Are There Any Other Pagans Here Besides Myself?

[billcu1]

Hi Gatewood,
If you find what I said harsh, it is because truth is hard, and it’s not always what we want to hear. But in this case there is no doubt that paganism and christianism are at odds, and very much opposites in belief and morals. We have had a variety of people who claim paganism as their choice and have gone into detail about their connection with satan if not worship of the same. Others have gods of all sorts depending on who they chose just as the ancient Romans and Greeks did. Just do a search on this site to hear what they have to say. I don’t include you in this because you are a christian but just don’t know it.

As for Elohim being plural, this is not applied to the God of the Old Testiment in the plurial
sense. This will help to explain why.
oce.catholic.com/index.php?title=Elohim

As far as idea of christians assimulating what pagans started, as if to say we were
accepting what they already knew, absolutely not. Our faith did not lean or grow from
their faith as if they were the starters and we the followers.

What really happened was that since pagans had their holidays
established in different parts of the world in different seasons, christians had none.
So the christians “baptised” established public holidays by turning them into something
that would honor the true God. Pagan “Sun” holiday the Christians transformed into the
“Son” day or Christmas, honoring the birth of Jesus. And so on. The Church continues
to do this down to the current day, accepting singing and other customs of the tribe or
nation and using them to glorify the true God. This dosen’t mean that they took
paganism and made it their own, but took what was culturally acceptable and used it.
This made it much easier for the people of the land to accept and feel at home with
christianity since the ideas which were presented to them they were already familiar with.
The end result was that the wrong ideas were being eliminated while the true faith was
replacing them. Thus no baggage and true evangelization taking place.​

“…whoever lives and believes in me will never die…”

I believe “El” was a cannanite god. I does go back to sumer. You remember how the children of Israel when “whoring after false gods”? Except for the priests and high priest the common “people” didn’t know who their god was. This goes back to Sumer and why we look up to god(s). They came from heaven to the earth. Spelt was “lowered from heaven by the gods” cf Nephelim

 

[northernstar]

Are there other Pagans here? Just out of curiosity, why are you here?

OKAY you are a pagan. Fine. What do you want for the Catholic Church? Why post such an oppositional view on religion in faith, unless, your dissatisfied with the paths you have traveled, why come here? To stir up __it or just to feel empowered?

I just find your question and fantasy beliefs to be suspect.

 

[CompSciGuy]

Why not? Both believe in God.

No!

All forms of syncretism are bad.

Not to mention, all forms of witchcraft, whether voodoo or in the wiccan tradition, are called abomination in the Old and New Testaments. Practicing witchcraft or divination is a mortal sin. It doesn’t matter whether you think it’s true, or whether you want it to be true, but witchcraft is communion with the prince of darkness. Anyone who practices it is already in danger. But one who both practices demonic witchcraft and also partakes in Christ’s body and blood is in even deeper you-know-what. Read 1 Corinthians 10, Paul explicitly talks about this:

“You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot have a part in both the Lord’s table and the table of demons.” 1 Corinthians 10:21

Don’t do this!!

 

[billcu1]

Hi Billcu,
You stated: I believe in the catholic church and hinduism and buddhism. Mixing religions is not for everyone.​

How do you believe in all three at the same time when they are different?

They all say the same thing.

One says one thing, and one says another which contradict each other.

Not at all.

For example, hinduism does not believe in a god but in reaching out to a state of nothingness.

That’s more buddhism. Nothingness isn’t the nothingness or Shunyata that you may be thinking about. There is never nothing. Just nothing as compared to something.

Who is right?

Who is right? Does someone have to be right and someone wrong? That’s what you want to see. Someone being right and someone wrong. Can’t we be right with only cultural differences? That’s the main differences.

Is it that on Mondays is for Buda, Tuesdays for the Christian faith, and Wednesdays for Hinduism? Or is it that Christian meditation of St. Theresa is better in Hinduism, and swinging prayer wheels is a better technique for christian prayer. I am hoping you will help my understanding of this new trinity. Thank you.​

PS
You stated: The best way to translate genesis would be “Bereshit baro atoh Elohim” Or the gods created.
Go to this page, it will shed some light on this.

oce.catholic.com/index.php?title=Elohim

 

[northernstar]

Are there other Pagans here? Just out of curiosity, why are you here?

Nope not here! Go to Voodoobebewitched,distress.uncom
id: mentally lazy

password: want to have an easy life

Give me a break why are you posting here, just to get attention to stir up s__t why?

This is a Catholic website…for catholics and those who want to learn the Catholic faith, it is not a play ground for Waccky Witchy Voodoo OOOOh ScareMe dreamers.

