Jane, I am really not sure what to say to you about the drums. Did you pick up the Encyclopedia Satannica instead of Britannica by mistake? I went to the library, had a long conversation with the reference librarian, and read the materials. You may have a preconceived notion that drums are satanic, but that is not what the Catholic Encyclopedia, or any of the others, say.
Yes, timbrels can be as small as tambourines, but they are often much larger, and square as well as round. From the section on Hebrew musical instruments I quoted already "Harps, lyres, pipes, psalteries, horns, trumpets, and DRUMS (my emphasis) traveled from country to country in the Mediterranean world." The people in Biblical times loved music, as has almost everyone from the beginning of time, and I think it is unfair to demonize music.
Why do you think that churches use music in their services? I know, and I am not even a Christian--it brings people very close to God, being sacred on a level which is holy in a purely emotional way, bypassing words and thoughts for a more direct passageway to the soul.
I think you make a mistake when you assume that the Bible represents a complete history of life in Jerusalem in Biblical times. The Bible is concerned mostly with spiritual matters, and may miss some small details. Certainly, drums were a part of the underlying rhythm of life there. When you use a search engine for the Bible, not everything you may be looking for will show up. For example, homosexuality does not show up either.
You might want to ask you reference librarian for "Encyclopedia of Bible Life" the next time you are at the library. It is very long, and very detailed, and will answer questions of how people actually lived in Biblical times. It is a respected reference work, Jane, not anything satanic, so please don't go off on a tirade about it.
Who told you not to speak to me anymore? Do you do everything other people tell you to do? I think that might be a little dangerous. You need to speak, and think, for yourself. I do think we need to clear something up about Jesus and homosexuals, Jane. I never said at Feelings that Jesus was a homosexual. What is said is that the Bible never discusses Jesus' sexuality, and asked if it was possible that he could be homosexual. Technically we do not know whether he was heterosexual or homosexual. That is simply a statement of fact, and there is nothing satanic about it. His sexuality certainly doesn't matter to me, and I don't see where it should matter to anyone else. Isn't part of a Christian value system to judge a person by his good works?
While you are over here accusing me of being satanic and filthy-minded, I am over at Feelings seriously discussing issues like the Shroud of Turin, with very nice people who are talking about how to rear moral and ethical children. If you perceive this as satanic, then everything must seem satanic to you.
You have described yourself as someone who hung out playing pool in bars, drinking beer and associating with Hell's Angels. And then you found Christ, after, I gather, feeling out of control and living a life that would not work for you. I am picking this out of your own recent posts, trying to understand exactly what you mean, and doing the best I can, so please forgive me if I get anything wrong. There is no malicious intent.
This kind of situation, where someone goes from really living life on the wild side, to finding religion, tends to set up very extreme patterns of thinking--everything is either sacred, or evil. But the world is not really like that. Unfortunately, what can happen if you have that mind set is that you start demonizing things that are totally normal and wonderful, like drums.
While the Hell's Angels you partied with may have been really sweet guys, they are notoriously violent, and are major methamphetamine dealers in America. I think dealing methamphetamine is pretty satanic, if we want to use your perceptive apparatus for a moment. It is definitely evil. These drugs are really nasty, and cause addiction, pain and death.
Motorcycle gangs are also pagan in a way that real, conscientious pagans do not use the term. They have very anti-life tattoos, including swastikas, and lead very destructive lifesytles outside the law. I am beginning to think you got your ideas about pagans from these people, who do not in any represent the serious modern pagan movement, nor participate in it. Modern pagans revere all life, and would never do something like deal drugs or steal things to survive, two major problems with Hell's Angels.
Here is what the U.S. Army has to say about modern pagans, incidentally. As you can see if you will actually try to stay open minded for a moment and read the information, you have some very nice people who are trying to do good in the world confused with these biker "pagans" who are as close to satanic as I could imagine. The Army has a slightly simplistic view, because, at least in my opinion, they overemphasize the pagans who practice wicca, or white Celtic magic. I think most pagans do not, and I certainly do not, so please, no posts calling me a witch, okay?
