In the Pagan Pets herd, there had been some mocking of a born-again (assuming) Christian who had joined the herd and was reminding other members that Jesus "loves us". Though my beef was not with her (thanks, I knew that already, moving on), a fellow pagan who had done a little mocking questioned why pagans should defend Christianity. What follows is his post, then my reply thereafter. I was immensely proud of it, hence this tale! :D
FIRST POST:
"I must apologize again... I thought this was a herd for Pagans, not a herd for supporters of christianity... "Eye for an eye" doesn't blind the whole world, there will remain one woman/man/it with one eye... I don't understand why Pagan even defends christian(ity). They have churches etc. where they can go to sob and get some spiritual support against cruel Pagans who have ruined their day. Many pagans just have to deal their worries by themselves. Many Pagans have just a few non-main-religion(usual christianity)-friends and usually they stand for other beliefs than them. And why the things are the way they are? Correct me if I'm wrong... Past years christianity destroyed and ruined Pagan beliefs one way or another... Nowadays many Pagan beliefs are just shadows from the past... Maybe thats why I don't like christians too much..."
MY REPLY:
"FYI---This herd is an OPEN HERD--anyone can join!!
An "Eye for an Eye" eventually does make the whole world blind as it is the concept of the cyclical effect of each misdeed subsequently needing an equivalent reprimand...both eyes end up taken out!
Being christened, baptized, and raised as a protestant Christian who thus became a Pagan....I've been on both sides of the fence!
Many Christian practices and beliefs have pagan roots, and educated Christians understand that. Education about other beliefs only enriches one's spiritual development. This is also understood and practiced among many educated Christians, as well as members of most other belief systems. I became a Pagan as a result of such exploration as I found the basic (and I mean basic) doctrines of Christianity to be too limiting to my holistic view. This, thus, does not make that belief system, nor any other, invalid or wrong, and has every right to be respected for the value of its concepts in a comparative perspective in the least! It is also highly disrespectful, unfair and embarrassingly ignorant to characterize a belief system of a person based on the historical, socio-political practices of an umbrella organization (i.e. the Roman Catholic Church, the Third Reich, USSR). Would you characterize your identity and beliefs as an American, British citizen, Chinese, etc., based on the policies of your government, both past and present?
If anything, pagan practices have been incorporated out of respect for the peoples who held them, though the motives for doing so were unethical.
I defend people for their having their beliefs, period! That is just basic HUMAN RESPECT towards a person with a brain! It doesn't matter what they are! I expect to be respected for mine, and I will do the same in return. Being Pagan, as I have understood it at this period in history, is about being respected as a person who has the right to believe whatever I feel, just as the early Christians sought, the Jewish community (for how many centuries now?) the Muslim community in the United States currently, etc.
I like people."
Unknown Curious
- 15 years, 11 months, 24 days ago
