Hello to all - as you may have noticed if you have visited before, I have taken the original letter off-line after receiving an e-mail saying that the letter was plagiarized. I, myself received the original posting that was here (obviously erroneously) from an e-mail that was spammed to many different people. I must trust this current e-mail as only sincerity would bring about such a communication. However, the topic is close to my heart as well and so many of you have written to express the need for more such communication, that I could not in good conscious, let the matter go. To that end, I have written my own words on the subject, using the original headings from the other letter as a guide. Though this is the same topic, the words, thought and feelings are mine !!
I now make the urgent request to any of you who have viewed the text previously on this page, to notify me immediately so I may pass the information along to the original author.
ONWARD…..
I have notice that most Christians I know (some I will admit, I rather not know) have an annoying obsession with sharing their faith. You know the type - the ones that say you must "turn away from Satan or burn in hell". I have to admit to occasionally wanting to shout - "Satan is yours jerk!!" (I know, be calm *g*). One has to assume that they "bless" others with this obsession as well. It is often amusing to observe them as they put their feet in their mouths and their worse face forward to those they were trying to convert. To that end, I began teaching in several local Christian schools. Teaching the young, so as they get older they will know better how to teach others and perhaps learn as well. For instance it would be much better if the Christian were to communicate, you know, share beliefs. Notice I said communicate (I will use the word "share" from now on as that word belongs to us all), that means of course, listening when you are done speaking.
First, to the Pagan I would say: Take a few deep cleansing breaths. Lift your heart to the Gods, as I do when I say the following: "Wise Gods, great Peoni, my Patron Goddess, help me to bite my tongue for Pete sake, guide me to the right words for this person who will more than likely, attack my faith *g*" You know what I mean…..
I have found that most Christians I have spoken with (and a few, like the Jahovah Witnesses, I invite into my home) tend to view the Pagan faith as a group of anti-Jesus, Christian bashers they should convert. They immediately rise to the occasion by becoming like a dog after a chunk of meat. Off the bat going for the throat and attacking the Pagan faith. Often calling those who practice the Pagan Traditions - Satan Worshippers. Pagans must understand that the Christian has been conditioned to convert and "save" others. Though through violence is never the way.
As I have looked around, I have seen these attacks often have the opposite effect on the Pagan. Making the Pagan more determined to remain Pagan. They won't ignore the Christian, but the words loose the effect they might have had with a different approach. I mean really folks, would you want to become a part of a faith that condones and even expects and promotes its members to attempt such attacks? Have you met anyone that changed from one way of doing things to another, through the use of threats and violence. Or shown any degree of sincerity toward the forced idea, in this case, another faith?
Don’t get into a "My God is better than your Gods" debate. Attacks rarely work, and when they do, the effects soon fade and the Pagan is back to being a Pagan once again. Though we must remember that human nature leads us to attack that which we do not understand. A Pagan will view the defensive individual as a person who really has a problem with reality. In viewing it from the religious aspects, it is generally felt that a person who is strong in their faith, will not need or want to attack another.
Think about it though, the goal of a Christian is to "Save" those that do not accept Jesus as their personal Savior. While years ago they were called "Defenders of the Faith", that term has been left behind by many churches, as putting the wrong light on their beliefs.
Something I always prompt my students (ages 13-18) to do when I ask them what they believe, is to speak from the heart. Pagans respect those that "know or feel" their Gods presence. A Pagan will have no respect for ones that only know what others believed long ago in a distant land. If you speak with even a little tolerance you will find the Pagan listening when you speak. Keeping in mind that the Pagan, unlike the Christian, has studied and sought their calling for many years. Then made the decision to become Pagan. I myself chose the Pagan faith at the age of 13 and have found myself becoming more cemented in that faith as time has gone on. If this be the case, and I assure you that it is the case, you can clearly see that Pagans have a strong commitment to their faith.
When speaking of the Christian faith to a Pagan, you are likely to get a history lesson. Some of these comments will include mentions of war and killing all in the name of the Christian God. There will be charges of intolerance of other faiths, tortures done by the church. I could go on, but why? The point is that you may expect rebuttal, after all, the Pagan is only human. There are certain types of Christians (the Jahovah Witnesses jump to mind *g*) that will immediately defend their faith, often taking from the Old Testament, examples of why this perhaps was necessary. Rather than denying it ever happened, they will now try to defend the reasoning behind the attacks. I have enjoyed many a Sunday morning listening to my two favorite "Witnesses" (I will call them Tom and Bob) explain away any such history within their faith structure.
Eventually, with much sharing, you will get the Christian to admit that the past happenings, while they may be "explained" if you look hard enough in the bible - they were ultimately perpetrated by HUMAN beings. Given that opening, you can begin to speak rationally regarding the past. The fact that both Pagans and Christians have a bloody past, but that we eventually grew to realize the error of our ways. Notice the plural??