All witches are pagans, but most pagans are not witches. But as you can see from this U.S. Army explanation, wicca is a very positive and tolerant and respectful belief system:
Excerpt from the U.S. Army's Religious Requirements and Practices of Certain Selected Groups: A Handbook
for Chaplains (pgs 231-236). Available from:
USAF Chaplain's Service Institute
Resource Division
525 Chenault Circle
Maxwell AFB
Montgomery, AL 36112-6429
Yes, I know it's an Army publication and an Air Force source, but that's life.
Begin Transcribed Text
WICCA
ADDRESS: No central address. Wiccan worship groups, called covens, are essentially autonomous. Many, but far
from all, have affiliated with:
Covenant of the Goddess
P.O. Box 1226
Berkeley, CA 94704
OTHER NAMES BY WHICH KNOWN: Witchcraft; Goddess worshippers; Neo-Paganism, Paganism, Norse
(or any other ethnic designation) Paganism, Earth Religion, Old Religion, Druidism, Shamanism. Note: All of these
groups have some basic similarities and many surface differences of expression with Wicca.
LEADERSHIP: No central leadership. The Covenant of the Goddess annually elects a First Officer and there is a
constitutional limit of two consecutive terms, but in practice officers have almost always served for one year only. In
1991, there are two co-First Officers, Phoenix Whitebirch and Brandy Williams.
MEMBERSHIP: Because of the complete autonomy of covens, this cannot be determined. There are an
estimated of 50,000 Wiccans in the United States.
HISTORICAL ORIGIN: Wicca is a reconstruction of the Nature worship of tribal Europe, strongly influenced by
the living Nature worship traditions of tribal peoples in other parts of the world. The works of such early twentieth
century writers as Margaret Murray, Robert Graves and Gerald B. Gardner began the renewal of interest in the Old
Religion. After the repeal of the anti-Witchcraft laws in Britain in 1951, Gardner publicly declared himself a Witch
and began to gather a group of students and worshipers. In 1962, two of his students, Raymond and Rosemary
Buckland (religious names: Lady Rowen and Robat), emigrated to the United States and began teaching Gardnerian
Witchcraft here. At the same time, other groups of people became interested through reading books by Gardner
and others. Many covens were spontaneously formed, using rituals created from a combination of research and
individual inspiration. These self-created covens are today regarded as just as valid as those who can trace a
"lineage" of teaching back to England. In 1975, a very diverse group of covens who wanted to secure the legal
protections and benefits of church status formed Covenant of the Goddess (CoG), which is incorporated in the
State of California and recognized by the Internal Revenue Service. CoG does not represent all, or even a majority
of Wiccans. A coven or an individual need not be affiliated with CoG in order to validly practice the religion. But
CoG is the largest single public Wiccan organization, and it is cross-Traditional (i.e. non-denominational).
BASIC BELIEFS: Wiccans worship the sacred as immanent in Nature, often personified as Mother Earth and
Father Sky. As polytheists, they may use many other names for Deity. Individuals will often choose Goddesses or
Gods from any of the world's pantheons whose stories are particularly inspiring and use those Deities as a focus for
personal devotions. Similarly, covens will use particular Deity names as a group focus, and these are often held
secret by the groups. It is very important to be aware that Wiccans do not in any way worship or believe in
"Satan," "the Devil," or any similar entities. They point out that "Satan" is a symbol of rebellion
against and inversion of the Christian and Jewish traditions. Wiccans do not revile the Bible. They simply
regard it as one among many of the world's mythic systems, less applicable than some to their core values, but still
deserving just as much respect as any of the others. Most Wiccan groups also practice magic, by which they mean
the direction and use of "psychic energy," those natural but invisible forces which surround all living things. Some
members spell the word "magick," to distinguish it from sleight of hand entertainments. Wiccans employ such means
as dance, chant, creative visualization and hypnosis to focus and direct psychic energy for the purpose of healing,
protecting and aiding members in various endeavors. Such assistance is also extended to non-members upon
request. Many, but not all, Wiccans believe in reincarnation. Some take this as a literal description of what happens
to people when they die. For others, it is a symbolic model that helps them deal with the cycles and changes within
this life. Neither Reincarnation nor any other literal belief can be used as a test of an individual's validity as a member
of the Old Religion. Most groups have a handwritten collection of rituals and lore, known as a Book of Shadows.
