You know, we've done a lot of musing lately over religion. Over the differences between the Occult Religions and Christianity and also over the religion of our enemy during war time in Afghanistan. We've questioned what is happening in Ireland between catholic and protestant. The way I see it, the battles that are raging even as I write this have absolutely nothing to do with religion, other than to use it as a scapegoat for doing things that others would find wrong. That most faiths would condemn.

Is there a faith out there that declares that "attack" is better than "defend"? Is there one that advocates murder and violence as a first course of action? Do even Satanist do this, I wonder. We do what we must to defend our country, our homes, our lives. Why? Because we have no other choice. It is the "right" thing to do. And I believe this holds true for "mankind" if not for religion in particular.

The gods of the Ancients Celts fought many battles against evil and injustice. The Tuatha de Danaan (faery tribe) fought the sea Demons, the Fomorians, who were their enemies in a visciously ferocious battle. The neverending fight against evil is taken up by many. God, of the Bible (King James Version) was no coward. He did what He had to do when He destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah. And when He battled Lucifer, the dark angel, He didn't turn the other cheek & let Lucifer have the upper hand. With the Lord and Lady (Wicca), there were many battles and deaths as well, depending on which culture you came from. And no one is saying that you have to kill to defend yourselves or your family, but even the christian Bible teaches that to spare the rod is to spoil the child. In the war against evil, we aren't simply spanking naughty children. We are defending the world of our ancestors and of our future children. We are defending ourselves so that there will be no more "Burning Times" & no more senseless slaughter of entire nations of peoples. A world of love & peace can not survive if evil runs rampant. All true religions acknowledge the fight against it.

Now I must relate a most horrific story to you. A tragic thing happened on Samhain (sow-en) or Halloween, if you prefer, this year--2001. An innocent creature was tortured mercilessly by a monster of the human variety. I wonder if one of these cultures teaches how to torture a helpless animal like the one my friend, Pikake had. To totally disembowel and torture this creature that had tiny babies at home. What faith does a twisted individual like that practice if any? Is this individual even human?

I can't think of even one RELIGION that someone like this might belong to with the exception of Satanism. Religion is not the culprit. People are. So let me ask you a question or two: When it comes to what religion we should practice or advocate, does it really matter? Do you believe in God? Does this God have many aspects, such as He might be One of Three (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) or perhaps She or He might have other aspects (Father, Mother, Child)? Or He/She might be ALL things to ALL people? Or it is possible that you don't believe at all, so there's no point in fighting over something you don't believe in, is there? Wouldn't that be a bit like arguing with a child over whether Santa Claus actually exists or not? lol! Each one of us will find out soon enough for themselves. We must each follow our own paths. And God knows this, because He set you on it for a reason. Who's God, you ask? Ours! Yours! Mine! In all His or Her aspects.

Whatever you believe is fine with me. I'm not here to change you or change your mind. I'm just here to "inform" you of what I believe & tell you why & when & where & how. I invite you to do the same. I'm always willing, eager even, to learn new things. Being closeminded will get you nowhere. I do not judge you & will not accept any judgements that you make of me, because it is not your place to do so. The only one that has that right is my Creator and unless you are He/She, which you must forgive me if I doubt that, then ask, teach, inform, but do not judge. And if you do, don't expect me to care. lol! But I still love you! Now check these out!! Is your religion listed here? If not, then what does it believe? What do you? We would like to list it here too! You can send it via "Comments or Questions". See the dropdown box above.

The Golden Rule
This simple precept is the basis for almost every world religion. Here are only a few versions of it gleaned from various sources.

Celtic Faith
Three things from which never to be moved:
One's Oaths, One's Gods, and the Truth.
The three highest causes of the true human are:
Truth, Honor, and Duty.
Three candles that illuminate every darkness:
Truth, Nature, and Knowledge.
And Honor above all!

Wiccan Faith
An it harm none, do as thou will. Wiccan Rede

Christian Faith
Whatever you wish that men would do to you, do so to them. Bible, Matthew 7.12

Confucianism
Try your best to treat others as you would wish to be treated yourself, and you will find that this is the shortest way to benevolence. Mencius VII.A.4

Muslim Faith
Not one of you is a believer until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself. Islam. Forty Hadith of an-Nawawi 13 Buddhist Faith
Hurt not others with that which pains yourself. Udana-Varga

Zoroastrian Faith
Whatever is disagreeable to yourself do not do unto others. Shayast-na-Shayast 13:29

Hindu Faith
This is the sum of duty: do naught to others which if done to thee would cause thee pain. The Mahabharata

Native American
Respect for all life is the foundation. The Great Law of Peace

Shawnees: "Do not kill or injure your neighbor, for it is not him that you injure, you injure yourself. But do good to him, therefore add to his days of happiness as you add to your own. Do not wrong or hate your neighbor, for it is not him that you wrong, you wrong yourself. But love him, for Moneto loves him also as he loves you."

Jainism
A man should wander about treating all creatures as he himself would be treated. Sutrakritanga 1.11.33

African Traditional Religions
One going to take a pointed stick to pinch a baby bird should first try it on himself to feel how it hurts. Yoruba Proverb (Nigeria)

Jewish Faith
What is hateful to you, do not to your fellow men. That is the entire Law; all the rest is commentary. The Talmud

Bahá'í Faith
And if thine eyes be turned towards justice, choose thou for thy neighbour that which thou choosest for thyself. Epistle to the Son of the Wolf

Do not to your neighbor what you would take ill from him. - Pittacus, 650 BCE

Avoid doing what you would blame others for doing. - Thales, 464 BCE

What you wish your neighbors to be to you, be also to them. - Sextus (Pythagorean), 406 BCE

We should conduct ourselves toward others as we would have them act toward us. - Aristotle, 384 BCE

Cherish reciprocal benevolence, which will make you as anxious for another's welfare as your own. - Aristippus of Cyrene, 365 BCE

Act toward others as you desire them to act toward you. - Isocrates, 338 BCE

This is the sum of duty: Do naught unto others which would cause you pain if done to you. - Hinduism, 300 BCE

What is hateful to you, do not to your fellow men. That is the entire Law; all the rest is commentary. - Rabbi Hillel, 50 BCE

Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. - Jesus of Nazareth, circa 30 CE