Tag Archive | Preacher

Religious Awareness In America

The Importance of Secular Government

Secular:
of or pertaining to worldly things or to things that are not regarded as religious, spiritual, or sacred; temporal: secular interests.

There’s a lot of talk in the U.S. today about the founding fathers establishing our constitution based on Christian values and therefore America is a Christian Nation. Unfortunately this propaganda by religious zealots is false and not only breeds intolerance, it misrepresents the intent of the founding fathers or attempts to re-write American History.

I believe it’s important for all people to speak up and correct these misconceptions if our nation or any nation is to remain free. Many have given the ultimate price to ensure those freedoms and if their sacrifice is to remain meaningful, everyone must ensure the attempt to change history does not succeed.

Through some research I happened upon the following article that can explain the historical position of many of the founding fathers and their predecessors. Thanks to the author for allowing me to reprint their ever so well written article here. For more reading, check the resources provided by Mr. Walker at the end of this article.

A few definitions to help up front:

Deism:
belief in the existence of a God on the evidence of reason and nature only, with rejection of supernatural revelation ( distinguished from theism).
Atheism:
the doctrine or belief that there is no God, disbelief in the existence of a supreme being or beings.

Little-Known U.S. Document Signed by President Adams Proclaims
America’s Government Is Secular
by Jim Walker
earlyamerica.com

Some people today assert that the United States government came from Christian foundations. They argue that our political system represents a Christian ideal form of government and that Jefferson, Madison, et al, had simply expressed Christian values while framing the Constitution. If this proved true, then we should have a wealth of evidence to support it, yet just the opposite proves the case. Continue reading →

The History of Mabon – The Feast of Avalon

Sep21

The Apple Feast

Celebrating The Fall Equinox
By Springwolf, D.D., Ph.D. 🐾

Mabon (May-bawn) is also known as the Feast of Avalon, the Festival of the Wine and the Festival of the Apple Harvest. Celebrated on the Fall Equinox.

To the Celts, Avalon is the mysterious place for the land of the dead and literally means the “land of apples”. Thus this is a holiday for celebrating the bounty of the harvest and the desire for the living to be reunited with their deceased loved ones. But the holiday is also named for the Welsh God Mabon.

Mabon translates to the “great son”, but some say it’s the “great sun” and relates to the waning reign of the Sun in the sky as summer fades and the season changes to beacon the darkness of fall and winter.

From mythology, Mabon the person was the son of Modred who was kidnapped at the age of 3 and later rescued by King Arthur. His life represents the innocence of youth, the strength of survival and the growing wisdom of the elderly. Continue reading →

Fluid Plans Can Bring Unexpected Successes

Sep14

Successful Changes

Change Happens, Sometimes For The Better

It’s been an amazingly busy week on all fronts in my life. It seems when you make a little change that releases a negative anchor so many things are freed and begin to move forward. Even things that have nothing to do with the anchor in the first place.

The flow of energy in and around our lives can touch and connect to so many other things we never expect. We talk about it, we may even know it. But sometimes we don’t really acknowledge it until it happens on a personal level and we sit back and say “Wow”.

Continue reading →

We Remember In Respect, Compassion And Love

Sep11

September 11, 2001

It was 11 years ago today when the unthinkable became reality, forever changing our lives. Known simply as “9/11”, this date should be remembered for the innocent victims in New York City, Washington D.C., and Shanksville, Pa.

Along with the first responders in all three locations, some of whom lost their lives in the service to their communities and to those in dire need of assistance. Not only in the early moments of the tragedies, but in the waning hours and over the months as they themselves fell victim to the unseen weapons in the aftermath that eventually attacked their own bodies and claimed their lives.

And to all those servicemen and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the resulting War on Terror in far away lands and even here at home.

We will Never forget.

Our prayers and compassion to all of these people, their family and friends. May the GreatSpirits give strength to endure and love to remember.

So it is.

The U.S. Constitution and Religion

Sep10

The U.S. War On Religion

The President of the United States swears a pledge of office stating they will up hold the Constitution of the United States.

“I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.”

The 1st Amendment protects ALL religions and the exercise of those religions by a free people. But that also means that no one religion may be favored or set above the rights of others. Your right to pray to the cross can not and must not force your beliefs upon this free society and the rights of others to practice their own religion or none at all.

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. Continue reading →

Sometimes A Smile Can Empower Someone To Survive

Sep3

“Looking at the face of a friend, let me know I’m going to be Ok”

What Face To Face Communication Can Do

Today many are seeking spiritual comfort as they try to hold onto hope that things will improve in their lives. Or as they face challenges in war and military service. For some, hope is all they have to make it through one more day.

Sometimes a person simply wants someone to listen. Often a simple phone call can get them through to the next week. But for some a face to face moment of communication, where compassion can be seen, can go a long way to helping them make it through yet another day of despair. It’s amazing how much a kind word or simple smile can lift someone out of their fear and hopelessness.

