have you got to belive in jesus to be christian?

[lil_suzie]

I tried asking already on a christian forum and they threw me out,
I donno why I mean I thought they always want poeple to become
christian.

Anyway the thing is that I been thinking lately about how
I don't realy fit in here with alot of things, I been raised pagan but
its not like nothing I ever read of here and I been thinking how it
must be OK to be a christian and be able to go to church with every
one beliving the same thing and all praying together and everyone
I know but my dad and me are christian and they all seem happy.

I mean we go to church somtimes but its cos its a real small town
and everyones christian so we just go. So that no one talks.
But we just laugh about it after and joke about the preacher and its
a southern baptist church and it creeps me out. But anyways I was
wondering if you realy got to belive in Jesus and the bible to be a
christian, cos I'd realy like to find a church to go.

But I don't belive in Jesus at all and the bible don't mean nothing to
me so I guess I'm realy asking if thats somthing real importent to
them or is being a christian more about feeling the right things, cos
I think in alot of ways I'm more like a christian in how I belive then
a pagan, but that I don't belive in jesus or the bible.

[WtchyChick13]

Um, yeah. The whole basis of Christianity is the belief of Jesus Christ--thus the name of the religion.

I know what you're saying, but you really can't be Christian unless you go along with the whole Jesus/Bible thing.

Have you thought of looking into other spiritual areas? Buddhism, Judaism, Hinduism, or any of the other 'isms' out there? Remember, there are many, MANY avenues to explore and maybe you can just take a little from column 'a' and some from column 'b' and form your own thing. You don't have to pigeon-hole yourself into just one religious direction...you can just take a little from each and enjoy it in your own way. :)

[RingoShort]

Suzie... You are asking a very valid quesion... and I hope I will be able to answer it for you. If not, then I will sincerely apologize, and pray someone else will be more able than I.
The thoughts you are having are the exact same questions that Christians (even "good" Christians) ask themselves every single day of the year. They are the same thoughts that I have had for most of my life, and still have... despite the fact (or maybe because of the fact) that I am an ordained Christian minister. They are the same questions my son is asking himself every minute of the day (although he chose a path that I am not happy with).
Actually, before I get into giving you my take on your post, let me give you a really short lesson on the life and times of Ringo:
I was born to a "fake" Catholic who went to Mass every Sunday... that she felt like... and a Lutheran who didn't care about religion in any manner. My mother (the Catholic) was born to a devout Catholic (every day Mass, and all the trimmings), and a Pentacost- Tell me HER life wasn't hosed. I was almost 3 before I was baptised because they couldn't agree on which G-d I was going to serve. The Papist side won out, and I was an altar boy, and I was going to be a priest until I had sex and realized I would NEVER want to give that up.
Fast forward through a Marine Corps career, and a nosedive away from the Church, and I found myself searching for... something I checked out all of the major Christian denominations, including the "non-denominational" churches that treated Sunday service like an Amway rally (no disrespect intended), and worried more about how many people you brought over than what was in your heart. I also checked into being a pagan, and learning the ways of the druid, and barking at rocks, and whatever the heck else I could find... and at the end of the day... I realized that it was what was in your heart and not on your resume that counted with the ethos.
As time went on, I got married and had children, and knew I wanted to raise them with a healthy respect for a higher being/purpose, and with a religious upbringing of some sort, and went back to my roots, and had them baptised Catholic, and sent them to classes, and all of that. My intent was to allow them to decide when they turned of age what was right for them. After their mother and I split, I did some soul searching... again and found that the world of religion did not mesh with my views on G-d. I started reading my bible and did some praying (well, more like asking whomever was listening) to give me some kind of hint. The Absolute gave me a friend who began discussing G-d with me and made me realize that I didn't have to follow any organized religious path as long as I did what was right as often as possible and made amends when that wasn't possible.
To put a cap on that, I am now an ordained minister and follow my own thoughts and beliefs into the afterlife. I still instill the same concepts of citizenship that we all attempt to give our kids, and rather than setting up a building where people can pretend that they are Christians, I set up a ministry where I work with people who no one else wants (Teens, bikers, "not our type of people", whomever wants to join in). I don't teach them about how MY G-d is the only one, or about how pagans and all of the others are going to sizzle and fry, or anything. I teach them about being decent human beings and about living the Golden Rule every moment of every day.
Over the past 39 years, I have known people from all over the world, and all over the religious spectrum, and have found pagans to be more Christian acting than too many of the Christians that "truly believe". Yes, you need to believe in Christ Jesus, and His words and works to be a Christian, however you don't need to be a Christian to act like one. My thoughts are that none of us truly have it right, and that in the end, if we do follow the Golden Rule as often as possible, then we'll do OK.

