Right then! I have something to say!
Today I write from a place of passion, a place I write best from. Yesterday I was attacked. I was attacked like I have never been attacked befor. Not physically, not emotionally, but with horrid, harsh and descriminating words!
Not only was I attacked, but others as well. Others who did not know how to defend themselves against their mean-spirited attackers....so I did it for them.
I belong to a few e-mail groups, mostly happy-go-lucky mommy type groups that normally contain kind hearted women who enjoy the e-company of other moms. Well, let me tell you...they are not all that way. I found out first hand yesterday how some people can be. Not that I did not know that some peoples true nature is not to be kind and understanding, but it promted a responce from me non-the-less.
Here's the lo-down. I am not Christian. I am not solely of any other faith either. I am a multi-faceted soul when it comes to my faith. I enjoy faith of all cultures because I believe they all have something valuable to teach me. I would never look my nose down upon someone who does not have my same outlook on faith, nor would I ever condemn them for their opinions, or way they live their spiritual life.
Yesterday in one of the groups I belong to, this is exactly how I was treated, along with some others, because I don't go to church or read the bible daily. I was called a lost soul, a devil worshiper, and evil sorce that must be gotten rid of, a soceress who must die. There was more, but it sickens me to write ALL the names down.
Mind you, these words come from (supposed) God loving Christian souls, who, I thought, were supposed to be understanding, caring people?
Apparently they prefer to quote some garbage they believe their vengeful God told them. I, myself, have never believed in a vengeful God, but then again, I am not these people. So, in responce to these attacks I wrote the following letter, a goodbye letter, to the group. Of course it was not aimed at the group as a whole, but to the attackers among them. I felt the need to stand up to them, not only for myself but for the others who didn't know how.
The names I wrote this letter to have been removed.
Here is the letter:
First off I want to say I will pray for you. Not to your all mighty, but to the Universal Spirit, some call this spirit God, Father, Mother, Great Creator, whatever one call's him or her I hope my prayer for you is heard.
In your bible does it not say: Thou shalt not judge others for then you open thou self up to be judged? Thou shalt not condemn others for thou shalt then be condemned. By your own words you have judged and condemned...and you are proud of this?
There were some of us who were open enough, trusting enough, to share our thoughts with the women of this group. Those of us who did, did not judge you, your faith, or how you live your life. We did not judge you, we did not flame you with any religious intolerance, yet you felt it necessary to do so to us? I suggest you sit down, read your bible with the same conviction you felt the need to bash us with and then pray to your God for forgiveness....for, by your own religious convictions, you have sinned.
Another thing, yes, Wicca as a structured religion, and as many other religions, is an Occult religion. Perhaps you have the word Cult and Occult mixed up. ANY religion that claims to be the Only Truth and only One leader is a Cult, like Christianity. If you have ever read about your Christian history you will find it was the Christians of the Catholic faith who stole (which by the way is a sin) most of their beliefs from the Pagans and adapted them to the Christian faith in order to lour the Pagan people to the Christian religion. Imagine what God thought of that!
Another thing, when you speak of the Devil don't you realize it is only Christian's who believe in the Devil? There is not one other religion in the world who believes in the Devil. Wiccans, who practice Paganism, do not believe in any type of Devil/Satan archetype so perhaps before you go off on one next time, flaming another's beliefs, it is you who should do your homework.
Also, as for the bible, which in my opinion is a valuable book of lessons written to learn compassion, love and tolerance by, is a wonderful piece of fiction...as are many other books out there. Fictional because no one know's the author and therefore it cannot in any way be authenticated. God is spirit and therefore cannot write, and if he/she could, I'm sure he/she would set you and other people who are not tolerant of their sisters, brothers, and neighbors spiritual paths, straight. Shame on you!
I have had spiritual talks with Pastors of the Christian faith, Buddhist and Taoist faiths, and I have never ever had one of them even attempt to be as fundamentally rude, mean-spirited, or insulting just because one is not of their chosen faith. I suggest that on Sunday, while you are sitting in your man built churches, reading the scripture in your man written book, that you think about how you have treated others who did not treat you in this way....and then pray, pray, pray your hearts out for the forgiveness you so desperately seek.
You said that if you heard one more thing about this topic you would be, and I quote "out of here" Please don't go, I'll save you the trouble because I, and I'm sure a couple of others, are Outta Here!
To the group owner,
While I am sure that you never expected a loving and personal seeking type of topic as the one that prompted these letters to get out of hand, it has....and it has hurt those of us it was aimed at. I really do love this group, and, until now have felt nothing but welcome here but now I do not due to this nasty reply from some people who could have just kept their opinions to themselves because in reality, you did know it would hurt those of us it was aimed at, and was written to do so.
I am not a lost soul, I am a soul loved by Mother & Father God, for I am made in their likeness, from their hearts, laughter and tears. Lost souls are the people who do not have the confidence in their own faiths, convictions, and ultimately themselves that they seek to destroy others with their harsh, hateful words.
May your hate-filled hearts be filled with love and light in GODS name.
Many Blessings,
Petra. (that's me, LeananSidhe)
p.s. No need to reply, I will unsub and report this group to Yahoo under the pretence of discrimination.