my long-winded thoughts

[Astraea]

I have certain morals and ethics that one might consider to be Christian, simply because they are spoken of in the Bible and are mainly accepted by those of the Christian faith. But this does not make me "part" Christian.

The most important scriptures to a TRUE Christian are John 3:16-17, in which Christ says, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life." and even more importantly..."For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to SAVE THE WORLD THROUGH HIM."

A true Christian would not reject Biblical teaching, because the Bible is the inspired word of the one true God (according to Christians). This would include the belief- as taught by Christ Himself- that one must accept Christ as his/her spiritual savior in order to see the kingdom of heaven. This is the basis for the Christian faith, the belief that sets it apart from all other religions. Also, rejection of any Biblical teaching is considered a sin in the eyes of the Christian God and is unacceptable. Swaying from any teaching of the Christian God and of his Son, Jesus, would invalidate a person's Christian path.

Christianity is not a personalized path (according to Biblical teaching). Many other religions can be personalized- melded to suit the person who is following the particular path. Christianity is not, and this sets it apart from most other spiritual paths. One does not say, well I believe what this scripture says, but not this one, I like what Christ is saying here, but he's full of crap there. It just does not work that way! And since accepting any other spiritual beliefs is a sin, according to the Bible, then being a Christian-Wiccan (or a Christian-anything) just is not truly possible.
Saying someone is a Christian-Wiccan is an oxymoron in my opinion. A Pagan with "Christian" morals, sure. A Pagan who agrees with and follows some of Christ's teachings, fine! But not a Christian-Wiccan, sorry. You can say it, but it just is not possible to me.

[Astraea]

Sorry, but the above post was meant to be in response to the the question someone asked about "Christian-Wicca." I must have hit the wrong button or something! I wasn't just ranting, I was trying to respond to someone.

[Yvonne Belisle]

If Christianity is not a meldable path then why are there so many different types of christians and different versions of the Bible. Show me the one true version. Each path of Christianity has their own.

[Yvonne Belisle]

As for sorting through the Bible and desiding what was "crap " and what wasn't what do you think Henry the 8th did and how about King James?

[Astraea]

Any "Christian" path that does not follow with the teachings of Christ is not "true" Christianity.

Catholicism is an example. Christianity is just Christianity. It is not Baptist, Methodist, Catholic, Lutheran, etc. It is Christianity and was never meant, by Christ or the Christian God, (according to the Bible) to be denominational. Some Christians need a wake up call, in my opinion, to open their eyes to this. Some seem to read only portions of the scriptures that they feel like agreeing with and ignoring others.

Christianity "shouldn't" be denominational and separated into different "personalized" paths. At least not according to Biblical teaching. But it is. Just because it is, this does not make it acceptable. I feel many so-called Christians have, sadly, warped Christianity into something it was never intended to be.

Open the "Book" and read what it says. That is what I take Christianity to be, not what some Baptist or Catholic decided it should be.

[Astraea]

I think what Henry the 8th and King James did is sickening. That is why I never used the King James version of the Bible. It is the least reliable. NIV is most reliable and closest to the original scrolls. That is according to my own research of course.

[Mairwen]

Um. Lest we forget, the Christian Church wasn't founded by Christ. It was founded by Paul.

[Astraea]

Um yes, founded by Paul- but upon the teachings of Christ.

[Naillosotarrain]

Who are you to say what Christianity is or is not, or who did or did not found the religion, or which version of the Bible is more accurate? Were you there? Did you hear Christ's teachings first hand or are you relying upon the rightings of imperfect beings?

Here's something that is not in your precious Bible, "the Kingdom of God is inside each man, not in any building made of stone."

[Elaine]

Ok....without sounding rude and not attacking anyone, can I share my feelings on this please??

I think this is a subject that no one will EVER agree on...I see the points of all people that have posted on this topic but to be honest I have to say that, being the only one that openly said "i consider myself Christian/Wiccan" I am feeling quite attacked here! Maybe being Christian/Wiccan is not valid...and if it's not, then it's not...but right now in my life, it is the first time I have had religion...it is the first time that I have had this feeling in my heart!! Is it not better to have some sort of religion instead of not havin religion at all because others say that what you feel is not possible!!?? Well, what's in my heart IS valid and IS possible...and my heart is what I have to trust...my heart is telling me that right now, this is right for me!! And no offense to anyone here, but I'd rather listen to my heart than the postings in this thread!!

with love - Elaine

[Yvonne Belisle]

Elaine I stand and applaud you!

[Semele]

Originally posted by Elaine
Ok....without sounding rude and not attacking anyone, can I share my feelings on this please??

I think this is a subject that no one will EVER agree on...I see the points of all people that have posted on this topic but to be honest I have to say that, being the only one that openly said "i consider myself Christian/Wiccan" I am feeling quite attacked here! Maybe being Christian/Wiccan is not valid...and if it's not, then it's not...but right now in my life, it is the first time I have had religion...it is the first time that I have had this feeling in my heart!! Is it not better to have some sort of religion instead of not havin religion at all because others say that what you feel is not possible!!?? Well, what's in my heart IS valid and IS possible...and my heart is what I have to trust...my heart is telling me that right now, this is right for me!! And no offense to anyone here, but I'd rather listen to my heart than the postings in this thread!!

with love - Elaine

This is MOL (not Semele - too lazy to move over to mine or logout/login) :

Well said. I thought this discussion was done? ;)

[Astraea]

It's not "my precious Bible" since I'm not a Christian and do not rely on Biblical teaching to fulfill my spiritual thoughts.
And no, I was not "there" to hear Christ's teachings firsthand, nor did I have to be to find my own conclusions or understand the truths and lies I've searched for. Your little quote would possibly mean nothing to someone who accepts the Biblical version of heaven, but personally, I agree with it. My "precious Bible" paints an imperfect picture of heaven IN MY OPINION.