Oh, BTW... if ANYONE tells you that they have the secret to spiritual success and that they are the only ones that know how to reach the afterlife, and happiness forevermore... HAUL YOUR COOKIES OUTTA THERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hope It Helps

[Lola]

I think you ought to research how the Bible was written and who the people were that wrote it, and then research how the Bible has been changed and interpreted over the ages.
I think then that you realize that it was all founded totally in Paganism and it is all mythology, just as almost all, most famously ( I think, and love) the Greek Gods...Jesus is the same. He is based on someone and stories were passed and changed and yadda yadda.
I took some random class in college and learned all that stuff! I had no idea I was taking that kind of a class! It was the best one I've ever taken!
Anyway, I think if you are trying to be a Catholic type without believing it may not work. But if your doing the 10 commandment route...and adding a little freedom to it, that is a pagan mind frame.

Jesus was the first Pagan!

[lil_suzie]

Um, yeah. The whole basis of Christianity is the belief of Jesus Christ--thus the name of the religion.

I know what you're saying, but you really can't be Christian unless you go along with the whole Jesus/Bible thing.

Have you thought of looking into other spiritual areas? Buddhism, Judaism, Hinduism, or any of the other 'isms' out there? Remember, there are many, MANY avenues to explore and maybe you can just take a little from column 'a' and some from column 'b' and form your own thing. You don't have to pigeon-hole yourself into just one religious direction...you can just take a little from each and enjoy it in your own way. :)

Well its not that I dont know what I belive cos I do and its just that its
difrent then what most pagans belive and christians to, I'm not looking
realy to take alittle from each. I guess I just want to be able to worship
with other people and talk about my faith and not have to worry over saying
the wrong thing and making poeple mad or saying I'm going to hell.

[WtchyChick13]

I get what you're saying and I've also read the other posts--I think there is some excellent advice there. What I was really trying to say is that there are many paths in life and actually, many paths within the Christian faith. There is such an abundance of information out there that sometimes it can be a bit overwhelming when you're trying to search for something that will be just the right fit for you.

But maybe what you feel is in your heart may already be principles in a religion that you hadn't considered before. You sound like a very special person and even though the belief in Jesus isn't in you, your other beliefs may be those of say Buddhists and you didn't realize it.

Maybe check out the religion and spirituality forums right here at MW--we have many different types here and many special souls. You never know what you may find and that "ah-ha" moment that you're looking for maybe closer than you think. :hugz:

I'll let you in on something--I was a very, VERY devout Christian for many a year. I went through every phase of it--from feeling forced to go to church as a kid, to becoming almost born-again and skipping my lunches in high school to go to mass. I went 9 times a week! Then a few things happened in my life that made me realize that it just wasn't for me and the teachings of the church didn't hold true to my belief system anymore.

I kind of 'wandered' for a few years feeling lost.

I found my current spiritual path quite by accident--although I don't believe in accidents. I believe that everything happens for a reason and that is why I'm Pagan today. I'm an eclectic meaning that I myself take a little from here and a little from there and it works for me. I've been a Pagan for almost 12 years now and have felt a peace in my soul that I haven't before.

You never know where or when the 'fit' will hit you--but I truly believe that it WILL fit you. :hugz:

[lil_suzie]

you don't need to be a Christian to act like one. My thoughts are that none of us truly have it right, and that in the end, if we do follow the Golden Rule as often as possible, then we'll do OK.


I asked this qeustion once of another christian I knew and he kinda said
the same thing and he was such a good person and did so much good.
He said that so long as you've got love in your heart you can't be far from
the divine, and I belive that. I realy do, so why do so many poeple then
seem to have so much hate in theres? Its so sad to me that poeple live
without faith, I have faith and I pray all the time to be more of a good
person to serve god but I just cant lie to myself about jesus and I dont
think theres a single word from god in the bible any more then in any
other book and what do books got to do with god anyway I mean gods
right there all the time I can feel him working in me and thats truth to
me not some stuff somone rote so long ago. I donno.

I guess I just feel alone is all. Cos I say these things and alot of pagans
look at me funny and alot of christians to. I dont think jesus was the son
of god, or I do actualy I think we are all gods children so he wasnt any
more special then anyone. And I dont care that "he died for our sins"
sinse I know poeple are good and born to serve god and there arent no
sins to die for, to god. He was murdered yeah but alot of people
are killed over what they belive and its horrible every time.

