Ex Nihilo

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Everything posted by Ex Nihilo

  1. Freedom from and of religion are both protected by the first amendment. State actors may neither restrict or compel participation in religious activities and may not use tax money for the benefit of a faith group working in a solely religious capacity
  2. What is their pagan path? I think I remember Buckland's Book of Witchcraft having several rites in it including handfasting. But that's for those of the Wiccan persuasion.
  3. Dan, it was the Roman Church that pushed the anti-Universalist theology that eventually eclipsed the early Universalist theology of Christianity. So, in a way, you are supporting Roman Dogma by rejecting Christian Universalism. It's funny how history makes strange bedfellows. I support your right to believe that your brand of Christianity is the true faith to the exclusion of all other paths. God bless and keep the faith!
  4. Dan, Universal Reconciliation, aka Universalism was the dominant view in the first five centuries of the church immediately following Christ's ascension. Considering what you've said about upholding the early dogmas of the church, shouldn't you accept that dogma?
  5. Very well put Hermano. I myself have been dealing with a similar battle Raincloud, but I've come to recognize that I have not lost faith in the teachings of Jesus Christ, only what it's become. Whatever the path you choose, I pray you find peace and fulfillment at its end.
  6. Anglicans and Lutherans offer private Confession. However, with Anglicanism it's not a requirement, just an option. The Anglican rule on private confession is: All can, some should, none must. For most, the general confession made during the service and its accompanying absolution is sufficent. As for other groups, IDK. I think evangelical and reformed pastors will counsel privately those who are burdened withsomething, but that's not quite the same. I have done private confession and found the process immensely cathartic. It's important to remember that the whole affair is kept in strictest confidence by the priest so it's not going to get unburied, it'll get released which is a pretty awesome feeling actually. Of course, going directly to God is a great way to make your confession. I think, unless you're a catholic or orthodox christian, the issue is one of conscience...and here's a little tip, most priests have heard it all and won't likely be shocked by your admission unless you've done something REALLY outrageous like doing unseemly with a dead animal carcass while wearing a easter bunny mask on a full moon....I mean...errr...I can imagine that would arouse shock...I don't know from experience or anything....Don't judge.
  7. Sigh...I really don't want to have look out for dog poop in heaven...guess I'll have to hang out elsewhere...I'm more of a cat person anyway.
  8. I admire his candor. It always amazes me how scientists act morally superior to religionists as they pat themselves on the back for being so open to intellectual freedom and yet let one person point out that the emperor has no clothes and all of a sudden the vitriol and character assassinations rain down with a zeal that would make the Spanish inquisitors proud. There are new frontiers in science that are not being explored to their full potential for fear of upsetting the apple cart of current scientific presuppositions and those who see it as their job to protect them...
  9. I find it best in the beginning to be as simple and informal as possible, like a bible study or talking circle. I believe that authentic ritual is an organic thing that grows out of relationship and regular fellowship.
  10. I think the more catholic denominations would say the priest is absolutely stepping into the role of Christ, that' s the point of a priest: to represent Christ to his people in the performance of sacraments.
  11. All validly ordained priests are in the Apostolic "bloodline", meaning they were ordained by bishops in the Apostolic college, which is all bishops who have received their consecration from prior bishops who themselves received their orders in the long line of tactile Apostolic succession, dating back to the apostles, and originally Christ himself. There are several lines of succession but they must all reach back to the Apostles or they aren't valid. This is the thinking of Catholics, Orthodox, and Anglicans. More protestant denominations, even those that require an episcopal form of government, generally do not require tactile succession for valid orders.
  12. Angels among us? http://m.usatoday.com/article/news/2630227
  13. I guess I don't see how god being good necessitates our being good too. Is there no way that god could be good and we could be evil? Or vice versa?
  14. Very cool! Do you do anything special to celebrate it in your tradition?
  15. May you reap all the good you've sown this year! Be blessed in the months to come!