I do not support God because I feel that the idea of an all powerful being weilding absolute control takes us out of control of our destiny as a species. I don"t support Satanism because I feel humanity should work towards its own good and not the good of the individual. And I dont do any "pagan" religions because I can't in believe something that I can't see. So where do I fit?\n\nP.S. if you feel you must label me as a heretic plaese do it elsewhere. Thnx.\n\nP.P.S. No offense to any of the aforementioned groups.
120994
Why not take the Belief-O-Matic quiz at Beliefnet?  Its generally considered to be pretty accurate.\n\nhttp://beliefnet.com/story/76/story_7665_1.html
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I don't see anything wrong with your beliefs.  In fact one of the things that pisses me off most in the Pagan community is Christian bashing.\n\nI believe some of this stems from people who call themselves Christians that ridicule our beliefs calling them false or devil-worshiping.  \n\nHowever, far more, I think, comes from some Pagan and Neo-Pagan authors who try to make Christians out to be the villains.  These people also perpetuate the myth that Christians hate everybody who isn't one and attempt to use the past, such as the crusades, in order to falsely validate this opinion.\n\nI don't think Christians ever blatantly took Pagan beliefs, Although I believe some Pagan practices may have been incorporated into Christianity, the same goes for virtually all religions.  We all take beliefs and/or traditions from religions that came before ours because they had been a part of life. Being Wiccan, I absolutely know Christianity couldn't take any of my beliefs because my religion is fairly new.\n\nAll in all, I see no reason to be at war with Christianity.  On the contrary, we should be working to better understand one anther's belief systems if at least to gain more knowledge about the world around us.
175743
Alright... welcome tony_copeland to Theos Mart! Here, we have a large selection of religions for you to believe in. Personally, my favorite would have to be the Pagan Religion. Now, with this religious group, you have a lot of choices! You could be a Druid, a Shaman, a Voodoo practicioner, a Witch, a Priestess, a Priest, or any number of other things! You have the freedom to pick and choose your Gods and Goddesses at will, though, they might not always get along. Should you join this religion, there will be a need for intensive study, such as reading books and finding things out on your own. I suggest that you find a spirit guide, should you choose Paganism. A spirit guide -- whether it be a fae, an animal, a dragon, a unicorn, a demon, an angel, a God, a Goddess, Buddha, whatever -- will help you through life and help you make the right choices! But wait, there's more! If you choose Paganism, you get a one-way ticket AWAY from Hell because they don't believe in it! So, what will it be?
132878
Good questions!  I like good subjest matter.  God is not some bug eyed monster up in the sky.  Why would he be all hateful when he needs us as much as we need him?  We do have free will, and i can do whatever i want because of it, but heres the rub, i was created by something with a view of the bigger picture.  So by virture of where i was born and my personality there are huge sections of human reality that will never even occur to me to do because of who and what i was made to be. Example : kiss my boyfriend, you betcha!; eat chocolate covered ants, hell no!
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Wow sorry about your perception, allow me to change a few things, as i did not intend to seem hateful.\n\n most Christians believe that where God is absent, evil lies. Do i mean this to you directly? well, lets say i reviewed your Q&A and 360 before my post. You basically say you are demon possessed.  Does this mean that you have absence of God in your life, yes i believe so, so im just im just sharing a common general belief there right? no need to feel defensive, honestly.  We could all be closer to God.\nsecondly here i write,\n\n"You poor thing, you have serious issues, its no wonder, you wont let the true LOrd Hold you and save you and coddle you and share his peace and love with you, well how can you expect to be nurtured? and grow into the wonderful being that he planned for you?"\nHave you pushed the Lord away? I know you have, and  I want you to know that you can have all of the above if you let Him in. Does a part of me tell myself that you need that? Yes it does. I see you as hurting. and let me say on a kind gentle note, you dont have to, there are better ways than the sarcastics stated below.\n\n"Now go alienate yourself from all that is Good, take the EASY way; without question,listen to the LIES, deny the ache and stench in your heart, youll feel much more comfortable im sure. "\n\nsarcastic as heck here sweetie do you understand why? Because I have looked at your Q&A,and 360, i am not reacting blindly to this question alone as i would just be sharing what everone else tries to share, to save you, that you are OBVIOUSLY not hearing, anyway.\n\nso i got your attention....GOOD.\n\nSo I peek into who you are and i see, "demon posessed, my demon masters child, death rocks" attitutude.\nand i say,\n"and of course youre nice honey, nice always comes when manipulation is needed,"\n\nguess what? its the truth, generally speaking, it is, and  do i feel it would apply to you, heck yes, it applies to ALL, people dont even realize it.  They sugar coat crap all the time to get the desired outcome, and this too does not come from God.