Christians will never admit that they are acting "holier than thou" because they truely believe what they are saying and doing is commissioned by Jesus himself... to spread the "good news" of his sacrifice for our sins on the cross and his ressurection. If that means showing us the "sinners" that they believe we are and telling us how much we need "saving" then that's what they'll do. They truely believe they are on a mission from God himself to help spread the gospel of the saving grace of Jesus. Otherwise, they might stand before their God at judgement day and he (God) will question why weren't they faithful and tell the gospel story to everyone they encountered especially "Sally, Jane, and Joe?" They don't want to stand before their God on judgement day with blood on their hands. That's why they are holier than though and they will never admit to it. We are supposed to tolerate them because they are right, we are wrong, and unless we convert, we are going to hell, and they are going to heaven.

They do it to everyone, not just athiests. They do it to Muslims, Buddhists, Jews, Pagans, Wiccans, Witches, hell they even do it do eachother. Haven't you ever seen how they tear eachother apart within the different denominations within the Christian faith? It's just what they do. However, not all of them are like this. Most are, though.

The Goddess Companion

The young bear woman set fire
across the mountains.
Wherever she passed
we saw burning mountains.
The young bear woman
sought the gods and found them,
on the mountain peaks,
with the help of my sacrifice.
~Navaho Song

The concept of sacrifice for spiritual reasons has been virtually lost in contemporary culture. Today, the word only has negative connotations, connected with victimization and cruelty and needless pain. Yet the offering of sacrifice has been part of most religious traditions. Ancient peoples offered up something they valued - for it would not be a sacrifice if it were worthless - so that spring would come, or order would be maintained in the cosmos, or a beloved child saved from death. Sacrifice may be a difficult spiritual practice today, but the wisdom of the ages calls us to consider it.

From "The Goddess Companion" by Patricia Monaghan

Today's Goddess: Aine
Zibelemarit (Switzerland)

Themes:Protection; Healing; Divination; Luck; Earth; Moon.
Symbols: Moon (lunar items); Silver and White Items; Meadowsweet.

About Aine: This Celtic Goddess of the Moon shines on today's celebration, her name meaning "bright." Aine has strong connections with the land. Her blessing ensures fertile fields. She also gives luck to mortals and keeps us healthy.

To Do Today: Dating back to the 1400's this onion festival takes place in Bern. It includes several parades with intricate mechanical figurines and huge harvest festival with - you guessed it - tons of onions! Magickally speaking, onions are closely related to Aine because of their lunar appearance. According to metaphysical traditions, carrying or growing onions grants safety and banishes negativity.

A freshly cut onion rubbed on sores, bug bits, or scratches restores Aine's healthy energy by gathering the problem and taking it away. Bury or burn this slice to dispel the problem altogether.

One great (and tasty) way to invoke Aine, improve well-being, and improve your lunar attributes is by making and eating onion soup (or any other onion dish) today. Use red, Spanish, white, and cooking onions along with chives. By heating and blending them, you mix the magick to perfection. Stir clockwise, whispering Aine's name into the soup so she abides in each vitality-laden sip.

From "365 Goddess" By Patricia Telesco

So long as there is greed, lust, envy, and pride lives in the hearts of humankind there will never be world peace.

Christian

You are a real d ick.

I'm not going to hijake this thread, just to answer your question. If you have a question, email me. Otherwise have respect for the author of this thread.

Listen if you are talking to me, then use my name or use the quote feature. That way there is no confusion. Now, if you are talking to me... If being a Christian means being like you I sure as hell don't want to be a Christian. I'm a Christian Pagan Witch. I'm a Pagan who'se dieties are Father God, Mother Goddess (the Holy Spirit) and their son Jesus the Christ. I'm also a Witch, one who practices magick through witchcraft. Now seeing as I was a Christian for 10 years before I became a Christian Pagan Witch and that the Christian mythos is still a very large part of my life, I have every right to voice my opinions on this thread and on any other thread that has a Christian theme. I'm being polite and am not trying to start any trouble, unlike yourself. Now, do us all a favor and grow up!

Have you not read anything I've written in the religion forums since I've been here? I was one of those holy rollin', tongue talkin', shoutin', dancin', pentecostal Christians for 10 years before becoming a Christian Pagan Witch. You want to know anymore, go back and read past posts I've written or email me questions you have.

Who are you talking to?

You must be using the New International Version. All other versions use the word "heathen." The New Living Translastion says "When you pray, don’t babble on and on as people of other religions do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again." In my opinion going by what the New Living Translations says, to me it describes Catholics with their constant repetative chants and prayers. But aren't Catholics Christians? According to some Christians, no they are not. Also, if anyone here has been in a pentecostal church with all the holy rollin, tongue talkin', and shoutin' that often happens some might think that this scripture is talking about them. But aren't pentecostals Christians? Some Christians believe they are possessed by devils.

Personally, I think that some people need to stop worrying about how everyone else is praying and start taking care of their own conversations with their God/Goddess/Higher Power.

