|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Sun Mar 28, 2010 8:21 pm
Im not sure weather to call myself Wiccan, Pagan, or a "christian witch" Im not really fond of the christian religion but I do believe in jesus the christ and believe that satan,hell,angels, heaven, god, and demons exist etc. I dont call upon the angels when casting a circle though..Nor do I pray to jesus the christ, god, or the angels. So im kinda confused on what to say when people ask me what my religion is... : P  Thanks!!!! :Heart:
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Mar 29, 2010 5:27 am
Eclectic Witch.
From your brief description is sounds less like you have a religion and more as if you practice religious witchcraft. I know several witches who aren't religious, it's not a requirement to practice.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Mar 29, 2010 5:49 pm
You may just prefer to call yourself spiritual at this point in time. There is no need giving your craft a title, or even giving yourself a title. Just let it be what it is. You practice some faith no? You believe in some higher power? Who cares if you follow a main stream religion, or even name your religion after one if it fits the description. I think this is a matter you need to discuss with your god/dess/s or yourself, and not us. Just a personal opinion.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Mar 30, 2010 8:46 am
I'm in the same boat you are for the most part except I do use the angels as circle guardians when I cast a circle.
I call myself a Christian Witch. Meaining (to me personally) that I follow the teachings of Wicca but I believe in the deities of Christianity as my patron gods. You could probably do the same even if the manner in which you practice is different. There isn't any harm in that.
Just my opinion. :3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Mar 31, 2010 8:44 pm
I call myself a polythesist. It's gets less looks than saying I'm a pagan and I can no longer identify myself as a wiccan.
So on the basic level, are you a monothesit (as true christians are despite the fact that catholics pray to a lot of different beings confused ) or a polythesist? That is the simpliest way and it might offend less people (or annoy them if they don't understand the terms).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Apr 01, 2010 3:47 am
I actually wouldn't call Catholics Polytheists. They don't consider the Saints gods-just people who they honor as their Bible says they should. (You can look at Heb 12:22-23, 1 Pet 2:17 : , Heb 13:7.) They don't consider these people gods in the least even if they pray to them though I concede that perhaps they've deified them simply by praying to them -- but then that begs the question of if I pray to spirits (familiars etc) in paganism (other than gods) goes that mean I've deified them or is it simply I'm asking for their guidance. Can I pray to them without deifying them? Just a thought for people to ponder.
But! I'm rambling! (Surprised my brain is working this hour in the morning-its 8:10am here 0_o )
I do think polytheist is a good term to use myself especially if you aren't sure. When you say Pagan, you can often get a lot of...looks? That term would certainly be a good option until you've figured out what you should call yourself. Often that comes with time, some soul searching and meditation/praying/whichever suits you best.
(Dragon-- I swear I'm not posting in all these forums discounting you ahaha! I think you and I are interested perhaps in the first few posts in the forum. Just don't want you thinking I'm on your back and trying to discount everything you're saying. <3 I'd feel really bad! )
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Jun 25, 2010 2:48 pm
Mika Lockheart I'm in the same boat you are for the most part except I do use the angels as circle guardians when I cast a circle. I call myself a Christian Witch. Meaining (to me personally) that I follow the teachings of Wicca but I believe in the deities of Christianity as my patron gods. You could probably do the same even if the manner in which you practice is different. There isn't any harm in that. Just my opinion. :3 What are the teachings of Wicca? If I may inquire? Mika Lockheart I actually wouldn't call Catholics Polytheists. They don't consider the Saints gods-just people who they honor as their Bible says they should. (You can look at Heb 12:22-23, 1 Pet 2:17 : , Heb 13:7.) They don't consider these people gods in the least even if they pray to them though I concede that perhaps they've deified them simply by praying to them -- but then that begs the question of if I pray to spirits (familiars etc) in paganism (other than gods) goes that mean I've deified them or is it simply I'm asking for their guidance. Can I pray to them without deifying them? Just a thought for people to ponder. But! I'm rambling! (Surprised my brain is working this hour in the morning-its 8:10am here 0_o ) I do think polytheist is a good term to use myself especially if you aren't sure. When you say Pagan, you can often get a lot of...looks? That term would certainly be a good option until you've figured out what you should call yourself. Often that comes with time, some soul searching and meditation/praying/whichever suits you best. (Dragon-- I swear I'm not posting in all these forums discounting you ahaha! I think you and I are interested perhaps in the first few posts in the forum. Just don't want you thinking I'm on your back and trying to discount everything you're saying. <3 I'd feel really bad! ) Except within certain sects, YHVH, Yeshua and the Holy Spirit are all the same deity. Within Catholicism, they are separate. YHVH the father. Yeshua the son. And then the holy spirit. Each have it's own entity. The latter three not being deities. The only main deity being the Father, YHVH. Edit by Mod: Please don't double post - it's against our guild rules. Instead, hit up the edit button. wink
If you're unsure of the definition of double posting, or our rules for that matter, then our Guild Guidebook should answer all your questions.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jul 05, 2010 12:15 pm
This pickled vegetable...Witchcraft is not a religion, it is a craft and anyone can practice it.