Has anyone ever said or done something that was completely taken out of the context in which you originally said or did it? Of course you have.... Knowing this try to keep in mind that many interpretations can be placed on the same set of words. Be they of the Bible or the Oracle of Delphi, by 10 different people. The point is that there is evil everywhere and your faith does not exclude you.
You must remember that when people look at another faith, they are quick to see the negative side and slow to see the positive. The Inquisition or "the burning times" did exist, and many people - Christians as well as Pagans - were killed in the name of the Christian God. Using the Malleus Maleficarum (or Witch Hammer as was its popular name) as a guide for identifying these "witches". Women were the hardest hit, in fact there were many towns in Germany where there wasn't a woman left alive. The massacre of thousands, by Christian armies, did in fact happen, the Crusades for an example. I mean, so the Muslims believe differently, what right did that give the Christians to kill and take the land. I mean every faith in the world (just about) claims that area as sacred. We can't all own the land.
Let us also look at society today, "The Craft" movie - please. The hate sites on the web regarding Paganism I see everyday are clear enough examples of the intolerance on the part of many Christians out there. But that is never necessary. Tolerance and education, understanding and exceptance are the keys to living together in peace. Before we destroy that which we should most value. Life !!
I would love to be able to say that Pagans never did the things Christians did, but even my tradition, the Celtic People, were an army in the beginning. Sure things are different today, but then? They were violent and warlike. The Egyptian Pharaohs who thought themselves Gods - existed. Oh and lets not forget the Aztec, shall we - I mean really. Animal and human sacrifice, yuck. There are many other cruel customs among different Pagan peoples of the past. There are many unpleasant, negative facts about almost any religious group that has ever existed on the earth. There were/are people who call themselves Pagan and turn around and break today's tenet of Harm None that the Wiccan tradition is supposed to follow. That tenet is rooted in all Pagan Traditions, with perhaps differences in wording that essentially amount to the same thing.
Now that I have forced you to view the sides from all angles, see the many things that are similar in our histories. We both must admit to war in the name of our respective Gods. We both must acknowledge out individual parts in the shaping of the intolerance and ignorance that exists between us.
But to focus on the negative of any faith is useless unless we learn from those that have gone before.
Rather than becoming a one of those annoying people often seen as "bible beaters," focus instead on your own personal beliefs as a Christian, of Jesus and your individual belief in his power (notice I did not say anything about quoting the bible - remember the lesson above children *g*). I myself, though Pagan (Irish Celtic) can and do respect the power that Jesus had/has over people. You will find out if you approach a Pagans that very few of them have any feelings at all towards Jesus or his followers, depending on previous treatment of course. You will even find, occasionally, the Pagan using parts of the Bible in their own rituals (Psalms for instance). The point is that the Pagan will generally not feel any hostility for Jesus the man himself. After all, he has been dead for 2000 years. It would be kinda silly. If there is hostility, it will be towards those who claim to be Christian, then turn around and break every commandment they can find. You are supposed to turn the other cheek, not slap MY other cheek.
If you go through with your desire to communicate your faith to a Pagan, please keep these things in mind. For your effort in SHARING your faith, remember what that means now….. The Pagan may just teach you something as well. As we believe that we are all sons and daughters of the Same, we do not convert, we will share knowledge and are always willing to see a new side to something we had once viewed as hostile. Try to be the person that changes a Pagans mind about Christianity. You may not "convert" us, but we will hear you. That should be the point after all. Communication and understanding.
It is crucial to understand Pagans as they actually see themselves, if you are to have any success sharing your faith with them.
There are several sides to the teachings of Jesus. Most Pagans are aware of most of those facets of your Savior, primarily because the Pagan had been raised Christian themselves. As a Christian, it will be your task to make sure that only the changed face of Jesus (the one of today and not the one that prompted the Burning Times), shows to those you wish to reach. Emphasize the positive. Don't get into a debate about the past, you can't change it, why dwell on it. Learn from it. The key to remember - No Mud Slinging !!
We have to understand that while symbolism exists in Paganism, it also exists in Christianity. We use candles and sometimes statues to represent the Gods. A Christian often has these same things in their churches, and to take a close look at the mass would turn a person’s stomach, if they were not aware that the mass is symbolic. Did Jesus really saw off parts of his body - No. Do Christians view Mary and the saints as Gods - No. If you choose to fight with a Pagan, you may find yourself faced with an impossible explanation. The Pagan may know that it is supposed to be symbolic, and that the saints and Mary are figureheads for focus when praying. But try reasoning with someone you have just attacked. Try claiming a God of love when verbally abusing another’s faith. Notice the by-play here…… Most Pagans will not come at you with the "I know better than you do" attitude. In fact, if you learn to respect their right to believe the way they are called to, you will find them often defending you and your beliefs against attack. I myself, have done so.