But thank you. You sound like a realy good person and I dont mean
to say that your wrong about god but only to say that its wrong for
me. :hugz:

[Yvonne Belisle]

You can try a unitarian church there are a lot of pagans and christians at them. It might give you what you are looking for.

[lil_suzie]

Jesus was the first Pagan!
I dont get that, jesus was a jew and thats not a pagan, I get what your
saying though about the bible being all stories and alot of its taken of
other stories and ok. But see I dont care much for any of the stories
or gods I think its a terrible thing to say god is one thing or another or make
up stories about god. Its like lying and I hate lies.

[WtchyChick13]

Jesus was the first Pagan!

What? He was Jewish and Paganism has been around for thousands of years.

If this was a joke, I apologize. :2G:

[enchancea]

Im not sure, I never really paid much attention to the whole christian thing even though my grandparents are Christian. But I consider myself pagan and I believe in Jesus maybe not to the same extent as Christians do but I do believe he lived.

[Haruka2077]

You can try a unitarian church there are a lot of pagans and christians at them. It might give you what you are looking for.

I agree- a Unitarian Universalist church may be what you're looking for. They don't require you to have any specific beliefs, and you can talk openly about religion. If there's one in your area you might want to check it out.
A couple of threads are around about it already:
http://www.mysticwicks.com/showthread.php?t=99438 (http://www.mysticwicks.com/showthread.php?t=99438)
http://www.mysticwicks.com/showthread.php?t=99965 (http://www.mysticwicks.com/showthread.php?t=99965)

[DarkDancer]

Actually not all Christians believe that there was a Jesus who walked the Earth, the best place to find them tends to be a Unitarian Universalist church... ;)

[ravenmyst]

You can try a unitarian church there are a lot of pagans and christians at them. It might give you what you are looking for.
that was my suggestion too

[equinox2]

have you got to belive in jesus to be christian?

I tried asking already on a christian forum and they threw me out


Um, yeah, that’s what “being a Christian” is. That is what the word means, after all. Plus, the Bible says again and again that Jesus is the only way to avoid Hell – Jesus as the only valid path away from Hell is the main point of the New Testament.



I guess I just want to be able to worship
with other people and talk about my faith and not have to worry over saying
the wrong thing and making poeple mad or saying I'm going to hell.


It sounds like what you are actually after is the community of a church, the fellowship, the ethical norms, etc. Based on that, you will fit right in at a UU church, as Yvonne and others have said. Their website is www.uua.org (www.uua.org) , and they have a page that will look up the closest congregation for you http://www.uua.org/CONG/index.php (http://www.uua.org/CONG/index.php) . There are a lot of them in North Carolina, here’s the list: http://www.uua.org/CONG/results.php?s_method=state&state=NC&submit3=GO%21 (http://www.uua.org/CONG/results.php?s_method=state&state=NC&submit3=GO%21)

If none are close, you might want to check out the “UU church by mail” program, called the church of the larger fellowship http://www.uua.org/clf/index.html (http://www.uua.org/clf/index.html) . It has weekly mailings and things like that to provide a UU church for people who don’t live near one.

Nearly everyone at UU has a non-traditional spiritual path. You’ll fit right in.

Good luck-

[arctic splash]

For the sake of simplicity, let me break Christians up into two types of people. Feelings people. And words people.

You'll meet some "feelings people" like that guy you were lucky enough to talk to. They'll tell you it's what's in your heart (and how you express it) that matters. It doesn't matter if you "believe in Jesus Christ." Just because you may have a different vocabulary for the divine... just because you may call it "Goddess" or something else... doesn't mean it's any less valid... doesn't make you any less of a Christian at heart.

Then there are people who are a lot more interested in words than feelings. The Gospel of John says, "In the beginning was the Word," and so words, and literal interpretation of the scriptures, became a very big trend in Christianity. For a lot of Christians the exact words you use is really important. To some of these people, it doesn't matter how much "love" is in your heart, because if you don't call it "Jesus Christ," it's not really love. (The feelings people would say, it doesn't matter what you call it, what it *is* and what it's *called* are two different things).

[CryingEagle]

I tried asking already on a christian forum and they threw me out,
I donno why I mean I thought they always want poeple to become
christian.

Anyway the thing is that I been thinking lately about how
I don't realy fit in here with alot of things, I been raised pagan but
its not like nothing I ever read of here and I been thinking how it
must be OK to be a christian and be able to go to church with every
one beliving the same thing and all praying together and everyone
I know but my dad and me are christian and they all seem happy.

