Why can Pagans answer questions about R&S without referencing their gods but Christians can't?

Question

Is answering a person's question by referencing dogma that they don't believe actually answering their question?

Is is because Christianity has no spirituality and only has religious dogma?

Is it because Pagans respect your difference of opinion and would prefer not to throw dogma at you but instead debate philosophically?

What do you think it is?

Not meant to be offensive this is a serious question.

Answer 1

* No, spouting dogma is not actually answering the question.

Christianity is mainly dogma and not much spirituality, though some Christians have tapped into spirituality. They like to proclaim a personal relationship with Christ and deny being religious or spiritual, like being religious and spiritual is bad.

Pagans do not convert and our belief is each person relates to Deity their own way and we cannot tell someone else what is right for them. What is right for me is not necessary right for someone else. We believe in personal truth and not absolute truth. Believing in absolute truth opens a person up to being abusive in trying to convert people and they make fun of those of us who claim no absolute truth exists by saying things like this is stupid because you are saying absolutely that absolute truth does not exist and goes against rules of grammar. It is not like we say there are n absolutes, just no absolute truth.

this is my view as a former Christian minister for 25 plus years and now a practicing pagan.

Answer 2

It's actually a combination of B and C. Christianity is a religion that is generally filled with only religious dogma, and Pagans respect the differences in opinions and we don't want to throw dogma in a debate that has no need for dogma!

Blessed Be!

Answer 3

Typically, any dogma that Pagans have that would be appropriate to the answer gets factored in, but expressed in the person's own words. You're not likely to see a Wiccan quoting the Wiccan Rede, for example, to answer a question on, say, the war in Iraq. That said, it may influence their views.

If I wanted to, I'm sure I could dig through the old traids, and dig something up - just as an Asatruar could quote the Eddas or the Havemal... but what's the point? Speaking the words doesn't always mean that you understand them, and, quite frankly, if you're not a believer of that particular faith, what's the point of quoting religious texts? What's doctrine to me is, at best, interesting but non-relevant to a non-believer.

If you can espouse a rational idea (influenced by religious belief or not), that makes far more sense, and seems more likely to actually be seen as a reasonable answer, than saying, "Well, I don't think people should do that because Manannan wouldn't like it."

Answer 4

When I answer a question, I'm a Pagan, I don't tell people about my religion unless they ask. I think everyone's religious path is their own business. That's why I get so mad when Christians message me on here and call me the Daughter of Satan (I got that one the other day from Darrel L)

Or say that I am in league with Satan. Let's face some facts. They don't know that. They only think they know. As much as I don't know that my religion is true either, but I'm willing to accept that I might be wrong.

It seems to me, and I mean no disprespect, that it is a flaw within the Christian Dogma, at the heart of the matter. If a Christian doubts their beliefs, they are told they will go to hell. From what I've read, Hell doesn't seem very nice, so if you believe that, you'd be very scared to doubt your religion or to examine without great prejudice anyone else's.

ALso, some Christians feel it's their duty to bring others to Christianity. I think this would involve total devotion to your religoin with no room for doubt. To never doubt your belief isnt healthy.

Answer 5

Pagans are openminded and respectful of others even if they don't agree. The makeup of Christianity is based on religion without spirituality. Paganism has very little if any religion but is all about spirituality. Also, no two Pagans honor (they don't worship in the Christian sense) the same gods at the same time. Christians are taught that they must go out and try to convert people and many don't take no for an answer if someone is not interested. Pagans don't convert anyone. They will educate if asked but they don't preach to anyone.

Answer 6

Actually I think it's all of the above.

Christianity is steeped in dogma and doctrines, that's inherent in its very nature. Notice how many Christians will repeat the same phrases and sayings over and over again? They've been taught not to use reason or to think for themselves, so they spout of verses and parroted phrases like a broken record. (Not all are like this, but a great many are.)

Christians are also taught that there's is the only correct religion and any difference of opinion on the matter is wrong and must be opposed at every turn, for to not do so would be seen as negligent in their eyes They also feel as if its their mission to seek out and assimilate souls into their collective...err... I mean "save souls for Christ". ;-)

I cannot speak for all Pagans, however, yes I do respect difference of opinion and I see absolutely no reason to try to convert anyone. I really do not care if anyone else follows the same religion I do or honors the same Gods I do. (Or believes in any Gods for that matter.) Unless someone is specifically asking about something related to my religion I don't see why I should mention it.

Answer 7

I am a former Pagan (specifically Wiccan) that has recently joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I don't say "ex" because I take some of those views and beliefs with me, believe it or not.

That being said, I rarely use scriptures to answer questions. Text pulled from a book that is everything to the answerer and means nothing to the questioner is a moot point. I use intellect, common sense, and feelings to answer questions to the best of my ability. Religious dogma has no place in my life.

Blessings

Answer 8

That's a good question.
I choose C: Pagans respect your difference of opinion...
Most people I speak with about religion are very surprised when I tell them my strong belief in...
But first I usually explain that I grew up in a Christian household and studied the Bible extensively before explaining my reasons for leaving the "flock".
As far as I'm concerned, it's no one's business but my own who I worship.
As for offensive...I bet you get all sorts of offensive answers, I know I do.

Answer 9

I think that it is just a difference in the 2 religions,

Christians are instructed to spread their religion to everyone. that they meet. and told that their religion is the only correct one to follow.

and Pagans have no such desire or instruction, we see religion as a personell thing. that can never be right or wrong, my beliefs are simply right for me, that does not make them right for you.

i think that this is why the Pagan will speak more directly to answer a question, and a Christian will (in general) quote scripture.

Answer 10

Because, here to answer your question and I am a Christian so here goes: Yes like the girl said Christians are taught blah blah whatever. When you become a Christian as I am you get this feeling in your heart that you want to share with everybody. You want the whole world to know of this amazing love that Jesus had for humanity. Acts 1:8 to back this up tells us that we are to spread his words to Jerusalem, all of Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth. and O believe me, we Christians have spirituality, the term "spirituality" covers a wide variety of things people can do and Christians choose to spread Jesus' message to the ends of the Earth. Christians respect others opinions but the Bible tells us that the worship of other Gods is wrong, so while we might respect it I'm praying for the people that are answering this in spite.