Wiccans, is there something about the Christian religion that you can acknowledge as admirable?

Question

Hello, all:

Wiccans, is there something about Christians and/or the Christian religion -- anything at all -- that you can acknowledge as admirable?

This is a sister question to one asked just a moment ago, and thank you to everyone who takes the time to respond.

Answer 1

Sure. While there are some Christian teachings I may not agree with, I can admire and respect the religion itself.

I work with a Christian who I feel follows the true meaning of his religious path more so than others I've met. He does a lot of good works in his community and volunteers his time to his church and community even though he's got a busy work schedule and home life - he takes the time to give back for the blessings he's received in his life. He and I agree to disagree about some differences in our spiritual beliefs - but more so we've found common ground to stand on and respect each others' differences and rights.

Answer 2

Up until recently, I could have said yes. Before the Bush years, I could still admire aspects of their faith. But now, with a Surgeon General who preaches homosexuality is a disease that threatens the health of all Americans, and with a resolution showing favor for their religion above all others, I can't.
I've read the comments above;
For every book the preserved in the middle ages, there were libraries burned. Can you imagine what was ion the libraries of Alexandria, or the libraries of the Aztecs?
Sure, they have charities, but they also support politicians that drive us to war, restrict our rights, destroy our environment and drive the economy into the toilet. Would we need charities if a person could make a living wage?
Yes, the architecture is lovely, especially the pillars in the Vatican that are made from the bronze that was looted of the Parthenon.
I've also read so many posts on here that are hostile and threatening while claiming to be loving. So, sadly, no, I can no longer find anything admirable in that faith, but I respect the individual's right to hold and practice their faith.

Answer 3

Not Wiccan but I'll answer anyway:

I admire the devotion many of them show to their faith, which is something that I feel is lacking in much of the Neopagan community. I'm generalizing here but it seems as a whole people in all branches of Neopaganism don't seem to put a lot of emphasis on devotion and prayer, seeming to think those are "Christian" things, when they're not. They're spiritual things. I think we can learn a lot from the devotion that Christians show their God (again, generalizing here. A lot of them don't and many more will do so for show. I'm sure you know the ones.)

Christianity as a whole has also contributed to a lot of things like our art, literature, music, and many other things that I personally find lovely and know wouldn't exist if their creators didn't make them out of devotion for their God. I also admire their willingness to be charitable (generalizing again, and again it's something I feel is lacking in Neopaganism) and there are some teachings of the religion itself that I find admirable.

It's just such a shame there are people out there who would warp and twist them for their own agendas. Then again there are people like that in Neopaganism too so Christianity isn't the only one guilty of that.

Answer 4

Well, I admire that they value charity and a lot of other good qualities. Actually, if it were a philosophy instead of a religion, I would like it a lot.
As with any religion, I think that it causes more hatred, arguments, ignorance, and of course brainwashing than anything else. I`m an Electic Wiccan, but I try to keep my religion as my business and let people deal with their own religious practices.

Answer 5

There's lots of things I admire. I think it's teachings make a lot of people better, more moral, and more considerate of others. It emphasizes caring for those weaker than us and not being self-absorbed. In addition, it brings a great deal of comfort and meaning to its followers - something most of us are searching for.

Historically speaking, the Church's love of knowledge preserved many documents that would have otherwise been lost to us un the Early Middle Ages, and they were the first to create schools and really rekindle an interest in learning as the middle ages progressed.

Answer 6

I was once Christian and many of the teachings I still hold as important and reflect my beliefs as a Wiccan.

Mathew 22:39 " ... Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself."

If all Christianity did this then there would be a lot less fighting and a lot more peace.

I also admire ANY person of any religion or spiritual path who truly lives their life in accordance with their spiritual beliefs. I despise hypocrites.

Answer 7

I used to be christian so I can admire their beliefs in general.

I think its admirable to have a belief system and follow thru with it. Especially the peaceful ones, its when it isnt peaceful or used in that respect that I lose that admiration.

Overall though, usually nice people who just wanna do right.

Answer 8

Being raised Fundamental Baptist, having ultra-strict Christian family, and living in the Bible Belt, I can tell you that Christianity has no redeeming qualities whatsoever--which is why I turned away from it.

I looked very hard for redeeming qualities in Christianity for years--and not just Baptists--but all I found no matter what denomination I studied, and no matter how many times I read the Bible--was hate, hypocrisy, and contradiction.

As Gandhi said, "I like your Jesus Christ. I do not like your Christians. They are so unlike your Christ."

Answer 9

Yes, in it's true form there are many things. I have been part of some churches where love abounds and just like Jesus said you will know they are my disciples for the love they have for one another. I have been a recipient of that love on several occasions.

I remember one preacher told me to call him anytime day or night and one night I got a phone call at 2 am and the voice on the other end threatened to kill me so I called the preacher and woke him up and he talked to me and calmed me down and actually did not mind being woke up.
BB

Answer 10

when practiced with tolerance, it's actually a very nice religion. it has contributed vastly to art and architecture, i stand in awe of it at times. without christian charities, the world would be quite a bit worse off. the catholic mass is a beautiful ritual, and many of its traditions as well. to a certain degree they preserved pagan traditions, so we should at least thank them for that much, in spite of the rest of it.

i have to say, also, that i'm disappointed in the lack of tolerance shown in some of these answers. it's not surprising coming from the fundies, but we're supposed to realize that there are many paths to the truth here, folks. our christian contemporaries are not the ones who committed the evils of the past. [one of the posters appears to be a muslim, tho.]