difference between pagan and christian?

[scott snedeker]

I consider myself a pagan because I feel all life has awareness. You and I for example. Animals of course. But other organisms too. A tree for example has an awareness of where the best light is, water, soil nutrients. can sense attack by parasites. I believe a thriving plant experiences something like the joy we do. And a dying plant sorrow and loss.

I believe all organisms are connected by some sort of awareness. This connection I call nature. Pagans personify nature as a mother/Goddess. The Awareness I call nature is connected to me. So part of me has been aware for billions of years and will be for billions more. So when I die, that part of my awareness that exists independent of my living or dying continues. So like the tree's awareness it is impossible for me to describe it, But I believe it is there existing now and for billions of years to come
.
Love and joy experienced by an organism occur when it is in close connection with its souce energy of true nature. I judge whether I am in alignment with source energy by how I feel. expressing love feels wonderful so This action is in close alignment with the design intended for me by nature. The more love I express and receive, the more joy I feel, the more closely aligned with Nature's (God's) will. Each of my lovers activate joy in me differently. So my spectrum of experiencing joy is broader. I have five people who make love to me and each other. It is our circle of love. Five people who hold my heart and protect it. Five people I love and cherish and play with, have sex with, cry with, and feel each of their souls. This is my first best destiny.

Fear entrapment, self loathing disconnect me from God's will. To live and act counter to my passions, drives and feelings is defiance to God's design. I can tell when I do because I expeience intense negative emotion. Defiance has no purpose. God wants me to experience joy, love, sex, good health. By doing these I add my tiny contribution to the well-being of Nature.

I hope you like my explanation. I love stories illustrating unconditional and universal love. Christ I believe was so well connected with this part of nature that he is seen as divine by millions. When looked at in this way, the distinction between chistian and pagan becomes...........um, is there one?

love and affirmation, Scotty

[keltic63]

last summer, in an effort to gain some insight to my celtic heritage, I did some reading about Wicca. I was truly surprised at how much in Wicca aligned with my Christian beliefs. Given my very strict fundamentalist upbringing, I expected God to strike me for even reading the book. Imagine my surprise at finding ideas in Wicca that resonate deeply within me, and confirm much of my Christian concepts.



Always fun to read your posts, Scotty! keep 'em coming!

[BronzDragon]

Originally Posted by scott snedeker

I consider myself a pagan because I feel all life has awareness. … Pagans personify nature as a mother/Goddess.

» Thom says: ☛ Someone has said that if you asked thirteen Pagans to define Paganism you will get fifteen answers, with no one knowing where the fifteenth came from. And then there is someone like myself who tries to distill the lot into a rough summary. Yes, you have my permission to shake your head and try not to laugh at me, I do it often.

Originally Posted by scott snedeker

When looked at in this way, the distinction between chistian and pagan becomes...........um, is there one?

» Thom says: ☛ There is a distinction: a Natural distinction is that Christianism is a focus on the teachings and examples of the Christ. Paganism is more of a focus on Nature’s currents and balances. It is quite possible for a Christian to be Pagan, or a Pagan to be Christian. Then again, there are some Christians — and quite a few Pagans who would disagree. What is truly important is what your relationship with Nature is, and if you are satisfied that what you will is what is being done by yourself.

I Am Pagan!

I Am Pagan!
the Earth is my sacred prayer mat,
Dance, my sacred prayer.
the sky is the vault of my cathedral,
Living trees Her columns.
My experience is my sacred writ,
As old as wind, as fresh as my last breath.


Can I believe in God?
How could I?
I have been in Her embrace,
Washed by Her love,
Her compassion.
Her blood flows through my soul.
I hear Her lullaby echo soft in the hills,
As I soar with Her above the abyss.


I Am a mystery,
Experiencing xerself through consciousness,
Witnessing through the mind,
Manifest in a body,
that has a physical component.


I wonder at the
Magic of life, of love.
I have seen the very large;
I have seen the very small.
the forces of shade and light are one within me.
Truly, we are a marvel to consider.

[BronzDragon]

Originally Posted by keltic63

last summer, in an effort to gain some insight to my celtic heritage, … Given my very strict fundamentalist upbringing, I expected God to strike me for even reading the book. Imagine my surprise …

» Thom says: ☛ Humanity is apparently older than five-million years. Christianism has only been around for about 2200. I wonder what God was thinking? Did the older humans not deserve his attentions? Have we earned some special treat that we ought to be so precious? And I wonder, while the Tahitians or Aztecs were waiting to hear of this fellow called Christ … what did God not care about them? And what of all the souls whom God’s Children murdered in the name of Christ (I blame the Church, not God); were they really so bad that they ought to gain the crumbs from that special cookie?

I like the United Church of Christ’s current campaign, “God is Still Speaking.” Just as the word “Frog” can mean different things to different trades (ask a horseman), I think the voice of God comes off differently based on experience and maturity. Maybe God said “Frog” thirty years ago and I went to the pond; ten years ago and I went to the barn.

And I don’t think that God has thrown away five-million years of humanity and graced the last 2200 with anything special. We just have different needs than they did ever-so-long-ago when getting stepped on was a bigger concern than getting run over.