christianity

I don't believe that it is possible to be both a Christian and a Pagan. The reasons for this are because of the specific differences in the beliefs and spiritual laws of true Christianity and the many forms of Paganism. When I say "true" Christianity, I am referring to Christianity as it is taught in the Bible. I will refer to points made in the Bible, for the Bible is the "inspired word of God" according to Christians, and I don't feel that a true Christian would ignore any of the teachings included in the Bible.

First, Christianity was supposedly established by the "God" Himself. The Bible is His inspired word. Man did not "create" Christianity, but God set the laws of man and inspired the men who wrote the Bible (according to the Bible and to Christians). God decided what is "right and wrong," God decided how humans are to worship, believe, and live in order to be worthy of seeing the "Kingdom of God." Does this sound at all similar to any forms of Paganism to you? Wicca, as an example, isn't remotely similar to Christianity in this respect. Wicca is supposedly NOT a divinely inspired belief system. It was created and "made up" entirely by humans who also were not divinely inspired.
Most Pagans believe we are all free to personalize our spiritual paths according to our own thoughts and views. But, Christianity is not this way. The Bible is very specific and blunt about that idea.

Christians believe that Jesus Christ was the son of God. They also believe that He still is the son of God and is still very much alive in spirit, waiting to return to Earth and call all Christians to their eternal homes in Heaven. Pagans generally do believe Christ existed- I certainly do- but obviously most Pagans don't believe he is the son of any God. He is *generally* considered, by Pagans, to have been a great prophet or teacher. To go even further, the Bible suggests that the only way any person will see the kingdom of Heaven is if he or she accepts Christ as his or her savior and believes not only in him, but in what he says as well. One of the most important scriptures to Christians is John 3:16-17, which states that God sent his "only begotten son" to the world and whoever "believes in Him will have everlasting life. For God did not send His son into the world to condemn the world but to save the world through him." There are other scriptures with this similar message. Christ himself also stated in John 3:3, "I tell you the truth, no man can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." True Christians believe that Christ is stating in this chapter of John that all people must accept Him (Christ) as their spiritual savior and believe in Him and follow his teachings (be "born again" or "born of spirit") in order to see heaven. Otherwise, one's soul will be condemned and burn in hell for eternity.
Pagans, of course, don't agree with this. Pagans often believe that all religions and spiritual paths lead to a heaven-like realm if a person lives his/her life in harmony with others, with the earth and nature, and if he/she does not project negativity and harm others. Pagans don't generally believe that only one religious group will have the rights to see a heaven-like place, nor do they agree that the belief and acceptance of a savior (Christ) is the only way to heaven.

The Bible is pretty clear about sorcery, witchcraft, and all other forms of magick. It states in different scriptures that these practises are "wrong" in the eyes of the Christian God. There is also mention that worshipping, or even believing in any "gods" other than the Christian God is wrong. One of the Ten Commandments states, "Thou shalt have no other gods before me." The point of this commandment is very clear (and this is only one of many scriptures that refer to this concept). The Bible is specific about how one must view God. Deciding to view him in any other way is not acceptable, according to the scriptures.

Another difference is a Christian's view of "good" and "evil." Christians believe that Satan manipulates the thoughts and actions of humans and also believe that humans are born with a "sin nature." This sin nature is evident in the lives of humans because of Adam and Eve's disobedience in the Garden of Eden. These events and beliefs are all recorded in the Bible, and true Christians would be in agreement with this information. Pagans, generally, do not believe humans all have a sin nature and do not believe in the existence of Satan or any other evil entity. On the other hand, a Christian would believe that any belief system other than Christianity is simply evil and is one of Satan's ways of deceiving humans.
Pagans also don't generally believe that the history of mankind, as recorded in the Bible, is correct, or is truth. It MIGHT be truth, for anything is possible, but Pagans do not generally see the Bible as the inspired word of God.

Christians are expected to look to God when faced with any life struggles, decisions, etc. The Bible is pretty clear about the importance of placing struggles and problems in God's hands. A Christian would look to God for help, whereas a Pagan may not only look to his or her deity, but also may look within to his or her own powers to gain what is needed in life. Christian prayer is seen by many Pagans as actually being a form of magick. But, Christians disagree with this and believe that there is a huge difference between magick, as some Pagans see it, and prayer to the Christian God. Prayer is holy and is "right." Sorcery and witchcraft are "evil" and not of God. In this way, the Bible has a message that is very different than most Pagan beliefs.

Another issue is the concept of heaven and hell. Some Pagans believe a heaven-like realm exists, but not usually as Christians do. And most Pagans do not believe in a hell or eternal damnation in the way Christians do. Most Pagans don' t believe hell exists at all.
These are just some of the differences between Christian and general Pagan spirituality. With these differences in mind, I feel that if someone says he or she is both Christian and Pagan, it's a bit contradictory. For one to be truly a Christian, he or she would not ignore Biblical teachings and meld the "laws" described there with those of another religion or belief system. A true Christian would believe that any other belief system leads to an eternity in hell. I realize that, superficially, all religions have common threads. But Christianity is one religion that does not tolerate beliefs that stray from the teachings of the scriptures. Christianity does not teach that all religions can lead to the same destination in the afterlife. This fact alone separates it from general Pagan beliefs.

Although, in my opinion, it may not be possible to be both a Christian and a Pagan, I absolutely believe that a Pagan can have what one may consider to be "Christian" morals. I still hold on to many of the morals that my Christian parents taught me (including the obvious beliefs that murder, rape, theft, etc., are completely unacceptable). For example, I still consider myself to be pro-life and am against abortion. I still believe in being faithful to one's spouse or significant other (for me). Some of my morals and views have been, in a way, modified since I became a Pagan, but many of my morals are still very much the same. My reasons for keeping these morals are much different now than my original reasons. I used to have certain morals because I was taught it was the "right" thing to do, those morals were necessary according to Biblical teaching, necessary in order to see heaven. Now, I have these morals simply because they work for me- they feel right to me. Much different than a Christian's view of morality.

I also absolutely agree that a person can meld Christian ideas with Pagan ideas. An example is....seeing the universal power as a male entity, believing that Jesus Christ was God's son, agreeing that angels and demons exist in the way the Bible describes......while also practising a form of magick, believing all religions lead to the same destination, believing a goddess also exists, etc. Of course this type of spiritual personalization is possible. But, if a person is melding paths in this way, he or she is not a Christian. Christian teachings to not accept such ideas. This path-mixing is not acceptable according to Biblical teaching. Christianity has spiritual laws that define it. When a person disregards any of these laws, he or she is not following a Christian path.

Melding "Pagan" ideas with Christian ideas......sure. Being both Christian and Pagan......no.