I mean we go to church somtimes but its cos its a real small town
and everyones christian so we just go. So that no one talks.
But we just laugh about it after and joke about the preacher and its
a southern baptist church and it creeps me out. But anyways I was
wondering if you realy got to belive in Jesus and the bible to be a
christian, cos I'd realy like to find a church to go.

But I don't belive in Jesus at all and the bible don't mean nothing to
me so I guess I'm realy asking if thats somthing real importent to
them or is being a christian more about feeling the right things, cos
I think in alot of ways I'm more like a christian in how I belive then
a pagan, but that I don't belive in jesus or the bible.



Well sweetie, being Christian means that you DO believe in Christ and the Bible.
All I can really say is that you shouldn't have to feel obligated to go to church just because everyone else does. That must be very uncomfortable for you, and to me it makes no scense at all.
:flowers:

[CryingEagle]

Um, yeah. The whole basis of Christianity is the belief of Jesus Christ--thus the name of the religion.

I know what you're saying, but you really can't be Christian unless you go along with the whole Jesus/Bible thing.

Have you thought of looking into other spiritual areas? Buddhism, Judaism, Hinduism, or any of the other 'isms' out there? Remember, there are many, MANY avenues to explore and maybe you can just take a little from column 'a' and some from column 'b' and form your own thing. You don't have to pigeon-hole yourself into just one religious direction...you can just take a little from each and enjoy it in your own way. :)


That's what I've done. I have so many different religious and spirtual beliefs, it's to damn hard to classify myself as just one religion.
Really long story, and I won't bother putting you all to sleep with the details. :flowers:

[CryingEagle]

Actually not all Christians believe that there was a Jesus who walked the Earth, the best place to find them tends to be a Unitarian Universalist church... ;)


HUH? :confused:
How can any Christian not believe in Christ? I don't understand that at all. :wtf:
:flowers:

[arctic splash]

HUH? :confused:
How can any Christian not believe in Christ? I don't understand that at all. :wtf:
:flowers:

I don't think it's that simple. Some people take Christianity more metaphorically than others. It doesn't make them less Christian, just a different kind of Christian (IMO a kind of Christian I hope to see more of). There are lots of people who consider themselves Christian who take Christ metaphorically. I think that's a valid view, and I see no reason why that view shouldn't be called Christian.

I could get to the library and see what the Oxford English Dictionary says, but according to MW, the definition is: "one who professes belief in the teachings of Jesus Christ." It says nothing about believing in him as a person, as a savior... or about whether the teachings should be taken literally or metaphorically.

(And of course the dictionary isn't the end-all of argument about what it means to be a Christian... the dictionary, again, has a very narrow use in philosophical discussion) ;)

[starfire]

HUH? :confused:
How can any Christian not believe in Christ? I don't understand that at all. :wtf:
:flowers:

Yes, being Christian does mean believing in Christ. You are young, and have good valuable questions. I am so sorry that people seem to judge you or look funny at you when you asked questions. You don't have to be a Christian to be a good person. Or to have a good heart. Sounds like you are very wise for your youthful age, to bad the people you have asked don't show they are.

Something to think about when you can is taking a theology or World religion class. They discuss all types in these classes, and you may find something that fits what you believe. My son was raised catholic, went to the catholic highschool, which in a way was a great thing because they taught him ethics, and about many religions. He believes in God, but he believes in many other things too. He is very open about others also, so I guess I did something good when I raised him.

At your age it is hard to "do your own thing" because of parents and other relatives. Many religions started because they are off shoots of others, why? because people had different feelings about things. As for the bible, I have to agree that these were stories told and passed down to help people make choices and give directions. Many "rules" were there once to protect people say from eating something that might kill them, blood transfusions that might kill them etc. Now days we have so much more information that many of these things don't apply anymore. If you can take something from a sermon, and apply it to how it would affect you today, then you have done a great thing.

Thank you for not giving up the first time you asked. And know that not all people regarless of their beliefs are going to judge you. I was once told by a priest that the only way to grow further in your faith and what you believe is to ask questions.

[Windigo]

You could become Jewish

[CryingEagle]

I don't think it's that simple. Some people take Christianity more metaphorically than others. It doesn't make them less Christian, just a different kind of Christian (IMO a kind of Christian I hope to see more of). There are lots of people who consider themselves Christian who take Christ metaphorically. I think that's a valid view, and I see no reason why that view shouldn't be called Christian.

