Witchvox Article

Author: Mirror
Posted: June 10th. 2012
Times Viewed: 2,768

Would it be possible to be still considered Pagan if you were monotheistic? What about Christian witches? These are some questions I've stumbled across in the World Wide Web.

Lets start by tackling the subject of monotheism.

I was doing various searches on many different Pagan traditions and came across the term �monotheistic Pagan�. It sounded pretty strange to me, and from what I read and researched, I have discovered that Pagans generally do not consider monotheism and paganism to go hand in hand. I always thought that a Pagan was defined as a belief system with multiple deities, and Christianity was dogmatically monotheistic. This was my definition when I was a non-denominational Christian.

But then I did my homework.

Apparently, some define Paganism as any religion that is not mainstream (be it monotheistic or polytheistic) . And that there are religions that have a single Deity. For example, there are many Eastern belief systems that are non Judeo-Christian. In the Hindu belief system, there are polytheists and monotheists. There are actually about 11 religions in India that are monotheistic. Yet, in my Christian upbringing, all of these monotheistic belief systems would be defined as Indian Paganism

So from what I gather, it more or less seems like if you are not in the Christian club, the Christians will call you a Pagan.

I later did some more research. Apparently, it is possible to be an atheist AND a witch/ Pagan. There are Pagans out in this great big world who do not have a deity. They practice magic more or less in the form of a higher force that is not sentient. Like the water of a river being channeled, one might be able to direct magical energies at one's will with enough discipline and insight. In the Pagan community, this is accepted.

So...If it's possible for a Pagan to be an atheist, what's wrong with a pagan being a monotheist?

Most Pagans I know have an automatic knee-jerk reaction to the term "Monotheistic Pagan, " assuming all monotheistic beliefs are the same dogmatic, masculine emphasized class as strict Christianity. But this is simply not the case. As for me, I see my Divine friend as I see my favorite crystal. My Divine is a Goddess and a God, a Man, a Woman, a Child, and yet of one heart, one love for me.

When I look up at the gentle dance of the trees in the wind, I feel the mother's caress of the Goddess facet. When I feel the strong sweep of the oceans waves, I feel the strong embrace of a father, the God facet. When I'm afraid in my darkest hours, they are both there in one loving heart, assuring me that there is nothing to fear, that I am protected. I feel one love. So perhaps, (for me at least) such a thing as One is possible?

I believe it is.

Everyone is different. I've learned this. But when I was a kid, sometimes, my parents were so wrapped up in their own problems I got lost in the sauce. I'm sure every kid feels like that once in a while. But when I went in my room, I heard a voice in my heart that was BOTH mother and father. And it helped me. Perhaps this could be construed as some sort of psychological connection; I wanted the companionship of BOTH parents and so I can relate to it as a single multi-faceted being.

Now lets tackle a slightly trickier subject: the Christian Witch.

As a former Christian, I must be frank. This may seem immature and silly, but I know I for one view Christianity as a sort of mental sandpit. When I was a Christian, I was afraid of everything. Everything was a matter of sin and guilt. When I was a child I used to talk to trees. I believed they could read the thoughts in my heart through my touch. I would place my hands on a tree and close my eyes, and I'd hear its voice inside of me. I was about seven when I made the mistake of doing this at a church picnic. Needless to say, I was given a SERIOUS talking to.

I always had a strange obsession with crystals, and would make necklaces out of quartz and leather thongs. My Sunday school teacher made me throw my favorite one into the lake. I cried and cried, and she told me crystals were demonic.

We all have our share of Christian horror stories. So its understandable to feel funny about someone claiming to be a Christian Witch. (shudders!) But personally experiences aside, we should always view life and magic with an open mind.

What do Christians believe? That the world was cursed, and Jesus had to die as a blood sacrifice to allow us the option of being rid of sin. We generally don't believe in sin, as Pagans. But we do believe in bane. We do realize that there are negative energies out there that can cause harm. Take away the tiresome GUILT GUILT GUILT mantra from the term "sin" (Christians love adding a dash of guilt for a little melodrama) , and we might say that "sin" and "bane" are similar.

Here's were it gets a little ugly...

