Questions…
Here are some questions I’ve been asked by readers in recent weeks. I’ll be answering each of them in separate posts either here or at www.earthmystic.net in the near future. If you have a similar question that you would love for me to answer, send it along! Either post a comment to this entry, or if you don’t want the entire world to see, email me your question. Thanks…
- My best friend is a Christian. He feels that I am committing some sort of atrocity towards God for following the Pagan path I’ve chosen. Obviously he doesn’t take the Wiccan way seriously, and he won’t touch your book (When Someone You Love is Wiccan). He feels that I am committing a horrible "sin" and that I’m going to burn in hell. If it were anyone else I would just brush it off as I usually do—but, this guy has been my bestfriend forever and we’ve always gotten along and had almost everything else in common. He’s like a seventh brother to me and we would do anything to help each other out otherwise. I just can’t get him to take me seriously when the subject of religion comes up. I have never in any way tried to push religion on him, but he does try to push his faith on me. My wife and I can’t help but feel very offended with the way he treats us when the subject comes up. It’s as if he becomes a different person that has been brainwashed. He won’t even make an attempt to understand where I’m coming from. My question is: Is there anything that you think I could say to him so that he would take me seriously as well as just try to get him to just relate to me when the subject arises?
- I see that you have left the Pagan community and have returned to Christianity, specifically the Catholic Church. However, you still describe yourself as a liberal believer. I can understand the attraction towards Catholicism for its ritual and tradition. However, I wonder how you reconcile your liberal spiritual beliefs with what is, no doubt, the most dogmatic institution in the spiritual community?
- I’ve noted a strong sense of Christian orthodoxy and acceptance of "core Christian beliefs" in a lot of what I’ve seen on your site, especially in your influences. Yet there is very little overt Christianity in the books you write. I was wondering about your own faith journey and where you are on the path now.
Do you have a question for me? Please email me (or post a comment to this entry). Thanks.
reikimaster
what a trip. you’re Dear Abby!
when folks feel down or confused, I just give them a penguin. cuter than kittens. here, have one.
gratefulbear
One of my dearest friends has converted to the Roman Catholic faith. I’m concerned about his blind allegiance to the Inquisitor Pope and about his worship of Mary (“creeping Mariolotry”). How can I reach out and give my friend a penguin without driving him deeper into his Popery? (potpourri?)
gratefulbear
This gives me an idea for a new air freshener: “Popery Potpourri,” a decorative and aromatic sachet of herbs and rose petals emblazoned with a picture of the Pope.
reikimaster
LOL! popery potpourri. it should be really stinky.
brigidgreywolf
questions
I think it’s all well and good to be tongue-in-cheek among ourselves, but as a formerly practicing Catholic and now eclectic Pagan we had better monitor ourselves a little…or those people we might be able to help in their spiritual journeys won’t seek any assistance from Carl’s great effort here…some can become very defensive. In other words: “I can bad mouth my own religion, but…”
Blessed be!
Carl McColman
Re: questions
Thank you.
brigidgreywolf
Re: questions
…by the way…I consider Mary one representation of the Goddess, along with Brigid, and Isis. The Divine Feminine, which is being studied and which exists on the “outer fringes” of Catholicism, are what drew me to the Goddess and the wonderful place I’m at today.
brigidgreywolf
questions
…and you’re very welcome, Carl.