Ironworks Gaming Forum - View Single Post - A short discussion on wicca and christianity

HisDivineShadow · 09-11-2001, 07:37 PM

Hi! Well, I must say that I find the statement that Wicca is a spiritual "dead end" somewhat illogical (if not a bit offensive). Many modern philosophers would find Wicca a good path. Thoreau, for example. Wicca is a very flexible religion, but it focuses (to me) mainly on unity with the universe, or greater cosmic whole through unity with nature and truth. It is somewhat understandable that Wicca may SEEM like a "dead end" as it focuses on the development of the individual under mainly his own power, wheras Christianity does so with the aid of God. However, it parallels with The Middle Way of Buddhism in the "neutral" sense.
One must understand that spiritual fulfillment is different and varied. The "neutral" sense may SEEM dead, but let me assure you that I have followed the path of neutrality, and I have come to a sense of great contentment. I lack a strong sense of desire and greed, hate or happiness, but I feel a great sense of CONTENTMENT. In the extremities of my moods, I am happy and feel good.
I know of one buddhist passage that was quite amusing... "A high official once went to a monk seeking advice on the afterlife. He asked him, 'where will you go when you die?' The monk shrugged, 'I don't know.' The official was shocked, 'What kind of enlightened monk are you??? How can you NOT know where you go after you die???' The monk shrugged again and walked off, saying, 'I do not know because I have not died yet.'"
Each of us has different goals in life. Generally it is enlightenment, happiness, wealth, love, etc. Christianity (at least, the "true" Christianity that I see as being more to the heart of the matter. Evangelism seems so focused on life after death now) teaches how to have universal love to all bretheren. Wicca teaches the processes of earth and life, and the philosophical cycle of nature. From this, we learn to nurture and care for earth and each other by the way we care for earth. We are taught to "do no harm" (and in my opinion that includes changing other people's beliefs. It's very damaging, really). Learning how to be a good Wiccan, really, is learning how to be a mother, how to be a sage, how to be a creator, and how to be an honorable spiritual warrior. (Yes, even males must learn to be a mother. What being is more sacred, really?). Wicca is about improvement of the self, and the outcome for each person may be different, whether people will be healers or creators or defenders or leaders.
If anyone wants to chat, my AIM screen name is Wolfeblaze and I like stuff. I'm 17 and I really love philosophy and plants. ^_^
Nice meeting you all.

------------------
"I am His most Divine Shadow."

09-11-2001, 07:37 PM	#6
HisDivineShadow Elite Waterdeep Guard Join Date: September 11, 2001 Location: Milpitas, California, US Posts: 11	Hi! Well, I must say that I find the statement that Wicca is a spiritual "dead end" somewhat illogical (if not a bit offensive). Many modern philosophers would find Wicca a good path. Thoreau, for example. Wicca is a very flexible religion, but it focuses (to me) mainly on unity with the universe, or greater cosmic whole through unity with nature and truth. It is somewhat understandable that Wicca may SEEM like a "dead end" as it focuses on the development of the individual under mainly his own power, wheras Christianity does so with the aid of God. However, it parallels with The Middle Way of Buddhism in the "neutral" sense. One must understand that spiritual fulfillment is different and varied. The "neutral" sense may SEEM dead, but let me assure you that I have followed the path of neutrality, and I have come to a sense of great contentment. I lack a strong sense of desire and greed, hate or happiness, but I feel a great sense of CONTENTMENT. In the extremities of my moods, I am happy and feel good. I know of one buddhist passage that was quite amusing... "A high official once went to a monk seeking advice on the afterlife. He asked him, 'where will you go when you die?' The monk shrugged, 'I don't know.' The official was shocked, 'What kind of enlightened monk are you??? How can you NOT know where you go after you die???' The monk shrugged again and walked off, saying, 'I do not know because I have not died yet.'" Each of us has different goals in life. Generally it is enlightenment, happiness, wealth, love, etc. Christianity (at least, the "true" Christianity that I see as being more to the heart of the matter. Evangelism seems so focused on life after death now) teaches how to have universal love to all bretheren. Wicca teaches the processes of earth and life, and the philosophical cycle of nature. From this, we learn to nurture and care for earth and each other by the way we care for earth. We are taught to "do no harm" (and in my opinion that includes changing other people's beliefs. It's very damaging, really). Learning how to be a good Wiccan, really, is learning how to be a mother, how to be a sage, how to be a creator, and how to be an honorable spiritual warrior. (Yes, even males must learn to be a mother. What being is more sacred, really?). Wicca is about improvement of the self, and the outcome for each person may be different, whether people will be healers or creators or defenders or leaders. If anyone wants to chat, my AIM screen name is Wolfeblaze and I like stuff. I'm 17 and I really love philosophy and plants. ^_^ Nice meeting you all. ------------------ "I am His most Divine Shadow."