An Atheist ex-witch serving you the Eucharist.

[hekat927]

I agree with LDNCatholic,
I think that Abbadon is a teenager or young adult that is looking for a rise. When I was a Wiccan, we used to call them “baby pagans”, because they were just in it for the shock value. He should be pitied and prayed for, and I hope that he finds the strength to "out"himself as an atheist and be himself. That is the first step towards maturity, not coming onto a board where he knows what the answer will be to the questions that he posed.

 

[Teteli]

Okay, so let me see if I’ve got this right, you used to be pagan (Wiccan I assume) and even though you don’t believe in any kind of deity you still meet with coven and honor the deity in ritual despite not believing in it. Which brings up the question if you’re meeting with your coven for the social aspect and not to honor God …have you no friends???

That’s fairly unkind.

I mean, sure, if LDNCatholic is right, this guy is just trolling. Still, on behalf of other people who join in pagan ceremonies for community or social reasons… HEY!

As I said before, while of course the worship-aspect of religion is the most important, a lesser but also important function is the way shared religion and shared practices can bind a community together. The social aspect isn’t more important than the belief, but it’s not nothing. Meeting with a coven and taking part in ritual, so long as it doesn’t require you to actively go against your own beliefs (and most circles won’t) is a good way to strengthen ties and establish a sense of… well, at the risk of overusing the word, community.

I also take exception to the tacit implication in your question that when one abandons a belief, one must also abandon all the friends who share that belief. Just speaking from my own personal experience, my group is incredibly tight-knit. That wouldn’t change just because one of us converted to another religion. “Have you no friends?” Well, obviously, yes, he (or she, I don’t know) HAS friends, else why would he join in with their ceremonies?

 

[elizabeth22]

I have to agree with LDNCatholic. I’m getting a funny feeling reading some of these remarks, some of the comments are leaving me feeling “weird.” I’m sorry I got pulled into this thread.

 

[ntenaglia]

Yes, social aspect of religion is important and one doesn’t sever ties with a community when one no longer shares the belief. But the poster said that he doesn’t believe in the ritual, so he should meet with that community outside of ritual because his energy in that circle only makes a mockery of the solemnity of the rite.

I am 5th generation witch, but married to a Catholic, so I converted to Catholicism. I come from a lineage of solitairies so I had no community from which to separate.

 

[yellowbird]

…Don’t you see that your beliefs could look a little screwy as well to someone who doesn’t share them? Do you really think telling Abbadon she’s crazy is going to be helpful here? Personally I see it as a toss up. Administering the sacrament while believing or disbelieving sounds just as screwy to me either way. No, I take that back. Believing sounds screwier.

.

Oh puleez. You totally missed the point. The OP is screwy, NOT because she rejects the Catholic Faith, but because she “claims” to take part in the most holy part of the mass which would involve her saying words she doesn’t believe… over & over & over again. THEN she goes on to talk about how she might “switch” the hosts and wouldn’t we all be horrified to know that maybe we are actually consuming the evil ones? Eeeee gads. Now I’m really scared.

Like the poster you trashed, I have known many atheists and they don’t spend their Sundays at mass PRETENDING to be devout Catholics. They don’t waste their time trying to get their thrill by attempting to freak out Catholics on a Catholic forum. I think doing so is pathetic, and yes, slightly screwy.

But hey, you go ahead & defend her all you want. It’s nice to know there is a comradery among atheists.

 

[AndyF]

Abbadon:

If you are talking about a context of a protestant within a protestant Church, then I can say absolutely that Scripture tells us to stay away from witchcraft, but to focus this energy in worship of the Father our creator. Witchcraft is in direct opposition to the will of the Creator, which means any benefits you strive to attain to gain favor while still holding to these practices are to no avail.

If you are an Atheist, and if what atheists tell me is true, then your being in any Church serves no purpose, and is indeed…illogical.

However, if you are seeking enlightenment, which I think is your case, then start at the bottom of the ladder in self admitted humility, and ask God to solidify your spiritual state before you take on such advanced duties or ministerial work. Practice long commitments in self sacrifice and to test yourself beforehand. It is true that you can fool the congregation, but here you must ask yourself, “do I care about social appearances”, or “do I care what Gods sees in me”.

In any case, soldify your religious state before you embark on anything religious. And if you feel your ready for a real True Divinely sanctioned Church, consider Catholicism.

M2C

Andy

 

[Cinette]

Yes. Funnily enough I am fairly well versed in the bible and Christianity and am rather involved in youth group. I try and do my bit to bring rationality and a modern moral perspective to what I see as a rather dark age irrational situation. I’m also good friends with the local priest and nuns and often have lengthy debates on religion. However I’m not officially “out” as an atheist.

You are now!

And… if you are presenting the truth to us and not just trying to stir up people’s emotions, I do have to tell you that by complying with your mother’s wishes and being concerned for her emotional well being, you ARE keeping one of the Ten Commandments… “Honor your mother and father.” So while you are doing something you deem meaningless, God is taking note of your honoring your mother. However, He is also taking note of your living a lie, so I hope it goes well for you in the future. God bless you!

If I kill my Father to honour my Mother is that a good thing? After all he beats her on a regular basis!!

Desecration of the Blessed Eucharist is even worse than murder!!

Your reasoning is )(*&:"#$@^%!!

Please explain.

 

[shuzo1189]

I read this thread and It makes me grateful to be in a Parish with no EMHC’s and an Altar rail

 

[jofo817]

Although an Atheist and a once practitioner (still lover) of witchcraft and paganism (just because it’s not real doesn’t mean you can’t like it), I am still rather involved in the church. Out of my mothers request I am a minister (I think that is what they are called). Either way I say the body of Christ (or blood if I got the chalice) and give people the wafer or wine.

So what are peoples thoughts about an ex-witch/pagan and current atheist serving them the body and blood of their lord savior Jesus Christ? I also used to serve when I was a witch to.

a “devil” (so to speak) serving God ? Not much surprises me these days anyway

 

[artist3189]

I don’t doubt Abbadon’s claim. She as been on this forum for a long time, and has never shown a desire to make up stpries to scandalize others. Plus, you must realize that there are even priests conducting services right now who do not actually believe in God. How could you ever know whether the person administering communion believes or not? Does it even matter?

Doubt it… and doubt other things she has said. She likes to get things going. Please look at the language of her posts more carefully.

quote" Out of my mothers request I am a minister (I think that is what they are called)."

Huh? ‘I think that’s what they are called?’ What does that mean? We all know the training ‘REQUIRED’ to be a Extraordinary Minister, do we not. How can you BE one without knowing what it is?

quote “and give people the wafer or wine.”

The wafer? The wafer? That’s not even Catholic terminology, let alone what a minister would call it.

This is a typical post by someone who just likes to get someones attention, but doesnt really understand the reality of the faith. DON’T FALL FOR IT. She’s BUSTED!

 

[Michael_Francis]

Thread closed.