posted June 12, 2003 04:45 AM         

While they don't burn witches these days, there are still people in the world who hold on to primitive ideas about religion and spirituality. There are always going to be people out there who will condemn you for having non-traditional beliefs. I have been accused of being a witch and that "astrology is a tool of the devil."

I am at a point in my life where I don't even bother discussing my metaphysical beliefs with people who I consider "spritually challenged". I also try to remember that everyone is entitled to their opinion (ONION?).

Just remember, it's what you believe in your heart that is important. As far as I am concerned ... there is only one spiritual truth that matters anyway ... LOVE.

Love and Light,

posted June 12, 2003 05:58 AM         

But seriously... I agree with Heidi

I also don't discuss my beliefs with people who don't share them, and I can spot them right away, I tell you. It's pointless, because those people want to discuss this not out of curiosity, but they just want to convince you that you're wrong. So I refuse to discuss it with them, I just tell them that I know what my truth is and that's that. I don't care if anyone agrees with me or not. If they respect my beliefs even if they don't agree, we can be friends, and if not, then we can not, we can just get along.

I wear a pentacle around my neck and usually when people see it, they freeze and some of them become less nice to me. But they all get this look in their eyes, like: "Oh, you are one of THOSE." Talk about being stigmatized and prejudiced against. Some of them open their mouths to say something, but when they see my gaze, they change their minds
The bolder ones ask me if this is a satanistic symbol, I say no, and that's it. They don't dare ask anything anymore. And there are some who are genuinely curious and to those I'm always glad to explain what they want to know. These are the ones to focus on

posted June 12, 2003 08:29 AM         

You said it in the title of your post!! You answered yours-elf.

I love you! And I love mys-elf. Therefore, we have no need to argue or condem each other. Firmly said with a winsome smile, most are taken back with your faith in your beliefs and back away. If they don`t back away, I do, which is hard for an Aquarius who has just felt thwarted But it`s best to let it go and you be the wiser Elf.

It might sound absurd, but they usually do it out of love. Their beliefs are ingrained by dogma, fear ect. and you can have a basketful of facts and reasons ready, but they generally won`t budge.

Anyway, love is, like Heidi said, the "universal religion", and if one has love in his/her heart, it doesn't matter what he/she believes in

Keep walking your path Sister and let your lite shine!

posted June 12, 2003 11:54 AM         

First, I too agree with what the others here have said. I'd like to add that I have been on "both sides of the fence" so to speak, and understand where you and "they" are coming from:

It doesn't happen much because I pretty much keep my beliefs to myself, but if the situation does present itself and I find myself questioned/challenged in this area, this is basically what I say (quietly and in a non defensive way):

"I was baptized Catholic as an infant, confirmed as a Protestant at age 13, got "saved" (became a Christian) at age 20. Since then I've explored other sects, such as Jehovah Witnesses, Mormons and Seventh Day Adventists. During this time from age 10, I have also studied Astrology, reincarnation, numerology, astral projection, lexigrams and paganism, and in the past year or so I've come to this conclusion: We are all on a SPIRITUAL path, and we are all unique. I feel that whatever beliefs help us through this journey called LIFE is what is right for us, as individuals. I also believe that all paths ultimately lead to the same place. We are on this earth to LEARN and to LOVE oneanother. I feel we should live and let live and practice the golden rule, "do unto others as you would have them do unto you"...and remember that you reap what you sow (karma). My bottom line is this: all "religions" worth their metal have these same teachings anyway, so TO EACH HIS OWN."

If anyone tries to argue or get persistent with their respective dogma, I usually respond with something like, "There's really no point in arguing about this; I'm not going to change my mind and neither are you, so we should just agree to disagree and be done with it." The one or two people who have ignored that statement and continued to judge me/my beliefs, I no longer associate with because they proved their lack of respect for me. There's just no denying my Scorp Moon, lol.

SCM, for what it's worth and if all else fails, when confronted by someone who by their words and actions reveal their narrow-mindedness, I just tell myself that they are behind me on their spiritual path, and dismiss it as such.

My two cents.

posted June 12, 2003 01:53 PM         

Silverbells~ I think I may have answered your questions in the above paragraphs. One thing you wanted to know was how I was raised. That would be Southern Baptist!
It is very much a shove down your throat type of Church. I think that everyone no matter what their faith...is correct ! Because it is theirs, not right or wrong just different and thats the great thing about us all. We can be different and still love one another
Silverbells you are so correct when you said this one needs to be a face to face ! Oh how great that would be. Im a new here in Alaska and have no one that I can just put my jammies on and curl up on the couch and yak yak yak
Thanks for talking about this with me

posted June 12, 2003 08:01 PM         

I really felt for you the second I saw that sad frown in your post Then I was angry that anyone would be giving you a hard time because of your beliefs.......then I thought "you know what ...who cares what other people think, you're you and you're a special person and if they can't see that then they need to get over it"

You asked "Why does there have to be a name to what you believe?"
I personally don't think there has to be a name but you know something....a lot of people need to catagorise things because otherwise it's too scary for them to think about. Am I remotely making sense here? Once they have put it into a "catagory" they can forget about it.

posted June 13, 2003 07:50 AM         

My family has been torn apart because of beliefs.

