Posted on 12/01/2005 3:59:10 AM PST by Milltownmalbay
On October 31, the Associated Press reported that a Dutch court ruled that the costs of witchcraft lessons could be tax-deductible. Meanwhile, Zenit News Agency is reporting that in England, Portsmouth’s Kingston Prison has hired a pagan chaplain to advise three inmates who are currently serving life-sentences. A London newspaper has also reported that pagan priests in prisons will be allowed to use wine and wands in ceremonies. Pagan inmates will be allowed hoodless robes, incense, and religious jewelry.
These incidents clearly indicate that paganism is on the rise. But why? Catherine Sanders has tried to answer this question in her book “Wicca’s Charm”. Though Wiccans have no core beliefs, she outlines some common beliefs in her book. These include the belief that all living things are of equal value, and that humans have no special place; the belief that they hold divine power that is unlimited by any deity; and the belief that they are gods and goddesses because of their personal power.
Sanders also attempted to highlight key factors that attract people to Wicca: environmentalism and feminism. Reportedly, two thirds of Wiccans in America are female. Also, she claims a dissatisfaction with other Churches attracts people to Wicca.
Sanders claims that teens are unsatisfied with superficial culture and want deeper meaning in their lives. Yet they also feel that churches have reduced religion to a social exercise, and therefore experiment with pagan religions.
Sanders concluded, however, that this spiritual hunger can be easily satisfied by Christianity. It contains a message that was true 2,000 years ago and is still true today.
I believe paganism like scientology allows people to do as they like without penalty and that is the attraction. If you dont recognise an act as a sin you cannot commit one.
The same folks who argue for "competition" in science decry it in religion...
A 'pagan chaplain'? Isn't that a bit of an oxymoron?
"God is a concept,
By which we can measure,
Our pain,
I'll say it again,
God is a concept,
By which we can measure,
Our pain,
I don't believe in magic,
I don't believe in I-ching,
I don't believe in bible,
I don't believe in tarot,
I don't believe in Hitler,
I don't believe in Jesus,
I don't believe in Kennedy,
I don't believe in Buddha,
I don't believe in mantra,
I don't believe in Gita,
I don't believe in yoga,
I don't believe in kings,
I don't believe in Elvis,
I don't believe in Zimmerman,
I don't believe in Beatles,
I just believe in me, "
Now I don't agree with much of Mr. Lennon's philosophy. but I do this particular one.
Humans are nothing special, yet have special super duper powers? Ok, so which is it?
I worship chocolate!
It sounds rather self-absorbed to me.
Very well said.
Also interesting~
Sanders also attempted to highlight key factors that attract people to Wicca: environmentalism and feminism
I couldn't believe it. We didn't have a discussion. What could you say to something like that?
When I brought up the fact that most republicans are against abortion and democrats demand the right to have abortions he had nothing to say and walked out of the room.
In for a dime ...
You say you believe in yourself. I wonder if you can explain all that is implied within that truth claim.
Your tagline is at odds with your stated belief ('in me"), for implicit within it is a distorted version of both the Golden Rule and sanctity of life principle. You see Vacquero, if all you believe in is yourself, then it becomes absolutely necessary for everyone else to not only believe in you, but to care about you too (worship you), in order that the safe society implied within your tagline could become a reality.
Whatever happened to Moloch, Dagon, Baal, Chemosh and all those guys? Not to mention ancestor worship and animism etc... Among the practices of these religions were infant sacrifice, ritual mutilation, torture and slavery. On second thought I guess they are still here...just in different forms.
sgtbono..I believe paganism like scientology allows people to do as they like without penalty and that is the attraction. If you dont recognise an act as a sin you cannot commit one
True. However, there are always unpleasant consequences to sin. But because they deny culpability, the blame for the consequences will be placed on the people who do recognise sin. The underlying reasoning will be something on the order of: "If it weren't for you (Christians) none of these things would've happened." --or-- "If it weren't for you (Christians) we would be happy."
Now, this is something I can agree with!
"Whatever happened to Moloch, Dagon, Baal, Chemosh and all those guys?"
They shapeshifted, and are now operating under new names: PlannedParenthood, NARAL, GLSEN (obscene acts performed before Baal-Peor).
sgtb,
Mebbe. I hadn't thought of that.
I think it also has to do with personal power, or their perceived lack of it. That is, certain wiccans might believe they have influence over their environment- through sorcery, spell casting, summoning, or other ritual- that they feel they don't have in their actual daily existence.
I wonder too whether they feel it's more approachable than Judaism, Christianity, or Islam. The big 3 have long, rich, and complicated histories and traditions that take time, patience, and discipline to appreciate.
Wicca, or paganism, or whatever, seem like its practitioners make it up as they go along. Maybe there is not the same emphasis on literacy, study, and reflection, so its easier for people to just show up and declare themselves witches.
There is nothing new under the sun, as the Preacher said.
Infant sacrifice=Abortion
Ritual Mutilation=Tattoos,piercings including nipples
vulva and penis.
Torture=S&M---watching Ted Kennedy in the Senate
Slavery=Sudan --most Islamic wives.
Yeah they are all still around.
>>I just believe in me<<
Then you won't get very far. Here or in the Hereafter.
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