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Preaching to pagans during halloween - 9/16/2008 8:09:36 PM
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fallenstar
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On October 31st, the town of Salem is visited by people pf the Wiccan faith, many who call themselves witches, or wizards, for the men. They are in Salem to celebrate Samhain, a Wiccan "holy day". This is the day they believe that the doorway to the next world is open, and is one of the two most magickal days of the year. To put it simply, this is a very special day for Wiccans.
I have read a number of things on the internet about witches in Salem celebrating Samhain, when a Baptist or a Catholic approaches them with a pamphlet about their faith. On witchvox.com, a member named eaglescry says "If I were to hand out pamphlets on Christmas about meditation and magick, I would be assualted."
Another withvox user, ravensmoon said "I was walking around on Samhain when these girls on the street corner burst out singing Amazing Grace. They knew I was a withc, and I felt really insulted."
I do feel somewhat bad for them, because they are a minority and that's always hard, but it is a Christians job to spread the word of God. Even though I understand why those people approached the pagans, I always feel the need to put myself in another's shoes. How would I feel if people were handing out copies of the God Delusion or the Satanic Bible on Christmas? I would feel like having a kind but persuading conversation with whoever is handing them out. Do you think it is ok to preach on another religon's holy day?
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RE: Preaching to pagans during halloween - 9/16/2008 9:58:37 PM
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stellaluna
Posts: 4218
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I should think that attempting to witness to someone of a different faith on one of their holy days would be the least effective method of spreading the gospel.
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Who should be allowed to attend church?
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RE: Preaching to pagans during halloween - 9/16/2008 10:41:27 PM
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MrFribbles
Posts: 1624
Joined: 1/29/2007
From: Hawaii, but I've moved around since then
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quote:
I should think that attempting to witness to someone of a different faith on one of their holy days would be the least effective method of spreading the gospel.
I quite agree. I think it could be a profitable time of reaching out to people of other religions, meeting them where they are and showing them Christ's love, but certainly not preaching at them or handing out tracts.
_____________________________
You're a door without a key,
A field without a fence.
You've made a holy fool of me,
And I've thanked you ever since.
- Aaron Weiss
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RE: Preaching to pagans during halloween - 9/17/2008 8:43:50 AM
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iluvatar
Posts: 1931
Joined: 4/12/2005
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quote:
ORIGINAL: MrFribbles
quote:
I should think that attempting to witness to someone of a different faith on one of their holy days would be the least effective method of spreading the gospel.
I quite agree. I think it could be a profitable time of reaching out to people of other religions, meeting them where they are and showing them Christ's love, but certainly not preaching at them or handing out tracts.
I agree also. Our job is not spread God's Word, not man's piety or self-righteousness.
But if anybody does decide to go to Salem for Halloween, there are a couple good ice cream shops (one place had homemade pumpkin ice cream last fall).
-Dan.
_____________________________
Well, I've been to one world fair, a picnic, and a rodeo, and that's the stupidest thing I ever heard come over a set of earphones.
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RE: Preaching to pagans during halloween - 9/17/2008 10:25:50 PM
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Real_Solitude
Posts: 394
Joined: 5/9/2005
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quote:
ORIGINAL: fallenstar
On October 31st, the town of Salem is visited by people pf the Wiccan faith, many who call themselves witches, or wizards, for the men.
Small point of contention. Male wiccans are still generally referred to (within the culture) as witches. There's no difference based on gender.
_____________________________
"Instead of feeling alone in a group its better to have real solitude all by yourself."
~Faye Valentine
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RE: Preaching to pagans during halloween - 9/17/2008 11:21:16 PM
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relady
Posts: 1281
Joined: 4/11/2005
From: Greater St. Louis Metro
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quote:
I do feel somewhat bad for them, because they are a minority and that's always hard, but it is a Christians job to spread the word of God. Christians need to understand that there is a right and wrong time and a right & wrong way to spread the word. I agree with Stellaluna that proselytizing them during their holdy days might not be the best approach.
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RE: Preaching to pagans during halloween - 9/18/2008 12:17:49 PM
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miasma
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quote:
Male wiccans are still generally referred to (within the culture) as witches. There's no difference based on gender.
While it is correct there is no gender difference with "witch," the term "wizard" is used. Men and women alike are "witches," if that is the term used in their particular chosen faith. Wizard has negative connotations, most commonly used when a witch has been banished/ostracized.
quote:
Do you think it is ok to preach on another religon's holy day?
OK? Sure. It's a free country. As long as they are compliant with the law, those kids are free to stand on a corner singing whatever they want.
Personally, I find it tacky. Just as I find most street corner prostelyzing tacky, and more de- than con- structive.
Also, trying to "witness" during Halloween is silly, unless they're also attempting to witness on other holi/holy days (among the various constructs of the misc. pagan religions).
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http://wiawa.wordpress.com/
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RE: Preaching to pagans during halloween - 9/18/2008 12:40:16 PM
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JimboFletch
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quote:
ORIGINAL: miasma
While it is correct there is no gender difference with "witch," the term "wizard" is used. Men and women alike are "witches," if that is the term used in their particular chosen faith. Wizard has negative connotations, most commonly used when a witch has been banished/ostracized.
How does a "warlock" fit in (if at all)?
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RE: Preaching to pagans during halloween - 9/18/2008 2:38:34 PM
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miasma
Posts: 4682
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quote:
ORIGINAL: JimboFletch
How does a "warlock" fit in (if at all)?
D'oh! Thank you for catching that! I meant warlock. A warlock is someone considered a traitor.
The term "wizard" is largely relegated to fiction and fantasy. Long white beards and silly hats.
Practicing witches refer to themselves as such, whether male or female - or, as a good friend of mine's t-shirt proclaims, "Son of a Witch."
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http://wiawa.wordpress.com/
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RE: Preaching to pagans during halloween - 9/18/2008 2:48:37 PM
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miasma
Posts: 4682
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quote:
I actually know very many wiccans/pagans who think things like "harvest" celebrations that churches have are really stupid.
And they certainly don't have a stranglehold on that viewpoint. Plenty of Xians think so, too.
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http://wiawa.wordpress.com/
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