Christopagans

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Christopagans
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Post # 1
What do you think about Christopaganism? That's when you worship the Abrahamic God and pagan deities. Is it possible?

People who practice it say that it is possible as long as God is above all else. Though, hellenistic pagan say that you can't worship the Greek gods along with the Abrahamic God because you can't put the Greek gods below other gods. It's problematic.

Re: Christopagans
By: / Novice
Post # 2
It's an interesting question I'll give you that. People can be Christian Wiccans, Christians who cast magick, or be a Christopagan but this does bring up questions as these have two different teachings. On the surface, you can, but the first commandment states there is not God before him. It's a good loop hole you found to keep God above all others yet still worship others, but equality to me is more important. One god might rule the sea another the sun, they are both powerful and important, one is just better to call on in one situation than the other. I think you should meditate/reflect on the question as well as ask God for guidance. There's no harm in asking after all.

Re: Christopagans
By: / Knowledgeable
Post # 3
More to the aforementioned is the matter of the second commandment of God. Having no graven image or idol. The matter of any deity or deified idol is against God and an act that would not go unpunished. Trying to combine Christianity and pagan worship into one is too conflicting. You'd be doing too much blasphemy for it to workout. If you really think it can possibly be done, pray about it to the deities in question and hope for an answer to come. And if any given, I recommend respecting them.

Re: Christopagans
By: / Knowledgeable
Post # 4

Abrahamic Pagans can encompass Christianity, Judaism, or Islam, and any of the Pagan religions. Because these were not traditionally practiced together in the context of religious ideology, any form of an Abrahamic Pagan is going to be New Age or a Neo form of both religions involved (which tends to be highly eclectic).

My father is an example of an Abrahamic Pagan who can be considered a Jewish Heathen. To him, the Abrahamic God is above all other Gods, but he still recognizes and respects Odin and Thor and the rest of the Aesir because those are all Gods he is comfortable with. In history, there is a lot of Christianity and what is now called Heathenry across Scandinavia and there are some strong opinions on it, but there are also blurred lines.

It really depends on your view of things. If you want to be strictly traditional, Abrahamic Paganism is not possible, which include Christian Wicca (on is Monotheistic while the other is Duotheistic, but some people worship Yahweh and Shekinah (who are masculine and feminine forms of the same God) as the Lady and the Lord. Then there is the form of Christian Wicca where Wiccan theology is completely scrapped and Christians just worship their God in the manner of Wicca, which kinds of begs the question of actually calling it Christian Wicca).

If you're not strictly traditional, then it is purely up to your instincts and personal preferences. Whatever you do, just be respectful in it.


Re: Christopagans
By: / Novice
Post # 5
Bottom line. Wicca is a polythestic religion. Worshipping many gods and godesses. It is an earth/fertility religion. Christianity is a monotheistic religion. Worshipping one god. It is a spiritualy virtueous religion. Paganism is polytheistic. Beleiving in many gods/goddess'. The word pagan literaly means not believing in christ, which is why it is used frequently in a loose all inclusive manner. Do the math. Any one may do or call themselves whatever but that doesnt mean it is'nt silly at the end of day.

Re: Christopagans
By:
Post # 6
Actually there is a way that could work if you decide you like it. What I've decided for myself in the past (but also to mention I don't really worship any gods or follow any pantheon but I do occasionally call upon them). In monotheism your not suppose to worship other gods but you can call upon them and work with them because how is that different than asking things of another person (aside from these being super powerful gods). Otherwise wouldn't it be a violation to work and ask favors of any spirit, angel, demon, or even any person (I don't mean most branches of Christianity that's against magick). The only problem is worship but the gods can still work with you and can still be teachers. Though some gods might not like this not being worshiped thing . many Jews would not worship anyone not even kings but that never meant they could not be involved in the kings power.