Voodoo is sh_ t just like asking God for money is Sh _ t. The point is F a i t h. Either you have the stomach for the long journey or you give into temptation… that is the H A R D way it is hard and depressing, and in the end it is a brilliant light of mental peace. Faith is not easy, there is no seven shakes to make things better, you go thru life you pray, and you keep the faith, that is it. The easy way is to cheat, lie and decieve, but what do you get but this one life - no eternity, no maturity of spirit, it is up to God in the end either way. I’d rather be a child of Christ, giving, working, suffering and believing.

Either you get that or you don’t so don’t come here with stupid teenage questions.(pssst Harry Potter is fiction) You shock no one. Shake your simple cloth doll at me stay up all night and prick pins into fabric and then wonder why you are so unhappy.

Read kid, read, and then think use the brain God gave you to discern good from bad. It is all in your heart.

God does not need us, we need Him.

 

[CompSciGuy]

Sts. Boniface, Martin, Augustine, Patrick, Justin Martyr, Polycarp and many other evangelists brought the faith to our pagan ancestors. May their prayers instill in all pagans a desire for the truth, and bring them closer to Jesus in the holy Catholic faith.

 

[fred_conty]

Hi Gatewood,
You said:
Our rituals and rites were not immoral until we were told that by the church.​

Jesus said to Peter, “He who hears you hears me.”
By hearing or listening to the church we get instructions not give instructions.
This means we follow the church not lead the church.
That is the point of a church, to listen and to follow, not make up our own rules.

“We know that God dosen’t listen to sinners, but God does listen to men
who are devout and do his will.” Jn 9;31
.

 

[CompSciGuy]

Every religion I can think of is monotheist. There is just different aspects of god. Pagan is a church term denoting anyone else. The goddess aspect is carried over into mariology. I believe in the catholic church and hinduism and buddhism. Mixing religions is not for everyone. One must follow his calling. But it does broaden the mind. Also the ancient Jews believed in many gods too. Elohim doesn’t mean “god”. Eloha is singlular Elohim is plural. The best way to translate genesis would be “Bereshit baro atoh Elohim” Or the gods created.

Bill

Exodus 20
Verse 3: You shall have no other gods before me.

This is the first commandment given by God unto Moses. Mark them well and make no mistake. You cannot serve the God of Moses, Abraham and Isaac along with other gods.

 

[gatewood1988]

For those who are wondering why I am here: I have stated before that I do have friends here and I have been a part of this community for a while. I am not about to abandon my firends. But I would like to make new ones too, hence why I posted this thread. It wasn’t my intention to stir things up, like some have implied. I was a convert to the Church back in 2007 until recently but I realized I was there for the wrong reasons, so I left. I am sorry that so many show hate towards my choice and if y’all think I am here to stir things up on purpose instead of offering my hand in friendship then by all means, ask the moderators to ban me. I do love you all and I don’t want you to think I am here as an ambassador of evil. I didn’t pick my path as an “easy” way out on the contrary it is on average more demanding than Catholicism and Christianity in general. If I was looking for easy, I would have stayed with the Church.

 

[Publisher]

I am not a Pagan…but I have some close Pagan friends…we discuss our beliefs quite peacefully and with respect toward one another.

 

[Lokabrenna]

I am not a Pagan…but I have some close Pagan friends…we discuss our beliefs quite peacefully and with respect toward one another.

I know many Pagans who speak fondly of Quakers. Thanks for contributing to peaceful and respectful debates. So many debates end in shouting matches…

 

[vsedriver]

For those who are wondering why I am here: I have stated before that I do have friends here and I have been a part of this community for a while. I am not about to abandon my firends. But I would like to make new ones too, hence why I posted this thread.

it is very difficult for some people to separate the message from the messenger. I think you have been most civil and it has given me an opportunity to try and understand how a pagan thinks. It has puzzled me for years.

 

[vsedriver]

I was a convert to the Church back in 2007 until recently but I realized I was there for the wrong reasons, so I left.

What were you looking for? Why did you think you would find it in the Catholic Church?

I didn’t pick my path as an “easy” way out on the contrary it is on average more demanding than Catholicism and Christianity in general. If I was looking for easy, I would have stayed with the Church.

How is being pagan more demanding? Can’t you just tailor your beliefs to suit yourself? What was easier about Catholicism?

 

[gatewood1988]

What were you looking for? Why did you think you would find it in the Catholic Church?

I originally joined the Catholic church mostly because my boyfriend’s mother wanted me to be Catholic so that her son could have a Catholic wedding. I went through RCIA but never felt anything, I was mainly doing it for my boyfriend.

How is being pagan more demanding? Can’t you just tailor your beliefs to suit yourself? What was easier about Catholicism?

