Musings on words and faith
In case you didn't notice it in my profile, I'm a bit of a webcomic fan. I just spent a good chunk of yesterday adding another one to my reading list. "Clan of the Cats." Been meaning to read it for a while, but it takes a while to tear through 2+ years of archives, even a week at a time. Reminds me a lot of BtVS (as Jubal himself once noted). But the site got me thinking...
I must admit that some of the links on the front page... unnerve me. Wiccanism and paganism don't bother me -- they're basically European versions of the Native American nature religions -- but use the term "witch" or "occult" in the context of real life and I cringe. Because by my very definitions of the words, those involve dark powers that shouldn't be messed with. If a so-called witch is actually drawing their power from the earth/nature gods/inner energy, I'd much prefer that they called themselves Wiccans or pagans, which I would consider far more accurate descriptions and which don't have the same connotation. And if they are working with something dark... *shudders*
I'm a Christian. I believe in God, in Jesus, and in angels. I also believe in the existence of Satan and his forces, and I believe them to be the enemy of God and, by extension, me. That means that any follower of Satan is either also my enemy or, at best, seriously misguided. So I take the idea of someone tapping into dark spiritual forces very seriously. I got over any issues I had with Wiccanism long ago , but "Wiccan" does not equal "witch", and I often wish people wouldn't use the terms interchangeably.
"Wizard," "sorceress," "mage," "shaman"... I can handle any of those words, because they don't come with a predefined power source. But throw "witch" into the conversation and it's like a speedbump to me.
Lord, help me to see the truth wherever it hides. Help me to know where Your goodness and holiness are, and where they are not. And always keep me by Your side...
I must admit that some of the links on the front page... unnerve me. Wiccanism and paganism don't bother me -- they're basically European versions of the Native American nature religions -- but use the term "witch" or "occult" in the context of real life and I cringe. Because by my very definitions of the words, those involve dark powers that shouldn't be messed with. If a so-called witch is actually drawing their power from the earth/nature gods/inner energy, I'd much prefer that they called themselves Wiccans or pagans, which I would consider far more accurate descriptions and which don't have the same connotation. And if they are working with something dark... *shudders*
I'm a Christian. I believe in God, in Jesus, and in angels. I also believe in the existence of Satan and his forces, and I believe them to be the enemy of God and, by extension, me. That means that any follower of Satan is either also my enemy or, at best, seriously misguided. So I take the idea of someone tapping into dark spiritual forces very seriously. I got over any issues I had with Wiccanism long ago , but "Wiccan" does not equal "witch", and I often wish people wouldn't use the terms interchangeably.
"Wizard," "sorceress," "mage," "shaman"... I can handle any of those words, because they don't come with a predefined power source. But throw "witch" into the conversation and it's like a speedbump to me.
Lord, help me to see the truth wherever it hides. Help me to know where Your goodness and holiness are, and where they are not. And always keep me by Your side...