I could get to the library and see what the Oxford English Dictionary says, but according to MW, the definition is: "one who professes belief in the teachings of Jesus Christ." It says nothing about believing in him as a person, as a savior... or about whether the teachings should be taken literally or metaphorically.

(And of course the dictionary isn't the end-all of argument about what it means to be a Christian... the dictionary, again, has a very narrow use in philosophical discussion) ;)


Very interesting point of view! :flowers:

[WokeUpDead]

They have Jews for Jesus so who really knows.

[Pure Ahimsa]

Christian means "Litte Christ", so you can follow his teachings and try to be like him, and still be Christian, even if you dont think he is the one and only son of God. I dont think you would be acknoweleged as a member of Christianity, but in the end its all just labels. Kind of how Buddhism is based on the teachings of Buddha, yet they do not submit themselves to him. Sidharata Gautama Buddha said "Dont believe anyone, even me, until you personally have experienced it" or something like that, its a different story about Jesus, but eh

[Pure Ahimsa]

They have Jews for Jesus so who really knows.


Eh... Jews for Jesus is infamous in the Jewish and Messianic community. I am a part of a christian forum, and theirs a section for Messianic Judaism, and most of the people there said that Jews for Jesus is not Messianic Judaism, that it is a Christian group trying to convert Jews, and who do not really care about Jewish Culture, just thought like sharing.

[arctic splash]

Christian means "Litte Christ", so you can follow his teachings and try to be like him, and still be Christian, even if you dont think he is the one and only son of God. I dont think you would be acknoweleged as a member of Christianity, but in the end its all just labels. Kind of how Buddhism is based on the teachings of Buddha, yet they do not submit themselves to him. Sidharata Gautama Buddha said "Dont believe anyone, even me, until you personally have experienced it" or something like that, its a different story about Jesus, but eh

You put it very well. I completely agree. Especially that "it's all just labels." :)

[arctic splash]

Very interesting point of view! :flowers:

Thanks!

[Pure Ahimsa]

You put it very well. I completely agree. Especially that "it's all just labels." :)


:) I like labels sometimes, because its good to be with people around you who think the same, sometimes. Yet, it gets complicated and unnecesarry sometimes.

[Akhkharu Asgard]

I'm sticking with Christianity equaling a follower of Christ. If you don't like it find your own sect! There's quite a few of them.

[djmixon]

Believing in the deity of Jesus is the cornerstone of Christianity. However, that does not mean you can't believe in doing the right thing and behaving the right way isn't a part of it. That is the result of our acceptance.

It can also be the result of your belief in your chosen deity.

[lil_suzie]

Oh. Well the UU thing sounds alright but I looked about them on the
websites and it sounds real great but I don't belive like they do that
you should mix up difrent religions and they say there liberal and I
know my dad wont like that especialy to drive a hour away to
it even if he'd prolly do it if I asked. I donno I guess its nothing real
imporent anyway. But thank you all *so* much for the info and I'm
gonna think on it some. :hugz:

[ap Dafydd]

Anyway the thing is that I been thinking lately about how
I don't realy fit in here with alot of things, I been raised pagan but
its not like nothing I ever read of here

I'm sorry that you feel that Suzie.

I know that being Pagan means different things to different people, from the ones who focus in on the robes and ritual stuff to the ones who prefer sitting under a tree in the moonlight.

But if none of the different types fit with you, then so it is. The Goddess weaves as She will.


and I been thinking how it
must be OK to be a christian and be able to go to church with every
one beliving the same thing and all praying together and everyone
I know but my dad and me are christian and they all seem happy.

Well, when Pagans get together it can also be a happy occasion. Doesn't mean that _any_ religion is a guarantee of happiness though.


I mean we go to church somtimes but its cos its a real small town
and everyones christian so we just go. So that no one talks.
But we just laugh about it after and joke about the preacher and its
a southern baptist church and it creeps me out. But anyways I was
wondering if you realy got to belive in Jesus and the bible to be a
christian, cos I'd realy like to find a church to go.

Like others, I'd give the answer Yes to that one, Jesus and the bible are pretty much what Christianity is all about.


I think in alot of ways I'm more like a christian in how I belive then
a pagan, but that I don't belive in jesus or the bible.

How so? What things do you believe that you think aren't Pagan?

gwyn eich byd

Ffred

[moonchild2488]

jesus put the crist in cristian. so wouldnt that make you a jew if you didnt believe in him???

[lil_suzie]

I'm sorry that you feel that Suzie.

