July 8, 2003
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I found this quiz -
No, don't groan. It was over on zeldapinwheel's site. And I thought it would be fun. How do you use magic? It's an intriguing thought for me. I don't think of myself as believing in "magic" per se. But I do believe in spiritual power. If you take the quiz, you'll see that the distinction never comes up in the questions, but my result:
Take the "How Do You Use Magic?" test! Written by Brimo
I don't generally talk much about spiritual power. In the first place I believe it is misunderstood to such a degree that even attempting to discuss it can bring more harm than good. And also, I'm aware that among people who have experienced spiritual power, no words are necessary, but for those who have not experienced it, I might as well tatoo - FLAKE - on my forehead as bring it up.
I'm taken aback by the last line of that description - Your God has given you many things ... The quiz also never asked me whether I believe in God. Or whether I felt that God had given me anything. As a matter of fact, I do believe in God and that I have received abundantly in that relationship.
A few people have asked me questions about what I believe. Many others have made assumptions about my beliefs. That's okay, either way. My beliefs are just that - mine. I will talk about them, I'm not ashamed of them. But at the same time, I'm not going to ask anyone else to adopt my view. I have the opinion that God is HUGE. So HUGE that there is a God-to-person relationship possible for every person who's ever lived. AND that the God of your experience will not be the same as the God of my experience.
Mostly, I don't think it's very helpful to call myself a Christian because that label means very specific things to different people. It is true that I relate to God through my understanding of the person of Jesus of Nazareth. There is something about his life, about his teaching and about his ministry that pulls me and enlightens me. There is a LOT about the Christian doctrine of christology that I neither understand nor can relate to.
I have read the Bible, and the writings of the Apostolic Fathers, and the Nag Hamadi Library, and the translated documents from the Dead Sea Scrolls, and the gnostic gospels (some of which are included in the Nag Hamadi documents and some of which come from other sources and archealogical finds.) I have decided based on my reading and research that there is much that we know and much mor ethat we don't know about the life of Jesus and it's significance for those of us living in the world today. I have also read the writings of Buddhism, and the Q'ran, and other documents of other religions. One thing I find that I cannot accept is the idea that all religious ideas apart from Christianity must be wrong. There is grace in Buddhism, and there is holiness in Islam. Likewise, there is much in the traditional orthodoxy of Christianity that I cannot believe is right. (And we won't get me started on orthodox Christian views of women.)
Sue Monk Kidd's book The Dance of the Dissident Daughter tells the story of one woman who confronted many of the same issues that have caused me pain over the years. She walks a different path than the one I've been led down, but I understand her journey.
One of my dreams is to attend a Seminary. I have a PhD dissertation on Soteriology burning inside me. (Similar to the one written by Molly Marshall Green except that I don't think she broke through to the new ground the subject demands.) Or, maybe not. Maybe it isn't necessary to have that degree in order to walk in light. I know that at the end of my life, I'd rather leave this place knowing that I had lived according to the grace I've received than that I'd been awarded a degree. I like the image of myself as a Priestess.
Comments (29)
*Makes note to self to look up soteriology*
Well, that was an intelligent commentary. No wonder I like reading your blogs and never go away grumbling. I think narrow mindedness and their certainty of infallibility is the thing that irks me most about many of the Christians I know. They know they are right, because some preacher told them so, and everyone else in the world is going to burn in hell. I have no use for that kind of thinking. People need to examine their faith and think about it. Too many people are too lazy for that. Or maybe they are just afraid that it won't stand up in the light of day. I know that upon hard examination the little religious faith that I had disintegrated like cotton candy in the fist of a three-year old. When put to the test, most of the pillars of my church turned out to be closed minded hypocrites with no desire to examine their faith. Gee...that got long. I was just going to tell you "good job".
Heh. I took that same test once...and got the same answer as you.
YO GO GIRL!
I've spent a few weekends this summer with some very interesting people. The ideas that whirl around the tables, campfires, wherever a group gathered, are fascinating. The things I noticed the most are that: a) "God" is all in the interpretation of the reader/user...but most often is looked upon a the higher power of the group to which that person is a part. and b) They are all so accepting and non-judgemental of one another's beliefs.
It's very refreshing...like your God-to-person relationship for every human. It is just that.
oh and I'm a sorceress...natural born magic user. Then it says something about being careful not to blow up a friend. (o_0) - ew...
Of course you are a priestess! No doubt it isn't necessary to have a mundane degree in order to walk in light and exercise the gifts you have been given. I perceive the gifts and the many things God has given you.
i like the idea that everybody's god is one and the same, except He's the only one who realizes it.
You know already know I'm with you on this one, after all, how many Southern Baptist Buddhists are there?
Good job!
I got Priestess too. (I'm a little afraid of LuckyStars now, though...)
I love it when you write of Spirit. It says what I feel but so much better than I can.
