Ma'iingan's Mashup

Sorry it's been so long since I've posted...looking after a baby takes up a LOT of my time. Just to update, we're both doing really well. My son is 2 months old and growing like a weed. He's cute as a button and love him to bits.

Anyways, on to my Mashup post...

1) I've been Referenced!!!
Ooh, I feel so giddy, I've been referenced in a Yahoo! Answers answer!! lol.
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20130617193945AAwR7dR

It's one thing to have someone actually discuss me in an answer (which has happened a few times, good AND bad), it's something completely different when someone ELSE links directly to something I've written in the hopes of helping someone else, kind of like I do with Wicca for the Rest of Us.

It just feels like I'm now taken seriously. I'm hoping this brings more people to my blog with much more input and (polite) conversation

2) Herbalism Classes Online
--I've seen a lot of herbal online classes pop up now and then, and it makes me leery. I have a hard time trusting a lot of information I read. Now that I've taken an accredited course on herbal health, it makes me squirm a bit when I see unlicenced, partially uneducated people dishing out advice, recommendations and lessons on herbal use. It almost frightens me.

My biggest suggestion to those who are taking FREE classes on herbs and oil use is to take it all with a HUGE grain of salt and research everything you learn before taking it as some sort of truth. My course involved reading a lot of books that cited sources including scientific double-blind studies and confirmed what each discusses. When taking a course, be sure you look up what you've read to confirm or deny what you're being taught...

...and for the love of...PLEASE do NOT ingest ANY herbs until you are 100% sure about them. Even in small doses some herbs can be quite poisonous, even such as Belladonna (I know that there are many people who recommend small doses of belladonna for various treatments, but it's quite poisonous, please be careful). Alternately, large quantities of culinary herbs can be just as harmful, it doesn't matter if they're sold for food purposes, their intent is to be used in very small portions.

3) "We're Killing the Planet!!!"
--I think when people say this, they're really giving humans far too much credit. I agree that pollution, and over development are damaging the planet, but I hardly think we as a species are capable of actually destroying the planet completely.

I mean think about it, do we really think so little of nature that she needs our help? Does she need the help of horses, dolphins and lions too? To believe we as a species can actually kill a planet I think is a bit much. Sure we're doing considerable damage, but nature is far stronger than we believe. Nature will allow what it will allow until a breaking point...then she'll make a shift, which could perhaps involve extinction and dramatic climate shifting. Once this shift subsides all will be well again for those who survive, albeit with a scar here or there.

4) A Year and a Day Study Format
--There seem to be a lot of people who seem to misunderstand the reason behind the "year and a day" study format.

The entire point of studying for a year and a day is so that you 1) understand the reasons behind the acts you do in a ritualistic setting 2) understand the reasons behind your beliefs 3) understand the history and 4) realize why you are Wiccan.

The year and a day is not meant to be the only time you do any study and then you are a certified Wiccan. To be an actual Wiccan means a lifetime of study, the year and a day helps you to solidify your need or desire to become a Wiccan. Typically people who are not serious about Wicca will fizzle out after a few days of study, realizing that it's far too much work (far more than they even thought) to become a part of a religion.

4) "Why not have both?" A Thread Discussing the Differences Between Wicca and Christianity
--Why not have your cake and eat it too, seeing as it's somehow possible? Digressing already.

I came across a post in regards to incorporating Wicca and Christianity, but it's not the combination that I have a problem with, it's one of the responses.

This young man proceeds to prove the incompatibility of Wicca and Christianity by quoting 9 passages from the bible...however NONE of them have ANYTHING to do with Wicca.

For example: Leviticus 18:22 and 1 Corinthians 9 discuss homosexuality. While a person's individual sexual orientation and preferences are not shunned, and are indeed accepted within the religion of Wicca, they are not exclusive to the religion, therefore making quotes in regards to homosexuality when discussing whether or not Wicca and Christiantiy may be combined successfully makes no sense. The point is moot.

Peter 2:18 talks about slaves. Slavery is not condoned by any other religion that I know of. And it has absolutely no place in Wicca period, so again, a moot point.

Leviticus 19:31 and Exodus 22:18 discuss Wizards and Witches...they're not Wiccan.


The point I'm trying to make is that the arguer/poster is trying to exemplify the incompatibility of Wicca and Christianity by quoting passages that have nothing to do with Wicca, yet discusses in length acts of homosexuality, slavery, sorcery/Witchcraft, idol worship and spirit mediumship. None of these things have ANYTHING to do with Wicca. More appropriate quotes to argue the incompatibility of Wicca and Christianity should have to do with religious differences, not homosexuality and Witchcraft.

I can point out many more legitimate reasons why Wicca and Christianity are incompatible and NONE of them have anything to do with a persons sexual preferences and personal practices, for instance:

-The Christian God states "I am a vengeful and jealous God" "Thou shalt have no other Gods before me"
-Christianity thrives on the need for salvation and the need for a saviour in order to enter God's Kingdom...Wicca has no such need.
-Christianity hold a "my-way-or-the-highway" mentality, that you must be with us or against us...Wiccans could care less who believes and who doesn't.
-Christianity holds onto the belief that anyone who doesn't believe in their way, is automatically admitted to their place of eternal damnation

Plain and simply, Wicca and Christianity are simply TOO INCOMPATIBLE to be successfully followed together. Anyone claiming to be both has serious misunderstandings about both religions and what it entails in order to be both.