If you believe in Jesus Christ then you are Christian, plain and simple. The wonderful thing about Christianity is that its an orthodoxic religion, this means that you don't have to do or practice any part of it to be a member of that faith, you just have to believe. If you believe in Christ then you're Christin.
And just because you mentioned Wicca in your first post, you should know that the term "Wiccan" does not mean "witch" and is not synonymous with "witch". Yes, Wicca is a witchcult and all Wiccans are witches, but that does not mean that all witches are Wiccans. Wicca is a secretive, oathbownd faith and (unlike Christianity) is an orthopraxic religion as opposed to orthodoxic. This means that you must practice the religion to be a member of it.
And finally, "Pagan"/"Paganism" are umbrella terms that refer to any religion that does not follow the Abramatic god (the god of the bible). So, its any religion that's not Jewish, Christian or Muslim.
 ... could kick your a** !!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jul 06, 2010 6:13 am
I have to interject. Because religion is a belief system, all that a member of a specific faith must to do to become/stay a member is to believe, not necessarily practice. I mean it is not like a sewing club, you make a nice blouse and you are in. It is much deeper than just physically doing something.
Although we are straying from the real topic. If you want to discuss what "Wicca" means please create a new thread.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jul 06, 2010 12:53 pm
zabazor Although we are straying from the real topic. I was answering her question about what to call herself and giving in-depth reasons as to why. How is that off topic? ... could kick your a** !! Quote: Because religion is a belief system, all that a member of a specific faith must to do to become/stay a member is to believe, not necessarily practice. And I'm afraid I must disagree.
Spirituality is belief system and all you must do to belong to it is believe. Religion, however, is both a belief system and an institution with an emphasis on the institution part. To be a member of a religion is to fit into a group. There are two main kinds of religions in this world orthodoxic and orthopraxic.
An orthodoxic religion is one that you need not actually practice to be a member of, all you need do is believe. Like I said with Christianity, all you need to be Christian is believe that Christ is your savior and/or god. You can wake up every Sunday and never go to church a day in your life but so long as you believe in Jesus you're still Christian. (You're a "bad Christian" but you're still Christian).
The other type of religion is orthopraxic, this means that you must practice the religion to be a member of it. You must go through all the rituals, rites and ceremonies the religion requires or else you're not a member of that religion. ... could kick your a** !!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jul 06, 2010 7:54 pm
 Meh. You should call yourself whatever you feel is the best. I'm sure it doesn't help very much to say that though.
I do know of someone who can relate to this though. Her grandmother taught her the way of Wicca and her mother taught her to be Catholic. Two nearly completely different views. Now, she practices Wicca and believes in God, Jesus, and the angels. She just pretty much says that she doesn't know what to call herself anymore which is pretty much what I do as well. I've dived into studying different religions and philosophies and have been using bits and pieces of them in what I believe and practice.
I guess in short (as I've said a lot already) you don't have to give yourself a religious title. If someone asks, it's "I just don't know anymore. I believe in a lot." and just laugh. No one every said it was required to give yourself a religious title. XD
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
