Obviously you are trashing something I also believe in when you refer to his beliefs in God and Christ and all that go with it in a Biblical sense
If you're referring to where I said the following:
You want to argue whose religion is more validated? I could post you lists of documents indicating that Jesus Christ never existed and that much of the Christian mythos and stories are stolen from far far earlier religions (including suchs facets of Christianity as the three wise men, virgin birth, resurection and the cross). But I'm above telling other people not to have faith in their gods and that's where you and I so very clearly differ.
Then please consider the bolded addition to my quote. I am not discrediting Christ or saying Russ's or your religion is "wrong", I'm only saying I could use the same line as Russ and it'd be no more valid an argument. So, for the record, no, I am not saying your religion is wrong or that Christ did not exist -- just that I
could if I wished to use that as an argument. If fact, I understand precisely how you feel as a Mormon, Jeanie, in that (non-Mormon) Christians chastize you your beliefs. They too chastize me mine -- and now, quite visibly, claim that my gods are mere extentions of theirs. Ironic since I don't believe in their god, so how on Earth can I be believing in some aspect of their god?
But I would have to agree, I think it is probably the mercury.... and a bit of fanaticism. And arrogance to be honest.
Well, now, to be fair I wasn't saying that it actually is the mercury. I'm just pointing out the injustice in his using that line on others, and making it apparent that such a comment works both ways.
I just see you, Pwcca, as being raised to be what you are. I do not normally just tell everyone where I think they are wrong, either. This forum is a unique experience that way. I think you are at heart a pretty sweet, gentle person. I don't agree with you on how you believe, but you know would fight for your right to believe it or at least your rights period. Are you more of a Diest like RAZD? I think I have more of a concept of that, now.
I applaud the fact that you fight for people to have their personal beliefs even if they are not your beliefs. I am the furthest thing from an atheist yet still feel outraged when I see atheism badmouthed time and time again here. As to your question about me being a deist, Jeanie, no, I do not classify myself as a Deist. I am don't like the term neo-pagan because, to me, it invokes all sorts of cheezy new age images and trendy teenager trappings but we could say I fall into the neo-pagan category (roughly). I don't paint my fingernails black and wear pentagrams and listen to gothic music -- and I like to separate myself from that sort of imagery. Moreover, I am a polytheist (which means I believe in numerous gods, not just one single entity). We could say I practice something of a nature religion. I don't view the world as separate from the hereafter, I think they're one in the same. However, I also view a large part of religion -- any religion -- as tradition too. For me the most integral part of one's faith is not just what god(s) you believe in but also the traditions which accompany it. It is my belief that the predominant Christian fold and Christian supremacy snuffed out (and in some cases absorbed) the more ancient religions of the world, religions which I feel are closer to understanding the natural world and closer to being a part of it. I am a creature of the earth (comprised of the earth) and whatever remnant of me exists when I am gone will be a part of this world, not some other dimension -- that's how I view things, at least.
