I admit that I do not understand how someone can be both a Christian and a Witch. Would those of you in this group who are Christian Witches please help me understand? I have two questions
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I haven't piped up in this community so far because, honestly, I'm not sure what to say or what to call myself yet. As of now I'm just reading everything I can get my hands on and trying to figure out which way is my way, because my understanding of God is basically a Christian one, and I'm also very drawn to witchcraft for various reasons I'll explain as best as I can right now.
I'm not affiliated with any Christian church. In fact, I left the church (I was born Protestant although both my parents were atheist/agnostic, but in Germany you're "officially" in a church and pay taxes there until you sign a form opting to leave it). I have no interest in Christian churches because of the intolerant mentality I've found there, and also because I feel it's a waste of time - I get nothing out of it, so why go? Still, I believe in the biblical concept of God, which means I believe I can't "earn" grace or forgiveness of sins, I can't live a perfect life, and so I need a savior, who, for me, is Jesus Christ. It does NOT mean shifting responsibility for everything that happens onto God because I believe we're all responsible for ourselves, and that the roads our lives take depend on the choices we make. I'm also not sure about what I believe yet about an afterlife. Reincarnation makes no logical sense to me (though I'd love to believe it - lol), but I'm not sure how I see the heaven/hell thing. I also don't believe that anyone not believing in the Christian God is doomed to hell by default, nor do I think this is the "one true way". What I do believe is that I don't know everything, and that I could just as well be wrong...still, these are my beliefs and I want to keep them, for myself. Also, I'd rather learn from other faiths than push mine on 'em. *shrugs*
Being a witch (and I don't yet presume to call myself that right now since I'm very new to this and just learning) doesn't automatically translate to being a believer of a pagan faith, I think (all this is just my opinion, of course). I think that, as a Christian, it's perfectly acceptable as long as it's not used for evil or selfish purposes - in fact there are Christian denominations whose practices are more like witchcraft than traditional Christianity, the pentecostals, for example (their mentality is just too radical to me, and I don't agree with their theology). For me right now, it's not at all about spell casting and the like, but an active and life-affirming way to deepen my own spirituality and connect with a higher power, as well as develop myself personally - at least that's the main thing I hope to find.
I'm not sure what anyone will make of this here, maybe I'll hear I'm totally out to lunch. I don't know. I'm just following inner impulses and interests that I've always had, but couldn't pursue until I'd freed myself from the Christian paranoia, while at the same time retaining the faith. Part of that search is what brought me here to this community.
What a well-spoken, articulate reply. Thank you. Could you say a little more about what being a Witch means to you? I get that it's not about spell-casting. I'm not sure what you mean by it being an active and life-affirming way to deepen your own spirituality and connect with a higher power. I'm not sure what you mean by "Witch".
I'll probably define it better (and maybe even differently) when I've learned more - I mean it when I say all this is new for me, meaning a couple of months of reading in my spare time. So I'm a complete noob. :)
How to explain what I mean by "witch"...I guess I see God both as a person, and as an omnipresent "energy". I think it's possible to utilize that energy to effect changes, for example by prayer (which for me includes something like visualization, and not just imploring a deity to make a person healthy). I've also had an intense interest in herbology and armomatherapy all of my adult life. I work with that and have had really good results for myself and for friends, and I always bless these things instead of just saying "here, make a tea with this" ...again, I think that's utilizing a divine energy to effect a change (I just never called it witchcraft). *face-palm* - I've never talked about any of this to anyone, so bear with me. :D Basically, I think a witch is a healer who is both in tune with nature, with a divine force, and with God, and includes all three in his or her work. That's the point where I'm at right now, and I hope to explore many other things in addition to that (including spell-casting, when I feel ready to look into that, but I don't think that's something I'd want to jump into with a couple months of reading under my belt. Maybe the stuff with herbology and such was a naive sort of witchcraft already, as I said, but I don't really count that since I didn't call it that).
By "active" and "life-affirming" I mean getting in touch with nature and with the spiritual side of nature, instead of sitting passively in a dead-beat church. I think God wants me to do more productive things with my time than that. I also believe animals and plants have souls, have this divine energy I keep talking about, and that it's possible to be in touch with that and work with it.
Thank you. I know that it took a good bit of courage for you to share what you have shared. I applaud you! I think that you have expressed yourself very well. Thanks for going into more detail.
Do you look at the herbs and such when you are blessing them and just think something like "God created these, I'm just bringing out the qualities he intended to help people with"?
The reason I ask as that has been my argument with some people who do not understand my reliance on herbs, stones, and the like for healing and centering. I usually just tell them that God created them for a purpose, not just to look pretty and sit there, but to help.
Absolutely, I believe that too. And it may sound silly, but I believe these herbs, stones, oils or what have you, respond to that. That is, I think they can recognize if they're being handled as inanimate objects, or as a part of creation that has life and soul just like I do. I also think we can give them our energy and our wish to heal or cleanse, or whatever our intent is, and that it'll boost and complement their own.
God created them for a purpose, not just to look pretty and sit there, but to help.