I try to stick to a traditional form of paganism based on Santeria and Voodoo which is demanding in itself as far as pleasing the Orisha/ Lwas (certain colors can and cannot be worn, certain offerings to different Orisha can be pricey, elaborate altars sometimes, etc). I am also an ordained high priestess so I do have people calling me for guidance, spell work, divination readings, chakra healings etc. Catholicism was easier in the sheer fact that I was alone, yes I was an EMHC and a religious ed teacher so it was less demanding of me. I followed the traditions of the church and my holy days of obligation including every Sunday. I went to mass and received communion almost daily and confession regularly. I read the Bible all the time along with the catechism and the lives of the saints, and I went to weekly adoration. But now I look back at it and realize the reason I was in Church wasn’t for me or God at all, but for someone who I ended up breaking up with anyways.

 

[Tomcmaj]

For those who are wondering why I am here: I have stated before that I do have friends here and I have been a part of this community for a while. I am not about to abandon my firends. But I would like to make new ones too, hence why I posted this thread. It wasn’t my intention to stir things up, like some have implied. I was a convert to the Church back in 2007 until recently but I realized I was there for the wrong reasons, so I left. I am sorry that so many show hate towards my choice and if y’all think I am here to stir things up on purpose instead of offering my hand in friendship then by all means, ask the moderators to ban me. I do love you all and I don’t want you to think I am here as an ambassador of evil. I didn’t pick my path as an “easy” way out on the contrary it is on average more demanding than Catholicism and Christianity in general. If I was looking for easy, I would have stayed with the Church.

Years ago I attended a lecture by Hans Kung. He said that it is easy for the intelligentsia to get together and say “All religions are more or less the same”. That doesn’t solve the problem that people on the street are all committed to one religion or another and see all others as the work of the devil.

 

[gatewood1988]

Years ago I attended a lecture by Hans Kung. He said that it is easy for the intelligentsia to get together and say “All religions are more or less the same”. That doesn’t solve the problem that people on the street are all committed to one religion or another and see all others as the work of the devil.

Unfortunately that is a very true statement.

 

[Desertmesa]

Greeting’s Gatewood…Curious cat here, and I would like to ask you: If you are ever faced with
any personal trauma, or a debilitating health issue, for yourself or a family member, who would you pray to for assistance and to feel comforted in one’s heart space? Is it Mother Earth, or a Goddess form you have read about?
Myself, I am so very grateful to know that Jesus Christ, the Blessed Virgin Mary, Saint Joseph and all the Saints/Archangels are an absolute truth. All the thousands of documented accounts
of miracles performed for suffering humans when they call out to them is a very comforting
feeling. But, best of all, just to have the gift of worshiping Jesus Christ and feeling his loving
presence is worth more then my ego.
I applaud your courage to just tell it like you see it at this time.
Wishing you well on your journey and praying for you.

 

[Lokabrenna]

Greeting’s Gatewood…Curious cat here, and I would like to ask you: If you are ever faced with
any personal trauma, or a debilitating health issue, for yourself or a family member, who would you pray to for assistance and to feel comforted in one’s heart space? Is it Mother Earth, or a Goddess form you have read about?
Myself, I am so very grateful to know that Jesus Christ, the Blessed Virgin Mary, Saint Joseph and all the Saints/Archangels are an absolute truth. All the thousands of documented accounts
of miracles performed for suffering humans when they call out to them is a very comforting
feeling. But, best of all, just to have the gift of worshiping Jesus Christ and feeling his loving
presence is worth more then my ego.
I applaud your courage to just tell it like you see it at this time.
Wishing you well on your journey and praying for you.

Well, I personally would pray to Eir (who is called the best physician among the gods), Sunna (because the sun was invoked for healing in the Merseburg charm), or Freyja (since I am particularly close to her) but that’s after seeking medical attention. I think Freyja would kick my butt if I refused medical attention in lieu of prayer!

 

[Desertmesa]

Well, I personally would pray to Eir (who is called the best physician among the gods), Sunna (because the sun was invoked for healing in the Merseburg charm), or Freyja (since I am particularly close to her) but that’s after seeking medical attention. I think Freyja would kick my butt if I refused medical attention in lieu of prayer!

This is rather interesting what you chose to share. Those names sound somewhat similar to
the character’s Tolken created for his books from the Lord of the Ring.
Thank you for sharing.

 

[Lokabrenna]

This is rather interesting what you chose to share. Those names sound somewhat similar to
the character’s Tolken created for his books from the Lord of the Ring.
Thank you for sharing.

That’s because Tolkien based the world of the Lord of the Rings in part on Norse/Germanic mythology. “Midgard” is one of the middle worlds (Middle-Earth, get it?) in the cosmology. Personally, I’ve read his non-fiction essays and if he writes fiction like he writes non-fiction, I don’t want to read LotR!

The Internet Sacred Texts Archive actually has a list of source materials that may have been used for Lord of the Rings, it’s here:

sacred-texts.com/ring/index.htm