Gary is into religions where the clergy wear pistatchio shells on their heads and silly robes. He also approves of ministers who have beards with no mustache.

Sounds like you must have visited his church, hmmm?

I don't doubt that. Alot of witches are in the "broom closet".

I only know of 2 other people, then myself, that follows a pagan path on this forum...TW is one of them (Wiccan) and Fluffmaster, from the UK Political Board (pagany as he puts it)...

And neither them nor myself have ever said such a thing...

I'm thinking your confusing said comment from another board...Perhaps the old 'Witches Board' on Yahoo? There were a number of posters there claiming to be Wiccan and a couple of them MIGHT have said what you're thinking was said here.

that was me. i don't make a point of talking about my spirituality anywhere other than among other pagans. and most of them are the same. perhaps it is just australia, but most lay people here think the term pagan means devil worshipping and warty witches brewing up toads to make a curse. most people are so convinced of their "accurate knowledge" of paganism that they have no interest in actually finding out the truth.

it is usually said that australia does not have a lot of religious friction, that we are tolerant of each others different faiths. that is true only to the extent that different christian denominations respect and tolerate each other, and christianity is the most common religion. talk to a muslim, jew or pagan about religious tolerance and you get a completely different picture.

i have a friend whose child was expelled from school. the official reason given by the school was that he was pagan.

see, the temptation for christians to ridicule and denigrate paganism is beyond their capacity to resist.

Many people confuse the "truth" with hate, because they do not want to accept it as such, but the truth is, there are "no" denominations, nor can any inner faith relationship teach anything new. If one wants to know the truth simply go to the source, "The Holy Bible", and specifically the New Testament for this indeed is where the New Covenant relationship established by Christ Jesus between man and God is to be found, for in it we have everything that is needed as pertaining to being considered a "man of God" as they, the scriptures make us "perfect" in that manner. Thus, when anything is perfect, that means they are "lacking" in "nothing". "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works." -- llTim3:16-17. Thus, if we have everything that we need to be considered righteous in the eyes of God found in the Holy Scriptures, just what exactly can be learned in any denominational "man made" custom, as to pleasing God, the sole purpose of man's existence? Or, if you will, the meaning of man's life? The scriptures tell us "exactly" that man's purpose is to search for God and once finding him, to serve him. (Acts 17:21-28, Ecclesiastes 12:13-14)

Jesus built his church (Matt.16:16, purchasing it with his own blood (Acts 20:28. He set the conditions for membership (Acts 2:41, Mark 16:16, l Cor. 12:12-24, Galatians 3:26-27). He gave us His Law, The Gospel of Christ, The Perfect Law of Liberty (John 8:31-32, James 1:25). He authorized its form of worship (John 4:23-24) consisting of prayer, The Lord's Supper, singing, giving, and instruction in the Word of God. He assigned the church its mission and revealed its work. He gave it local organization and "only" local organization (Acts 20:28, l Peter 5:1-4, Philippians 1:1). There are no Archbishops, Cardinals, Popes, Patriarchs, Presidents, or any other officers over the universal church. Christ is the Head of His Body, His Church (Col. 1:18 He is the Savior of His Body (Eph. 5:23). Only those obedient to Him have His promise of salvation (Hebrews 5:8-9, ll Thess. 1:3-10). Does this teaching appeal to you? It should for it is found in the "only" place where doctrine is to be drawn, "The Holy Scriptures", the word of God, and we are requested to be sanctified in such -- John 17:17. On what is your mind set, the truth or popularity? (R)

ignorance