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A question about Religions
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Post by
TheMediator
The practice of magic is forbidden.
Does that imply that magic exists?
Post by
Hyperspacerebel
The practice of magic is forbidden.
Does that imply that magic exists?
There are occult/demonic powers. Magic is the attempt to tame those powers. Whether they can actually be tamed is another issue.
Post by
184848
This post was from a user who has deleted their account.
Post by
TheMediator
Do vampires exist in Christianity? I wouldn't mind being a vampire.
Post by
Hyperspacerebel
The practice of magic is forbidden.
That has nothing to do with studying paganism.
Paganism was synonymous with Witchcraft in ye olde days.
... what?
Witchcraft is the practice of magic. Paganism is the belief in pagan / nature gods.
Yes a person can do both at the same time. That doesn't mean they are the same thing.
Post by
Hyperspacerebel
Do vampires exist in Christianity? I wouldn't mind being a vampire.
/facepalm
Post by
184848
This post was from a user who has deleted their account.
Post by
Adamsm
Wicca (pronounced ) is a Neopagan religion, that is also often referred to as Witchcraft or the Craft by its adherents, who are known as Wiccans or Witches. Its disputed origins lie in England in the early 20th century, though it was first popularised during the 1950s by Gerald Gardner, a retired British civil servant, who at the time called it the "witch cult" and "witchcraft", and its adherents "the Wica".
Wicca is typically a duotheistic religion, worshipping a Goddess and a God, who are traditionally viewed as the Triple Goddess and Horned God. These two deities are often viewed as being facets of a greater pantheistic Godhead, and as manifesting themselves as various polytheistic deities. Other characteristics of Wicca include the ritual use of magic, a basic code of morality, and the celebration of eight seasonally based festivals.
The term "Wicca" was introduced by one of Gardner's rivals, Charles Cardell, in the 1950s, who based it upon the Old English word wicca, which referred to male practitioners of sorcery. There are various different denominations within the Craft, which are referred to as traditions; some, such as Gardnerianism and Alexandrianism (which are collectively often called British Traditional Wicca), follow in the initiatory lineage of Gardner, whilst others, such as Cochranianism, Feri and the Dianic tradition, take primary influence from other figures and do not always insist on an initiatory lineage. Some British Traditional Wiccans believe that the term "Wicca" should actually only apply to themselves, however others take Cardell's original view that all traditions can be considered to be "Wiccan".Yes there are 'spells' but it's not devil worship or anything even close. It's recognized as a religion in the eyes of most of the world.... pity the Church can't see it though. As I said, I follow two of the Creeds "Do what you will, but harm none." and "Whatever you do comes back on you in threes." Truly horrifying and evil practices.
Post by
HiVolt
In a few religions, there are plenty of areas of knowledge that are considered sinful. Like, being a Christian and studying Pagan practices (even if the person is question is only studying, and not putting the practices into practice himself). Why does religion put a ban of sorts on certain areas of knowledge?
Says who?
You can't debate/preach against something you don't understand.
Well, I draw this question from Fundamentalist Christianity in particular. Fundamentalist Christian groups will place bans on all sorts of books, other religious texts, movies, etc. Also, it was quite common for the now "non-fundamentalist" groups to do so in the past.
My main question is: If you truly wish to understand God's creation, why would you not learn all you can about it, even if what you are trying to understand might be considered sinful?
I have a question:
In a few religions, there are plenty of areas of knowledge that are considered sinful. Like, being a Christian and studying Pagan practices (even if the person is question is only studying, and not putting the practices into practice himself). Why does religion put a ban of sorts on certain areas of knowledge?
The underlying reason is typically that it veers people away from such religions. If you're trying to convert an entire country to your religion, the first thing you should take away is their traditional religious texts.
If we truly want to appreciate all of God's creation, wouldn't we want to know all we can about it, even if that means knowing about something that the Church, and thereby God, would deem as sin?
Nope, organized religion is set up to maintain people in it... not allow them to explore other areas.
I understand this, and it's one of the reasons why I am an atheist, I just wanted to see if there was a counter for it from the believing practitioners of religion.
Post by
Hyperspacerebel
My main question is: If you truly wish to understand God's creation, why would you not learn all you can about it, even if what you are trying to understand might be considered sinful?
Because evil by it's nature cannot bring you closer to God.
Post by
184848
This post was from a user who has deleted their account.
Post by
Hyperspacerebel
Yes there are 'spells' but it's not devil worship or anything even close. It's recognized as a religion in the eyes of most of the world.... pity the Church can't see it though. As I said, I follow two of the Creeds "Do what you will, but harm none." and "Whatever you do comes back on you in threes." Truly horrifying and evil practices.
I know what Wicca is. I know several Wiccans.
Please don't spout off things you don't know. Of course it a religion.
Post by
Adamsm
Yes there are 'spells' but it's not devil worship or anything even close. It's recognized as a religion in the eyes of most of the world.... pity the Church can't see it though. As I said, I follow two of the Creeds "Do what you will, but harm none." and "Whatever you do comes back on you in threes." Truly horrifying and evil practices.
I know what Wicca is. I know several Wiccans.
Please don't spout off things you don't know. Of course it a religion.
Merely letting you know what it's like my area.
Post by
Hyperspacerebel
Merely letting you know what it's like my area.
FYI, "the Church" is a term generally reserved for the Roman Catholic Church. And what you said is not what the Church says.
Post by
HiVolt
My main question is: If you truly wish to understand God's creation, why would you not learn all you can about it, even if what you are trying to understand might be considered sinful?
Because evil by it's nature cannot bring you closer to God.
This seems rather conflicting to me.
Post by
Hyperspacerebel
My main question is: If you truly wish to understand God's creation, why would you not learn all you can about it, even if what you are trying to understand might be considered sinful?
Because evil by it's nature cannot bring you closer to God.
This seems rather conflicting to me.
God = The Good.
Evil = lack of good.
Evil = lack of God
Where's the conflict?
Post by
HiVolt
My main question is: If you truly wish to understand God's creation, why would you not learn all you can about it, even if what you are trying to understand might be considered sinful?
Because evil by it's nature cannot bring you closer to God.
This seems rather conflicting to me.
God = The Good.
Evil = lack of good.
Evil = lack of God
Where's the conflict?
Well, God created everything, yes? Therefore, God created evil, or at least the possibility of evil. If you are seeking to understand all of God's creation, you are inherently bringing yourself closer to him. In order to understand all of God's creation, you would have to learn about things that would be considered evil or sinful.
Post by
184848
This post was from a user who has deleted their account.
Post by
Hyperspacerebel
Well, God created everything, yes? Therefore, God created evil
If I create a sculpture do I therefore create a lack of every other possible sculpture?
No, that's silly. Evil is a lack.
Post by
HiVolt
If I create a sculpture do I therefore create a lack of every other possible sculpture?
No, that's silly. Evil is a lack.
By this logic, then good would also be a lack. One cannot have good without evil to act as a counter.
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