Right! I think each one has its function, and the sheer variety and potential is kind of staggering once you really learn about herbology or aromatherapy, for example. I gained a lot of respect and even reverence for plants that way, and think the wisdom God put into creation is awesome beyond belief. If that's not a valid way to combine witchcraft and faith in the God I happen to believe in, I'm not sure what is.
Say, do you mind if I add you? So far I've kept these topics low-key in my LJ, but I don't intend to keep it that way. It'd be cool to have some like-minded people on my list, and I haven't met many so far. And also to read what they have to say too, of course.
I'm not affiliated with any Christian church. In fact, I left the church (I was born Protestant although both my parents were atheist/agnostic, but in Germany you're "officially" in a church and pay taxes there until you sign a form opting to leave it). I have no interest in Christian churches because of the intolerant mentality I've found there, and also because I feel it's a waste of time - I get nothing out of it, so why go? Still, I believe in the biblical concept of God, which means I believe I can't "earn" grace or forgiveness of sins, I can't live a perfect life, and so I need a savior, who, for me, is Jesus Christ. It does NOT mean shifting responsibility for everything that happens onto God because I believe we're all responsible for ourselves, and that the roads our lives take depend on the choices we make. I'm also not sure about what I believe yet about an afterlife. Reincarnation makes no logical sense to me (though I'd love to believe it - lol), but I'm not sure how I see the heaven/hell thing. I also don't believe that anyone not believing in the Christian God is doomed to hell by default, nor do I think this is the "one true way". What I do believe is that I don't know everything, and that I could just as well be wrong...still, these are my beliefs and I want to keep them, for myself. Also, I'd rather learn from other faiths than push mine on 'em. *shrugs*
Being a witch (and I don't yet presume to call myself that right now since I'm very new to this and just learning) doesn't automatically translate to being a believer of a pagan faith, I think (all this is just my opinion, of course). I think that, as a Christian, it's perfectly acceptable as long as it's not used for evil or selfish purposes - in fact there are Christian denominations whose practices are more like witchcraft than traditional Christianity, the pentecostals, for example (their mentality is just too radical to me, and I don't agree with their theology). For me right now, it's not at all about spell casting and the like, but an active and life-affirming way to deepen my own spirituality and connect with a higher power, as well as develop myself personally - at least that's the main thing I hope to find.
I'm not sure what anyone will make of this here, maybe I'll hear I'm totally out to lunch. I don't know. I'm just following inner impulses and interests that I've always had, but couldn't pursue until I'd freed myself from the Christian paranoia, while at the same time retaining the faith. Part of that search is what brought me here to this community.
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How to explain what I mean by "witch"...I guess I see God both as a person, and as an omnipresent "energy". I think it's possible to utilize that energy to effect changes, for example by prayer (which for me includes something like visualization, and not just imploring a deity to make a person healthy). I've also had an intense interest in herbology and armomatherapy all of my adult life. I work with that and have had really good results for myself and for friends, and I always bless these things instead of just saying "here, make a tea with this" ...again, I think that's utilizing a divine energy to effect a change (I just never called it witchcraft). *face-palm* - I've never talked about any of this to anyone, so bear with me. :D Basically, I think a witch is a healer who is both in tune with nature, with a divine force, and with God, and includes all three in his or her work. That's the point where I'm at right now, and I hope to explore many other things in addition to that (including spell-casting, when I feel ready to look into that, but I don't think that's something I'd want to jump into with a couple months of reading under my belt. Maybe the stuff with herbology and such was a naive sort of witchcraft already, as I said, but I don't really count that since I didn't call it that).
By "active" and "life-affirming" I mean getting in touch with nature and with the spiritual side of nature, instead of sitting passively in a dead-beat church. I think God wants me to do more productive things with my time than that. I also believe animals and plants have souls, have this divine energy I keep talking about, and that it's possible to be in touch with that and work with it.
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I'm looking forward to what others say in comments to your post too.
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Do you look at the herbs and such when you are blessing them and just think something like "God created these, I'm just bringing out the qualities he intended to help people with"?
The reason I ask as that has been my argument with some people who do not understand my reliance on herbs, stones, and the like for healing and centering. I usually just tell them that God created them for a purpose, not just to look pretty and sit there, but to help.
Reply
God created them for a purpose, not just to look pretty and sit there, but to help.
Right! I think each one has its function, and the sheer variety and potential is kind of staggering once you really learn about herbology or aromatherapy, for example. I gained a lot of respect and even reverence for plants that way, and think the wisdom God put into creation is awesome beyond belief. If that's not a valid way to combine witchcraft and faith in the God I happen to believe in, I'm not sure what is.
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Ditto! LOL!
Say, do you mind if I add you? So far I've kept these topics low-key in my LJ, but I don't intend to keep it that way. It'd be cool to have some like-minded people on my list, and I haven't met many so far. And also to read what they have to say too, of course.
Reply
My journal is a lot of rant and raving, but occassionally there is the religion/practice related post.
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My journal is a lot of rant and raving, but occassionally there is the religion/practice related post.
Sounds like a good, balanced mix. :D
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