templaris

Bless you for having the courage to speak and share with us your own personal reflections of spirituality.

Angels do exist and theyre God's light-workers and helpers and I wouldn't doubt a few or more of them do try to guide and protect many people here on earth, and our connections with them ultimately help guide us towards God.

Magic and miracles do exist, but most christians are opposed to the occultist arts because they aren't wholesomely Christians as scripture denounces "witchcraft" which is just a broad-term for any type of "Sorcery" for good or ill. Superstition in the form of talismans like rabbits feet, yor birthday as lotto-numbers or a picture of a loved one in your pocket while you play ball; all could be considered some form of "witch-craft" by many. I don't think the examples I gave can be justified as immoral or wrong, but I think where occultism becomes a sin in Christians' eyes because its praying for a miracle that will only happen if it fits into God's ultimate plan. By some-how altering the state of reality by use of magicks will only result in a time-three counter-balance (according to Wiccans, I believe), which I also believe is God's will unweaving the magicks used. I think this is God trying to tell us we don't need magic be able to live with Him, or to communicate with Him, or even to keep-in-touch with your dead relatives. I just don't think you need a new-age book to tell you how to do it, cuz we already have that Book. I dont think its wrong to practice those arts, but I'v heard of many people dabblign into dark territory that can be harmful, and even deadly.

but bless you and may your spiritual journey take you where you aspire, and thank you for sharing with us.

Theophilus

Is it all really that different?

Yes. . . Eternaly so.

The Unexpected

templaris, may you, yourself be blessed for your hospitality. I am pleased to see that there are genuine christians in this world.

I can't attest to the statement regarding Wicca simply because I am not a Wiccan. I generally ridicule anyone who claims to be a Wiccan living in the city. Should it be that I lived in the countryside though, then I'd likely practice. Nature is a beautiful thing. Have you ever looked at things and seen common patterns? Mathematicians call it "Phi". The golden ratio. The connection of it all.

This brings me back to my initial point: I don't think my beliefs are really all that different from any of yours. I'd say that the biggest difference is that I don't like the notion of God having a personality. The way I see it, the chief governing force in the universe (God) is what it is simply because it IS the universe. This is where even science and religion have to agree. Scientists aren't going to deny the String Theory and the Theory Of Relativity. Nor are Christians going to say that the universe is not a part of God. When a mother gives birth to a child, of what is that child comprised?

Alchemists think in terms of elements: Earth, Air, Fire, and Water. I'll not go into a lengthy explanation of what this means, but it'll suffice to say that these are not necessarily as their names imply, but the qualities associated with them). There is also a fifth element: Akasha. The essential nature of Akasha is Union. The binding force of all the forces and qualities

Again, brother, (And fellow New Yorker!), thank your for your tolerance. And yes, there are those who dabble. Those who dabble get hurt. Slow, yet solid progress is always superior to dabbling (Skipping around to the advanced stuff and acting as if you are some powerful sorcerer when you are merely a fool who will eventually get hurt). I am very serious about my practice and I look forward to years of spiritual development.

Also, did you know that the pentacle is a symbol used to protect oneself from evil? And that occult rituals actually use things like the sign of the cross?

The Kaballistic Cross

Essentiall, you give the sign of the cross, while saying "Ator Malkuth Ve-Gevurah Ve-Gedulah Le-Olahm" (Thou art the kingdom and the power and the glory forever AMEN). You then proceed to say "YHVH Adni Ahih Agla", as you trace the pentagram in the air. These are all very holy names. Then, facing the east, you say "Before me is Raphael. Behind me is Gabriel. In my right hand is Michael. In my left hand is Auriel. Before me flames the pentagram and behind me shines the six-rayed star"

Food for thought.

Theophilus

You indicate that you believe that God is the universe. This counterdicts the bible in respect that the bible states that God "the creator" created the universe making them distinctly separate. And that we are to acknowledge and worship the creator,not His creation,

I make this point not to judge you. But show there is a significant differance.
One that you might want to concider if you believe in anything eternal.

Sincerely His
Cliff

Joyful

I agree with theo. Please read the Bible carefully. If you are Christian and don't read the Bible it is impossible to follow God. Christians are followers of God, the Bible is about the knowledge of God and Jesus for us to learn about them and to follow them.

thank you

Boanerges

The Unexpected , it is obvious you need to get set free, there is only one true God and He would like to meet you. Why don't you lay aside all that darkness and give Him a try- it will be the most incredible expierience of your life ! God is love and He does love you- God is holy and sin cannot come into His presence- perhaps it's time for a change. Lets see an eternity with the Living God or complete and permanate seperation from all His goodness- tough choice- no not really- man was created for fellowship with the Lord and if left empty will try to fill that void with something- lust, power, wealth,demonic spirits- most people will try almost anything to fill that empty spot in thier life- why don't you try getting filled up with that which you were created to carry, His presence!

Joyful

I just read the OP. please forgive me for my hasty post.

templaris

If he finds God's comfort within his spirituality than christianity then thats his choice. Some people just cant be Christian because they don't feel right about it and feel it compromises their relationship with God. Perhas we all should stop looking at difference and examine similarities and learn to appreciate both difference and similarity. I'm pretty sure his spirituality has done more for him than christianity has, and I think it foolish of us to think he'd want to convert from new age to old age.

Is there ever a time when we christians are supposed to stop, and appreciate and respect any religion other than our own? Is there any time we can perhap learn from a religion that is not our own? If you study and learn about other gods, are you an idolator? Someone told me I was just bc I read about Islam from a learning point of view.

Boanerges

Everyone has the right to thier opinion but that doesn't change the reality of God's word, it also does not change my responsability to share the gospel with those who do not have an understanding as of yet.
Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
No body has a relationship with the God without Jesus plain and simple, I respect the sincerety of lost souls seeking other ways but God has provided the one true way, every other path is leading to sure and utter destruction.
The church is given a commission -
Mar 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
Anything less is disobediant to my Lord's command.

Struick

The "Christian" Bible tells us that there is only one way to the Father and that's through Jesus Christ. Jesus said if you are not for me, you are against me. All there is to learn is in Holy Bible Scriptures, that's what Christians believe. Anything else is a false religion. Jesus warned us about it. We cannot learn from "other religions" as you suggested. That's not what the Bible teaches. As a Christian I follow Jesus, I don't follow "other gods".