Here's a tip- everything posted here is basically opinion. You all have yours, I have mine based on what I've experienced. I read everyone else's opinion so I thought I'd share mine!

And I never was attacking anyone. I just don't agree with Christian-Wicca. If it "feels right in your heart," knock yourself out. I'm not attacking and I'm not accusing anyone else of attacking me just for disagreeing.

Forgive me for not seeing that the subject was "closed." Guess I better watch that next time.

[Astraea]

I meant that I agree with the quote, not the Biblical version of heaven.

And Elaine, whatever you believe is obviously good for your life. No, I don't believe Christian-Wicca is valid, but if you believe it, far be it from me to say it's wrong. Doesn't mean I'm not respectful of your beliefs, I just don't agree. My disagreements are not attacks.

[Elaine]

again, I was not singeling anyone out when i say I feel attacked here!! It was the way the entire thread was going overall...the entire topic has come up a few times before in the period of time I have been coming here....and that is what Mol meant when he said he thought that the subject was closed!! You had no way of knowing!! He was speaking to everyone coming to this thread...not you in particular!!

(hope you don't mind me speaking for you there Mol...please don't hate me:D)

Elaine:)

[gunner]

i've got to agree with mol, elaine made a good statement of her thoughts and feelings but we went through this just a few weeks ago, nothing was settled nor will it be, even the christians have been arguing over such questions for 2,000 years. i'd not want to see tempers flaring here again, would you?

[Mairwen]

Elaine! You go, girl! You have my utmost, undying admiration!!

[Mairwen]

Originally posted by Semele
I thought this discussion was done? ;)

It keeps coming back, ObiMol KenobiWan, dear! :rolleyes:

[bluecat]

ELAINE ROCKS!

I agree with mol, I thought we had talked this to bed! I think it is a poltergeist!

Blue :eek:

[Mairwen]

It's worse than that. *sigh*

[Dria El]

Originally posted by Semele


This is MOL (not Semele - too lazy to move over to mine or logout/login) :

Well said. I thought this discussion was done? ;)

lol Will it EVER be done??? :D

[MystyPines]

Uh oh! Not this thread topic again, he he he! Well, I don't discrminate against any path one follows, I respect all faiths as long as they harm no one and don't preach and lecture me. After all the years of calling myself Wiccan, it seems to have changed over the years, evolving, taking on new beliefs and discarding others, eventually I just call it "My Path." Sometimes having labels, just doesn't mean anything anymore. We all experience spirituality differently, not one person experiences it the same way, just as being Christian - everyone interprets the Christian teachings (or Bible) differently, who is to say what the true meaning or symbology of the Bible is, or what is the true tradition of Christianity whether it be Catholic, Protestant, etc.?

Love you guys!

:D

[Spirahl]

It WAS getting bad over there...
I wonder what it is about this subject in particular that gets everyone riled? Most other topics can be discussed, everyone can have a different view, and no hurt feelings occur.
I guess it hits the soul itself.
I tried to pick my words carefully, I don't think I posted anything that was even close to being a personal attack, and yet all this negative energy built up...then I realized that I'd better step away. I thought "...this is how WARS begin...". Scary stuff!
Hey Elaine- I know (obviously!) that there are those of you out there...ever thought of declaring your own religion? :D
I don't think it's enough to declare the subject closed...
how 'bout a hug?

[mol]

There is NO reason for tempers to flare here at all. We all have a personal Path. Some Paths share quite a bit, they are called religions...others dont. Some declare that they do not have a Path at all...which is, of course...their Path.

When discussing our Path's we need to remeber that I don't fully understand anyone else's Path but mine. I might ask some questions that might make someone mad at first...but it shouldn't. Because I dont fully understand YOU. No one does. Now lets try to learn and understand each other.

Lets leave the Wars to the politicians.

[Mariposa De La Luna]

*big hugs* back to ya!

I suggest we all post a happy thought in Rant's thread to balance this all. :D

[Mairwen]

I agree with Mol. Anyone who's read a number of my posts will notice a lot of FWIW, IMHO, IME, YMMV, and other web abbreviations. These are a matter of courtesy and clarification. Sometimes I think people dont' bother to learn them anymore ~ or even know that they exist ~ I have people asking me for my "database" all the time so they can learn this. It's netiquette. As the Internet has grown so rapidly, I think a lot of netiquette has gone out the window. Then again, I also think that lack of netiquette follows lack of etiquette in most cases. YMMV ~ this is just MHO. :D

I have a Student who tells everyone that she refuses to discuss religion, sex or politics, particularly in "mixed groups". This are personal issues. No two people are going to agree on everything ~ even people in the same group/circle/grove/coven/tradition/sanctuary/camp
/tree/church/branch/community/family/etc/soforth. That's the beauty of Spirituality. No one person can (or has the right) to tell you what your personal path is. That's impossible.

FWIW, YMMV, of course. ;)

[eaglewolf]

XYZ, PDQ!

:p

~ew

[Mairwen]

ASAP, FEDEX, UPS!

[loopy]

LOL!

[gunner]

"There is NO reason for tempers to flare here at all. We all have a personal Path. Some Paths share quite a bit, they are called religions...others dont. Some declare that they do not have a Path at all...which is, of course...their Path.

When discussing our Path's we need to remeber that I don't fully understand anyone else's Path but mine. I might ask some questions that might make someone mad at first...but it shouldn't. Because I dont fully understand YOU. No one does. Now lets try to learn and understand each other.

Lets leave the Wars to the politicians."

amen!

[MystyPines]

"Lets leave the Wars to the politicians.

amen!"
----------------------------------------------------

Alleluia and So Mote It Be!


:p

[Mairwen]

Amen!