Part of the religious education of a new member will be to hand copy this book for him or herself. Over they years,
as inspiration provides, new material will be added. Normally, access to these books is limited to initiated members
of the religion.
PRACTICES AND BEHAVIORAL STANDARDS: The core ethical statement of Wicca, called the "Wiccan
Rede" states "an it harm none, do what you will." The rede fulfills the same function as does the "Golden Rule" for
Jews and Christians; all other ethical teachings are considered to be elaborations and applications of the Rede. It is a
statement of situational ethics, emphasizing at once the individual's responsibility to avoid harm to others and the
widest range of personal autonomy in "victimless" activities. Wicca has been described as having a "high-choice"
ethic. Because of the basic Nature orientation of the religion, many Wiccans will regard all living things as Sacred,
and show a special concern for ecological issues. For this reason, individual conscience will lead some to take a
pacifist position. Some are vegetarians. Others will feel that, as Nature's Way includes self-defense, they should
participate in wars that they conscientiously consider to be just. The religion does not dictate either position, but
requires each member to thoughtfully and meditatively examine her or his own conscience and to live by it. Social
forces generally do not yet allow Witches to publicly declare their religious faith without fear of reprisals such as loss
of job, child custody challenges, ridicule, etc. Prejudice against Wiccans is the result of public confusion between
Witchcraft and Satanism. Wiccans in the military, especially those who may be posted in countries perceived to be
particularly intolerant, will often have their dogtags read "No Religious Preference." Concealment is a traditional
Wiccan defense against persecution, so non-denominational dogtags should not contravene a member's request for
religious services. Wiccans celebrate eight festivals, called "Sabbats," as a means of attunement to the seasonal
rhythms of Nature. These are January 31 (Called Oimelc, Brigit, or February Eve), March 21 (Ostara or Spring
Equinox), April 30 (Beltane or May Eve), June 22 (Midsummer, Litha or Summer Solstice), July 31 (Lunasa or
Lammas), September 21 (Harvest, Mabon or Autumn Equinox), October 31 (Samhain, Sowyn or Hallows), and
December 21 (Yule or Winter Solstice.) Some groups find meetings within a few days of those dates to be
acceptable, others require the precise date. In addition, most groups will meet for worship at each Full Moon, and
many will also meet on the New Moon. Meetings for religious study will often be scheduled at any time convenient
to the members, and rituals can be scheduled whenever there is a need (i.e. for a healing). Ritual jewelry is
particularly important to many Wiccans. In addition to being a symbol of religious dedication, these talismans are
often blessed by the coven back home and felt to carry the coven's protective and healing energy.
ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE: Most Wiccans meet with a coven, a small group of people. Each coven is
autonomous. Most are headed by a High Priestess, often with the assistance of a High Priest. Some are headed by a
High Priestess or High Priest without a partner, and some regard themselves as a gathering of equals. Covens can
be of mixed gender, or all female or male, depending on the preferences of the members. Every initiate is considered
to be a priestess or priest. Most covens are small. Thirteen is the traditional maximum number of members, although
not an absolute limit. At that size covens form a close bond, so Wiccans in the military are likely to maintain a strong
affiliation with their covens back home. There are many distinct "Traditions" of Wicca, just as there are many
denominations within Christianity. The spectrum of Wiccan practice can be described as ranging from "traditional" to
"eclectic," with Traditions, covens and individuals fitting anywhere within that range. A typical difference would be
that more traditional groups would tend to follow a set liturgy, whereas eclectic groups would emphasize immediate
inspiration in worship. These distinctions are not particularly important to the military chaplain, since it is unlikely that
enough members of any one Tradition would be at the same base. Worship circles at military facilities are likely to
be ad-hoc cross-Traditional groups, working out compromise styles of worship for themselves and constantly
adapting them to a changing membership. Therefore, the lack of strict adherence to the patterns of any one Tradition
is not an indicator of invalidity. While many Wiccans meet in a coven, there are also a number of solitairies. These
are individuals who choose to practice their faith alone. The may have been initiated in a coven or self initiated. They
will join with other Wiccans to celebrate the festivals or to attend the various regional events organized by the larger
community.
