minerva asked this question on 2/8/2000:
I was always taught that a true Neo-pagan is polytheistic, monotheistic, agnostic, and atheist, all rolled up into one paradoxical package. More often than not I have found this to be the case. After all, I have met Christian Wiccans, and even Catholic Wiccans.
LadyCatW gave this response on 2/26/2000:
While I realize that you are commenting on a previous discussion, I must agree with the concept of Romance Xpert's response - but not the manner in which it was given.
My reasoning for such, however, is different.
Christianity - in any form, whether it be Catholic, Lutheran or Born-Again - specifies in numerous places in the Bible that not only is Jehovah to be the "primary God" but that He is to be the only God. Therefore, a true follower of that faith cannot follow any other path to the Divine.
This does not mean - however - that a Christian cannot follow a mystical path within the confines of Christianity.
Judaism is slightly different - because it is not only a religion, but a genetic bloodline. But, if someone is a Wiccan and a Jew, that is one thing. If someone is following Judaism, and trying to mix it with Wicca, then I would have to say that it is incorrect as well. The Torah also says in several places that YHVH is to be the primary and only God.
Again, this does not mean that one who follows Judaism cannot follow a mystical path - in fact, many do. The Kabbalah is specifically a Jewish path of mysticism.
And this - right here - is where we get into difficulty. Wiccans, Pagans, and Ceremonial Mages through the ages have picked up things that work from other religions and have utilized them in their own way. But just because one utilizes a tool used in a specific faith does NOT make them a follower of that faith.
The average rating for this answer is 3.5.
minerva rated this answer a 4.
Well, fortunately, there's a few people with the open-mindedness so lacking in the religious "system" (and apparently, even in our own Pagan community as well) to see past the indoctrination and adopt the lifestyle as part of their spiritual quest. I've seen these people working in a coven, and their dedication is truly commendable.