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Article Specs
VxAcct: 178252
Article ID: 7541
Section: words
Age Group: Adult
Posted: December 13th. 2003
Views: 21080 |
Christian Wicca
by Alexandra Amnamáre
I am a Christian Wiccan. Perhaps Wiccan with Christian leanings is a better description; I'm not really sure. All I know is that my spiritual path is an unusual one.
Actually, I firmly believe that my path is not so unusual, or, at least, that it won't be seen as so odd once others realize that, fundamentalism aside, Christianity and Wicca does fit together quite nicely.
Before I go further into what I have come to believe, let me make something clear: this essay is by no means an attempt to convert you, the reader, to Christianity. It is merely an exploration of my beliefs as a Christian Wiccan. If you come away from this essay with a greater understanding or a greater insight into the world, then I have succeeded in what I intended. If, Divine forbid, you do end up converted, then I question your spiritual health and stability. It is my firm belief that no one should convert instantly to any path, but rather, one should choose a path through study and meditation.
So, how do Christianity and Wicca fit together?
First, I should explain what my beliefs are as a Wiccan. As there are many different Wiccan paths, there are undoubtedly many Wiccans who will disagree with me on this, but such is life.
I believe that there is one Divinity, nameless, who is both beyond nature and within nature, including man. I believe that this Divinity manifests in two aspects: a masculine and a feminine aspect. While these aspects may appear to be separate divinities, I believe that they are, in fact, parts of the one Divinity, but have discrete and complementary roles which are, in turn, discrete from the role(s) of the Divinity Whole.
As for "laws", I believe in two: the Wiccan Rede and the Law of Return. To me, the Rede is an exhortation to respect and responsibility, requiring all who follow it to respect others and oneself, and to be responsible for one's actions. The Law of Return, to me, is more like the physical law of cause and effect than karma, although one could make the case that the concepts are the same. To me, the Law has no multipliers: it is a simple expression that what one does will have an effect upon oneself, and is, therefore, an exhortation to responsibility.
My path differs from other Wiccan paths in terms of holy days/Sabbats; while I recognize the validity of eight Sabbats, I personally only celebrate four: the two equinoxes and the two solstices. This is because of a personal choice on my part: the other four Sabbats hold little meaning in and of themselves to me, and indeed it was the astronomical significance that drew me into celebrating the four Sabbats I do.
I believe that there are four elements: earth, fire, water, and air. Spirit is not an element to me; it is that which makes us as the Divine. I do not believe that these four elements "compose" the world; rather, I believe that they symbolize physical and spiritual properties that are essential to the world.
Further, I believe that the paths to the Divine are many and individual, although I do believe that there are basic truths to the universe.
My beliefs as a Christian are taken directly from my interpretation of the Gospels. I do not believe that the words of Paul or any other source are to be taken as divine, since they were men, interpreting as they saw fit. I also do not believe that the Old Testament should be taken as truth, since a large part of Jesus' ministry was reinterpreting the Old Testament and throwing out many outdated or unjust concepts.
First of all, I do not believe that the Divine intended Christianity to be used as a way to oppress anyone. The use of religion as a tool of oppression and power is what Jesus fought against in every confrontation with the corrupt Jewish elders of the time. I also do not believe that true Christianity is meant to be patriarchal, since Jesus time and again dealt with women as people in their own right, even challenging the elders over the justice of stoning an adulteress.
I believe that there is one Divinity (referred to in most English translations of the Bible as God), and that said Divinity is very much present and interested in the world. I believe that the Divinity has two aspects that have roles that are discrete from both the Divinity's and each others' roles. Furthermore, I believe that one of these aspects is masculine (the one known as Jesus or the Son of God), and that the other is feminine (the one known as the Spirit or Breath of God).
Yes, the Spirit is described as inspiring people (Mark 13:11 -- "Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit."), guiding people (Luke 4:1 -- "Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the desert . . ."), moving people emotionally (Luke 10:21 -- "At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, 'I praise you, Father . . .'"), teaching people (John 14:26 -- "But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you."), and choosing people or setting people apart (Luke 3:22 -- "and the Holy Spirit descended on [Jesus] in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: 'You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.'"; Matthew 3:11 -- "I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire."). All of these aspects (inspiration, guiding, instruction, moving one emotionally, and setting one apart) are often, though perhaps not universally, associated with the feminine divinity. Thus, I view the Spirit as the feminine aspect of the Divinity, with Jesus as the Divinity's masculine aspect.
I believe that Jesus did walk the earth as a man, was killed, buried, and resurrected, and returned to the Divinity. I also believe that he will return to the earth again, although when is a matter of speculation.
As for why Jesus walked the earth as a man, died as a man, and was resurrected as divine, I believe that this was for the intent of revealing the Divine and divine truths to mankind:
John 14:4-11 -- 'You know the way to the place where I am going.'
Thomas said to [Jesus], 'Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?'
Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father [the Divinity] except through me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.'
Philip said, 'Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.'
Jesus answered: 'Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me . . .'
John 16:7 -- "But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor [Spirit] will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you."
I also believe that Christianity was not intended to be a "rule-bound" religion:
Matthew 22:34-40 --Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question:
"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
In essence, there is only one "law": love others, including the Divinity. Funny, that sounds like the Wiccan Rede, doesn't it?
Looking at all that, it's rather interesting how Wiccan and Christian beliefs can collide, isn't it? One Divinity with discrete masculine and feminine aspects, present in the world and beyond it. One law to live by, really: Love/respect one another and the Divine. All other things follow from that.
I hope this has shed some light on the common ground I've found between Wiccan and Christian beliefs. Hopefully, this has increased tolerance all around the board: Wiccans and Christians, when it comes down to it, believe many similar things, to the point where someone with a good grasp of both religions can reconcile them into one spiritual path.
All Biblical quotes are from the New International Version, found online at http;//www.biblegateway.com.
Emily Alexandra
ABOUT...
Alexandra Amnamáre
Location: Fairfax, Virginia
Author's Profile: To learn more about Alexandra Amnamáre - Click HERE
Bio: Emily Alexandra is a Christian Wiccan (yes, that sounds odd) who spends her time shuttling between Fairfax, Virginia and St. John's College in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where she is studying liberal arts. She is a speculative fiction writer who is in the process of starting up her own small publishing company. She has been studying both Christianity and Wicca for years now, and has been following her decidedly odd spiritual path for about a year now.
Other Listings: To view ALL of my listings: Click HERE
Email Me... (Yes! I have opted to receive invites to Pagan events, groups, and commercial sales)
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