\n\nI hope and pray you have good in you, but isnt that difficult with the demon ruling and all? doesnt he want to make it all about you? if that part of you can undertand good is still in there, bring it out sister, Get strong, and fight, do you realize what bondage you are in?  If you dont think its that easy its because your head is filled with lies.\nI, pregowtwins promise never to fill someones head with lies or spew hatred, but do you know that?\nI wont however pity you or speak  to you condescendingly. You are not a baby, and I (nor was Jesus for that matter), not a pushover.\n\n\n"look at the answerer above me, awww, how true and heartfelt are his comments, he could surely be your best friend."\n\nwell thats just as clear to day as me. Look whos side hes on?\n\nand do you understand in closing that if you..\n "Trust the lies, believe in the false power, there is so much more to gain right?"\n\nyes a bit sarcastic, but you know, you seem pretty steadfast in who you are.\n\nUmmmmm, No.  \nPray for Truth, it will literally set you freeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.\n\nBest advice i can give. To me its all about TRUTH, and no i wont sugar coat it, i dont have to, if you cant see it, then youve truly, and respectfully got to deal. No one can save you from the enemy but yourself.\n\nNow if you truly want to know how to do that, if theres something good inside, that wants out, i can "help" you. But you need to fight the Battle, and it  wont be easy. \nGods grace is free, it costs nothing, no price, but its the renewing of your mind, and learning to discern that might be rough.\nyou know the enemy wants you to have and to hold, \nbut trust me, God wants you more, Hes your REAL Father, and He wants you home. you  stated i hate you, but i dont. do i love you, as much as i love myself.  but God, honey he  loves us MORE. look to Him, not
638209
I am an atheist and a Satanist.\n\nModern Satanism, or LaVey Satanism, is NOT devil worship like so many have a tendancy to believe.\n\nMost of us are atheists; we don't believe in the christian devil. We believe in ourselves. Every human is their own god, they are free to accept it or not.\n\nWe are animals, sometimes better, oftentimes worse than the ones who walk on all fours, and we have carnal instincts.\n\nThe Satanist philosophy is based a lot on hedonism, and on Nietzsche's texts.\n\nAnton Szandor LaVey, the father of modern Satanism, wrote The Satanic Bible, and many other books.\n\nThere are many principles to Satanism, all of them based on common sense and logic.\n\nThese are the Eleven Satanic Rules of the Earth:\n\n1. Do not give opinions or advice unless you are asked. \n\n2. Do not tell your troubles to others unless you are sure they want to hear them. \n\n3. When in another’s lair, show him respect or else do not go there. \n\n4. If a guest in your lair annoys you, treat him cruelly and without mercy. \n\n5. Do not make sexual advances unless you are given the mating signal. \n\n6. Do not take that which does not belong to you unless it is a burden to the other person and he cries out to be relieved. \n\n7. Acknowledge the power of magic if you have employed it successfully to obtain your desires. If you deny the power of magic after having called upon it with success, you will lose all you have obtained. \n\n8. Do not complain about anything to which you need not subject yourself. \n\n9. Do not harm little children. \n\n10. Do not kill non-human animals unless you are attacked or for your food. \n\n11. When walking in open territory, bother no one. If someone bothers you, ask him to stop. If he does not stop, destroy him. \n\nThere are more principles to it, but it's too long to explain. Please visit the official Church Of Satan website (Anton Szandor LaVey founded the Church Of Satan in 1966) for further information.\n\nhttp://www.churchofsatan.com
309931
I surely am not trying to convert you. I am an atheist as well and proud of it. You do not have to be a christian to be able to treat people well, with honesty and respect.There is such stigma attached to atheists, that people believe we are devil worshipers etc. This is a myth. I just do not subscribe to the myth and folly of organized religion.
365050
YES! Satan IS a viable alternative. As a Daemonolatress, Satan sits at the top of my pantheon. Never has he demanded I grovel before him or beg forgiveness. He recognizes that I am a human animal and doesn't disallow me to indulge my carnal nature or occassionally be selfish (especially when I've put everyone else's needs above my own at times) and make time for myself and MY health! Even then - he does not allow me to be too selfish by reminding me that I should help others.\n\nSatan is also merciful and more loving. He is secure enough in himself that he doesn't need human servants. He actually answers my prayers. He expects nothing from his followers except that they take responsibility for themselves, help themselves, use their brains, and listen to the wisdom of the Daemonic Divine if they've sought them out. He teaches us that WE are simply physical manifestations of the divine and are divine as gods ourselves because we all come from the same source and are made of the same elements as all else.\n\nBelieve it or not, Satan also encourages charity, love, compassion (for yourself and others), family, etc...  Mostly - he encourages TRUTH, honesty, and enlightenment.\n\nLeviathan, my patron, came to me and saved my life and gave me purpose. What do you all think of that?  :)\n\n I could go on, but I'll shut up now.
