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Saijen SilverWolf Profile
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Christianity VS Paganism/Wicca


What differences do you see?
What similarities do you see?

The differences that I note are (and these do not apply to ALL Christians or Pagans):
*Monotheism as opposed to polytheism (those are the right words, aren't they?LOL)
*More gossiping in the Chritian community than in the Pagan community.
*A Holier than thou attitude in Christianity as opposed to Paganism.
*A fear of the Christian God, as opposed to a love of Pagan god/desses.
*Christians have a Heaven and a Hell, Pagans just have the Summerland. I've not heard of any negative place that bad Pagans go....so don't know about that aspect.
*Pagans tend to have a stronger love of Mother Earth than Christians do.
*If you hear voices as a Christian, you're destined for a padded room. If you hear voices as a Pagan, you're blessed with a gift.

Ok...I'll leave some for the others.

The similarities that I note are (again, not with all Christians or Pagans):
*Rituals....Pagans do most rituals the same way, with a few minor changes. Christians have the same ritualistic connotations with their services. Most are done the same way, every time, with a few minor changes.
*TRUE Christians strive to not only better themselves, but to better the environment around them......same with TRUE Pagans.
*The love of music during ritual. We use chants a lot, Christians usually begin their services with music to get the people in a worshipful mood.
*We call like-minded people Sister and Brother....so do Christians.
*We have group gatherings, so do Christians.
*We meditate, so do Christians.
*We pray, so do Christians

Ok...I'll stop here on the similarities as well.
Enjoy! emoticon

---
Blessed Be,
~*~ Saijen ~*~

~~*~~ .~~*~~
9/3/2007, 6:00 pm Link to this post Send Email to Saijen SilverWolf   Send PM to Saijen SilverWolf Yahoo
 
pcdreams Profile
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Re: Christianity VS Paganism/Wicca



Pagans are more accepting of all peoples reguardless of orientation, gender, etc. Christianity is not accepting of alternative orientations, and is "down" on women in general "the whole eve bit".

pagans polytheism (as I understand it) is not so much about having thousands of different gods/goddesses, so much as it is about different aspects of one god/goddess.. which are of themselves internal to each person. Whereas the Christian god is omnipotent and separate from each individual.

pagans celebrate the seasons,harvest,moon cycles, fertility etc. Christians have many of the holidays, but give different meaning to them.

paganism pretty much says that each person is responsible for his or her actions and must be their own guide to what is right/wrong.

Christianity has rigid rules to follow and puts God in charge of all decisions/actions.

I'm sure there are others but I won't be a hog emoticon
9/4/2007, 4:55 am Link to this post Send Email to pcdreams   Send PM to pcdreams
 
Firlefanz Profile
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Re: Christianity VS Paganism/Wicca


It's very interesting to see how your view of Christians is different from mine - I believe it's because I do live in a culture that's very much related and yet somewhat different.

The Christians here must be whimps. emoticon

Seriously, tolerance is a big thing among most Christians here, although there is a huge difference between old style Catholic bishops (those grumpy old man with a grudge towards women) and the female bishops of the Protestant (and Lutheran) persuasion.

Can you imagine Christian churches taking in and protecting "illegal aliens" of different faith from deportation to Africa or Afghanistan, simply because they believe that fugitives should be given shelter?

Well, anyway, I would say that the differences here are less, and the similarities more. Of course, my problem is that I don't really know open Pagans here. My healer friends are leaning towards a shamanic christian mix, which is very open to personal interpretation.

I can only wish that the huge differences I sense from your posts will mellow out for the good of everyone.

---
- Firlefanz


9/4/2007, 6:43 am Link to this post Send Email to Firlefanz   Send PM to Firlefanz Blog
 
pcdreams Profile
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Re: Christianity VS Paganism/Wicca


I hope so as well. I think eventually it may. A big issue with the US is that we're a new country, and have a "holier than thou" attitude.
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Firlefanz Profile
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Re: Christianity VS Paganism/Wicca


Germany as nation isn't really that old. In fact, it was only turned into a single state in the 19th century, much later than the US. emoticon

Of course, there's an older tradition here, but look at the bad sides, too. Europe saw the dark times with the crusades and much persecution later. We saw two world wars play out on our soil. I think that makes for some difference, and maybe some more ... live and letting live attitude at the moment.

On the other hand, the US started out with people who fled religious intolerance. Yet the pendulum has swung to the other side for now. I would expect it to swing back, eventually.

I believe that these things change over the course of centuries, and most times we can just ride it out.

---
- Firlefanz


9/4/2007, 1:02 pm Link to this post Send Email to Firlefanz   Send PM to Firlefanz Blog
 
Saijen SilverWolf Profile
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Re: Christianity VS Paganism/Wicca


Would be nice to see that change in my lifetime, Firle! LOL.

