I had been practicing Wicca for twelve years or so, until a few years back, when I had found a 'conflict of Path and Experience'. Involved with the Kabbalah, Hermeticism, Theurgy in other forms, I had become convicted to the realities I encountered as a result. I struggled with the decision to Part from my Walk with the Lord & Lady (As I knew them then...) and embrace - as much to my own experience as I could and maintain the integrity of my experiences - a "Christian"-like ideology and conception of diety.
It has not always been the easy decision to stand by. I have feelings of "homesickness" and a sense of no longer "belonging". I haven't waned in my convictions to the Reality of God, but also, as a Kabbalist and as a person who strongly believes the greatest "religious" truths are won by devotion and openness; I have wrestled to swallow that bulky lie that one cannot be one and the other. Paradox? Yes. Here then is my situation and I would love any feedback anyone might want to share:
As a Wiccan I honored and adored the Lord and Lady - under numerous guises and expressions. As a "Christian" (forgive the quoted reference, but I am not wholly sure the word fits me... yet), I do my best every day to acknowledge God and strive to become a better man, father, friend, and person. Though I have been "Out of the Circle" for some time, my heart tears and chokes to return, but my conviction now holds me to my course. Sometimes it really affects my day to day life and thoughts, and sometimes there is little more than a nudge of a thought passing quickly by....
Where has the 'Christian Wiccan' found the meeting ground between the two? I mean, besides diety, how did they find resolve with the essential form and philosphy of Wicca?
What in a sentence is the (if anyone wants to offer something...) spirit of Christian Wicca?
As odd as this question may sound, it is by far the one that plagues me the most; Is the integrity of one's conviction to God and Christ dimished in any way by being Wiccan? If not or so, how?
I really do long to 'return home', and what I have found here pulls at me fiercely... does anyone have any words?
Feel free to e-mail me directly...
Blessed Be & God Bless,
In the Mystery I Remain...
If personally feel that Christ is better understood through a Wiccan perspective. As Wiccans, we understand that everyone is capable of so called "supernatural" powers. We understand how he performed the miracles that he did. We understand better how we can be like Christ. In Wicca, we use stories to teach just like Jesus did. We understand that much of what he said was meant as a metaphor and not meant to be taken literally.
I have been attempting to blend Wicca and Christianity for some time now, and it is not an easy task at all. I come from a Baptist denomination and it is impossible to combine Wicca with that denomination. I am having to research various Christian denominations. So far I have found the Catholicism blends beautifully with Wicca. Unfortunately, my Baptist dh isn't willing to start going to a Catholic church. But that's another story...
The fact is, there just aren't very many examples out there. We are in many ways carving out a path of our own. I'd like to think that it is us Christian Wiccans that will link these religions together and bring peace and respect between them both. I'm a dreamer, I know. But the fact is, Christianity has pagan roots to begin with. In many ways, I feel we are bringing the Christians home.
To be Wiccan is a difficult path to walk. To be a Christian Wiccan is even more difficult. The only way we are going to make it is if we support each other and carve the path together.
Quote:In many ways, I feel we are bringing the Christians home.
This is not meant to offend, only to help in your goal....
This is the attitude we have to work together to curve. By this statement, it appears that you believe Wiccans are, in a way, superior to Christians. As in, Wiccans are "home", Christians are "lost". I'm sure that's not what you intended, I'm just pointing out how this statement comes across. As such, you're not going to get many Christians (or anyone of any religion, really) to listen to what you have to say--no matter how wise your words may be.
Unfortunately though, this attitude exists in almost every religion I've looked into. And, in most cases, it's written right into the texts--as though it's a requirement to believe that you are right and everyone else is wrong. Because of that, no matter what religious group you are talking to, more often than not you're already going to be faced with the hurdle of getting them to listen--because they already believe you are wrong. But if you add to it with statements similar to the one quoted above, they will completely turn you off because "who are you to think you're above me?"
As I said, I don't think that's what you meant by the statement (although, feel free to correct me if you did). If you're on a mission to cause peace, you have to watch your words very carefully. Also, as I said, my intent with this is not to insult, but to help in your goal. I believe you may not have realized how that statement comes across to others. Hopefully by pointing out how it can be taken very negatively, you can avoid possible setbacks in the future of your quest of peace.
As for combining the religions, have you tried just looking at the bible and interpreting it in the manner that it speaks to you? I noticed you stated that you are trying to find a denomination that blends well with Wicca, but my question is: why limit yourself to the guidelines of a denomination when you're forging your own path? If you're looking at Wicca as a whole, instead of a specific denomination (like Faerie Wicca) why can't you do the same with Christianity? Just a thought, hope it helps.
Re: Homeward bound:
[quote]Unfortunately, my Baptist dh isn't willing to start going to a Catholic church. But that's another story...[/quote]
Would you really go to a Catholic service? They're the ones who denied the Goddess. The ones who persecuted the Gnostics and the Cathars. The ones who even today are covering up horrible crimes committed by their priests. Don't you think that going to mass implies support of all that? Would you leave money in their collection plate?
I am asking because I have struggled with this myself . . . I am 1/2 Catholic by ancestry, and have found that my early exposure to Catholic mass impressed me very deeply and part of me longs for it. But I don't think I can go to Mass. Even if I acknowledge internally that my beliefs are different, I feel that my physical presence in church implies support even if I leave nothing in the collection plate. And I just can't do that.
Quote:Would you really go to a Catholic service? They're the ones who denied the Goddess. The ones who persecuted the Gnostics and the Cathars. The ones who even today are covering up horrible crimes committed by their priests. Don't you think that going to mass implies support of all that? Would you leave money in their collection plate?
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*sigh*
You seem to have quite a talent for reading animosity into things that weren't intended that way. The second paragraph makes it rather clear that I've struggled with some of the same issues. The questions were ones I've asked myself. If someone else can answer them differently than I did, I would like to know how they came to that decision, because maybe I've missed something.
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