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.
"A good point. But then he was the Walrus. I could be the Walrus, but I'd still have to bum rides off of people." - Ferris Bueller
I dont count on a hereafter.....might as well wait for Santa Claus
"Bueller!!" Ben Stein.
That sounds pretty hopeless to me.
Not to mention vain and self-centered.
CROM!!!!
This is the most meaningless drivel I have ever read.
glad you enjoyed it.
The article begs the question "what was the culture before it started turning pagan?"
Just because they do see the same kinds of sin you do does not mean that they follow some Crowely-esque "Do what thou willt shall be the whole of the Law" kind of thing. Even the Satanists have a concept of "sin".
Hail Odin!
You'd think after all this time I'd learn to proof read a bit closer....
"Whatever happened to Moloch"
Moloch worship is alive and well in the U.S. No, wait, that's Mammon, sorry.
Greed is a bad thing though. Especially if allowed to operate in a business/government ecology that rewards their theft and fraud. In that we can agree...
Yes, excellent point! And that's why the newest fads of self worship are so popular among certain Hollywood types, who are emulated by their fans. Anything goes - except 'traditional' (always said as a slur) religion. I guess that's because 'traditional' religions recognize sins... The new sin is not being openminded and tolerant of others beliefs, but that tolerance ends with regards to traditional religion and they see no conflict with that.
Then what's the difference between a "Wiccan" and an Left-Wing Democrat?
Yes: But I wouldnt be too worried about sinning against Satan, and your Post indemnifies mine that they may have a concept of sin, but their concept allows for greater allowances for their lifestyle.
Indemnify? What an odd turn of phrase to use. You clearly stated that these people have no concept of a penalty for their actions, when they clearly do. Just not that same standard as the Judeo-Christian one.
I'm confused. If humans have no special place, why do they hold divine power that is unlimited by any deity, and how could they be gods and goddesses because of their personal power? That's not "special"?
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