Ancient cultures believed that the shedding of blood was a very powerful form of magic. Today, we Pagans shy away from that because it is harmful, inhumane, and not at all pleasant. But lets be honest. Everything in magic isn't always harmless. And history doesn't lie. To me, this is a more ugly side of magic I don't care to go into great detail, but suffice it to say, blood magic has been done. It could be possible that blood sacrifices might work, but with the Three Fold Law, I'm sure the cost is not worth it. To be a Christian Witch, you could view Jesus' death as a sort of Blood Ritual that can be invoked to rid oneself of Bane during times of turmoil and personal strife.

Ignore all the Sunday school dogma, allow freedom of CHOICE WITHOUT GUILT, reconcile the idea that the Deity is both God and Goddess, add in the acceptance of a specific blood ritual as a viable means to ending Bane... and you have a Christian Witch.

ABOUT...

Mirror

Location: sunrise, Florida

Author's Profile: To learn more about Mirror - Click HERE

Other Articles: Mirror has posted 1 additional articles- View them?

Other Listings: To view ALL of my listings: Click HERE

Email Mirror... (No, I have NOT opted to receive Pagan Invites! Please do NOT send me anonymous invites to groups, sales and events.)

Home - TWV Logos - Email US - Privacy

News and Information

Chapters: Pagan/Heathen Basics - Pagan BOOKS - Traditions, Paths & Religions - Popular Pagan Holidays - TV & Movies - Cats of the Craft - Festival Reviews - Festival Tips - White Pages (Resources) - Issues/Concerns - West Memphis 3 - Witch Hunts - Pagan Protection Tips - Healing Planet Earth

Your Voices: Adult Essays - Young Pagan Essays - Pagan Perspectives (On Hold) - WitchWars: Fire in the Craft - Gay Pagan - Pagan Parenting - Military - Pagan Passages

Pagan Music: Pagan Musicians - Bardic Circle at WitchVox - Free Music from TWV

Vox Central: About TWV - Wren: Words, Wrants and Wramblings - Guest Rants - Past Surveys - A Quest for Unity

Weekly Updates: Click HERE for an index of our weekly updates for the past 6 years

W.O.T.W. - World-Wide Networking

Your Town: A Link to YOUR Area Page (The largest listing of Witches, Pagans, Heathens and Wiccans on the Planet)

VoxLinks: The Pagan Web: 8,000 Listings

Your Witchvox Account: Log in Now - Create New Account - Request New Password - Log in Problems

Personal Listings: Pagan Clergy in Your Town - Adult Pagans - Young Pagans - Military Pagans

Events: Circles, Gatherings, Workshops & Festivals

Covens/Groups/Orgs: Local Groups Main Page

Other LOCAL Resources: Local Shops - Regional Sites - Local Notices - Global/National Notices - Local Skills & Services - Local Egroups - Political Freedom Fighters

Pagan Shopping: Online Shops Index - Original Crafters Sites - Auction Sites - Pagan Wholesalers - Pagan Local Shops

Web Site Content (including: text - graphics - html - look & feel)
Copyright 1997-2013 The Witches' Voice Inc. All rights reserved
Note: Authors & Artists retain the copyright for their work(s) on this website.
Unauthorized reproduction without prior permission is a violation of copyright laws.

Website structure, evolution and php coding by Fritz Jung on a Macintosh G5.

Any and all personal political opinions expressed in the public listing sections (including, but not restricted to, personals, events, groups, shops, Wren’s Nest, etc.) are solely those of the author(s) and do not reflect the opinion of The Witches’ Voice, Inc. TWV is a nonprofit, nonpartisan educational organization.

Sponsorship: Visit the Witches' Voice Sponsor Page for info on how you
can help support this Community Resource. Donations ARE Tax Deductible.
The Witches' Voice carries a 501(c)(3) certificate and a Federal Tax ID.

Mail Us: The Witches' Voice Inc., P.O. Box 341018, Tampa, Florida 33694-1018 U.S.A.

Witches, Pagans
of The World

Current Topic
Editorial Guide

NOTE: The essay on this page contains the writings and opinions of the listed author(s) and is not necessarily shared or endorsed by the Witches' Voice inc.

The Witches' Voice does not verify or attest to the historical accuracy contained in the content of this essay.

All WitchVox essays contain a valid email address, feel free to send your comments, thoughts or concerns directly to the listed author(s).