Mainstream words

[Amethyst_rose]

I have noticed in this time where the U.S. is banding together I feel more and more left out. Friday, Sept. 14 was declared a day of prayer and rememberance by the President. I was and still am in thanks to him for uniting our country in this way. However, I also cringe every time I hear anyone say it is time to pray to god. I have kept wishing that someone who was leading a vigil or prayer service would recognize those of us that may prefer to call upon the Goddess or Mother rather than the JudoCristian God. Any other feelings like this out there?

[loopy]

At this point, I don't mind at all. Prayers are prayers, right? And it doesn't hurt to have any and every God or Goddess on our side right now. :)

[Swanspirit]

I think it would be nice to not portray "America " with all the mainstream words ..... I would like to see Native American Japanese Chinese Hindu Bhuddist Muslim Pagan , EVERYONE included...... it might send a message ......
You know the way some greeting cards are sent in SO MANY languages
nice idea thank you
Love and light
Swannie

[Myst]

Nope. All Gods are One God, imho.

[Lilu]

I agree with Willow.

I feel that I worship in my own religion, and if someone says "God" I just substitute "God/dess" or "Isis" or whatever. After all, it's THEIR religion, let them pray in their own way. If a pagan got up there, I would think they would say "Goddess bless" or something which IMO doesn't encompass Christians as they don't worship a Goddess. My opinion is you can't include everyone, short of saying "divine" and THEN you are excluding atheists no? ;) It's a no-win situation imo, and taking offense is too much of a waste of time for me.

Lilu

[Swanspirit]

BUT I LOVE diversity ..... like the pics from all over the world and the many ways of saying Goddess / God ...... And I dont believe all the "gods are one" I think they are many and varied as the stars....actually some of them ARE STARS lol, in my experience........
I strongly do believe to each their own .....
and I would love to hear many different names of deities ...... in worship
I think it would be extraordinarily beautiful...........
Love and Light
Swannie

[Wiccan Maeve]

I've got to say that I agree with Loopy and the rest with that similar opnion.

I've been watching the services on TV since Tuesday and when they say God, I just picture in my mind the deity which I relate to best.

Love & light,
HoneyDreads

[Sequoia]

hmm. . . to me, the fact that they DID have servaces for the three "mainstream" religions made me feel included, although pagan paths weren't mentioned. In a way it got me to thinking: in ancient Greece, would they have had every single one of the hundreds of gods and goddess represented, or would they choose one or two or three of the most commonly worshiped god(dess)s representing all? To me, those three religions were enough. I don't have a problem personally with the JudeoChristian god, heck I still have a working relationship so to speak hehe to me s/he is just as valid a god as any.

One thing, it's the prayer that counts. Do you think everyone in the catherdral was catholic, or jewish, or christian, or muslin? no. I doubt that EVERY SINGLE sect of each religion was represented. There are HUNDREDS, it's just something you can't feasibly do. However, it gave me a sense of pride. Here these people were, putting their hearts into each prayer, each song, each thought, whether it was their own personal religion or not. There may have even been athiests there, but the point is they were there. I had a great sense of includement, pride, and unity watching the services. I think that it doesn't matter where you are, you can pray to your god. And anyone can pray to their god. I'm just happy for the unity and diversity represented, and don't forget - we are still technically the minority. It is very hard for them to represent EVERYONE, so they did the best they could, and in my personal opinion, they did a very, very good job. It made me proud, and it raised my hope and faith.

I think the point was, that we prayed together, not that we prayed to God. And that those who are lost and who died are remembered. That's what I think it was about.

[Swanspirit]

Bravissima !!!
AS always it is the inner feeling rather than the outer form...........
then again ...... who would like to see a tree with but one leaf ??????
Love and Light
Swannie

[Dria El]

Originally posted by Puma Hime
hmm. . . to me, the fact that they DID have servaces for the three "mainstream" religions made me feel included, although pagan paths weren't mentioned. In a way it got me to thinking: in ancient Greece, would they have had every single one of the hundreds of gods and goddess represented, or would they choose one or two or three of the most commonly worshiped god(dess)s representing all? To me, those three religions were enough. I don't have a problem personally with the JudeoChristian god, heck I still have a working relationship so to speak hehe to me s/he is just as valid a god as any.

One thing, it's the prayer that counts. Do you think everyone in the catherdral was catholic, or jewish, or christian, or muslin? no. I doubt that EVERY SINGLE sect of each religion was represented. There are HUNDREDS, it's just something you can't feasibly do. However, it gave me a sense of pride. Here these people were, putting their hearts into each prayer, each song, each thought, whether it was their own personal religion or not. There may have even been athiests there, but the point is they were there. I had a great sense of includement, pride, and unity watching the services. I think that it doesn't matter where you are, you can pray to your god. And anyone can pray to their god. I'm just happy for the unity and diversity represented, and don't forget - we are still technically the minority. It is very hard for them to represent EVERYONE, so they did the best they could, and in my personal opinion, they did a very, very good job. It made me proud, and it raised my hope and faith.

I think the point was, that we prayed together, not that we prayed to God. And that those who are lost and who died are remembered. That's what I think it was about.

The other day they had one of those interfaith things here. It was really cool cus the local news station was there interviewing attendees and the first one they interviewed was a lady (she was sitting in the front) that had a big ol' pentacle around her neck. It was sooo awesome to see. Almost made me cry the way so many different faiths came together that night.

:)