[quote=Darkmystic;1595838]
7. How does one's conception of gods and goddesses influence the rest of one's beliefs? (I'm trying here to see the relation of the idea of god-forms as opposed to the more premodern aspects of gods and goddesses as understood by witches centuries/millenia ago.)


I am a reader much like you, rarely do I comment or post on boards. However I think this is a good subject to address, and people should choose a religion weather it be following one introduced to them or combining those that suit them.

The meaning of Gods and Goddesses in this religion or so I have been taught over the years, these are not different gods! but merely parts of god. witchcraft teaches the ying and yang of everything. just as nature teaches us this i.e. light/dark, good/evil, male/female...one cannot exist without the other. and so this rule also applies in religion, and example of this is

CERNUNNOS god of the underworld (darkness and death void of light)
CLIODNA goddess of the otherworld (light, life, nature)

yet these are not different gods, they are names given to the different parts that are supposed to explain why things are the way they are. Much like Christianity names Jesus as the life, light, and son of god, and Satan as the exact opposite.

Magic is harder to explain but easy to understand once you learn it. The easiest way I have found to explain a magical experience is this. when you concentrate on something you bring it's priority to the highest in your life at that moment. now, add a few more minds and combine that focus on the same thing, it creates energy weather it be positive or negative energy the result is the same. i.e. in Christianity people go to church and gather together creating a congregation (Coven) and are all asked to pray for someones health, wealth, or people (same as a coven would focus and concentrate on a certain thing) because two minds (prayers) are better then one.

I was born in the Celtic Religion and come from a long line of priests and priestesses in this order. I have been an Ordained high Priestess in the Celtic domain for over 6 years now. I marry, teach, hand fast/part, and bury people in my faith.

newcomers to my religion always ask me the most impossible questions about life, spirit, the universe, and especially why they are here. who is god? does he exist? is there a heaven or a hell? what really happens when we die? etc... you get the point!

Maybe my religion makes for sense to me because I was born in it, just as catholicism makes more sense to those raised in a catholic home. As everyone who studies witchcraft will agree, in order to become ordained in this type of religion not only does the apprentice have to learn this religion but in fact have basic knowledge and respect for all religions regardless of that religions belief, faith, teachings, or even authenticity.

I do not proclaim to have the answers to death, life, religion, or faith. And I am not in the habit of forcing my religion, practices, and beliefs on other people. I respect all religions weather I agree with them or not.

However it is hard to stomach at times the plague like spread of many religions I know to be false. I think the real question is, " why must the religions that publish book(s) stating god's intentions, likes and dislikes, not to mention rules on how to live life, and then condemn those that see the Hypocrisy in their beliefs?"

Bless and be blessed
Lady Shannen