Is it dangerous to be Pagan?

[watershield]

Was flipping channels last night and stumbled in on a show already in progress.
The focus was the Christian faith reacting toward the decline in people attending church and the growth of pagan and new age faiths.
The show used a combination of quotes from the bible and from Nostradamus to attempt to prove that Satan is currently walking the Earth, building an Army of 200 million souls in preparation for Armageddon.
They interviewed a number of Theologians who basically suggested that steps need to be taken to defeat Satan and defeat this misguided pagan movement.

During this show, it was suggested that the Catholic Church has seen an increase in it's parishioners being seduced by Satan and drawn into pagan cults. They emphasized the depravity of paganism by show one of Levey's films doing his version of the Great Rite.
The show went on to indicate that the Catholic Church sees the threat so real that it has established schools to teach exorcism and the Pope has instructed his Cardinals to form exorcism teams around the world.
Not being one to believe every thing I see on TV I went hunting and found this:
www.boston.com/news/world/articles/2005/02/18/vatican_backs_exorcism_course/

What I find troubling in that story is the indication that the church is working with the police to fight Satan. Are we the verge of seeing paganism being deemed a crime with pagans of all paths being tossed into some sort of church prison? And if the fundies of the bible belt start ramping it up, burning crosses in front yards could have a new significance.
Ok, this may sound like an over reaction, but the potential does give me pause to wonder about the next few years and to pay more attention to our ever changing society.

[Jen]

Feb 27, 2010 19:15:30 GMT 1 watershield said:

an Army of 200 million souls

I know what side I'd rather be on!

All joking aside - this is going to have a detrimental affect, of course it will. In this day and age when we preach human rights and discourage prejudice of any sort, this is totally spewing the wrong message and I'm shocked at the Catholic church but, sadly, I am not surprised. It's just another form of control and power something that The Vatican thrives on.

[redwolf]

Roman was road building long before Roman even noticed the area they knew as Palestine. It was a method of keeping the legions in physical condition they started using in the time of Gaius Marius. And if you know about him you know a lot about early Rome. There were many reasons Rome fell, Christianity was a very minor one. In act all the early Chistains did was move into the power vaccum when no one else could. They were not totally responsible for it but they did exploit it by converting a lot of the leadership.

[redwolf]

Is it dangerous to be a Pagan?

No.

But it can get to be. The idea of scapegoating a religious minority is still a useful trick.

[watershield]

Talking about Rome.....I read some place that as Lead Oxidises, it forms a white powder, very sweet to the taste.
The Roman elite added this to their wine to sweeten the flavor.

As a result, a very large number of the Roman elite suffered lead poisoning which attacks the nervous system and basic brain function.

Hmmmmm....I wonder if the republican party does the same? LOL.

[henny]

With everything going on in the news.I wouldn't want to say I'm catholic or state my party.

LOL..if you remember its the christians that thought up satan he can't be pagan or recrute people into paganism.
The pagans can sit back with popcorn and watch this one.

[mami]

I hope not, I'm getting a large penticle tattoo on my forearm
If asked why my answer would just be "if it was a cross would you ask me the same question" rigth?

[redwolf]

Eveyoen ever read about this Rapture thingie? I have this thought, a view of the world after the 'Selected' are taken up. Off in the distance high in the sky are all these souls,Christian, Jewish, Muslim, drifting on after a bright Light like a cloud on a summers day. And left behind all the rest of us wavign good bye. And one of us leaning over to another and whispering, "Next Incarnation, let's not invite them"

[watershield]

Reminds me of this wiccan who died and went to the summerlands. Saint peter was busy showing him around, point out the Buddhist section, the Hindu section, the lawn bowling, the community pool.....suddenly the sky darkened, the ground split and thousands of souls poured from the clouds into the fiery pit. Saint Peter looked to the Wiccan...don't worry, those Christians insist on having it their way.

[mami]

haha, yeah I heard that one and its still funny ;D .

[skyknight]

The Catholic church refers to anything it doesn't like or threatens them as "evil" it gives these things more power in the process! I grew up in a Catholic family and it was the very close mindedness of the church and my mother which made me look outwards to something more honest in my mind.

So to answer your question is it dangerous to be paga, well maybe if the Church gets it's way and starts up with persecutions again!

[mrsburd]

I would think that crossing a busy highway is more dangerous..lol....Danger is fear..sometimes fear is a good thing,like for protection and such.Im not afraid of my belifes or my way of living...Well thats just my thought on this.....joy to you

[joyisa]

I find this most confusing, as the christian faiths roots come from pagan festivals...to twist the pagans and move them into an *order* they christianised festivals like Easter , encouraging a belif already known....
this has been happening and is still happening and will keep happening until everything is *westernised*
My great Aunt was a missionary in the Soloman Islands, when she arrived there cannibalism was rife....she and her team of christians showed them a different way of being, now this was all done with very good intent but, I still find it very very wrong.
why can people leave well alone and let everyone be who they want to be?

I have always been me, i was brought up Christian, but could my mum get me to church? well for the first few years yes, then, i grew up and was never at home, I literally lived in the woods...that was where I would be found any free time i had....i have had an affinity with trees, particularly Oak, since i could walk....so i think i have been walking the pagan path for a very long time.

I dont think its dangerous to be pagan, i think its dangerous to antagonise those with a different belief, i hate the way religion is rammed down our throats, i choose to be quietly pagan, those that are in tune with me, know i am, those that are not dont matter:)

[watershield]

I guess the point I was attempting to make is that there is a new face on right wing Christian beliefs.
The American economy is in the toilet, politician's all seems to have their own agendas, crime is out of control, the moral fabric is stretched to being on the verge of ripping apart (my view of watching the news)
I have been reading a growing theme on the INTERNET with Fundamentalist Christians pointing fingers at Wicca and Pagan ideals for the break down of society. It's human nature to look for some one or some thing to blame for everything that goes wrong.
In the 30's the German people listened to one nut putting all the blame for the countries economic problems on the Jews. We know what the result was then.
It's not impossible for a similar situation to develop with Christians vs pagans
I'm not saying...run and hide. Rather, just be aware and watchful.

[joyisa]

there`ll always be those who are scared of things they do not understand, so we go back to the witchfinder generation renewed....so being wary and cautious will always have to be the norm..well, for a while yet....
quiet patience is called for, until, like most things, it will all be eventually, accepted....

I have a great sympathy for those over the pond...life seems to hectic chaotic and mad...where carrying weapons is the norm and hate and violence are rife, i know, its everywhere, but as your continent is so vast its amplified and to me, living on the tiniest of islands(uk) is very scary