Witches / Pagans, how do you view Christian religious/spiritual experiences?

[hihello]

I'm a Christian and have been reading the witches thread with interest. I wouldn't automatically disbelieve any of the experiences the witches have talked about on this thread, I believe ritual, belief and intention can be very powerful. The reason I am Christian not a witch or pagan is that I believe in Christ. Regarding spiritual and religious experiences I have had prayers granted, immediate materialisation in a couple of instances and have had prophetic dreams several times (there is a thread on here detailing one of them). Just wondering how witches / pagans view these type of experiences.

I'm a Christian, speakout and it terrifies me. As I said earlier in the thread some people very close to me had their fingers badly burnt with witchcraft. I wouldn't wish that on anyone. Equally I am fascinated that any type of mysticism and it reinforces my own faith since it shows just how amazing life is. I certainly share in some the amazing experiences spoken about amongst any mystical circle of people.

Just as any mention Christian belief seems somewhat triggering for you (if you'll excuse the term) so is witchcraft somewhat triggering for me with regard to the experiences of those people close to me. What they told me still haunts me to be honest.

had their fingers badly burnt with witchcraft

Yes I did read that- it was a point deliberately ignored.

"fingers burned"

Oh dear.

Care to outline the scenario?

If it were someone you were very close to, speakout, you might have more empathy. Would you have more empathy with someone, who was terrified, when they deeply regretted their dabblings, posting on your witches thread?

I talk about it here, speakout

https://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/philosophyreligionn_spirituality/3328612-My-daughter-is-a-Wiccan

hihello

I am actually suggesting that ideas about Satan/demonic forces and people having their "fingers burnt" ( ironic analogy btw) feeling damaged, afraid actually fall squarely at the feet of the christian church.

You can keep your bogey man- your dogma is meaningless without it after all.

And I have spoken about it before. I said this:

The person I knew wanted someone, who had treated them very badly during a traumatic time, to understand exactly how she felt. She cast a spell to that effect. That person did come to understand as they subsequently went through an equally traumatic life event. The person I knew (half) believes it was her spell that caused this. So harm caused psychologically or actually. Whatever you believe.

She also had disturbing nightmares of going out in spirit form haunting people with a 'spirit guide'. So she stopped. Not heard of any witchcraft activity from her since. (Or reports of haunting dreams)

OK I remember that thread.

Go ask your vicar if you are looking for the answers you want to hear.

I am actually suggesting that ideas about Satan/demonic forces and people having their "fingers burnt" ( ironic analogy btw) feeling damaged, afraid actually fall squarely at the feet of the christian church.

I'm telling the truth, as this person told me, speakout. I remember at the time her relaying the dream, and wondering aloud to me where she could buy black candles and declaring she was going to cast unrelated spells to bless my move of house. I brushed it off, her sister had just died. Then years later she told me the full story.

I was wondering what you thought of it as a witch, speakout.

I am not doubting your truthfulness.

I am suggesting there is a far bigger picture if you could have a bit more of an objective stance.

Care to enlighten me, speakout?

You won't see clearly wearing your christian specs.

Incidentally I bought her a set of 'healing crystals' at the time (in my ignorance) and a book about them as I thought it sounded a bit tamer than what she seemed to be attempting with the black candles etc.

hihello

You illustrate my point.

hihello

I wish you well on your journey. I hope you find what you are looking for.

The person I knew wanted someone, who had treated them very badly during a traumatic time, to understand exactly how she felt. She cast a spell to that effect. That person did come to understand as they subsequently went through an equally traumatic life event. The person I knew (half) believes it was her spell that caused this. So harm caused psychologically or actually. Whatever you believe

So she wanted to make someone suffer like they had made her suffer - how else would they know how she felt otherwise?

It sounds like it worked perfectly. However it also sounds like she wasn't prepared to take responsibility for her actions. One of the fundamental tenets of the craft is that you take full responsibility for what you do - no passing of the blame to anyone or anything else. You do what you like but you accept the consequences. No cop outs like it "was the work of the devil". No it's your own work.

If those consequences include regret and feeling awful about what you've done then that's your price. You learn your lesson and next time maybe think more carefully about what you do and how you treat people.

So do you class revenge as being acceptable and just as long as you own it? Elphame

Vitalogy

Elphame isn't saying that at all.

I'm not sure where this thread is going TBH.

Elphame, speakout and Vitalogy, well, I'm sure you'll appreciate why the whole incident with the person close to me and their witchcraft unsettled me. Was it a flaw within her at the time that caused it to go wrong? Well, yes, she was vulnerable at that time, angry and grieving for her sister. But so many people can feel vulnerable and angry in difficult times. All that power wielded, all that responsibility. Feels lonely to me.

But the essential question of this thread, is the power the same as in Christian mysticism? With the example I gave, I'm thinking not, at least.

I don't think Christians own mysticism, no.

Vitalogy, neither do I. I know people have powerful mystical experiences outside of the realm of Christianity. My question is mainly to do with what people think of the type of energy that is in use, whether it is the same between Christian mysticism and other types of mystical experience such as in witchcraft.

Ask your vicar.

I am not qualified in christian dogma.

I'm more on the Christian side of things, but I'm in the camp that thinks all religions have some insight into the same metaphysical phenomena (call it God, or give it some other name, it's all the same). I also think that as human beings are fallible, all religions can fall foul of the same corruptions and abuses of power, but that these don't alter the essential truth at the centre of it all.

I am not qualified in christian dogma.

I wouldn't expect you to be, speakout. I was interested in your own viewpoint.