Christian Witches?

Sep 24, 2009 19:54

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 ( Read more... )

witchcraft, christianity

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Comments 71

devitahanet September 25 2009, 00:30:37 UTC
I'm also curious about this. It seems to me that the to experience the things Pagans and Christians have in common doesn't require further participation in a monotheistic church, and could be addressed by attending pagan functions exclusively. My guess is that continuing on as a Christian meets the basic human need for community, which is harder to attain when you're the only witch for miles. Am I correct to assume this is a compelling reason ?

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freyasman September 25 2009, 00:34:05 UTC
From your perspective what do you see that Christians and Pagans or Witches have in common?

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devitahanet September 25 2009, 02:09:20 UTC
Catholic veneration of Mary and the corresponding popularity of the Goddess among pagans, for starters. Communion serves a similar function to cakes and wine for some of us (the grain in the cake representing the Earth's body and the wine her blood). Some of Paul's teachings correspond with Taoist practices, as do some of Jesus's- "You must be born again" is the guiding principle behind Inner Alchemy. There's a zillion more things I could list, but I don't have that kind of time ;)

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freyasman September 25 2009, 02:20:44 UTC
Thanks for taking some time to go into a little more detail.

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beauty_forashes September 25 2009, 00:59:01 UTC
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 ( ... )

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freyasman September 25 2009, 01:10:38 UTC
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".

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beauty_forashes September 25 2009, 01:31:21 UTC
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 ( ... )

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freyasman September 25 2009, 01:37:34 UTC
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.

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in_excelsis_dea September 25 2009, 01:11:31 UTC
In extremely simple terms: Christian is my religion, witchcraft is what I practice. I can't get in more detail, because I'm still trying to work it out myself.

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freyasman September 25 2009, 01:16:40 UTC
What kind of Christian are you-Protestant, Catholic, GNostic, theologically conservative or liberal? I don't think that you're saying that you don't practice Christianity, are you? Can you say a little about your practice of the Craft? Do you cast spells, observe the Wheel of the Year, what?

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in_excelsis_dea September 25 2009, 05:33:22 UTC
I haven't cast many spells. I'm still primarily in my reading phase, I suppose you could say. I'm trying to figure out what works for me. I was raised Lutheran, currently am UCC and I go to a Methodist church. I believe in God and the Holy Trinity and I probably lean towards Catholicism some because I don't exactly venerate the Saints or Mary, but they still exist to me. I ask for help when I need it; I try to be thankful. I find the bible interesting, but I don't believe that it's a realistic account. I believe in the presence of other forces, gods -- but they're not MY gods, you know? I just don't have a connection to them. It's...kind of hard to explain. I've felt this way for awhile now, but it's only now that I'm starting to explore.

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freyasman September 25 2009, 23:44:38 UTC
Yes, I get what you are saying about other gods not being your gods. Thanks for your openess and additional comments.

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wyrmwwd September 25 2009, 02:32:55 UTC
I have actually met quite a few Christian Pagans. At first it took me by surprise, but then I met some Native American Christians in Upstate New York, and the whole thing started to make a lot more sense to me.

The Golden Dawn practiced magick and called upon Pagan deities, but, technically, they were not Pagans... they were "Mystical Christians". Crowley was a Pagan.

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elizabethtess September 25 2009, 02:50:35 UTC
I was born and raised Christian (Catholic), and felt very close to the "people" of the religion: God, Jesus, Mary, the Holy Spirit, and the Saints. As I was being brought up, they were very dear and personal friends to me, whom I was taught to be close to at all times. As I got older, it seemed the teachings were getting a bit less tender and more... I suppose demanding. It was soon being forced upon me that God hated some of the things I really enjoyed: witchcraft, paganism, even freedom at times. It put me off of religion right quick. I then took some time to really think: the Holy Family I was raised with was the right one, not the clan of killers I had been given by my teachers. I reconnected myself to the Saints and the Family. I ask them for help when I need it, and I pray to them when I need comfort ( ... )

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freyasman September 25 2009, 03:33:03 UTC
Thanks for your reply.I appreciate what you wrote. A theme in my own writing is that I have no religion. I have relationships. I hear that in your words.

Do you attend Mass? How do you deal with the fact that the Church condemns Witchcraft? I would like to know more about your practice of the Craft. I hear that prayer is part of your practice. Anything else? Thanks again for your reply.

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elizabethtess September 25 2009, 05:04:22 UTC
As a minor and under my Catholic family's jurisdiction, I do attend Mass. :) But seriously, I've come to do what I feel God wants me to do at Mass: listen and come to my own opinions about things ( ... )

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xspiritchildx September 25 2009, 14:17:34 UTC
I like how you refer to God, Jesus, Mary, and the rest of them as "family". I'm also glad to know that I am not the only one that finds certain aspects of the teachings to seem more demanding than loving and caring like they should be.

May I friend you? I am a witch trying to incorporate Christianity into my life/practice and would love to have someone to talk to about it.

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