Yesterday, there was a discussion on FaceBook I participated in briefly. It had to do with how one could be a Pagan and yet love Jesus at the same time. I promised to revisit this subject after giving it more thought, and this is what my response was:
Good morning - as promised yesterday, here is my response to yesterday's discussion. I have just spent over an hour trying to write what I so clearly see within myself on this, but it's not coming easily. So, I'm just going to keep it simple here:
If you take only what is attributed to Jesus, His words (especially the Sermon on the Mount and the Beatitudes), His interaction with His disciples and in particular his interaction with the women around Him, you have a picture of someone who is indeed very easy to love and follow.
The problem comes in when men (yes, specifically "men", because women were not allowed any voice in the matter) decided after the fact to make this a religion that is controlled by men, and interpreted the scriptures to suit their needs. The Church born out of this has determined the course of history right up to the present day. Let's for the moment set this aside and go back to the simple beautiful message of Jesus Himself, and you will see that the Church bears little resemblence to what He was trying to say.
He honoured women - the Church put them into a such a subserive position, women are still trying to climb out of that hole.
He honoured peacemakers - and the Church has been slaughtering in His name to prove that point ever since.
He honoured a simple and direct relationship with the Divine - and the Church has in its quest for absolute power, put so many layers between a human heart and that Divine so as to cloud and obscure everything but its own control over the masses.
Jesus said, "...on Earth as it is in Heaven". Pagans say, "As above so below".
Jesus said, "The kingdom of God is within you". Pagans say, "Thou art God, Thou art Goddess".
Jesus said, "Blessed are the peacemakers". Pagans say, "Harm none".
Same things said in almost the same way.
So by you saying you are a Pagan and love Jesus should not present any contradiction, if by being a "Pagan", you honour peace, acknowledge the Sacred Feminine, and do not need an intermediary between you and the Divine.
If you strip away the layers of what Man put there, you will find a simple, beautiful truth that resounds the same message among all religions of the world for all people, regardless of what religion or spiritual path you may walk.
I hope, my Lord, this serves to set your heart and mind at ease."
No comments:
Post a Comment