592130
Hello bc_munkee.. :)\n\nI used to be an atheist..so I can understand where you are coming from..\n\nThere was a time I used to feel and think the same way..but ever since Jesus came into my life..I want to help others..feed the hungry..clothe the needy..visit the sick and also those in prison..\n\nWe all should care about others and if that seems wrong to some..then so be it..For I am happy knowing that if I can help, even if it is in just some small way..\n\nIt does not matter what faith someone may be, even if they have none..My hearts desire is just want to help to try and stop poverty, suffering, hatred, hunger, greed..\n\nIs it so wrong, to bring a ray of sunshine into someones life.. :)\n\nIn Jesus Most Precious Name..\nWith Love..In Christ..
615019
welcome to the club sister.  I don't think you have a problem at all.  I think that you are a free thinking and open minded person.  It's when you feel that pressure to conform and be like everyone else and resist it, that you truly begin to gain a greater perspective of reality.  I suggest you read "the herd" chapter from Nietzsche's "Beyond Good and Evil".  This is the book in which the phrase was coined "God is dead".  Don't let that scare you.  What I think he really meant to teach was that organized religion and the God they invent is dead.  He challenges you, in the chapter entitled "the herd", to ask yourself if all these things that people are telling you that "God" has said are indeed from "God".  Or, are they something made up by leaders of church to influence the masses opinions to get a desired social result.  That result is control.  Don't let anyone but God control you.  He wouldn't force control on you.  He doesn't want to control you.  He offers suggestions and you choose freely.  To me though, all this damnation and hellfire are not products of Christ at all.  Christ is like the sweetest friend I have ever had.  I don't live right at all.  I have done bad things in my life.  Yet, he has never left me.  People, on the other hand, have behaved terribly...  and for that matter... so have I at times.  I decided that I would not be controlled by "the herd" either.  People will accuse you of rebellion.  Rebellion it may be, but against whom?  God?  I don't think so...  The "herd", definitely.  I had to separate myself from them, and while it is lonesome at times, it is at least free.  Knowing God should never feel like being in a social or political prison in which you are interrogated and punished.  They're like religious nazis and they have confused social control with God.  Welcome to freedom sister.  You may find groups that you "fit" with...  I never did.  This is the tragedy of the genuine individual.  Perhaps you should start your own "group" on yahoo groups.  If you do, let me know, and I will join.  This topic is certainly worthy of discussion.  Don't feel like you are alone.  There are many, many, people who have went through this...
646505
I'm a Believer, but my soon-will-be ex-boyfriend is an atheist, and he doesn't believe in God because he only believes in what you can see, and he thinks religion is too restrictive. It's not if you try to see things from the Lord's point of view, but I do confess, I can't be any guy's servant and he be my master because there's too many abusive freaks out there, and women don't get the respect we deserve.\n\nI agree it has to do with Satan, and people find Satan's ways SO much more fun. But for those who don't believe in God, how did we come about, how did the world and things in it get created? It sure did not come out of thin blue sky!
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Summerland - Thoughts & Traditions\n\nWiccans and Pagans do not believe in the existence of the Christian “Hell”, as either a tangible place (one of fire and brimstone, of eternal torture and torment) or as a spiritual plane (out of “God’s sight” and being forsaken by and separated from God), where the damned or evil languish and suffer. I can’t even comprehend such a terrible idea of this sort, let alone imagine that a creative force that is supposed to be all-knowing, all-seeing, all-forgiving and all-loving could separate Itself from, and turn Its back on, Its creations. Essentially all Wiccans, myself included, assert that the existence of Hell is completely incompatible with their concept of a loving and forgiving Deity.\n\nWhile we’re on the subject of the loving Deity and the inexistence of Hell, I must state that Wiccans and Pagans do not believe in the existence of the Christian-concept of an entity called “Satan”. The idea that Witches worship this “Satan” is one of the most common misconceptions about us. This erroneous idea probably developed hundreds of years ago because some Christian leaders encouraged their followers to view non-Christians as anti-Christian. If you weren’t a believer in Christ, the embodiment of the good, you MUST be a believer in his evil opposite—Satan or the Devil. The all-evil Satan is a Christian concept that plays NO part in the Wiccan religion. Wiccans do not recognize the existence of the Christian quasi-deity, Satan; their pantheons of deities do not include an all-evil supernatural being. Wiccans do not believe that negativity or evil is an organized force.