What do you think of religous rip offs?

[Abel Christian (Jaberwocky)]

what do you think of people borrowing from another religon take it in as there own makinga new religon from it. or do you think were comming closer to the whole picture doing it?

[Faye aka Mysst]

I believe that it is how religions evolve over time and thus natural.

[Valérie Charles]

I totally agree with you

[Valérie Charles]

As long as humans exist, I think there's just going to be more and more religions coming out. Like catholic's borrowing from the pagans, the protestants borrowing from the catholics..on and on, and all this new age stuff borrowing from old religions.

It's like music for me. It evolves in different forms, but in the end...well, It's the same essence.

[muhammed]

yes. it pose true to me. becuase from the way things are going.is like your words will soon come to past

[Audrey]

could u explain this:

"Like catholic's borrowing from the pagan..."

[Faye aka Mysst]

Christmas and Easter are the best examples I can think of.

Pre-Christian people celebrated a week of feasting and giving gifts in celebration of the promise of continued life symbolized with the the first sun rise after the longest night of the year, the Winter solstice or Yule to we pagans. This time of year was also very popular for important pre-christian gods to be born around. It was the Church's attempt to convert these pagans by adopting traditions. Easter was adopted from the Spring Equinox traditions of Ostara, when fertility is wide spread. Colored eggs and young animals especially the rabbit, duck and lamb were symbols used during those celebrations.

Also numberous pre-christian belief systems have a dying and resurecting diety as well. If you look into the beliefs of different cultures you'll be astonished to see how may simularities there are in their folk lore.

[Audrey]

i didn't know that, but i have heard and read about it, but not in too deep to argue with that. when i have done a proper research, i'll get back at ya. lol

[Bee Weezer]

worshipping images tops the list Audrey. And if you want me to validate this one, just give me a green signal and am willing to.

[Audrey]

"worshipping images tops the list Audrey."

i think that's the worst misconception the world has of catholics. we do not worship statues or images. they are there only as reminders and symbols. it is like having portraits of your ancestors, to remind you where u came from. where did christianity come from if not from christ's sacrifice for us on the crucifix?

[Faye aka Mysst]

I've yet to see a religion not use symbols or images to represent their Deity. Because the Divine source is so abstract in it's purest form, we humans need a representation that speaks to us and assists in connecting with the Divine Source.

Here's a bit of random trivia...did you know that early Christians used the pentagram (5 pointed star) to represent the 5 wounds of Christ. Point up symbolises Spirit above the Physical where point down symbolizes the Physical above Spirit which is why it has become a common symbol for Satanists, Lucifarians, and other drak Christians.

[Bee Weezer]

Faye, as far as the Bible is concerned regarding the early Christians, never any types of symbols were used to represent Christianity even the most popular one - the Cross. How much more the pentragram (5-pointed star) as allegedly the 5 wounds of Christ? And with all due respect, there is no such thing as "dark" Christians. For the Bible clearly states,
"Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?"(2 Corinthians 6:13-15,NIV)

[Faye aka Mysst]

The Bible is a symbol in and of itself. And it is human nature to try and put an image to something that they do not fully comprehend such as the Divine Source. Try doing some research like I have and learn about the cultures, beliefs systems, and religions of other people and learn tolerance.

Does not your Savior speak of love, understanding, and turning the other cheek?

As for Dark Christians...someone who follows "Satan" has taken an archetype from the Jeudo-Christian Mythos. In order to follow this archetype religiously so to speak they would have to acknowledge God and Jesus enough to turn toward their rival...thus being a Dark Christian.