How so? What things do you believe that you think aren't Pagan?



Well for one I dont think god is nothing like us and theres not alot of
difrent gods but just one and everywhere all the time. I belive in gods plan.
And well your gonna laugh but we worship the sun, I know its just a ball of gas
but its where all life is from and its a great gift from god. And I know
alot of things I belive is wrong to most pagans like how I think
homosexuality is against gods will. And somtimes we do things that I
didn't never hear of any pagans here doing like mixing our blood with the
soil and making sacrfice to corn mother. And other things to. So many.
I read all the stuff here and its all about difrent books and casting spells
and mixing up ideas and all that and thats got nothing to do with anything
I ever belived is all. And half the time I got no idea what anyones even
going on about here.

[lil_suzie]

jesus put the crist in cristian.

Yeah ok your right and I get it now, I didn;t before but I do now. Its just that
somtimes i wish i could belive in all that and be christian and be like everyone
else around and not have to hide no more.

[Nighthawk]

Suzie, you are a bright gal. If not, you would not ask the questions. This is a bit like a big online UU, where all paths are given the nod, more or less. Good for acceptance, bad for confusion. you are young and you will find your path. Talk to people and see if they can point a direction. Sun is good, brings life. I am here.

[Athena-Nadine]

Well for one I dont think god is nothing like us and theres not alot of
difrent gods but just one and everywhere all the time. I belive in gods plan.
And well your gonna laugh but I worship the sun, I know its just a ball of gas
but its where all life is from and its a great gift from god. And I know
alot of things I belive is wrong to most Peoples like how I think
homosexuality is against gods will. And somtimes we do things that I
didn't never hear of any Peoples here doing like mixing our blood with the
soil and making sacrfice to corn mother. And other things to. So many.
I read all the stuff here and its all about difrent books and casting spells
and mixing up ideas and all that and thats got nothing to do with anything
I ever belived is all. And half the time I got no idea what anyones even
going on about here.

Suzie, more than half the time I have no idea what anyone here is going on about either, and I've been following my gods and my religion for over 13 years now. :lol:

Fitting in is nice, but your faith needs to be based on the deepest convictions of your heart and mind or it's completely worthless. Worshipping a god just because "everyone else is doing it" is, to me, disrespectful to the very gods themselves, and will just end up making your inner conflict worse. Don't you think that your god will know your heart isn't in it? Maybe you are destined to be Christian, maybe not. But I don't think that any of the gods want false devotion and lip service from any of us. Would you want someone pretending to be your friend just because everyone else is your friend? How would you feel when you found out that that person didn't really care about you after all?

[arctic splash]

:) I like labels sometimes, because its good to be with people around you who think the same, sometimes. Yet, it gets complicated and unnecesarry sometimes.

I think I'll let you speak for me from now on. ;)

[equinox2]

Well the UU thing sounds alright but I looked about them on the
websites and it sounds real great but I don't belive like they do that
you should mix up difrent religions

Well, we say that it’s OK if you draw from different religions, not that you HAVE to. Your practices (sun worship, etc.) are fine in a UU church, and your beliefs are very much in line with what many UU’s believe (one god) – that’s what “Unitarian” means, afterall. Also, the beliefs you mentioned do sound pretty pagan to me. There is a lot of diversity in paganism.




and they say there liberal and I
know my dad wont like that

Be careful not to confuse “liberal religion” with “liberal politics”. They are not the same. Liberal religion just means that there is no creed, no requirement to believe some official doctrine, and that you can freely follow your own spiritual path.

Liberal politics, are things like gun control, gay rights, women’s liberation, etc, which is what I think you are referring to. It does so happen that most UU’s are also politically liberal, but many are not – I know quite a few politically conservative UUs.

Good luck, wherever you go.

[Windigo]

Wicca is a Pagan religious path. Just as Christians have many different types, Pagans have different types. Just as one cannot be both Christian and Jewish or Jewish and Muslim, one cannot be Christian and Wiccan. With that said, spirituality is a personal thing. A friend of mine is Catholic, but her interpretation of her beliefs can be seen as being very Pagan as she sees Mary as a Goddess and Jesus as a God and all the saints are Demi-god/desses. She also believes that "normal" people can become god-like by acting good, like the saints have. She's a very interesting girl. Maybe that's a system you're looking for? I think we're on the same mountain, just climbing up different sides to achieve enlightenment. Some choose to do that through following Jesus' example, others follow nature, and still others follow the example of other enlightened people.:ballonsmi