\n\nWiccans believe in the morals that are common to most faiths, but Wiccans don’t believe in the idea of “original sin”. We don’t believe we are “born sinners”, and no one can prove to us otherwise. Wiccans don’t need a “saviour”, we don’t have anything to be “saved” from to begin with. Personally, as an intelligent, sentient being, I find the ideas of original sin, being born a sinner and having to be “saved” not only completely ridiculous, but downright insulting. While Wiccans do not believe there is a hell to punish sinners, Wiccans do believe there is a universal law, called karma, that puts our behaviour on display so that we can learn from it.\n\nWHAT HAPPENS TO PAGANS AFTER DEATH\n\nThere are basically four major paths within mogern Paganism.\nThese are:\nWicca\nDruidism\nAsatru\nEclectic Paganism.\nWithing each there are many denomination, much the same as Protestantism. Virtually all of the various Pagan spiritual traditions have some place of rest, comfort and reward to which we expect we will go, even if only for a brief time before reincarnation, growing younger and younger until, eventually, we are again young enough to be reborn. We accept death as a necessary step in the cycles of life; Birth, death and rebirth. Most Pagan belief systems include the concept that it is our lives that are our most important purpose here and that we can make this life into a reward or a punishment by how we live and how we relate to those around us. We believe that our own sense of personal responsibility and morality is what controls our punishment or reward in this lifetime.\n\nFor Wiccans and Pagans, this place is known as the "Summerland". It is a place of eternal rest and comfort, or if we have not learned enough in this lifetime and are to be reincarnated, a restful and pleasant stop over between lives.\n\nTo the Northern European or Nordic Traditions, for warriors it is known as Valhalla. For other, it is called Noatun, where the sun meets the water, Asgaard and several others. There are at least 12 abodes for the dead, allowing each some choice in where they will meet and abide in eternal feasting with Odin. Oaht-breakers and others who dishonored their community or themselves, were sent to Nastrond, more to keep them away from the good golks in the other places t
589506
I am a christian also and anyone who doesn't live for God whether they know it or not worships Satan.  Satan paints a pretty picture for everyone...not just non-believers...everyone. He wants us all to believe his lies and deceit. \nI would have been one to follow him if it had not been for the many prayers of my mother. \nI am telling my opinion, so all of those people who don't serve God don't get your underwear in a bunch. K?
615594
No, it doesn't make sense. It's another (of many) reasons people have non-belief. Why would anyone want to believe in a higher power that would punish them, even if they were good people and led very positive lives, just because they didn't acknowledge the existence of or worship that higher power? Not appealing to think the common example of a god is thinking "I don't care how wonderful you are, since you won't bow to me I'm gonna punish you". *shakes head*
674225
I disagree with djx_master.  We don't worship ourselves.  His answer is a classic one of closed mindedness.  Christians are taught to believe in one way & one way only.  I grew up Roman Catholic & know that all too well.  I also knew that Catholocism wasn't for me.  I had questions that no priest or other clergy member could answer.  So, I struck out on my own, spending time with Baptists & non-denominational Christians.  As for my Christian friends, I found some helpful information on the source below.  Witchvox has a lot of information on Wicca, Pagans, Shamans, etc.  What I did for awhile was put together a little leaflet that had information about Wicca & other Earth based religions to hand out.  I don't have the leaflet anymore due to a now gone virus.  I'd be happy to help you put one together if you'd like.  \n\n\nAlso, I'd like to add that Wiccans DO believe in an afterlife.  It's called Summerland.  It's similar to the Heaven that other religions teach about.  We believe in re-incarnation, rebirth & all that.  We don't believe in Satan or the Devil.  The pentacle represents Spirit, Earth, Air, Fire, Water.  When it has a circle around it, it's called a pentagram, which symbolizes that the elements are never ending.  We believe in a Goddess AND a God.  Our holidays are similar to Christian ones.  Ostara is like Easter, complete with eggs, bunnies, lambs, chicks, candy, etc.  Yule is Christmas.  We give presents, decorate a Yule tree & sing songs.  Our new year is Halloween, October 31st.  Some Wiccans celebrate both mundane & Wiccan/Pagan holidays.  I do.  I will for the rest of my life.
86825
You go girl! You believe in whatever you want to, whatever feels right to you. And dont ever let anyone try and tell you your beliefs are wrong, just because they may be different than others.\n\nMe, personally, i believe in GOD. But i dont go to church, or preach, or all that stuff. I believe, and thats all that matters to me. I dont need to put on an 'act' for people to think i am a good Christian or anything. I am who i am.
72310
hmmm. interesting question. \n\nmaybe, i guess i am afraid of the gods that dont exist. i am afraid of his followers stoning me to death for not believing in him. \n\nbut, in the meantime, while i am not being persecuted, but only prejudiced, i am not afraid. i am only angry, and my free voice allows me to fight back.