Do christian prayers seem like "casting" a spell to any of you?

Question

When someone is praying, they are putting a lot of energy into it, mentally and sometimes physically to "hope" and "influence" events to occur.

If this is a perspective of any, why do so many ridicule wiccans?

Answer 1

The only difference is why they ridicule Wiccans. Christians pray because they feel the power has to come from "God" whereas us Wiccans know that the power for change is within ourselves.

Blessed Be )O(

Answer 2

To invoke the or a God, an angel, or a saint is psychologically the same as invoking any other spiritual entity or energy, in that it fulfills the same function as an appeal to a higher, spiritual power. Spellcasting, prayer, and sacrifice is the same thing; we mortals give something up to whatever, and we expect something in return. We might throw food in the fire or bury it in the ground for the spirits, we might burn incense, we might give tithes, we might show devotion through dedicating memorials or participating in rituals, and we might make promises regarding our behavior, but we always expect something for our work, be it a choice spot in the afterlife or some change on earth. This trade in any dealing with spirits is especially common in the day-to-day treatment of the divine. For example, someone might promise to never drink again (the offer) if he could only drive home safely that night (the expected reward); or someone might bury food from a successful hunt (the offer) to appease the deceased animal's spirit and avoid a curse (the expected reward).

As to wiccans, I think part of the reason may be that it appears on the surface that many who convert to wicca seem to be disaffected youths who are doing so out of a desire to rebel rather than as a true matter of faith. It doesn't help that wicca promises material rewards, usually in terms of short-term gain, whereas a "mature" or "responsible" religion cares most about the long-term: the afterlife.

Answer 3

I'm not very familiar with Wicca prayers; although I corresponded with a Wicca woman for two years. She said it was much like Christian prayer, only reverenced the earth and natural things more.

Personally, I have had prayers that I used that were much like mantras, and they elicited responses that came to a so-called "Inner Ear" within me, words that the Holy Spirit carried to my mind to teach me, counsel me, and provide reverence for God. This was a marvelous experience, but I never equated them to a spell. I was often changed by the process, but not influenced against my will, as a spell might do. It was a mental experience that took concentration to listen, and to write down what I then heard, as the reporter I had been was trained to do.

I see no reason to ridicule Wiccans, or any other faith, for that matter. God seems to have a way to communicate with all of us if we'll just listen. And there are as many ways of listening as there are ways of praying, I think.

Answer 4

As far as I see it, the only differences between a prayer and a spell is the name of course and who they prayer/spell is directed to. Kinda like how Christians who predict the future are often called "prophets" but if they are not Christian they're usually called psychics or soothsayers. This being one of the reasons why I dont think Christians or Pagans should argue about whether or not either should celibrate holidays. We all do much of the same things just direct our thoughts to a different being.

Answer 5

Obviously. But I doubt that any Christians will agree with this wording. Influencing your own beliefs is the essence of all magic and all religion and that is what is done in prayer. But I haven't found a way that the exclusionary types of religionists will hear any such idea. Some people will always consider all other types of spiritual discipline to be wrong and only their own to be right. It's good that you try, but I think it might be a lost cause.

Answer 6

Wiccans are no more/less ridiculed than any other faith. This posting section is a testament to that . . . how many other faiths here are demeaned?? Buck up . . .

As an aside, not all prayer is intended to "influence" something. For me, it usually involves communing or dialoging with a higher power / God.

Answer 7

Any Christian knows that we come before God with our prayers, to lay our praise, thanksgiving, confessions and petitions at His holy feet. However, we are aware that it is His will, ultimately. We trust in that will because He is working everything out for the good of the kingdom. There is nothing pagan about it.
I never "ridicule" anyone. I may say that you are wrong in your beliefs and disagree. This is because I know that I have the truth in Jesus Christ.

Answer 8

we are not casting spells. We are having a talk with God, praising Him, thanking Him, and asking for our needs to be met. We place the prayer in His hands to answer in His way.

Answer 9

The proper way for a Christian to pray is for God's will to be done.

Our Father, Who art in heaven,
Hallowed be Thy Name.
Thy Kingdom come.
Thy Will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil. Amen.

Answer 10

Christian prayer depends only upon the power of God, and not the powers of any of his creation.

This is exactly as God wishes it to be.

Those who pray to other "gods" with other motives, or other objectives are either confused, or corrupt.

Anyone who prays to anyone other than the one, true God, is cooperating with evil, and not God, and there's no future in it.