On three separate occasions, Christians have approached me in a friendly manner. There purpose, given my standing in the Pagan community, was to attempt a conversion. What a coupe that would have been for them. I understood this from the beginning, (though it still hurts at times to remember the feelings afterwards). Sometimes they would invite me to out for dinner ( not to be paranoid or anything, but try to keep the dinner thing a PUBLIC matter), or to their church to experience a mass. I try to tell them that I have had that experience. To be blunt and these words fit to a tee - they exhibited a most unholy effort. Dinner conversation was always about how wonderful Jesus was and the "family" feeling within the church community. They never understood that, as I belong to a Coven, I know that feeling already. I found myself quite a busy person until the Christian became frustrated with my resistance to being "saved". I felt fine, I would tell them. I spent my childhood (some of it) Christian. Remember what I said about the conscious decision to be Pagan… I am firmly now and always will be entrenched in my faith. Suddenly, I felt like I was something they found under a rock. There was never any hostility from them towards me- but you get my meaning. This is the main reason Christians are often seen as hypocrites by Pagans.
I have several friend who are Christians, who accept me for who I am. Sssseeeee, you can be a friend with a Pagan. You can share (there’s that word again) if you don’t go at it for the SOLE purpose of conversion. Know that eventually, the Pagan WILL hear you, but are you listening as well. Though they may never convert, you would still be doing the work of a good Christian, by being their friend??
Some of my more politically active actions include supporting the Texas bill to allow the "Our Father" to be posted above Judge Reinhart’s bench. He has a right to express his faith. When he made it to the bench, he gain "ownership" over that bench. If he is voted out in 2 years, his successor may remove it if he wishes. With this law, if say - a Wiccan Judge got to the bench, he/she would have the same right to display the Wiccan Rede.
Then there was the Arizona Prison systems contention that incense could only be burned during a mass if the convicts belonged to an established religious group. The Pagan inmates posted an article for help in the Phenominews, a paper I buy each month. I wrote to them with the offer of my support, not only as a fellow Pagan, but as a registered, licensed and acknowledged MINISTER. After placing a call to the ACLU regarding the posted issue at the prison, the Pagan population there was allowed to burn the incense during their rituals. They received the right when I, with the unanimous vote from my fellow Coven mates, accepted them as "part" of the Coven (third teaching circle but still members). Tolerance, understanding and respect are the keys.
Now this one my Coven mates had a really hard time with. I got involved with Engler’s (Michigan Governor) Bill to support "prayer" in public schools. I have lobbied the rights of all students to meet together for prayer in a public school. I have been roasted for those beliefs but - why should they not be allowed? In the US we have a little document known as the Bill of Rights. The Bill facing Michigan this year and supported by the ACLU makes the allowance that if the Christians wish time for prayer in the public school system then that right must be extended to all faiths. I could go on, but you get the idea. I support Pagans, Jews, Muslims, Christians and any other faith that rears its head with a problem. I have the daily 60 e-mails to prove it *g*.
Here we go with the most important issue. If you are going to have any chance at all in sharing with a Pagan (there’s that word again *g*), it's would be a good idea if you had some idea what a Pagan actually believes. My suggestion to any Christian, is to get the information from the "horses mouth". Invite an "out of the closet" Pagan over for a chat (Sharing again). Only a Pagan can tell you what the faith is all about.
In essence and for most traditions, that includes a deep love of Mother Earth and all who reside on her. Understanding through communication can be the best way to peace this planet will ever have.
Pagans do not worship Satan. The simple fact is that to the great majority of Pagans believe the Christian devil is entirely a Christian creation. We do NOT renounce Jesus or any of his followers. We do NOT kill animals and small children. We do NOT seek to convert any one. We do NOT dance naked under a full moon (usually *g*), though there are Covens and solitaries that go "Skyclad" or nude. We do NOT offer ourselves to Satan each Sabbat. We DO use knives or swords in ritual. We do NOT ride on brooms.
To explain further, let us take these issues one at a time:
1. The devil - As stated before, Pagans believe that Satan is a Christian thing and so he is. Back when the church was new, the leaders of said church, eager to convert their Pagan neighbors or destroy them (remember this is history and the Christian interepretation at the time of their Gods word) set up the Pagan God Pan as the devil. And why not, a perfectly logical choice, give that Pan is horned and tailed. Though the God Pan is actually the God of the Harvest and Wildlife. Still the stigma stuck. I will acknowledge that there are those who do indeed "worship" Satan. Though they do not worship an actual being of evil, rather they perpetuate the evil through self indulgence and self advancement. Caring not at all who they step on along the way. Though these people are not Pagan and should not be confused as such.
