Heathen Mage

Most, if not all, things Christian have Pagan roots. Does Lint? If so, what's the pagan story behind it?

I am asking because my beliefs of what an Atheist was isn't what I've seen here.

I thought that atheists didn't have a religious life - they didn't "not believe" in religion, they weren't religious. People like this, I wouldn't believe, wouldn't be trying to push and persuade anyone to not be religious.

But, I've seen here that many atheists seem to be anti-religious instead of not religious. They also try to prove their beliefs to others when I would think an atheist (who doesn't worry about religion) wouldn't give two cents...

So.... are real Atheists no religion or anti religion?

I view the term "god" akin to "deity" - something that is more powerful than humans (to put it loosly). I don't view it as any particular god, as there is no name attached to it! Simply saying God doesn't mean the Hebrew god (capilized or not) - it could mean Pagan gods, nature, ect. Depending on your view, it doesn't have to be a living creature or something to communitate with. Of course, this is MY opinion (brought up by how some people get all upity with the "In God we Trust" thing on US currency).

So, what does the simple term "GOD" mean to you?

I, personally, believe it is more of a battle between Chaos and Order - not good or evil. After all, the "Giants", who represent the raw elements themselves (Chaos) are buffered by the gods (Order). In Ragnarok, the "Giants" and the gods are against eachother - Chaos and Order. Loki is a god of Chaos, and Surt reminds me of uncontroled fire (more Chaos) Besides, I cannot view my ancestors in Helheim (whom are supposed to follow Hel whom follows her father, Loki) as "evil".

I know they are fertility god/desses for the land/animals, I'm sure they would be who to ask for personal success on this level. But considering Freya has only one child and Freyr none...that I'm aware of...would it be under their "domain" for human procreation?

I'm Heathen/Pagan. I worship the gods of my ancestors - the Germanic/Norse gods. I practice magick. I feel complete with my choice of religion/craft.

My question is, why do Christians feel the need to "save my soul" and others like me? Why do they CARE what happens to my soul - lost or not? Why would they FORCE me to worship what they worship even if it made me unhappy? Besides, wouldn't it be aweful boring if everyone did the same thing - what would there be to talk about??!

I'm not sure about the whole "saved" process - from what I know, once you're saved you're forgiven of all past sins, right? Since, according to Christianity, humans are always sinning, how many times can someone be "saved"?

“This, in truth, was perhaps the reason many Heathens converted to Christianity. Those that were guilty of fratricide, adultery, and other sins had nothing to lose by converting to Christianity, and everything to gain. Their conversion had nothing to do with the afterlife, or even more favour from the Christian God than they got from the Heathen ones. It had everything to do with forgiveness of sins, for that, basically, gave them a free ticket to do as they pleased (whereas Heathen doctrine had not). The way into the Heathen afterlife was clear, do not unjustly commit murder, break oaths, or commit adultery, or commit half a dozen other sins; and live a good, heroic life. Christianity, however, gave folks an easy way out. They could do these things and still go to Heaven. Why risk eternal damnation in the Heathen Hell when one could just say they believe, be prayed for while in Purgatory, and then get an easy ticket into the Christian Heaven? All this for simple belief and nothing more! It is no wonder many of the Christian Anglo-Saxon kings, hungry for power, and lacking in ethics converted.” – http://www.ealdriht.org/modules/afterlife/

I read this, and it made sense. After all, take a look at all the Christian kings, they had no one to answer to – they were chosen by “God”. They could do, and did, as they pleased often causing oppression.

Has anyone read the Master Spellcraft Series produced by Thor and Audrey Sheil? I'm interested in magic craft with a Heathen backdrop (most books I've found are Wiccan). I don't want something "fluffy" or "Harry Potterish". Any opinions or helpful input?

Anyone know anything about this book? Is it worth the money?

Such as (not limited to) the Greek, Roman, Egyptian, Celtic, Sumerian, Slavic pantheons....etc.

Found at http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A625619

What I am mainly questioning is the statement that a Jotun (giant) is also Vanir and BOTH fight against the Aesir at Ragnarok...?

There were three types of giant:

Normal giants

Fire giants

Frost giants

The giants were all part of the Vanir and so against the Aesir, and at the time of Ragnarok, would cross over Bifrost and break it. They would fight against Odin and the other Aesir at Vigrid. The normal giants lived in Jotunheim, the fire giants lived in Muspelheim, and the frost giants lived in Niflheim.

Here's a cute joke I found in my e-mail - thought some of ya'll might find it funny...

EVE: "I've got a problem."

GOD: "What's the problem, Eve?"

EVE: "I know that you created me and provided this beautiful garden and

all of these wonderful animals, as well as that hilarious comedic snake,

but I'm just not happy."

GOD: "And why is that Eve?"

EVE: "I am lonely, and I'm sick to death of apples."

GOD: "Well, Eve, in that case, I have a solution. I shall create a man

for you."

EVE: "Man? What is that?"

GOD: "A flawed creature, with many bad traits. He'll lie, cheat and be

vain; all in all, he'll give you a hard time. But he'll be bigger,

faster and will like to hunt and kill things. I'll create him in such a

way that he will satisfy your physical needs. He will be witless and

will revel in childish things like fighting and kicking a ball about. He

won't be as smart as you, so he will also need your advice to think

properly."

EVE: "Sounds great," but what's the catch?"

GOD: "Well... you can have him on one condition."

EVE: "And what's that, dear God?"

GOD: "As I said, he'll be proud, arrogant and self-admiring... so you'll

have to let him believe that I made him first. And it will have to be

our little secret... you know, woman to woman."

Do you think it would be possible to override the law (I'm assuming there is one) and have my body burnt on a pyre? I mean, Jews, after all, are not required to be embalmed although it is a law.

LMAO!

I'm not targeting Christans to answer this, but people who study the Christian stories. No offence, but those "Christians" that call themselves such because they listen to a preacher lecture them once, maybe twice, a week don't really know much about the religion's hows - simply the whats.

Here's one story I've heard -

Adam and Eve created original sin. They, and all their offspring, went to Christian hell upon death (except for a few men that were taken directly to heaven). It didn't matter how well they lived, they went to hell due to the original sin. Jesus, being a man, went to hell as well - he was ment to suffer as a man after all. But, becuase he was "God", he was able to open the gates of hell to release all the souls there to be able to go to heaven. This is, supposeily, what Jesus did durning those three days.

What is your opinion of this?

What would you do/say when/if they came to your doorstep for candy?

I heard/read somewhere that most Heathens celebrate Winter Night on the full moon (or new moon) nearest the holiday, or any holiday for that matter except the solsitices. I can't remember where I got this or I'd look it up again. I was just wondering what other Heathens think about this?