Visitor Feedback
Letter
From: DartanionY@aol.comDate: Sunday, January 03, 1999 12:50 PM
Subject: Debate
Moon's Daughter,
My views on religion allow me to do anything I want within certain boundaries. The way I see it, your religion has no boundaries at all. If that is so, then how can paganism be a religion? Religions are based on beliefs that allow people to put under certain restrictions and boundaries.
Not just to have a religion to say you belong to. A religion is much more than beliving, it is applying and doing something about it. Paganism is just about magic. That's it. Where are the boundaries? Where are the restrictions?
Sincerely,
Ian
My Reply
Date: Sunday, January 03, 1999 1:49 PMAh!! Boundries!!
I DO have boundries, very definate ones, though I'm not sure if I could really explain to you just where they are.
You are however mistaken in thinking that Paganism is just about magick, it's not, not at all. Many pagans don't practice magick in any form. I personally consider magick to be seperate from religion in many ways, though not everyone sees it the way I do. Paganism also isn't a single religion, there are very nearly as many forms of Paganism as there are pagans.
I see my form of Paganism as religion because I honor the Gods, not because I practice magick. To me, Magick is a natual force that I am able, in a small way, to control in order to do things I wish to do. Magick, like life, is a gift of the Gods, and occasionally, They are willing to help in the workings, if the motives behind them are "worthy" of Them. This, in my (admittedly limited) experience, is rare.
As for where the boundries lie, it depends on the individual God, each has His or Her own agenda, and occasionally, they conflict, though not often... thus, pagans are able to honor more than one God at a time.
For me, the boundries lie in what I am sure are simular patterns to your own...
My Goddess frowns upon bringing knowing harm to others, without just cause. (eg. self defence, survival, etc.) She expects me to "walk in light" as much as it is possible for me to do so... helping others, respecting her children, and the earth, always seeking the greatest good, or the least harm. Learning, and teaching is also something She expects of me, and so, that is what I am trying to do.
Another thing about most forms of Paganism that I've learned about, is we do not "convert" people. Tolerance is our goal, not increasing our "population", so even in debate, or discussion, that is never the purpose. Rather, the purpose is to learn about other ways, and to, hopefully, teach others that we are not really any different from them, we simply look at life, and the Gods, in a different way.
I hope that helps answer your questions
sincerely,
Moon's Daughter
Letter
From: DartanionY@aol.comDate: Sunday, January 03, 1999 2:59 PM
Subject: Re: Debate
Moon's Daughter,
Could you explain those boundaries to me a little in depth? I don't really see any at all.
I don't see how you can create a god. How do you know that she is there?
How do you know that what you do is in light of her thoughts? How are you sure that she is there and it isn't someone (or something) else.
How can Paganism have different forms? I can see how Christianity can have different types, but those types have seperate divisions (i.e. Presbiterians and Methodists). All types are classified as Christians because they believe solely on the same purposes, but not everyone has their own type. How can Paganism really exist if there is not classification? No organization? No direct object of belief?
Sincerely,
Ian
My Reply
Date: Sunday, January 03, 1999 4:59 PMAlright, I'll try again, answering each question to the best of my ability...
Could you explain those boundaries to me a little in depth? I don't really see any at all.
if you can't see ANY at all from my last letter, I'm going to have to ask you to tell me what you mean by boundaries, because I don't think we're thinking of the same thing.
I don't see how you can create a god. How do you know that she is there?
I know She is there the same way you know your god is there, and I didn't create Her, any more than you created yours.
How do you know that what you do is in light of her thoughts?
She tells me.
How are you sure that she is there and it isn't someone (or something) else.
How do you know the same?
How can Paganism have different forms?
Just exactly the same way that Christianity has divisions. Only instead of different ways of worshipping the same god, we worship different gods.
I can see how Christianity can have different types, but those types have seperate divisions (i.e. Presbiterians and Methodists). All types are classified as Christians because they believe solely on the same purposes, but not everyone has their own type. How can Paganism really exist if there is not classification?
Well, first of all, Paganism has been around much longer than Christianity has, so I can't see how you can question it's very existance. Secondly, I guess I must have mis-spoken, what I should have said is that each person is able to follow their own hearts in honoring the gods, there is no right or wrong way, not really. Not a right or wrong for us to judge, at any rate, only the gods can say what pleases them and what doesn't.
No organization?
There are orginazitions, and there are even some "truths" that are held as pretty much universal, but to be honest, most feel there's no need for rigid structure. Pagans tend to be "free-spirits" who bridle at being told how, when, where and why. We'd rather listen to our hearts, and our gods.
No direct object of belief?
I'm not sure I understand this one, would you mind clarifying?
Moon's Daughter
P.S. Would you mind if I added these letters to the "feedback" pages of my site?
