Question:
Thank you for your brief but lovely post. I have as much problem with Christian bashing by pagans as I do pagan bashing and hostile drible from other belief systems. What attracted me most to Wicca was that it was the first religion which I had been exposed to which clearly stated t "there are many paths to the truth and all are valid". <snip Unfortunately, we also know many wounded/ angry Wiccans who seem almost paranoid and rabidly angry. They almost seem to have "identified with the aggressor" or to be acting toward others as they were acted toward rather than the way they would want to be acted toward. We try to point out that such anger is often representative of a level of deep and unresolved conflict rather than a true seperation. AmberIsis
I would agree. When I first got into Wicca, I felt much better knowing that I had found a religion which has among it’s ideals the concept of all religions being equally valid. Unfortunately, at different times over the past year (after having been bashed by other students at my school as well as by my parents) I feel myself giving into the same attitudes. I really don’t like that there have been times when I sit around and Xtian bash as bad as some fundamental Xtians bash on us, and I’d like to think that it’s a part of a process of growth. But what scares me the most, in general about Xtian bashing is that it’s too close to the idea that the oppressed become the oppressors. I know we all probably need to blow off some steam on occasion, and we definitely need to rally against the ignorance that is spouted by the most radically fundamental Xtians. But I hope that we can all get past the pain that has been inflicted by their hate without continuing the cycle of it. Sorry if this sounded fluffy or idealist. Blessings, Tiger-Flame
Response:
What I don’t understand is how "Good Christians" who believe in The Golden Rule can post to this newsgroup with total disrespect for Wiccans and their religion. I’ve read the posts. Many are filled with hate. And most say nothing Rand
Just as there are Wiccans and other Pagans who are totally disrespectful of others, who are filled with hate and anger, there are Christians. I believe these are not people who are true to themselves or their chosen path. There is a thing called a false prophet. It exists in any chosen path. I am not Christian, but in that path, it says to judge not for yee shall be judged. What it doesnt say is we can certainly inspect the fruit before we eat it. Rain
Response:
As a Christian (Roman Catholic specificly) one of my most central beliefs is what is known as "The Golden Rule". Is says, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." I want my beliefs to be respected, thus I respect the beliefs of others. I want others to respect me, thus I respect others. You get the idea. What I don’t understand is how "Good Christians" who believe in The Golden Rule can post to this newsgroup with total disrespect for Wiccans and their religion. I’ve read the posts. Many are filled with hate. And most say nothing that would cause a non-Christian to want to have anything to do with Christianity. (And I don’t want to have anything to do with people who post such things.) Happy Beltane. B*B, Rand — Randall W. Dederick http://members.gnn.com/RWDederick/home.htm
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – As a Christian (Roman Catholic specificly) one of my most central beliefs is what is known as "The Golden Rule". Is says, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." I want my beliefs to be respected, thus I respect the beliefs of others. I want others to respect me, thus I respect others. You get the idea. What I don’t understand is how "Good Christians" who believe in The Golden Rule can post to this newsgroup with total disrespect for Wiccans and their religion. I’ve read the posts. Many are filled with hate. And most say nothing that would cause a non-Christian to want to have anything to do with Christianity. (And I don’t want to have anything to do with people who post such things.) Happy Beltane. B*B, Rand — Randall W. Dederick http://members.gnn.com/RWDederick/home.htm
The golden rule is a BAD rule. It assumes that everyone thinks as you do, believes as you do, and wants what you want. If you want a GOLDEN RULE that can never be wrong, use this one. DO UNTO OTHERS AS THEY WOULD HAVE YOU DO UNTO THEM. — L.J. LaMere Lansing, Mi., U.S.A
Response:
Thank you for your brief but lovely post. I have as much problem with Christian bashing by pagans as I do pagan bashing and hostile drible from other belief systems. What attracted me most to Wicca was that it was the first religion which I had been exposed to which clearly stated t "there are many paths to the truth and all are valid". Like you, my husband/High Priest and I who have been practicing Witches for 12 years have deep respect for all who follow their path with love, courage and consistency, i.e. walk their talk. We have Christian neighbors whose home is filled with books and meaningful symbols of their faith and who diligently work to express the tenents of the faith taught by Jesus (not the dogma taught by narrow minds). They are the best of neighbors and seem to feel the same about us. Unfortunately, we also know many wounded/ angry Wiccans who seem almost paranoid and rabidly angry. They almost seem to have "identified with the aggressor" or to be acting toward others as they were acted toward rather than the way they would want to be acted toward. We try to point out that such anger is often representative of a level of deep and unresolved conflict rather than a true seperation. AmberIsis
Response:
The golden rule is a BAD rule.
I degree. It assumes that everyone thinks as you do, believes as you do, and wants what you want.
Not really. You are reading into it. All it assumes is that you know how you wish to be treated by others. The rule is not fool proof. No rule is. It requires a minimal amount of wisdom and intelligence to have the intended effect. If you want a GOLDEN RULE that can never be wrong, use this one. DO UNTO OTHERS AS THEY WOULD HAVE YOU DO UNTO THEM.
So I’m supposed to get down on my knees and worship someone just because they want me to? I don’t think so. While I do see value in you’re "rule", I don’t think it could ever replace The Golden Rule. It can work with it however; If I want people to treat me the way I wish to be treated, then I will treat people the way they wish to be treated. This requires quite a bit more wisdom and intelligence as it greater potential for abuse. One last thing. My initial post was to make my fellow Christians (who generally do believe in the Golden Rule) aware of the hypocracy of spamming the Net with "REPENT OR FRY FOR ETERNITY" posts which show a lack of respect for the beliefs of others. I wasn’t trying to start arguement about the merits of The Golden Rule, or anything else. B*B, Rand — Randall W. Dederick http://members.gnn.com/RWDederick/home.htm
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