How do Wiccans (individually) view Jesus?
922257
Wicca is not supposed to exclude any gods but we are each given a choice of which gods we choose to follow.  Most of us exclude Jesus and the Bible out of our beliefs completely because it is simply easier to.  Many of us have been surrounded by people who tell us that God hates psychics,  mediums,  readers and witches.  However,  it is often our natural abilities that make us psychic or mediums,  and our natural abilities or curiousities lead us to a more open path.  I have also,  personally,  been around enough Bible study groups that promote arrogance and pity towards my kind.  It is simply so much easier to shut oneself off from any and all Judeo-Christian beliefs and deities and become bitter.\n\nHowever,  I think that once one has really gotten a chance to experience their own spirituality without interference and look at everything from a relaxed standpoint,  one can really see that Jesus,  in his day and age,  if he existed,  was one awesome being.  Whether he was a actually a messiah or not,  I cannot and will not discern,  as I do not know.  What I do know is that if I were alive 2000 years ago,  I think I would've found a good friend in Jesus.
1101595
I can well understand your confusion. Maybe this will help ... #1: No one but YOU can judge whether or not you're a Christian. If you say you're one then you are one. OK, that part of your question is settled. #2: To whom do you give the authority to decide what else you believe? Who has authority over you and can tell you what you must believe as a Christian? Isn't that a little like whether or not you're a Christian? Isn't that YOUR call? Isn't that between you and your concept of God ... And NO ONE else? #3: The paranormal, aka psychic phenomena. Can you integrate that into your Christian belief system? Well, maybe. Maybe its not nearly so foreign to that belief system as you've been lead to believe. Maybe you've just been misinformed by people who in turn were misinformed or who in their studies misunderstood the thing. Maybe ... Think about these things ... Psychics have visions of the future, channelers talk to angels and others, readers of various types make predictions, and astrologers look at the stars and find wonders there. Any biblical co-relations here? John had visions of the future. Lot talked with angels. Prophets have made many predictions. And the Wise Men from the East? They were Persian Magi, well versed in astrology. They followed a star, and found a Great Wonder. Maybe, just maybe, the Bible and REAL Christianity is wrapped all around the paranormal. Maybe its just that certain things go by different names in different schools of thought and that confuses an issue that otherwise wouldn't be confused at all. Maybe to be a Christian you have no choice but to believe in the paranormal. Maybe other Christians just use different words to describe the same things and the only real problem of integrating these "seemingly different" belief systems rests there and no where else. Maybe. ~ Peace & Blessings ~
1137226
No, honey, that is not correct.  Wicca is a nature based spiritual path.  We believe that Nature has male and female energies, hence the God and Goddess.  In my path, I have rituals, and what I do, are  offerings to the Goddess.  I don't cast "spells" on people, I don't do "black magic" and I don't sacrifice children, virgins, or pets.
272219
Absolutely! I am Wiccan, my mother is Roman Catholic, my dad is does not conform to any one religion but does believe in a higher power, my family-in-law-to-be is entirely LDS (Mormon), and I have friends of various Christian, Pagan, and personal faiths.\n\nI am able to talk openly and honestly with all of them, and them with me, because we do not judge each other on each other's faiths. We will often talk about it, but not to preach - to LEARN. We share views, ideas, philosophies, thoughts, etc. and help each other build faith in each other's beliefs by doing so.\n\nQuestioning your own faith, and even comparing it to others, is spiritually healthy. There are two outcomes: (1) you find flaws in your religion, and in learning about others, find one that makes more sense; (2) you are able to uphold your religion against any argument and/or skepticism and thus grow even more faithful (regardless of whether it convinces anyone else or not, and if it doesn't, it doesn't matter). Either way you are able to grow, flourish, and thrive spiritually.
1099644
My former roommate is wiccan and she was the coolest. From the few times  ever really listened to her ramble abt wiccanism, it sounded a whole lot better than christianity. Wiccans believe in protecting the environment,not judging people and enlightening people about their religion/beliefs.She always did that and unlike the christians,didn't ram her beliefs down my throat every chance I gave her. \n\nMAYBE I SHOULD TRY IT OUT. I'M LOOKING FOR A NEW CHURCH.SOME CHRISTIANS BRING SHAME TO GOD,I INCLUDED
490735
I believe in Jesus as my saviour. \nI wouldn't be able to tell it all what Jesus has done for me. \nHe saved me from darkness and put me into his glorious light, gave me a family, blessed me with material blessings and gave me life abundantly - and that is just to begin with.\n\nEye has not seen, ear has not heard, neither has entered the minds what God has prepared for those who love Him.
939137
a)  Nope.  100% Neo-pagan, which makes sense since I'm Wiccan.  The next closest matches were New Age and Buddhism.\nb)  I've explored all three.  I was raised Protestant.\nc)  I'm extremely happy with where I am in my life.  I would advise anyone else to look at what they truly believe - not what they have been told to believe, but what they actually think "explains things" when they look at life and how it works.  I was very unhappy until I finally let go of the fear that I would be punished if I said, thanks Jesus, but I'm going over here.  Thus far, things have been much better since I realized I was on the wrong path.  Above all, I think maintaining a balance in life helps breed happiness.
