I would suggest stopping trying to label ourselves, what does it really matter what our beliefs are called? Why not simply take teaching from different places and call ourselves our SELVES? The more we herd together trying to create societies of belief systems, the more we are limiting our scope for learning. I really do not understand this fever of BEING SOMETHING. Labels are boxes. My path is unique, I don't think there is a religion or system in my studies that hasn't added to my personal pratice and learning. Please guys, try to evolve! We are what we DO, not what we are called. Belief isn't a package, however obscure the label might be. Let go of the labels, then you are free to realise your potential :)
Actually Zebrah, one of the commadments states you can't have any idles period.
However, throughout history each religion has developed using various paths and smooshing them together. It is not impossible to mix religions by taking aspects of some and aspects of others and forming something new.
I do not think Christopaganism is all too credible, but mixing religions that contradict each other in some ways is most definitely something that has happened countless times, and probably will happen some more.
2. “You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My Commandments."
This clearly refers to Idols. An idol is not a god. Blessings :)
I was wrong about idols, what better relates my point is that the Bible specifically states, "You shall have no other gods before or besides Me. You shall not make yourself any graven image [to worship it] or any likeness of anything that is in the heavens above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; You shall not bow down yourself to them or serve them; for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generation of those who hate Me, [Isa. 42:8, 48:11.] "
This is not necessarily a commandment but it is a "law" that was said to be given by God himself. Also, the commandments were supposedly written by God as well, in which case as a Christian I'd take whatever "He" said as important important to follow as the commandments.
Christianity is very monotheistic, very , it's been made very clear in several ways.
Valda no offense but you and Zebrah just proved your theory on taking religions and smooshing them together to be impossible from a Christian point of view. Good thing the practice of Magick itself is not a religious practice. Though giving praise to deities that existed before Christianity was formed, sounds like a no go if you claim to be of the Christian faith.
okay so my views my religion has changed, but not not my belief in the validity in christian witchery. also for the monotheism part of chrisitanity, here is a thought. the 1st commendment says "You shall have no other gods before Me". by looking at this commandment, you will notice that christainity does say that their are other gods that exist, BUT that you should worship only the christian god. by the way that this commandment states, it can really say about the monothestism of christianity, beucase monotheism is the belief in one god, but by the way the 1st commandment states it, it can be interperted that christian is polytheistic becuase they believe in worshiping in one god, but beleieving in others. just a thought. i am trying to write a long article about christian, its history, mainly early beliefs and how they comverted roman pagans to christianity.
Besides means other than so it does exclude lesser gods any Christian Priest (which I'm sure knows more about the religion than yourself) will tell you Christianity is monotheistic, but thank you Zebrah. :)
Marked, it isn't impossible actually. I'm sure you're aware that what I said earlier about various religions spawning from other older religions is indeed true and I don't think each of the "parent" religions completely agree with one another.
There are no rules governing what makes a religion and you can't tell a person what parts of different religions they can and can not believe. I find that unethical. Not to mention if this claimed religion is to be called Christopaganism by its followers, then I don't think anyone can tell them it's wrong to call it what they want.
Religion is part of a human freedom, and it's VERY common to see people take aspects from different religions (not every single aspect of each religion) and follow them, that's their path.
Religion- "a set of beliefs concerning thecause, nature, and purpose of the universe, especially when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs."
What they believe is what they believe. You can argue the practicality of it but you can't tell them it's not religion. Otherwise Hitler could have succeeded in destroying Jeudaism simply by explain to everyone that he doesn't believe that their beliefs are credible!
I personally don't exactly agree with the idea of Christopaganism either, but what am I to do? Deny their right to believe what they wish?
You may not agree with it but they still hold the freedom to form any set of beliefs (any religion) they wish to and call it what they wish to.