How many times have you heard someone say “I found strength from her smile” or “Looking at the face of a friend, let me know I’m going to be ok”. Visual communication can say so much more than an email, tweet, or instant message. I can provide a greater sense of connection and understanding than a simple voice can. Continue reading →

A Story Of Hope

Aug31

When Compassion Succeeds

When Spiritual Psychology Goes Right

As a Pagan Minister I receive a lot of requests from people looking for spiritual insight and help during times of trials and challenges. Often times, these requests come from people who are out of state or even overseas. They can be people who live in areas that are highly saturated in a Christian community, or military people who want one of their own to talk to.

Imagine being in crisis and wanting someone to speak with in spiritual terms, but the only available help are Christian Ministers who don’t understand your pagan beliefs. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard someone say the minister only wanted them to pray for salvation and to convert from their wicked pagan ways. If they would do that, their problems would disappear. For many, this isn’t the help they’re looking for and in fact, it causes some to feel even more helpless than they were prior to the “Spiritual Counseling” session. Continue reading →

Springwolf’s Message Board

Aug29

Springwolf Modified Image
Charles Alexander – Eye Of The Hunter

So You’re Not On Facebook…

It’s ok, sometimes I wish I wasn’t either! I resisted getting on FB for a long time. When the book was published the first thing the marketing rep asked me was “What’s your id on FB?” When I said I didn’t have one, she said get one…grrr…and I was forced into the depths of social medial hell! =D

There are a lot of people who are still resisting. I say keep up the fight! But don’t let that stop you from finding a nice social online community. Back during the Mid-Summer festival on June 21, 2000 I started a message board for my education website Pagan’s Path. Long before blogging was the big popular thing. The following year the hosting company sold their business to another larger corporation called Yuku. On November 27, 2001 the message board was reborn and has been up and running ever since.

The Message Board has been revamped and updated to welcome anyone who would like participate in discussions without becoming a FB member. You do have to sign-up to post, but that’s free.

There’s a lot of stuff out there on the message board from the early days. But I hope we can share new insights, questions, tales and stories here too.

So come on over to “Springwolf’s Pagan’s Path Message Board“, introduce yourself to the community that’s already there and share a thing or two!

Pagan Metaphysics 101: A Book Review

Aug29

Pagan Metaphysics 101: The Beginning of Enlightenment

Available Now
Read an Excerpt

Author Dayna Winters Offers A Review of Pagan Metaphysics 101 by Springwolf

Dayna Winters, Patricia Gardner and Angela Kaufman. have co-authored Wicca: What’s the Real Deal? Breaking Through the Misconceptions.

I had the great pleasure in sitting down with Dayna and Patricia recently to discuss my book on their radio program Isis Paranormal. This week, Dayna offers her assessment of the book and recommendation.

Readers who take up “Pagan Metaphysics 101” will find that the author writes in a passionate, clear voice and her book simplifies metaphysical concepts. What makes “Pagan Metaphysics 101” an exceptional book is that the author encourages her readers to explore their religious beliefs and to define their religious values, not based upon the understandings or theories of others, but on what one intuitively feels or senses is right.

You can read the complete review @ An Introduction to Pagan Metaphysical Concepts in ‘Pagan Metaphysics 101’

Dayna Winters is a Witch, Priestess in the Dragon Warriors of Isis Coven, and a freelance writer. She earned an Associate in Arts from Hudson Valley Community College, and later graduated magna cum laude from Sage College with a Bachelor of Arts in English. She is one of the co-founders and co-directors of ISIS Paranormal Investigations in Upstate New York, and the co-host of ISIS Paranormal Radio.

Once In A Blue Moon

Aug29

History, Significance and Ritual

The moon in all it’s phases have long been important and significant to Pagans. Many call the Moon GrandMother Moon who shines over Mother Earth and watches over her during the night. Only giving way to Father Sun during the day. He is seen as Mother Earth’s consort and he watches over her during the day.

Of course GrandMother Moon can show up in daylight hours, to keep an eye on her grand children from time to time as well.

Pagans have honored the full moon in ritual, both private and public for eons. We have acknowledged her influence over our lives each month and used her light for varying reasons and in varying ways. Continue reading →

"Believe In Yourself, Even When No One Else Does."
~ Harvey McKay ~
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“Take a chance on faith. Not religion, but faith.
Not hope, but faith.
I don’t believe in hope. Hope is a beggar.
Hope walks through the fire and Faith leaps over it.”
~ Jim Carrey ☆ 2014
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“I describe myself as a simple Buddhist monk. No more, no less. And I am one of the seven billion human being. Basically we are the same… your emotion, my emotion, your mind, my mind.., same physical. So I always look [at it] that way. We are the same.”
~ Dalai Lama 2012 ~
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"Empty your mind, be formless. Shapeless, like water. If you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup. You put water into a bottle and it becomes the bottle. You put it in a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Now, water can flow or it can crash. Be water, my friend.”
~ Bruce Lee 1971