Are you a worried Christian, conflicted because you are being drawn to a pagan path but concerned for your mortal soul due to your upbringing.
The number of people going to Church is declining year on year, pews are empty and many churches have simply had to close their doors. The number of people however who identify as pagan is growing rapidly as people discover a more flexible approach to spirituality. In this post I hope to put your mind a rest by giving a different view point to the common concerns of those thinking of converting.
Nope it doesn't exist, even in the original bible. The original Hebrew bible does not contain the word "hell" neither did the original copies. It was only much later in the King James bible that it became common. It is thought to be a miss translation that originally simple meant the grave. It could have been added to help keep parishioners in line, as priests ever since have used it as their main sermon to "Drive in the fear of God". One theory is that it was actually added to help convert Nordic pagans who stuck rigidly to their beliefs. So Helheim one of the nine worlds and ruled by Loki's daughter Hel (keep in mind this religion predates Christianity) simple led to Hell. The images that the world hell brings to mind are mostly thanks to a 14th century poem called Divine Comedy, describing Dantes decent through the circles of hell and the artwork this has generated. So you shouldn't be worried about something add just to keep parishioners compliant.
But the church says witches are evil!
As Christianity grew the male leaders became concerned that women and some men were not converting and choosing to stick to their pagan beliefs. It was only in the year 906 that a church law was added to state that "the operation of witchcraft was heresy". However the actual text is aimed more at stamping out the remaining pagans who worshipped "Diana the goddess of pagans" in their words and trying to make her appear evil. The idea didn't really catch on and it took another 300 years till pope Gregory IX authorized the killing of witches and then things got really bad. Pagan traditions threatened the churches control and had to be stamped out, this was far more about power than anything else, control the religion control the people. Ask yourself what is more evil, a maid who makes healing potions and is the local midwife or a religion that authorised the killing of between 5 and 9 million people just because they didn't follow them? Sometimes to maintain power and keep a people in line you need to create a common enemy, Witchcraft simply provided an easy target. "Evil is as Evil does" and one of these practices is far worse than the other.
But I want to still believe in God!
So do, don't confuse Faith and Spirituality with Religion. Christianity at its core is just a book written by men who died a long time ago and used as a way to control people, bringing themselves riches and power, they are not the only way to their god. There are lots of other Religions that also believe in one true god that are not Christianity. Splitting yourself off from Christianity does not mean you have to give up your faith. Those in pagan traditions who follow a different deity mostly do so because they have been drawn to them not because they are forced to do so. With Modern witchcraft there are no rules and you are free to discover your own path, make your own decisions and question everything, instead of following a religious dogma blindly.
Can I still follow the Christian Celebrations like Christmas?
Yes they are pagan not Christian. From the Bible we read that the Sheppard's were tending their flock when Jesus was born. This only occurs during lambing season so would put his birth in spring. So why do we celebrate at mid winter. Pagans were already celebrating hard at the winter solstice, Christianity at the time was seen as rather dull and restrictive. So Christmas was created to help people to convert and the traditions continued although the church never really approved, indeed various attempts were made to rein in the event which went against a lot of church doctrine. Before the Christian Easter was conceived pagans were celebrating "Eostre" a fertility goddess who's celebrations revolved around eggs and bunny's (Sound familiar). Christianity really didn't bring any new traditions here but joined in with the rebirth theme. Ps even your christmas tree was a pagan tradition from Germany.
Can I still go to Church?
You wouldn't be the first pagan to do so, In Dorset so popular was witchcraft that in 1816 a full 50 men and women from the Methodist church were expelled for being witches (that’s one heck of a coven). Not put off they simply moved to a local building and continued to practice there for 10 years before being allowed to return to the church. Interestingly the building became affectionately known as Conjurers Lodge.
Lots of Churches are built on important pagan sites and aligned to celibrate the solstice. A good example is the Isle of Portland. The two main churches “St Andrew’s (built abt 1150) and St George’s” (blt 1754) were specifically aligned for solstice worship, even though this meant that St Georges ended up on barren area with few people. St Andrews receives the sunrise on the winter solstice and St George is aligned for the sunrise on the Summer Solstice. Pagan practice hidden in plain sight.
I should warn however that openly coming out as Pagan to other church goers is normally going to get you kicked out or worse. So tread carefully.
What about my Immortal Soul?
The idea of a soul came originally from Plato and other Ancient Greek philosophers long before Christianity. In Hebrew the person is split into your inner self (Nephesh) this how you see yourself, it also describes your body (Flesh and bone) and your outer appearance (Shem) which is how you are seen by others including your reputation. The original bible simply referred to a persons Nephesh. This was later translated as a soul and far more meaning added to it. If a soul exists it is yours, not a religions. It is a part of who you are and will remain with you no matter what.
I hope this has helped those who need it.
If you like my posts don't forget to like and follow for more.
Click this link to find my Master Post with great ideas for those new to the craft.
