Why?

I formerly had a political / human interest blog which received awards and accolades and was followed by many. I stopped blogging after many years because my heart simply wasn't in it any more - suddenly politics and other discord seemed to be the endless regurgitation of the misery that humans have inflicted on themselves since time began.

I am not given to the unhealthy practice of too much introspection, but I did some soul searching and have finally decided to write about what is dearest to my heart, and what I have been secretly practicing for over 6 years.

CHRISTIAN WICCANS

Christian Wiccans exist, but we're most definitely in the minority. We are the misfits, unaccepted in the Christian community and misunderstood among fellow Wiccans because the deity we choose is the Judeo-Christian deity.

We believe in the Bible to varying degrees. In my case I believe that most, but not all, of the Bible is factual. I do think that the witchcraft which is spoken of in the Bible is Satanic witchcraft (black witchcraft) and that there is room for Wiccans who are in tune with God and his teachings.

WHY WICCAN? DOES IS WORK?

In the history of mankind, we know if something works even if we can't explain why. At one time natives chewed the bark of a tree to relieve pain and fever before a scientist came along, identified the compound, and created "aspirin" for the masses.

The Catholic Church incorporated paganism into their worship at a very early stage of the church's development, in order to appeal to the pagans who would not have embraced Christianity otherwise. This included ritualistic behaviors (such as the rosary),  lighting candles for the dead, the deification of Mary (which replaced the need for pagan goddesses) and more.

The Protestants rightly identified this and chose to go back to the core of Christianity, but the problem is that the Protestants "threw the baby out with the bathwater".  Therefore Protestants are leery of anything which smacks of any other religions incorporated into their religious practices.

However, there are some practices that, when combined with prayer and worship, are highly effective.

SACRIFICES

For instance, let's not forget that the God of the Bible enjoyed sacrifices. Yes, Jesus Christ replaced the need for animal sacrifices, but God also enjoyed fruit and vegetable sacrifices:

"Take some of the first fruits of all that you produce from the soil of the land the LORD your God is giving you and put them in a basket. Then go to the place the LORD your God will choose as a dwelling for his Name." (Deuteronomy 26:2)

"Do not hold back offerings from your granaries or your vats..." (Exodus 22:29)

 We see the practice of offering God first fruits as early as Genesis 4, in which Cain gets into trouble because God likes Abel's sacrifice better. Although some think it was because Cain offered first fruits and Abel sacrificed an animal this can't be so, since we know that first fruits were acceptable (Deut. 26:2). Therefore, many scholars believe that God found fault in the offering because Cain didn't give it in the proper spirit, as Abel did.

INCENSE

God also likes the scent of incense and there are numerous Biblical passages on that topic. In Exodus 30, God gives specific directions that indicate incense is to be burned for Him exclusively.

CANDLES

Here's where I believe the Catholic Church got it right - candles are a wonderful way to direct prayers and remind you to "pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17), just as fasting is another way to remind us to stay in prayer.

And if you combine candles with certain herbs, fragrances, and other items, you combine the benefits of candle burning with incense and sacrifice.

RITUALS / PRACTICES

Why would God respond to rituals and practices? Why would something that some people see as a "spell" create a response from an almighty God who is Master of the Universe?

Let me be clear:  We are puny, pitiful creatures and we cannot direct God. He is not a gumball machine - put in a prayer or spell and get what you want.

However, He has always enjoyed rituals and has required them of his followers in the past.

As Kevin Wilson states, "Protestantism began as a protest against the Roman Catholic church, and as a result many things associated with the Catholic church, including ritual, have often been viewed in a negative light... But considering that ritual is such a central part of the Old Testament — especially the Torah — we cannot ignore it if we are going to understand the Old Testament in all its fullness."

I'm not suggesting a return to the Old Testament. As a Christian, I believe that we have escaped The Law (God's demands of the Israelites). But I do believe that He seems to respond to, and enjoy, rituals.  For example, in the New Testament Jesus told his followers to continue to practice what we now call "The Lord's Supper" on a regular basis.

And even Protestant churches follow ritual.  On any given Sunday, someone will mount the podium, get your attention, lead you in hymns, you'll hear the choir sing (or squawk) out a number or two, announcements will be made, prayer said, and the sermon preached. It's formulaic!

Therefore, the Christian Wiccan shouldn't dismiss the possibility of rituals or practices in worship as long as it is in accord with their conscience.