You know what, wouldee. People who wish to have perfectly manicured lawns fail to realize the many great uses for those weeds that they so dislike. Take dandelions for instance. There are many great uses for this weed. The leaves of the dandelion are great in salads and soups and are full of vitamin A, C and Iron. In fact they have more vitamin A than carrots do. They also have more iron and Calcium than spinach does. One can make wine out of the Dandelion flowers. Then there is another common weed called Chicory. Chicory also has many great uses. The list goes on and on with the weeds that can be beneficial to humans. Just because someone calls it a "weed' and believes it to be "useless" and "unappealing" doesn't make it so. Most assuredly it will be appealing to someone and of use to someone. Oh by the way. I am a gardener. I understand the nature of all plants.

We are not talking about private owned property. I think we all agree that it's ok to display religious displays on private owned property. What we are discussing here is government owned property, whether it's city, state or federally owned property. Most times when this subject comes up we hear of Nativity scenes being put up on government property. A Nativity scene is a Christian thing. We hardly ever hear of any other religion placing a religious display on government property. This is the first time I've heard of a Pentagram being displayed along side a Nativity scene on government property. This is my point. If religious displays are going to be allowed on government property then that means all religions should be able to be displayed, not just Christian. I'm sure many Americans, especially in the Bible Belt, don't really think twice when they see a Nativity scene this time of year, whether it's on private property or governemt owned property. However, if those same people were to start seeing other religious symbols represented along side those Nativity scenes, such as the Pentegram, I personally think that it would cause a big ole stink and some might even protest against it, especially if it's on government owned property.

The Goddess Companion

I, Djanggawul, look behind myself to see the path of light that leads back to the island of Bralgu.
The light shines on our paddle dipping up and down in the sea.
The light shines from the island of Bralgu.
I, Djanggawul, see the morning star dancing onthe water's surface,and Bralgu's light shines like a feathered ball.
The sea's roar, the salt smell, the sound of our paddles,the taste of salt!
Within this boat we carry the sacred women's objects.
~Australian Song

There are many myths that tell the story of the arrival on earth of power objects from beyond this earth. These are not usually valuable in themselves; they are not gold coins or wrought silver or magnificent statuary. Instead, sacred objects usually look like a rough collection of stones, or some feathers, or an old worn-out human artifact.

Why did our forebears claim such insignificant objects as sacred? Because they were. Sacredness is not related to wealth or power; it is a quality that can be perceived by sensitive observers but that has no value in the marketplace. Think of how a child selects a stone - one single stone - from an ocean beach full of stones. Why that one? Why right now? But the instinctual child knows. She recognizes some power that rests, perhaps only briefly, in that stone. When it is gone, she throws the stone away. It is just as simple, sacred objects that were considered the most valuable possessions of the goddesses and their followers.

From "The Goddess Companion" by Patricia Monaghan

http://www.wcax.com/Global/story.asp?S=7419047&nav=menu183_2

Should religious displays be placed on city owned property by private citizens? Give reasons why you feel the way you do.

Today's Goddess: Spes

Themes: Thankfulness; Hope; Abundance; Harvest
Symbols: A Bouquet of Flowers

About Spes: In Roman tradition, this goddess's name means "hope." She joins us today to celebrate the successful harvest and keep our hearts hopeful as the earth's plenty wanes. In art, Spes often appears as a simple bundle of flowers whose beauty inspires the most distraught of spirits.

To Do Today: Follow pilgrim tradition and set aside time today to thank the goddess for her blessings in any way that seems suited to your path and vision. For example, give Spes an offering of the first slice of holiday bread, share food with those in need, or perhaps treat the birds and squirrels in your neighborhood to some bread and nuts.

Locally we invite any friends who have no family nearby to join with us in a delightful symbolic meal. I serve round rye bread and dill dip for unity and kinship, sweet potatoes for life's sweetness and Spe's harvest energies, cranberries mixed with oranges to keep our energy and health intact, vegetables for firm foundations, and pumpkin pie with magickal sigils carved in the crust for the goddess's protective spark. If you look at your own traditional menu, I'll bet you will find many other foods and beverages that have similar symbolism to bring meaning and Spe's magick to your table for this holiday. As you eat, remember to pass all the food and beverages clockwise to invoke Spes' ongoing providence.

From "365 Goddess" By Patricia Telesco

The Goddess Companion

Come, love, up the mountain with me.
Let us sit together on the mountain.
Come, love, let us watch the sun go down,
filling the sky with beauty.
Come, love, let us watch the night traveler
rise in beauty over the mountain.
Come let us watch the northern lights
playing ball in their icy homeland.
Let us sit there, on the mountain together,
and listen to thunder's loud drum.
Let us watch the way brilliance flashes
along the pipe of lightning.
Let us sit there, until the world falls asleep
to the sound of the owl singing.
Let us sit there in the beautiful mountain,
watching the tiny wakeful stars.
~Abenaki Song

Finding the beauty in the night, in the dark sides of our personality, in the dark sides of our life - that is a difficult spiritual challenge. It is easy to love some things: spring flowers, smiling children, the touch of a lover's hand. But how do we truly embrace and love all of life? How do we love our somber moods and our fears, our anger and our pain? How do we love these in other people?

There is no easy answer to these questions. To live fully, however, we cannot cut off and cast away half of life. We must struggle to accept what we wish to push away. Only by doing so will we become truly and fully alive to the possibilities of our world and ourselves.

From "The Goddess Companion" by Patricia Monaghan

Try cleaning your keyboard. Or you could stop drinking while typing. You really should think about getting a designated typist. Friends don't let friends type when drunk.

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