tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8466372128228701626.post8670081420782017147..comments2020-11-07T01:35:06.884-05:00Comments on The Askew Police: Tales From an Obsessive Compulsive Feminist Pagan Lesbian: The Jesus Rede?: In Which a Pagan Considers the Seeming Impossibility of Christo-Paganismobsessive compulsive dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11555044277473044364noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8466372128228701626.post-20815979728831808072011-08-12T02:27:34.088-04:002011-08-12T02:27:34.088-04:00One, I would like to point out that I mentioned my...One, I would like to point out that I mentioned my statue of the Virgin Mary as a symbolic garden ornament, not as anything used in a ritual. In fact, I haven't performed any sort of ritual in a long time.<br /><br />However, that does not mean that I would be opposed to or find startling the use of the Virgin Mary in a ritual.<br /><br />In my opinion, any religions can be combined together to create a spirituality, because at their core they are all essentially the same thing. Religions are like self-help manuals for the universe. & yes, sometimes these self-help manuals become outdated.<br /><br />There are many similarities in Christian thought and Pagan thought. So much of this argument comes down to what one's definition of Pagan is, and what one's definition of Christian is. For example, one can both follow the teachings of Jesus, as well as worship in a Pre-Christian manner. One can also equate Pagan deities and aspects of Christianity as different names for the same thing. It all depends how you look at it.<br /><br />Also, I'd like to point out that there were many pagan cultures in which animal sacrifice was totally acceptable, back in the day. Also, in some pagan cultures, yes, even human sacrifice was not unheard of. However, Neopaginism does not support such kinds of sacrifice (which I totally agree with). Though, even today, many Pagans will participate in non-violent blood sacrifices (menstrual blood, pricking their own finger, etc...). Not to mention, of course, that many Pagans will sacrifice food, incense, etc... to the deities.<br /><br />Also, this of course brings up the question of what would you consider Voodoo? Paganism? Christianity? Something else?Mhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02854289440607857435noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8466372128228701626.post-42905418851477855902011-08-09T17:26:50.086-04:002011-08-09T17:26:50.086-04:00While I see your point, Anna, I have to say that I...While I see your point, Anna, I have to say that I think we're talking about two completely separate things. Your foremothers concealed their witchy leanings within a Christian framework and likely would never have spoke of themselves as witches or Pagan. However, these people are very openly and clearly trying to marry the two traditions. They want to call themselves both, and I'm just not sure that's possible. They speak of "Trinitarian Paganism" and plant feet in both faiths equally, or so they claim. They specifically label themselves Christian Witches, and these are the ones that confuse me most.obsessive compulsive dawnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11555044277473044364noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8466372128228701626.post-28098256346030230812011-08-09T16:16:21.541-04:002011-08-09T16:16:21.541-04:00First: Book about witches in a swamp: Dark Waters....First: Book about witches in a swamp: Dark Waters. I have it. Wanna borrow?<br /><br />Second: Glossing over not suffering a witch to live is easy once you define "witch" in this case as something other than the "witch" one is. For instance: well, that really meant a purple polka-dotted penguin, and that's not what -I- am, so it's okay. <br /><br />My maternal grandmother was a witch. Her grandmother was a witch. Yet neither my mother, nor her grandmother were witches. They were Catholic. My grandmother lived as a Catholic, and spoke to her daughters and sons and mother in terms of Catholicism. But she spoke to me, her granddaughter, in quite different terms. Essentially it was hiding ones true faith within the trappings of an "accepted" faith. As I decipher what was handed down from her, it becomes clear to me that this was a very deliberate move to prevent persecution. Not quite the same as being a Christian Pagan, but perhaps closer than might be comfortable. When images were needed, the Christian icons were readily available. And those rhythmic chants... perfect for gathering and channeling energy. <br /><br />I guess it's a matter of perspective... and how things vary greatly depending upon point of view.Ms. Schubarthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02715833841964885577noreply@blogger.com