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NMR ISSUE 47
Activating
Miraculous Success
Astrological
Forecast 47
Editorial 47
Esoteric Symbology
of the Tarot
Garden Rituals
Herbal Remedy for
Summer Boredom
Herbal Sex
Isian Ceremony of
Spiritual Renewal
Isis Play
Lazaris
Lesser Banishing
Ritual of the Pentagram
Letters 47
Magickal Garden
Other Editorial
47
Peacock,
Ass/Donkey & Beetle
Potted Herbs - In
and Out
Prayer to Isis
Reviews of Unusual
Books
Skhmet: The Fire
Within
Summoning Hathor
Waking up
Witch's Tor
Articles
Authors
Rituals
Book
Reviews
NMR Issues
NMR
Covers
| Letters Please address letters to New Moon Rising or otherwise make it clear that your letter is available for publication. Please let us know how you would like it signed. Opinions of authors in New Moon Rising and especially in the Letters section certainly do not necessarily reflect those of New Moon Rising. The Duality of Belief Two topics of conversation sure to start an argument are politics and religion. For more years than I care to admit, I have tried to explain my religious beliefs to those who are not of Pagan orientation, as have many of you. When I express disbelief in their Holy Bible as an exact revelation from their Deity of choice, because of that book's human origins, the cowans always become very defensive. Several months ago, during a rather heated debate on why Saint Jerome included only sixty-six of the ninety-nine or so available testaments when the Vulgate Bible was initially brought together into one document, a blinding moment of illuminati struck me with the force of a lighting bolt. I, not the most adept at debating, was attempting to use logic and historical proof and opinions to change a fellow human being's mind. I was trying to change that person's beliefs. Judith's editorial on Why I left the Church [NMR 9:1] brought the lesson I had learned very much into prospective. That lesson: believing is a matter of inner personal reality. That is, what is reality to each of us cannot be easily changed by arguments using logic or facts. Beliefs are those intangible truths we hold deep in our hearts, our foundation of existence. When our reality is based on spiritual beliefs, and then there is little the mundane world can do to our physical bodies that will harm our essence. A few weeks ago two Jehovah's witnesses came to the door, performing their missionary tasks. Before my enlightenment, I would have invited them in and provided them with Pagan educational materials, most likely ensuing into a heated debate about Christian beliefs in a devil and where the Jehovah witnesses thought my soul should go. But instead I politely declined their kind offer and wished them a joyous Blessed Be. My message: defend your beliefs and principles, but do not waste time and spiritual energy trying to argue a point of view. What each of us believes is ours, and no individual or church or government entity has any business questioning our beliefs. When questioned, or the subject of religion arises, state your beliefs with pride, do not accept the Christian doctrines of guilt and sin as givens. The Christians have come onto our turf when they try to proselytize us or our progeny, and we do not have to let them in. Fortunatus Esse
Glen Harroun, Spokane, WA |
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Letters Please address letters to New Moon Rising or otherwise make it clear that your letter is available for publication. Please let us know how you would like it signed. Opinions of authors in New Moon Rising and especially in the Letters section certainly do not necessarily reflect those of New Moon Rising. The Duality of Belief Two topics of conversation sure to start an argument are politics and religion. For more years than I care to admit, I have tried to explain my religious beliefs to those who are not of Pagan orientation, as have many of you. When I express disbelief in their Holy Bible as an exact revelation from their Deity of choice, because of that book's human origins, the cowans always become very defensive. Several months ago, during a rather heated debate on why Saint Jerome included only sixty-six of the ninety-nine or so available testaments when the Vulgate Bible was initially brought together into one document, a blinding moment of illuminati struck me with the force of a lighting bolt. I, not the most adept at debating, was attempting to use logic and historical proof and opinions to change a fellow human being's mind. I was trying to change that person's beliefs. Judith's editorial on Why I left the Church [NMR 9:1] brought the lesson I had learned very much into prospective. That lesson: believing is a matter of inner personal reality. That is, what is reality to each of us cannot be easily changed by arguments using logic or facts. Beliefs are those intangible truths we hold deep in our hearts, our foundation of existence. When our reality is based on spiritual beliefs, and then there is little the mundane world can do to our physical bodies that will harm our essence. A few weeks ago two Jehovah's witnesses came to the door, performing their missionary tasks. Before my enlightenment, I would have invited them in and provided them with Pagan educational materials, most likely ensuing into a heated debate about Christian beliefs in a devil and where the Jehovah witnesses thought my soul should go. But instead I politely declined their kind offer and wished them a joyous Blessed Be. My message: defend your beliefs and principles, but do not waste time and spiritual energy trying to argue a point of view. What each of us believes is ours, and no individual or church or government entity has any business questioning our beliefs. When questioned, or the subject of religion arises, state your beliefs with pride, do not accept the Christian doctrines of guilt and sin as givens. The Christians have come onto our turf when they try to proselytize us or our progeny, and we do not have to let them in. Fortunatus Esse
Glen Harroun, Spokane, WA | |