ROLE OF MINISTERS: Within a traditional coven, the High Priestess, usually assisted by her High Priest, serves
both as leader in the rituals and as teacher and counselor for coven members and unaffiliated Pagans. Eclectic
covens tend to share leadership more equally.
WORSHIP: Wiccans usually worship in groups. Individuals who are currently not affiliated with a coven, or are
away from their home coven, may choose to worship privately or may form ad-hoc groups to mark religious
occasions. Non-participating observers are not generally welcome at Wiccan rituals. Some, but not all, Wiccan
covens worship in the nude ("skyclad") as a sign of attunement with Nature. Most, but not all, Wiccan covens bless
and share a cup of wine as part of the ritual. Almost all Wiccans use an individual ritual knife (an "athame") to focus
and direct personal energy. Covens often also have ritual swords to direct the energy of the group. These tools, like
all other ritual tools, are highly personal and should never leave the possession of the owner. Other commonly used
ritual tools include a bowl of water, a bowl of salt, a censer with incense, a disk with symbols engraved on it (a
"pentacle"), statues or artwork representing the Goddess and God, and candles. Most groups will bless and share
bread or cookies along with the wine. All of these items are used in individual, private worship as well as in
congregate rituals.
DIETARY LAWS OR RESTRICTIONS: None.
FUNERAL AND BURIAL REQUIREMENTS: None. Recognition of the death of a member takes place
within the coven, apart from the body of the deceased. Ritual tools, materials, or writings found among the effects of
the deceased should be returned to their home coven (typically a member will designate a person to whom ritual
materials should be sent). It is desirable for a Wiccan priest or priestess to be present at the time of death, but not
strictly necessary. If not possible, the best assistance would be to make the member as comfortable as possible,
listen to whatever they have to say, honor any possible requests, and otherwise leave them as quiet and private as
possible.
MEDICAL TREATMENT: No medical restrictions. Wiccans generally believe in the efficacy of spiritual or
psychic healing when done in tandem with standard medical treatment. Therefore, at the request of the patient, other
Wiccan personnel should be allowed visiting privileges as though they were immediate family, including access to
Intensive Care Units. Most Wiccans believe that healing energy can be sent from great distances, so, if possible, in
the case of any serious medical condition, the member's home coven should be notified.
OTHER: With respect to attitude toward military service, Wiccans range from career military personnel to
conscientious objectors. Wiccans do not proselytize and generally resent those who do. They believe that no one
Path to the Sacred is right for all people, and see their own religious pattern as only one among many that are
equally worthy. Wiccans respect all religions that foster honor and compassion in their adherents, and expect the
same respect. Members are encouraged to learn about all faiths, and are permitted to attend the services of other
religions, should they desire to do so.
GENERAL SOURCE BOOKS:
The best general survey of the Wiccan and neo-Pagan movement is: Adler, Margot. Drawing Down the Moon.
Boston: Beacon Press, 1986. 595pp
For more specific information about eclectic Wicca, see: Starhawk. The Spiral Dance. New York: Harper & Row,
1979.
For more specific information about traditional Wicca, see:
Farrar, Janet, and Stewart Farrar. Eight Sabbats for Witches. London: Robert Hale, 1981. 192pp.
______________. The Witches' Way. London: Robert Hale, 1984. 394pp.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Pagan Military Newsletter c/o Terri Morgan, Editor, 829 Lynnhaven Parkway 114-198 Virginia Beach, VA 23452
Because of the autonomy of each coven and the wide variance of specific ritual practices, the best contact person
would be the High Priestess or other leader of the member's home coven.
voicenet.com
Jane, I am not sure how you could read that information from the Armed Forces and continue to fear and denigrate pagans. Their religion is serious, positive, sacred, and very respectful of yours. Can you extend the same graciousness to pagans they extend to Christians?
Raise a song, and bring hither the timbrel,
The pleasant harp with the psaltery.
Blow the trumpet at the new moon,
At the full moon, on our feasting day. (Ps. 81:12,3) |
