not supposed to praise?

[Saiya]

OK, I don’t remember where, but someplace I read that you’re not supposed to worship the Goddess as say Christians would their god… I’m just a little confused because I always have worshipped her as I please… am I doing wrong??? Need to know! Thanx!

[Tammy Sullivan]

I've read that too, I think the point is that it should be more like you are talking to your best friend, very personal. I've also read not to thank. I do though, the same as I would my best friend.

[Ganga]

I agree with Greta. Pagans tend to have very close, more intimate relationship with Goddess and God, but we are still greatful to Them and love Them. And I do praise Them, too, just as I can praise my mortal friends if I want to.

I think each one of us has a unique, individual relationship with Goddess and God, so there ought not to be any shoulds and should-nots in that regard.

[MammaStar]

I read that to, not to thank. But I do anyway. Only because when I appreciate my friends & family for something they have done for me, I thank them. I treat the Goddess & God the same way. And let them know how much I appreciate them for their guidance. :D

[Saiya]

hmm, well, you see, I was raised in a Christian environment, so when I decided to follow the path of the Goddess, I guess I just automatically thought that I should praise her the same way... yes, I can talk to her as though she were a best friend, but I praise her for being.. well, for being HER... I don't know... I've been a witch for about a year now, and I only read this last week or so... should I change my ways, or continue what I feel is right?

[MammaStar]

My opinion is this: Do what YOU feel is right for you! :D

[Kilia]

There are many things to read about our Goddess and God in how to interact with them.

I find there is nothing wrong in praising them for who they are and what they represent in our lives.

As LdyStarlite said, do what YOU feel is right for you! :)

~Blessings to you and yours.

[Emaleth]

I can understand the idea of not praising the Deities in a Christian way, on you knees with humble prayers. However, I often talk to the God and Goddes, praising them not for their power, but for their buty and love.

I also thank Them, just like I thank good friends. I'm extremely grateful to them for what They are in my life and I want to express my gratitude to Them.

Blessed Be

[Ganga]

Yes, listen to your intuition and do what feels right. :)

[Armitage]

I think it means She wants reverence and respect, not abject bowing. I mean, would you want someone grovelling at you all the time? :D

[tainted echoes]

there is no right way to...well worship? i dont know what the word would be..but as long as you dont go around dissing dieties, no one can tell you what to do.

[Haedis]

Also I think praising deities all the time in order to please them is a sure way to end up thinking that if you grovel without actual reverence good things will come to you no matter what.

You know, like how Homer prayed to escape the tornado and vowed to build several small chuches in the honor of God.

"Dad, He's not STUPID."

[Carickah]

Originally posted by Saiya00
<snippet>... should I change my ways, or continue what I feel is right?

Well, we have something that helps guide us in this area besides the Lady and Lord, themselves...

"An it harm none, Do as ye will."

But then you can always ask Her how she feels about it, to. For what that's worth.


K

[Aine of the Fae]

Actually the not thanking part comes from not thanking the fairies. When most people say 'thank you' it comes across as 'okay I'm glad you helped me, but I'm done with you now.' This is extremely offensive to the Fae as it presumes that you are better than them (and you're not.) Instead of saying 'Thank you' you offer a token or service in exchange for the help and then you have repaired their kindness equally instead of dismissing them. Just my two cents. :)

[Wyrdsister]

Originally posted by LdyStarlite
My opinion is this: Do what YOU feel is right for you! :D Here here! :thumbsup:

Wyrdsister

[BloodCrow]

Notice the fact that you read it somewhere, wich right there shows that it is a matter of opinion, as no one can be a spokesperson for the Goddess, do what you feel is right.

[Flar's Freyja]

In Norse tradition, we do not get on our knees before the deities as we are considered equals. When we act in a submissive manner, the deities are said to lose respect for us.

I think there's a difference between being thankful, honoring and respecting the deities and actually worshipping them. I agree that the way you respond to your connection and relationship with the deities should come from your heart and intuition and not a book.

[Bethra]

I think that with Pagan worship it is a very personal conection you aim to have with the Divine and as such this deminds that you worship in your own personal way. As imagies are all impotrant to the craft you must be able to from those images to the best of your own ability if you worry about following a set of rules or guidlines you can not consentrate your mind in the correct way.

Do what comes naturaly to you and then the magic will come naturaly. You will find it a lot easier that way than trying to force yourself to remember what you should and shouldn't do when you wish to worship.

With regards to saying thank you I prefure to give thanks and make offerings or for simple things to simply offer a toast to the Divine.

Your worship is your own link to the Divine so go with what ever you feel is right and you will only show your love for the Divine more.

[Lady Eryn]

O.K. Iwas raised catholic and I think what was trying to be said was , in order to talk to Jesus you have to do it through some one else, (ie.., Mary pray for us sinners). The way that we talk to the Goddess is diferant, we can talk to her like She is standing in the room right next to us. But then again we don't have to go to church to worship either. I'm much HAPPIER now that I'm a pagan.

[HuntinOwl]

1

[Flar's Freyja]

*nods*

My way of honoring my deities is to acknowledge them with some physical expression in addition to communicating with them. Simply lighting a candle or placing a small offering on their altars helps me to stay focused.

[Grey]

"Worship is to the gods as food and drink is to man" Ive always worshipped the gods when I prayed, Ive always prayed to thank them or to ask something of them or to simply talk to them, but I always remember that praising them can only help them, and that it makes me no less by doing so. Praise is the same thing as giving offerings and serves the same purpose. I believe the point of that "do not praise the gods as a christian would" rule is there to say that you should have a personal relationship with them, that they are understandable beings and to reiterate the hallowed sanctity of choice; for we worship them of our own free choice and in many cases at our own free peril from those around us.

[Evenstar]

Being in agreement with what a lot of other people have said, i truly beleive that it is a personal decision. I personally "praise" or at least thank the Gods every day for granting me another life and blessing me with a good one filled with wonderful people. And how could anyone fail to say thanks at least occasionally to the Power that created the Earth in which we dwell?

[mol]

Originally posted by Saiya00

OK, I don’t remember where, but someplace I read that you’re not supposed to worship the Goddess as say Christians would their god… I’m just a little confused because I always have worshipped her as I please… am I doing wrong??? Need to know! Thanx!

No you are not doing it wrong! How can you be doing it wrong? Its YOUR GOD and GODDESS. If you want to praise them, then do it.