1182835
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.
747967
I dont know, I'm Wiccan. I dont believe my religion is the only right way so it cant be that. I dont believe in a supreme being watching over us (I believe in nature being the highest power), so it cant be that. We dont have a book telling how to live (although we do have a law as such). We do not judge others so it cannot be that....\n\nThe only thing i can think of is that all Religions have followers!
84061
Think of the Holy Spirit as light.  An easy analogy is to imagine God as the Sun and Jesus Christ as a perfect mirror of that Sun.  The Holy Spirit would be the rays of the Sun, that we then see reflected in the Mirror (Christ).  \n\nMany people did not recognize Jesus as the Messiah because He did not appear in the way they imaagined He would.  They loved God and worshipped Him in the way they knew best -- God can forgive them for not recognizing Jesus, because they can change when they realize Who He is.  Those who blaspheme against the holy spirit hate the light -- they don't care if it is Jesus, Moses or Mohammed (or others) -- they hate it.  God cannot forgive them because they have shut themselves away from His forgiveness.\n\nOr to put it another way -- suppose I have 5 lamps in my house.  It is dark and you want to read.  I turn on a lamp and you say "No, I don't like that lamp.  Use this one"  Ok, you can still read.  But if you say "You have ugly lamps and the light hurts my eyes", then you will remain sitting in the dark.
1151662
Are you talking about Jesus, the little Mexican kid that cuts my grass? I don't think he is. Hell he barely speaks English. Or the other Jesus, the one I buy oranges from on my way home from work? I don't think he is either. \n\nOh! Do you mean Jesus Christ?  I think that most Christians and other religions try to give the impression that he would have been if he were still in human form. \nThat's what those WWJD? bracelets and stuff must be all about.\n\n I do know that the Devil is a Republican.
709495
Dear Mitchell:  Actually, the dictionary states that cults have the stigma attached to them of being "misguided and unorthodox."\n\nI think we need to consider main stream religions and doctrines as not falling into that category.  Perhaps, spirituality or non-denominational traditions could be called that by some people, but as long as it is not Occult, the above should not be a stigma attached to these traditions, either.  The great prophets of the ages have been mystics meaning they delve into the Truths of soul or spirit-mind (which is what God Created).  Spiritual experiences come from strengthening the position of our souls within us, and bringing the soul to the Center of Mind.  These spiritual experiences bring God to us more potently, as in the Prophets, and are thought of as Mystical experience.  Perhaps not main-stream, but not Occult.  Certainly not misguided, either.  \n\nThis is why I find it difficult to think of most all religions as cults.  \nI think Interpretations have fragmented the original Church Jesus had in His Mind; and,  that would take the word of a singular God out into a Pagan world.  He aimed to teach the Nature of that God and to demonstrate that the physical world of matter and brain is a type of reality that can be overcome by the Ultimate Reality.  The fragmentations of His Church are so numerous as to divide mankind more greatly than the babbling of different languages confused mankind's ability to communicate - at the Tower of Babel.  Interpretations led to the adding and subtracting from what Jesus had taught.  So religion contains impurities ; for mankind's Intellect has turned His beloved singular Church into a literal Tower of Babel, itself.\n\nIn all religions there are certain unalterable truths.  Perhaps, the wording sounds a bit different; but, when examined more closely, at least some of the basics that Jesus taught are present.  The soul recognizes those Truths and witnesses to them despite the human Intellect's logic and deductions.  \n\nBest regards, Lana
228738
First of all, it's nice to hear from Christians that you should respect another's faith.  Secondly, to hear from some of you that your way was is the TRUTH, is nothing new to me.  I understand it is how your faith operates.  Also, I just wanted to point out being brainwashed must involve a collective group of people who believe exactly the same thing.  This is not what you will find in the Wiccan faith.  As 100 Wiccans who or what is "GOD" and you will get 100 different answers.\n\nNow for the real question at hand.  I am distressed to hear that one from our faith of respect and tolerance is trying to "convert" you.  Obviously this person has not done much reading on the actual basic principals of Wicca.  One of these being that we do not convert, we only educate when asked.  This faith is one, which should be sought out and found.  To offer it up freely would be an insult to those who really wish to spend time deciding for themselves where their spiritual path takes them.\n\nAs for how to deal with this, I feel you should be blunt.  Tell her that you are not interested in participating in any rituals with her.  If this is all she has to offer in your time together then apparently you two don't have much in common.  You don't have to be rude, but don't beat around the bush either.  Make it clear what your intentions are as friends.  If one day you decide to walk in this path then you already have a point of contact.\n\nI would like to also say, that I am sorry some of the people who have posted answer have not been very supportive.  No matter what you decide to believe, always know that not one person has the right to make or persuade you to believe otherwise.
