58:25, Sara Malabar cajoled electrons into
this:

snipped
>I was recently at a conference for a
>grass roots movement I belong to where we celebrated Beltane with a
>Wiccan Priestess, and the worship experience was a powerful one for
>me. Just uncase you die-hard Wiccans are beginning to celebrate
>(while the Fundamentalist Christians mourn for my lost soul) this
>experience did not turn me into a Wiccan. I'm not into fast and hard
>lines and that's why I mourn to see them drawn as steadfastly as they
>are here.
snipped
>My experience is that they're not mutually exclusive, and so I hope
>that if while I am in conversation with the Wiccan/Pagans here I use
>God or Jesus imagery at any time - that you will not assume that I am
>evangelising you. To me evangelism is a form of hatred. Inclusivity
>can be it's only response (in my life this is).

>While I'm here I might as well mention that I'm queer (loving Gods and
>Goddesses equally that is) and so I look forward to discussing the
>reverance of the God and Goddess when they come together and the
>implications of heterosexism in this reverance.
snipped
>"Along the way of life, someone must have sense enough and morality enough to
>cut off the chain of hate."
>
>
>-Martin Luther King Jr.

Hi Sara

My dear, you are a breath of fresh air.

There is religion and there is politics. Sadly, when these two animals
meet, the consequences are usually negative.

If we can only climb out of our little boxes and see the full and
beautiful panoramic landscape of our existence, we will sail a happier
ship.

In my personal experience, all religions have something of value to
offer humanity and in some shape or form, have love at their heart.

Xtian, Buddhist, Taoist, Hindu, Wiccan, Pagan, Satanist, Moslem,
Catholic, Jain, Baptist, Methodist, Anglican, Jew, Atheist, (apols to
those hundreds not listed), what does it matter. Words, labels, mere
classification of sub-types.

We are human, all of us, trying to find our own ways of making sense of
creation. We are naturally drawn to those with similar paths but the
paths of others are no less valid than our own.

After centuries, millennia, of religious persecution and intolerance I
am saddened by the observation that we, as a race (human), are not yet
able to open our hearts and our arms to embrace _all_ our fellows, not
just those who agree with us.

There is so much to be gained by accepting and/or respecting the views
and perspectives of others. If we fail to do that, we, personally and
collectively are turning our backs on rich seams of knowledge and
insights that could, and in all probability, would, make our lives more
complete.

It is all a question of balance.

I do not reside in any church. I live in the cathedral of creation. I
guess, if anyone needs a label, that makes me ......insignificant.

My love to you and those you love.

May your journey bring you joy and your joy bring you home to the One.

--
Marc Line

[ end crossposted article ]

Satanism has something to offer humanity, and has love in its heart, eh?
*evil, twisted grin* Can't wait to hear the rationale behind that one...

--
alt.flame Special Forces
"One thing I don't understand is that average American movie-goers cannot
watch a movie for three hours, yet they'll watch a stupid, boring,
horrific football game for four hours. Now, that is boredom at its most
colossal." -- Quentin Tarantino
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