Christianity vs. Wiccans

[Silent Whisper]

i found this on the net...it really helpful i guess
http://www.thetoplinks.com/craftchristvswicca.htm

[MystOld]

Interesting link.

Just a quick aside on the "judge not lest ye be judged" thing. I think perhaps what it really means is that if you judge people judge them by the same judgements you would judge yourself - as in don't hold them to higher standards etc. - or they will be sure to judge you just as badly as you judge them. Or that, if you must judge others, be sure to have all the facts right and judge them fairly, and try to step into their shoes and understand why they do what they do too, because otherwise you aren't judging them fairly. I dunno, just some thoughts.

[Yvonne Belisle]

Thank you I'm bookmarking it to send to my little sister who still fears I'm going to hell.

[silvermoon]

.......:woah: very interesting :ahhhh: just showing that deep down the two spiritual paths aren't that different from each other :smooch: :nonono: .........

silvermoon

[EasternPriest]

It is an interesting link...even though biased and innacurate in some respects.

[Semele]

Just a little warning...this topic has caused many issues in the past. This thread will not have three mod rule allowed to other threads. One hateful thing said will close this sucker down faster than you realise something disrespectful was said.

That said...enjoy the discussion...lets just not let this in any way turn into Christian Wicca arguments or statements that we are all praying to the same God anyway...blah blah blah!!

Thank you!

[GoddessofWisdom]

Many of the holidays that the Christian's celebrate now were strictly holidays of the witchcraft religion, they were "borrowed".......My thought: Imitation is the best form of a compliment :)

[Lilu]

Just as an interesting thought - I can make an argument for Wicca being monotheistic at times too. Depending entirely, of course, on the tradition and/or person's beliefs.

I believe Scott Cunningham speaks of this in either "Wicca for the Solitary Practitioner" or "Living Wicca" also. But when I was Wiccan, I considered myself monotheistic. ie. I believed in a ONE higher power than manifested in the forms of God and Goddess. Therefore - I was duotheistic in seeing God and Goddess, but in viewing them as a "part" of the ONE WHOLE - I was also essentially monotheistic.

At least that's how I viewed it. It's all semantics anyway. Just thought I'd throw that in ;)

BB
Lilu

[EasternPriest]

Originally posted by GoddessofWisdom
Many of the holidays that the Christian's celebrate now were strictly holidays of the witchcraft religion, they were "borrowed".......My thought: Imitation is the best form of a compliment :)

Actually, they weren't necessarily "witchcraft religion" holidays.

It is true to say, however, that there are many holidays, celebrated by varying traditions, that have been altered and adapted by Christian denominations. As an example, Christmas.

Other holidays share similar dates, but are historical rather than adaptations. As an example, Easter.

In most cases, imitation was not the intent, substitution, conversion, etc... was.

Part of the problem with comparisons like this site offers is that they are way too general and simplistic.

For example there are over 100 "mainline" Christian denominations, so the best that could be said is the beliefs listed may not jive with 99/100.

On the other end of the spectrum, while some pagan belief systems pre-date Christianity, Wicca does not. Unless I am mistaken, Wicca is a recent interpretation of some ancient beliefs.

I'm all for comparison, one of my personal goals is a Master's in Comparative religion. It's just that we have to be more specific specific rather than more general when making comparisons.


Blessings.....

[Myst]

My honest and immediate response, and I'm not trying to be rude here, is who the heck cares who started the holidays anyway? We all love 'em, whichever ones we celebrate, so does it really matter? No need to get in a discussion about how "oh look you guys copied us nyah nyah" ya know :)

[EasternPriest]

Gotcha there myst:) I find it far more engaging to seek out commonalities rather than differences.

[Myst]

Originally posted by EasternPriest
Gotcha there myst:) I find it far more engaging to seek out commonalities rather than differences.

Yup. I find it interesting too, I'd just hate to see an argument start about that topic again ya know :)

[Sequoia]

I enjoyed reading that page. Although it might be hugely biased and somewhat innaccurate, it was a good read. And it would be good to use to subdue the fears of friends or family members who are like "OMG YOU WORSHIP SATAN YOU'RE GOING TO HE-double hockey sticks!!!!!"

besides. So much of this is far past, it's hard to say what the "exact truth" is anymore. Does it really matter?

Around my friends and family I may end up using Christmas and Yule simoltaniously. Who cares? hehe they all know what I mean. And everyone I think knows the term "yuletide" and just accepts it to mean "christmas." ^^;

[kittiepoetrygod]

I agree. It makes very very very large generalizations, Eastern Priest. I am monotheist, and essentially alot of Pagans are, as some denominations of Chrisitanity can be considered Duo or even Polytheist ... but anywho ... its interesting.

[Yvonne Belisle]

I still have all the holidays I grew up with ie passover and easter and now I have my others too. I figure more time to celebrate the fact we are alive and together.

[Silent Whisper]

i had may friends read it because they think i worship satan..i told them im wiccan/pagen/witch but like they care they think im going to hell:rolleyes:

[Mairwen]

Originally posted by EasternPriest
On the other end of the spectrum, while some pagan belief systems pre-date Christianity, Wicca does not. Unless I am mistaken, Wicca is a recent interpretation of some ancient beliefs.


Right, EP. Gardner "created" what is considered Wicca back in the '40's.