1066790
Yes I have had experience of spirits too and I am a Christian. Many Christians are spiritually sensitive and can sometimes see through the veil that separates heaven and earth, the spirit world and us.\nThe bible does indeed say that spirits exist and I think that the whole existence of our world would not be possible without God who is spirit and created all the spritual worlds first.\nJust look in the Bible it does say that there is more to this than just God and us. In fact it says "Our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against the spiritual rulers, the authorities and (something like) dark powers". Look it up, I'm sure e-Bibles can bring it up for you!\nI have had experience of spirits, me and my dad both smell the same perfume and that was heavy and like roses that apparently my great grandma used to wear. I told my mum and she told me he used to smell it as well although I am too scared to tell him!\nHe might think it's weird, we have both had scary experiences at night while in bed but the difference is he has had it many times and me only a few. The first time I ever did I prayed and was saved from the terror that surrounded me. It was like pure evil in the room and I had never been as scared. So I prayed and saw that God was faithful to me and that the God I had learned about in Sunday School was real! I Have been a Christian ever since and Thank God whenever I get it  (about twice a yr but it's unpredictable) I can call on his name and KNOW that he will save me and never leave me to their mercy to suffer and be terrified.  I don't know how my dad can stand it, NEVER do ouija boards ppl my dad did and again although he only mentioned it once, it can seriously cause you problems if the spirits don't want to leave as they sometimes dont. \nI belive they are fallen angels, that angels that rebelled against God with satan and were expelled from heaven. This of course made them very angry and want to get revenge. So they see people as the way to get to and hurt God by trying to destroy them and make them do evil so they will be condemned along with the evil one on the day of judgement. We are innocent in this dispute and so God has given us a second chance in the form of his son our messiah who saves us but only if we turn from our evil ways. The holy spirit restrains evil from engulfing us and keeps our world relatively peaceful even tho we do evil, that is how merciful God is!\n\nThe devil is also jealous of us for being able to have a loving relationship with God because he cannot and has lost his chance. Who knows what he did that was so bad he couldnt be given a second chance but to rebel against God when you already have a favoured position as Archangel then that seems kind of impossibe to do so it must have been a BIG deal.
1095655
Ecc 9 is telling of how he views it.  He is frustrated with life and sees it as a waste of time... and to just go out and eat drink and be happy...for tomorrow we die - is the sentiment there.  \n\nBut there actually is mention of ghosts in the new testiment.  \n\nWhen Jesus was walking to them across the water - they were scared and though he was a ghost.  \n\n\nMatthew 14:26 \nWhen the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. "It's a ghost," they said, and cried out in fear.\n\nMark 6:49 \nbut when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out,\n\nLuke 24:37    \nThey were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost.\n\nONE OF THE BEST IS THIS\nJesus himself is saying this - so he clearly believes in ghosts -  Judge for yourself. \n\n\nLuke 24:38-40     \n38  He said to them, "Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? 39   Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have."    40  When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet.\n\nPS -  i do believe in ghosts, spirits, demons, and angels.  \n\nThere is WAY more to this world than when meets the eye.   I have been through some pretty strange things with living in a haunted apartment and all. I have absolutly no doubts (personally speaking) that spirits AKA ghosts do exist.  \n\n(seeing it refered to in the Bible - only serves to back up what I already knew though)  :)
918341
The other deity that is spoken about in the bible is Sophia; these two beings are of Judaeo-Christian origin, not Wicca – Wicca follow the Great Mother Goddess and Horned God, so are very different from the god that you follow. Genesis 3:22 does not mention either the Great Mother Goddess or the Horned God as these are gods of Wicca, where as in Christianity unsurprisingly they follow the Christian god.\n\nA person cannot be Wicca and Christian at the same time, it is impossible to combine two religions because religions are very specific on their beliefs practices and doctrines – to be part of a religion you must follow all that the religion in question follows, if you follow another religion then you are not part of that first religion. \n\nWicca is in itself a religion without laity so is a priesthood, this priesthood requires initiation not just as entrance into the priesthood but because Wicca are oath-bound meaning that they will only share information on their religion with people who are Wicca themselves – all that you learn about Wicca from other sources is 'outer-court' teachings, these teachings are often placeholders to either explain to others or in order to help a coven teach a new member without breaking their oaths. These inner-court teachings that are kept oath-bound are passed down from Wicca to Wicca so there is an unbroken line where the information about Wicca is shared, this information includes beliefs, practices, doctrines, mysteries and gods identities so without this information not only is a person not practicing Wicca but do not know the basis of Wicca – this is how Wicca protect the integrity of their faith from people changing it to suit their needs, and so information being lost. No Wicca coven would initiate someone, or even train someone for initiation, if they claimed to be both Christian and Wicca. \n\nChristian is a little father spanning, however the core ideas are the belief in God, Jesus Christ, Heaven & Hell, and the concept of sin – Wicca do not have any of these, and all these beliefs are a necessity to being a Christian, it is also required that there is only one god and that Jesus is the only way to salvation.\n\nYou are right about being able to be both Christian and witch, there ave been Christian witches long before Wicca ever existed and in far greater numbers - this question on whether one can be Christian and witch is down to bible translation, however for the most part it is down to how the church differentiated between the magic of Christ and the magic of their believers.
613232
I've seen Christians. They are real. They say that if you look at a mirror, turn all the lights off, and say Jesus 3 times that Billy Graham will appear....spooky.