Comments on: Christian Clergy and Changing Attitudes

By: Corvus Munnin

Corvus Munnin — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 22:10:00 +0000

THE Michael said: “…when the core of their belief system rests on Revelations and the promise that all us “others” will suffer torments before being cast into the lake of fire come Armageddon, while THEY, the chosen ones, shall be raptured to go picnic on their fluffy clouds?”I think most biblical scholars agree that this “Rapture” material originates from mid-19th century England, and is not actually found in any biblical passage. So technically, it isn’t really the core of their belief system. Not all Christians believe that stuff, and in fact those who do may even be in the minority. Luckily for us there seem to be plenty of people who belong to one of the Abrahamic faiths, but who do not automatically fear and loathe all other faiths, nor their adherents. I have friends and even relatives in this category, with whom I am fully open about my Neopagan spiritual practice. I give thanks for the fact that we can and do coexist in harmony.

By: Aremis Asling

Aremis Asling — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 21:58:00 +0000

Just because someone believes that you’ve got it wrong on a religious level doesn’t mean they have no reason to talk to you. In fact, if they believe you should be saved (and they do), it gives them all the more reason to talk to you. That’s a truly paranoid argument.As for the faith bit, come on, show me something that demonstrates that Wicca is anything but faith-based. Anything in a peer-reviewed scientific journal will do. It may not be revelatory, but it certainly is 100% faith based.If we are ever to get passed all of the issues we have with the rest of the faiths in this and other nations, we need to quit pretending we are in any way superior to them. And for the sake of the gods we need to quit running around shouting ‘the burning times, the burning times’ everytime someone speaks ill of us. We particularly need to stop doing it when it looks like people AREN’T speaking ill of us.

By: THE Michael

THE Michael — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 03:37:00 +0000

Yes, but how can your average Evangelical have any motivation whatsoever to commit to a dialogue with any differing kind of faith when the core of their belief system rests on Revelations and the promise that all us “others” will suffer torments before being cast into the lake of fire come Armageddon, while THEY, the chosen ones, shall be raptured to go picnic on their fluffy clouds?As far as “burning times” are concerned, it won’t be that easy THIS time around. I’ll take a few of those intolerant psychopaths with me if they start flicking their bics in MY direction.

By: Hecate

Hecate — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 21:39:00 +0000

That is encouraging. I’m still not comfortable w/ the “faith community” or “people of faith” rhetoric. In my view, it’s exclusionary. I don’t consider Wicca a religion of “faith.” But any sign of a willingness to admit that there are many paths is positive.

By: Jane

Jane — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 18:17:00 +0000

heh. I dabbled with Christianity in college and wound up committing to Wicca.