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On the topic of religion.. looking for helpful information from both Christians and Nonchristians

Smellissa's picture

First let me warn you guys that I won't be reading and replying to your responses until tomorrow.. Second, please don't use my post as some kind of jumping off point to an argument on religion. I've never witnessed that here (because most of you are mature adults) but I just want to make sure.

Okay then, both SDs had a conversation with Cousin yesterday about witchcraft and psychics. SD13 ran inside and asked me "Mom, am I allowed to become a witch?"... Urm...

I told her that religion is a personal thing, and that I cannot decide her religion for her. Then, SD13 asked me what I thought of it...

I asked her if she believed in the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, and she said yes. I asked her if she KNEW that they were real, and she told me yes. So, I told her that she cannot be a witch because witches worship a different god or goddess. (As far as I know, this is true.)

So here we come to my first question for Wiccans and that you know of, are their any branches of your religion that still worships the Father, Son and Holy Ghost??? What can you tell me about your religion? Can you name a web sight that I can point SDs to, if they want more information?

I got a phone call then, and SD15 came in. I couldn't hear the whole conversation, but basically, SD15 said that she was going to become a witch, and could do what she wanted. SD13 told her that she cannot worship both...

After I got off the phone, the girls and I had more of a conversation. It basically came down to me telling the girls that I wanted them to give me three days, and have a conversation with three Christians (me, Hubby and their Big Sister, I think they'll choose) before they made a decision like this.

(They only know one person of witch-based faith, and honestly I am not sure if my cousin is Wiccan or Pagan. I don't know the difference, really, either. I told them that they could discuss it with her, to.)

Anyway, I am a Christian, but I am in and out of church, and I don't study my bible regularly. I know that (according to my beliefs) the girls cannot worship both ways. However, I can't think of any bible verses that say so (because I study my bible so periodically, and because of some new medicine I am on that makes me STUPID)!

Can any of my fellow Christians point me to some bible verses to share with them?

I think, it's time to get me and my girls back into church. Time to stop being so lazy! :/

Comments

Smellissa's picture

Thanks! I will look up the Tri(can't remember the rest of the word) witches! Biggrin And thanks for the definition of Pagans and Wiccans! I knew it was something like that!

MamaBass's picture

Galations 5:19- "The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; (20) idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions (21) and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God."

Not sure if that helps, because I know I have fits of rage sometimes! I think it's more describing it as a sin... not so much a religion?

Smellissa's picture

Thanks! I am going to print up all of the verses you guys give me and have the SDs read up on it...

BUT they have quit asking about it, and I wonder if they have already moved on to something else!

I have fits of rage, to, and so does Sd13.

WTF...REALLY's picture

Funny enough - there is a relationship between Wicca and Christianity. Wicca is a pagan religion. A lot of Christian events are actually based on pagan rituals. Christmas and Easter for example was a pagan ritual at first. When Constantine wanted the Romans to convert to Christianity - he used the same days and rituals but turned them into Christians one, this made the switch for many easier since it felt familiar. You can find a connection between Wicca and Christianity.

Let your SD look into both. Plus show her other religions - Buddha, Islam, Judaism, etc. The more knowledge one has the better. Plus it makes them a more compassionate person I find to have a broad spectrum knowledge. Smile

Smellissa's picture

Mizfoxie, I am sure that it IS a thing where they are thinking that they will be Pru from Charmed. They used to really get into that show! LOL

Forty years is a long time to do anything. You must have quite a conviction to fallow your path that long. I think that is really respectable, and quite an achievement!

Thank you for the link! I am going to check it out, and show it to the SDs

Smellissa's picture

Sueu2, thank you very much for your opinion and advice. I don't think that I will stop the Sds from studying anything they want to - as long as it isn't a Satanic Bible. For me, that is way off bounds, but not much else is.

Smellissa's picture

Just for this, I think that I do want to get the three of us into a new home church. It has been a while since we have gone, and honestly our lives are falling apart. I think that we need all the hope we can get at this point! Sad

WTF...REALLY's picture

Looking for HOPE. That is very insightful MizFoxie. Choked me up a bit. Beautiful. For what is a life without HOPE.

Smellissa's picture

Fightin, I think that it is basically from the conversation with my cousin. Sad But they have quit asking about it, so I think maybe they have changed their minds.

Shaman29's picture

To my understanding Wiccans don't practice magic. They care for mother earth and do their best to spread love and kindness.

Ahem.

Something that I thought "christians" are supposed to do in the first place.

Smellissa's picture

Shaman, my girls are wanting to know spells.. so maybe they want to be Pagan but not Wiccan?

Anon2009's picture

Instead of using bible verses, have them research all main religions/spiritual beliefs. Let them find the pros and cons of each. Have them make up lists of each religion/spiritual belief they want to research. Let them come to their own conclusions on this.

I'm a Christian, but I need to re-read up on my bible verses.

moeilijk's picture

I haven't read through too many other responses, so if this is covered already, just skim Smile

I'm a Baha'i. If you look at the progression of Western religion, there is Judaism, Christianity, Islam and Baha'ism. With Judaism came the concept of one God, with Christianity that God is among us, with Islam that God is in and of everything, and with the Baha'i faith that God has a goal for humanity.

One of the principles of the Baha'i faith is the independent investigation of truth. This is very important in my religion.

Therefore, I suggest you treat seeking religion as a school assignment. Ask the girls to research:

What do some famous people believe? Do you agree? Why or why not? What are the main beliefs of three different religions? What do they have in common? What's different? What do you think is important in a religion? What are some reasons religion is important to people? What are some reasons religion is not important to people? What is your opinion about religion? What religious practices do you enjoy? What don't you enjoy?

Etc. And then talk with them. It's about discovery. It's about them being accepted for whoever they are... and you ALL figuring that out! They are, fundamentally, good girls, but they had a very rough start. So now they need to find their own path... and since you love and support them no matter what, if you show interest and curiosity in them - hold back on teaching, let them learn the (slightly) hard way - they will seek you out for insight and understanding.

I firmly believe that a basic human need is to be known - known for who we are, who we could be. And so the more questions you ask, the more they discover for themselves. And the closer you feel to each other.

Peaches's picture

I didn't read all of the responses, but where I come from (Canada) anyone under the age of 18 cannot become Wiccan. I think it was FireInside that pointed out that Wicca is a type of Paganism, this is true. I'm a type of Pagan, that I won't disclose here, and all too often the topic is shrouded in misunderstanding and misinformation. I also grew up in an age where everyone wanted to become "wiccan" and "pagan" not really knowing what it was. Typically the rule in wiccan religions is you must study for one year and one day before even being considered. I think studying all religions is a good idea, and a good way to learn tolerance. I would tell her "becoming a witch" is a lot more complicated then just wanting to be one, but educating herself on the topic wouldn't hurt. Good luck Smile