It pegged you! If you decide you must have the degree I'll support you all the way. I'll watch your back, after all, I am a Paladin!
but you ARE a Priestess...
and you do walk in the light.
I'm just a Bard - no magicks in me.
holler back ^ ^
Not cranky at all! In fact, I'm afraid I might have come off as such, given the last 24 hours have been a little less than easy for me personally. But thank you for pointing out the sizing error on my site. It was something to do with the Xtools appearance here on my work PC. I think I got it fixed... hope I got it fixed. *grin*
I always find it odd when someone says Christians are a certain way "because some preacher told them so." They're comparing Christianity with some sort of brainwashing rather than seeing it as a personal relationship with God. Narrow minds come in all sizes and shapes, I suppose.
You are always so full of knowledge and especially when it comes to religion. You know I question many things but you make things seem so clear.
You should write your dissertation. You may never publish it, but you would leave a wealth of information behind for everyone else.
Soteriology is understood by so many people in so many ways. I often find myself seeing debates in newsgroups about "once saved, always saved". I never feel like I can discuss it properly either- I always manage to alienate myself from everyone!
I don’t usually get caught up in these types of discussions but I mst say that I hope the comment above wasn’t an example of the narrowmindedness that judges all Christians by the actions of a few, but rather an observation of the few they apparently know. If Christianity is to be judged, it needs to be judged on the basis of Christ and not His followers. Anyways, to see so much wrong with His followers should reveal the nature in Christ that accepts all as they are. The only difference in most “religion” is that Christ came here to put an end to the struggle of man to reach God and provided a way, the only way, the bridge the gap between God and man. In that light, I can accept your statement “One thing I find that I cannot accept is the idea that all religious ideas apart from Christianity must be wrong” to the extent that most religion preaches the same concepts, but the fact still remains that we need to overcome the concept that we can earn our way to heaven and acknowledge that Christ is the only way. In that light, I’m certainly not ashamed to identify myself with Him and for those who think that is narrowminded, I wouldn’t have much purpose in life if I didn’t stand upon the convictions of my heart. To acknowledge other people in the light of Christ’s love is a commendable ideal, but we also, in a nonconfrontational way, need to let these people know that God is more than a concept of man’s mind and to not speak to them of the Truth would be a grave disservice to them and to the God we serve.
o/ 
God Bless - Dale
Wisdom
I got "Witch" should I have doubted.. I know myself well and so does the quiz.. he he he..go figure.. lol.. thanks for the quiz
Bright Blessings Chel
first of all, how in hell did you get the comments to switch colors like that?! I love that. Second of all, I think you've prolly got several ph.d's burning inside ya, babe. Let's go back to school together and never leave, ok? ok????
Why not go back to school? Why bloody not?
It's cool to be a seeker, and to reject the doctrinal crap in favor of an honest search for answers. Some of your readers are so wrapped up in their doctrine's answers that they don't understand that there are other bases to ask questions, and the possible valid answers are more varied than they can imagine.
I enjoy your missives greatly, even in my highest skepticism!
You're too smart for me! Il have to risk Rhymer's rage and prop anyone who references Sue Monk Kidd, tho. I like to think of truth more than religion, and that truth is like air. No one can hoard it in a private stash or keep it from being polluted, but we can all find it instinctively when we need it. It really should be more a question of sharing than owning, imho.
(I'm with Daff. Only a Priestess could do this cool switching-colors thing).
You ARE a priestess. Your spirituality shines out; it's unwavering and self-aware, and you teach by leading gently. [v]
I mean,
.... 
But you are writing your dissertation or perhaps, an opus...one post at a time. ~Spot~
Namaste
We seem to be moving in parallel paths to the Light.
Thank You fo this lovely post.
Love and Light
Mara
Ok, I'm at work, so I don't have time to read your site as much as I'm noticing I really want to... so I'll be back later when I have more time. In the meantime, I really relate to what you said,
"I'm aware that among people who have experienced spiritual power, no words are necessary, but for those who have not experienced it, I might as well tatoo - FLAKE - on my forehead as bring it up."
I love it! This is perfect
amen to loving's comment. I love the spirituality that is you. I came out a druid in the quiz. I would love to see you go back to school! You are truly a seeker of truth.
Interesting viewpoints. Tolstoy was excommunicated from the Russian Orthodox church for many reasons, one of which was that he didn't believe in the divinity of Jesus Christ. He thought that importance was in the message, not the messenger.
Interesting ideas, which I played with in my novel (a little). Does it really matter what they had for appetizers at the Last Supper? But people worry about this sort of thing and miss the whole point--maybe because they can't focus on anything but trivia.
Well, good luck getting rid of the zucchini. (That's one reason why I wouldn't let my wife plant z's this year; we've got enough problems getting rid of cucumbers.)
--Scott
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