It does get really old at times. I do have to say that I do know some Christians that are open minded and accepting, but they are so few and far between it's not funny. And, of course, living in the "Bible Belt" of the US makes matters worse. As a general rule, from about mid country to the east coast, the southern region, you're in the Bible Belt. A stauncher area of Christianity than most of the rest of the country. And small towns are the worst....larger cities at least have enough of cultural difference within it that it's not so bad. Small towns where pretty much everyone knows everyone else (like where I live), it's almost impossible to be open about what I am around here unless I am willing to get into a, generally, heated discussion about why it's wrong, bad, sinful...etc.

Maybe we'll see that pendulum swing back before I die....I can only hope! emoticon

---
Blessed Be,
~*~ Saijen ~*~

~~*~~ .~~*~~
9/5/2007, 9:25 pm Link to this post Send Email to Saijen SilverWolf   Send PM to Saijen SilverWolf Yahoo
 
Lady Emm Profile
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Re: Christianity VS Paganism/Wicca


Intersting conversation topic, we actually have it a lot on the board that I usually post on- I am the only Pagan there- everyone else is one form of Christian or another, and we have some lively conversations about this. I have actually been pretty fiercely defended by them.

I agree with a lot of the same/different things you both have posted, but I have a little different slant.

Similar:

Christian- One God- usually three parts- who created all things
Pagan- One ultimate Source- usually depicted by the God & Goddess, but also seen/revered in all things and in multiple gods and goddesses

Pagan Cycles and Natural Celebrations

Christian Holydays/Holidays- Structured and taken from Pagan Solstices and Equinox Celebrations when the Missionaries and Kings were "colonizing" the rest of the world and bringing Christianity to the Heathans. It is much easier to convert an entire people when you structure your holy days at the same time they celebrate theirs. Thus- Christmas = Yule, Easter / Ostara etc.

The voices... If you hear voices as a christian you are either headed for a padded room .....or in the old days Sainthood...

As for respecting the Earth as mother- yes, but fortunately there are a lot of non-pagans that are waking up.

Firlefanz- Sancuary was created by the christian church in order to protect people from the police and authorities taking them away before they could be truely tried- so yes I can and have seen the christian- usually Catholic church giving sanctuary to illegal aliens in order to keep them from being deported- faith shouldn't have a part in it.

Chanting was a huge part of the early christian (read catholic) church, and was beautiful, unfortunateely once protestantism and puritans showed up that was out of the question as it was considered 'sinfully decadent'

Tolerance is growing, it is just something that has to be nurtured.
9/18/2007, 10:41 pm Link to this post Send PM to Lady Emm
 
Brother Fish Profile
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Re: Christianity VS Paganism/Wicca


Good Walls make Good Neighbors
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KaliMorgan76 Profile
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posticon Re: Christianity VS Paganism/Wicca


Religion wise . . .

 emoticon

Differences
Christians rely heavily upon the bible and preacher for answers to spiritual questions.
Where as Pagans/Wiccans typically seek answers from many sources including their own inner spirit as well as external places - their mentors, various books on the subject as well as meditations, quests, etc.

Christians are much more collective than Pagans/Wiccans - much more organized as a group - they gather in the same place once a week and do extend out into the public arena often - they are more "open" about what they profess the believe in while Pagans/Wiccans tend to be more cautious with their beliefs and generally don't meet once a week in one place constantly. They rotate and meet in individual homes, parks, etc.

Christians tend to expect more participation from the general public in their religion - they want prayers in school, bible used to swear in, etc. They also want more of their religion/beliefs reflected in laws, etc. While Pagans tend to expect others to keep religion out of schools, goverment, etc. They want to be able to put symbols on graves, etc. but don't expect that the military start Pagan bingo night for example.

Christians tend to be more active in the community as they are associated with a lot of different causes, etc. While pagans are more back scenes workers, and tend to work more silently in the community if at all.

Some Pagans/Wiccans do ceremonies/rites/rituals, etc. naked (skyclad) while you will probably never see a naked person sitting in a pew singing Amazing Grace.

Similarities

Both seeking something larger than them - a spiritual connection.

Both have practices and "rites".

Both use candles, greenery, alter cloths, leaders in the group and appoint a head to run ceremonies but do invite other potential leaders or one from the group to speak about experiences, etc.

Both can argue the virtues and vices of the other until they are blue in the face and still have energy for a second round. emoticon

Both have systems of mentoring in place to help the newbie to the religion - to foster growth and connection to the path they choose and the God(s) of their choice.





---
“Never think that whatever is around you is beyond your comprehension, no matter how complicated it seems.
To attain total freedom, learn how to undo the web of illusion that has convinced you that you are not free…”
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TexasMadness Profile
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Re: Christianity VS Paganism/Wicca



KaliMorgan76 wrote:

Both can argue the virtues and vices of the other until they are blue in the face and still have energy for a second round. emoticon



That's a good one!!! emoticon
6/11/2009, 9:46 pm Link to this post Send Email to TexasMadness   Send PM to TexasMadness
 


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