2. Jesus - Pagans do not renounce Christ. There seems to be a belief that during a Pagans initiation they renounce Christianity. While the people who "worship" Satan do indeed renounce Christ, Pagans do not. Neither Christ nor Satan ever appear any other Pagan rituals, initiation or otherwise. Satan simply does not exist for us. And Jesus is generally viewed at a great man who had a very special way in communication with the Gods. That would be something to respect not renounce. Though we do not consider him to be the "savior", that is Christian..
3. Killing animals and small children - NO. Did we in the ancient past? Yes. Sacrifices were part of nearly all religions, the Jews and Christians were no exception. The idea of sacrificing was and still is that you must give up something to the Gods. Contrary to popular belief among Christians, and as it turns out at least one other Pagan I know, this is NOT a barter for anything from the Gods, simply an offer as thanks and thanksgiving. As the concept of personal sacrifice changed, the sacrificing of animals and small children stopped. Neither Pagans nor Christians condone such behavior today, we have grown. Let us be honest though, there are some who still do? The Voohists (VooDoo practitioner) for example. Is it a standard practice by most Pagans? Nope.
4. Seeking to convert - I will state clearly so there is no other option but to understand - It is NOT our policy to actively convert or seek to convert anyone. It is not easy to become a Pagan. Let me be quite frank with you. I will NOT seek the seeker, they must seek me. I have a questionare they fill out, asking why they wish to seek the Pagan faith. Before they are ever Initiated or Dedicated they are asked THREE (3) times by the instructor assigned to them, during the 13 month Dedication, "teaching period", why they wish to be Pagan. The wrong answer is grounds for disqualification. Teaching children is specifically against most Pagan rules, without the consent of the parent or guardian. And as we do not believe that there is only one path to the Gods, we see no reason to seek the conversion of others.
5. SkyClad - While there are some Covens and Solitaries that do indeed do ritual in the buff, believing that the body is a beautiful gift of the Gods, most do not. Those that do, do so indoors. I mean really, its awfully cold during much of the year *g*. Looking at it from the standpoint of being different not wrong is one way of getting past the fact that some do. Then again some Pagans feel it a crime to honor your Christian God indoors on a beautiful summer day. That does not make you wrong, just different. Not an insurmountable thing.
6. Sabbats - We don’t believe in Satan, so let us move along here. We have eight holidays each year called Sabbats. They honor the Gods and celebrating the changing seasons. Our rituals usually include and offering of milk or wine and bread. Which we leave outside when the ritual is done, for the animals to consume. Most Pagans mark the New Year at the holiday called Samhain, what the Christian calls Halloween. We mark the Birth of our Dark Lord at Yule, Christians call this one Christmas. The Dark Lord is not a Satan type creature, rather He signifies the "dark" of the Earth during winter. Beltane is the "marriage" of our Dark Lord to the Bright Goddess, Christians call this one May Day. Esotre is the one where we celebrate the coming of Spring and the brightening of the Earth in preparation of the Earth to give harvest, Christians call this one Easter. I could go on but all the Sabbats are listed through a link on my main page for you to read if you wish to know and understand more.
7. Knives and Swords - The knife is called the Athame and is NEVER used to cut anything. It is black handled and usually between 6 and 8 inches long. Using the Athame as a pointer we "draw" a circle in which the ritual is done. It is also used to mix the salt in the water and in some traditions (mine for instance) to dig in the dirt during our MidSummer ritual. Some Covens and Solitaries prefer a sword over the Athame, but the use is the same. My Coven has both and alternates their use.
8. Riding on Brooms - I wish !! Think of the dollars in gas I would save if I could ride my hover to work each day.
Finally, the Christian must realize that you can’t win them all. You don't have to agree with their beliefs but if we are to live together in peace, you must learn to actually want that peace in spite of your need to convert. Be a friend. That is what religious tolerance is all about. You never know, they may one day seek you out. If you are already there as their friend, it will make your task that much easier.
In closing No matter what is said to the contrary, most Pagans, are good people. If they are out of the closet they will usually have friends and family who except them for who they are. These people will defend that Pagan against any overt attack you make - don’t make one. Remember the saying - Speak softly and carry a big stick. The "big stick" is your ability to be the Pagans’ friend first. Perhaps with the guideline that I have offered above, you will find a way to balance your ingrained Christian training with your need to share Jesus with your neighbors. Perhaps in this we may truly experience real peace.
Merry Meet, Merry Part and Merry Meet Again ! Brightest Blessings to All
Silver Phoenix - 1998
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