Have our spiritual lives become dogmatic? Or are we tuning ourselves to real, Divine, spiritual expression? Who are we really trying to connect with? And in our attempt to have spiritual connection, who are we ostricizing? I had an interesting conversation while passing through the 'New Age' section at Barnes and Noble. For some reason people (I'm talking about complete strangers) trust me with seriously fragile information instantly upon meeting me. Information that is usually reserved for a best friend is given to me freely without any fear that I might judge them. It really does shock me most of the time. I must have a really trusting face...
So, I had a very interesting conversation with a witch. I always love it when people assault my sensibilities and make me think. I can tell you, she was wonderful! A very long time ago I decided that my spiritual beliefs would be based in non-denominational religious practice. What does that mean? To me it means that I was going to honor my personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ and respect others who were doing the same no matter what faith they professed. That if I truly believed that the Holy Spirit (that is at work in us) is the teacher of all things and is doing what He was sent to do, then there would be no reason for me to judge.... only trust. Over the years, that decision has been tested quite a few times and I have certainly faltered, but I believe that I have reached a place of self respect that allows me to give that respect freely. And all of that (I think) is evidenced by the amazing trust that is given to me by complete strangers.
As we were talking about our "inner temple", I realized that she and I shared fundamental beliefs. She expressed that she absolutely believed in Jesus Christ and that he died for her sins. She believed that God created the earth and all that is in it and that God created her in his likeness... a creator. We talked further about Jesus (because I wanted to know what she really believed... I was so interested) and she pointed out that if, as Christians, we are striving to live and walk like Jesus... didn't that include connecting with the Divine and performing miracles? Wow! I had nothing to say. I thought about Jesus' miracles and healing or Joshua and Daniel interpreting dreams and wondered what exactly is entailed in sorcery or "witchcraft"? I had never really given it much thought. I mean, come on, turning water into wine would be considered sorcery by any one's standards to be witness to it! To witness Moses' staff turn into a serpent, that must have been a sight to see. And at what point are words with various meanings misinterpreted? Misused? I asked God to iron that out for us both. I also asked that I have clarity while reading The Inner Temple of Witchcraft by Christopher Penczak. It is the book she recommended for me to understand her core beliefs. I bought it and have begun to read it. Does the word "witch" mean today what it meant when the bible was written? With 328 pages, I wouldn't exactly call this light reading! But am anxious to dive in. I also want to say that I appreciate that she did not judge me either and very nicely answered all my questions. Thank you!
Deuteronomy 18:10-12 "There shall not be found among you anyone who burns his son or his daughter as an offering, anyone who practices divination or tells fortunes or interprets omens, or a sorcerer or a charmer or a medium or a necromancer or one who inquires of the dead, for whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord." Definition of witch?
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