Re: Christopagans
By:
Post # 7
When the Bible says, "Hear, Oh Israel, The LORD our God, The LORD is one," it is generally accepted as a one of exclusion; this one not that one. Yet from an "orthodox" christian perspective, that exclusive "one" is inclusive inasmuch as it defines the "one" as "one God, eternally manifest in three divine persons". And the three are distinct enough to experience community among themselves though the Father and Son are considered "consubstantial" or "of one substance" or "one in being".

Perhaps it is because of this belief of plurality within the one, St Paul said in court, "After the manner that you call blasphemy I worship the God of our fathers."

A few Christians read in the book of Revelation about the seven Spirits of God and suggest the possibility of greater plurality within the "one" or the "godhead".

From a Jewish Mystical point of view, some believe the "tetragrammaton" or the unpronounceable four letter name of God (the proper Old Testament name of God) is symbolic of the totality of creation (think four elements although that is an imperfect illustration).

From my own personal meditation on the "Shema" (Hear oh Israel..." I have come to believe that the "one" is not the exclusive "one" of Jewish orthodoxy, nor the limitedly inclusive "one" of Christian orthodoxy, but a truly inclusive "one" similar to the saying of the yogis, "I am that. You are that. All this is that."

From that perspective, seeing one God who is infinite, inclusive, undefinable and indescribable, all "gods" could be seen as aspects of the "one". Just as calling God "Father" doesn't mean God has no feminine attributes nor attributes of sonship, calling God "Thor" might not mean God has no attributes of being God of the sea nor of the dead.

In support (not proof) of this may I point out two things. In the Old Testament we read, "In the beginning [elohim] created the heavens and the Earth." Where "elohim" is usually translated God but can reasonably be translated "gods". And in the New Testament, Jesus defended himself by quoting a psalm which says, "you are gods." He said, "If the Scripture, which can not be broken, calls those to whom the word of God came "gods", why do you say I blaspheme because I say I am the son of God?"

Therefore one who calls himself a follower of Jesus (or Abraham) and who has no compunction about using various forms and names of deity in prayer and magic might say, "After the manner many would call blasphemy I worship the God of my fathers."

(Incidentally I have never considered calling myself Christopagan. Self naming seems to be over rated. Even first century Christians didn't decide to call themselves Christians. The title was first one of derision; the outsiders said, "Oh, look at all the little christs (christ - ians) running around." And the "little christs" said, "Christians...I like it. Cool.")


Re: Christopagans
By: / Novice
Post # 8
honestly a lot of great and interesting responses.

Frankly, if you took all the information known about "God" from the last 10000 years and put it into a book it would never even come close to a explaining a tiny fraction of what God or Deity is.

Therefore, follow a path or make your own. I gauge by results and I feel very comfortable to practice Catholic Christianity and alternative forms of spirituality for that reason...results.

No one here knows, but all those who seek God, Deity, and so on will find Him/Her/Deity. Your path is your own if you are willing to claim it.

Blessings and Light!

~Thor

Re: Christopagans
By: / Novice
Post # 9
The term, "Christian Witch" is a widely accepted one because it doesn't compromise core fundamentals. There is magic in the bible from begining to end. One big mistake people make though, is quoting The Old Testament when referring to how a Christian has to live according to God, Jesus and The Bible. After Jesus died for their sins they no longer had to follow old law. DO NOT SUFFER A WITCH did not mean the same thing as "witch" means today..

Re: Christopagans
By: / Novice
Post # 10
there are plenty of proscriptions against witchcraft and paganism in the new testament, albeit in Acts and Paul's epistle.

The story of Simon the Magus in Acts coming to mind.

You cant pick and choose what you want to use the bible to configure your own arguments....or I guess you can but then you fall into the trap of literalist fundamentalism.

Why do that? Look at scripture contextually for the reasons why those proscriptions exist.

At that point, I look at the bible much more spiritually, people's relationship with Deity evolving over time.

Anyway....

~Thor

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