We were all raised Catholic, and because we haven't gone to the new "Non Denominational" church, they have nothing to do with us.

We are going to hell because we don't worship the bible, verbatim.

I have studied a few religions (not all, still reading),and so far they are all going to God/Goddess.

Did you know it was a sin to ask questions??

Did you know that if you don't believe in Jesus Christ,you are going to hell?(unless you are 10 and under).

I was told I was going to hell unless I repent for looking into astrology, and other religions.

Sorry I'm venting.

I just had this argument yesterday with a person I love dearly.

What do you say to the Christians you love?

I told her I loved her.....

I'm still going to hell....

PEACE AND LOVE
LVX Annie

posted June 13, 2003 10:47 AM         

When I was a little girl, the priest came to our house and blasted my Mom because she and my Dad were not bringing my brother and me to church every week (a mortal sin; yet not possible since my Dad frequently had to work Sundays and she didn't drive then yet). He also told my Mom that my little brother and I were going to "burn in hell" because we were not attending Catholic school (I was 7, my brother was 5) and demanded she have us kids get on our knees and beg forgiveness, in hopes of saving us from this punishment. I have only a vague memory of it but she told me I was so traumatized at the time I was hysterical; I must have blocked it out. We never returned to that church and were enrolled for Sunday School at the local Protestant church.

I mean no offense to any Catholics who may read this, and maybe some of the rules have changed since. Because most of my relatives on both sides of the family were also Catholic I've heard several horror stories along the way...and my point is that I think it's very sad for anyone to be terrorized by ANY religion when I always thought religion's purpose was to comfort and uplift??

Sorry to vent; this is kind of a sore subject with me because much emotional harm resulted for myself and loved ones from this kind of dogma. I just think what is most important is what's in our hearts...and that God/Jesus/Goddess KNOW our hearts. Again, just my two cents.

posted June 13, 2003 01:41 PM         

Annie you will not go to hell
I'll try to find an article I read a while ago about astrology and religion and I'll post it here for you.

posted June 13, 2003 01:54 PM         

Who Says Astrologers Aren't Christians? by Lorraine DiFelice

From Astrology Plus Magazine published by Marion Hensley

There are many people who have the feeling that people who believe in Astrology have forfeited their claim to being "Christians" - that the two don't mix. That's about as farfetched as saying there is only one religion.

The New American Bible, published in 1970, put this false concept to rest. Father Stephen Hartdegen, an editor of the new issue under the sponsorship of the Bishop's Committee of the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine has explained, "The original Greek word was 'magoi' meaning learned men skilled in Astrology and sorcery. That seems evident from their observance of the star rising at Jesus' birth and following it to Jerusalem." So they changed the term "three wise men" to "three Astrologers"! These scholars felt that this term was correct.

Now we know, as the Bible tells us, that the first people to find Jesus, newborn, were three Astrologers who went out and pronounced him to be the Messiah. These Astrologers were the first proclaimed Christians!

There is another interesting point most people don't know about. Christ was educated by the Essenes, whom history has taught us were Astrologers.

If it's good enough for Him, it ought to satisfy the rest of us!

posted June 13, 2003 02:18 PM         

Sue that article would be great I understand exactly what Annie is talking about with the Astrology and Religion topic!

Annie and Twin Im sorry you are both here on this post due to the nature, but I am happy to be able to share these feelings with you. Thanks!

posted June 13, 2003 02:52 PM         

"Let him without sin cast the first stone"

posted June 13, 2003 03:02 PM         

Cat and SCM, I've also read about Jesus being taught by the Essenes, both online and I think Linda mentions it in Starsigns. This was apparently during the "lost years" of his life, from about age 13 up to the time he began his ministry, at age 30.

If anyone cares to do the research, the Internet offers lots of information on this subject. By typing in "the lost years of Jesus" or something similar, links will come up basically maintaining how the early church fathers, in an effort to control the common people, removed practically everything metaphysical about the life of Jesus, including Astrology and reincarnation, from the Bible. I also read that since the "heads" of the church were men, they removed important info about Mary Magdeline and other women of the Bible...leaving (or inserting) passages that disempower them instead because they (the men) were threatened by them. Again, it was about control.

Actually, it was my search on this subject via the Internet that helped me reach the conclusions I shared in my earlier post, and I can only say that I have peace about this now. All those years prior to my coming online, I struggled so much with what seemed like conflicting information, and struggled with what I was taught compared to what I somehow "knew" in my soul.

Unfortunately, there are many people who don't question any of this and are content with what they're taught, thus the hypocricy we see all too often...and yes I agree...some of the most horrific bloodshed in the history of mankind has happened because of the misled followers of one religion or another.

I always reasoned this way, even before coming to the conclusions I did: Regarding Astrology...if God created everything, then He placed the stars and planets in the sky. If He created us, He also gave us brains to think with, question with, explore and study with. And isn't it a scientific fact that we only use something like 5% of our brains right now? I know I read that somewhere. Anyway, this is my "take" on things for what it's worth.

I'd post some of the links I found but they're saved on my old computer which is not working. If I get the chance I'll try and find some of them and post them here over the weekend. After that, I'll be away till Tuesday or Wednesday, depending on the outcome of my daughter Melinda's surgery Monday. Till later,