Religion Questions 11-20

THE QUESTION:
RE20: Director’s Paraphrase: Tim, 20, of Ypsilanti, Mich., has asked why some Christians are “fearful of different religions.” He says he was a Christian for a good portion of his life, but then read about the ancient Celtic religion and found there was “nothing evil about it.” He wonders if people are fearful of this religion because it is different, or because it has been “demonized for too long of a time.”
POSTED MARCH 28, 1998

ANSWER 1:
I’ve been affiliated with a number of Christian denominations over the years, and since I have an aunt and uncle who are Mormons, this question bothered me for a long time. When I discovered Roman Catholicism, I found my answer. The Reformation in the 16th century was built on two fundamental theological tenets: “Sola scriptura (by scripture alone)” and “sola fide (by faith alone).” The Protestant churches adopted these two viewpoints as primary theological reasons for breaking away from the Catholic church.

Sola Scriptura denies the Catholic teachings that there is a Sacred Tradition that provides the “proper” interpretation of scripture in light of the practices and beliefs of the early church fathers and the apostles that were not written down as scripture. In Protestant denominations, this gives rise to a mind-numbing myriad of scriptural interpretations, including the fundamentalist viewpoint that the earth was created in a literal six days approximately 6,000 years ago. Most people are suprised to learn that Catholic schools (that bastion of conservative thought) teach evolution as a legitimate possibility, provided God gets His rightful credit.

The second tenet, Sola Fide, states that salvation comes only through faith in Jesus Christ. This is contrary to the Catholic teaching expressed by St. Augustine of “sola gratia (by grace alone).” In the Catholic teaching, Jesus Christ redeemed the sins of all mankind through God’s grace. Salvation, however, is entirely God’s prerogative. The Catholic church does not make any official declaration that anyone is in hell. By following the teachings of Jesus Christ, we’re guaranteed a spot, and God will grant us grace to help us be all that we were created to be, but we cannot say for sure that Muslims, Hindus or anyone else will not be there. Sola Fide, on the other hand, requires a professed faith in Jesus Christ for salvation. These two tenets, when combined, can produce a sort of religious paranoia that finds heresies and threats to your salvation under every rock.

Not surprisingly, many denominations think the Catholic church is a bunch of ritualistic pagans bordering on a cult. It’s almost kind of funny that Christians can find the Roman Catholic church to be “too liberal” to be considered really Christian, but it’s true.
POSTED MARCH 31, 1998
Peter P., Roman Catholic <PPROUT20@aol.com>
Redford, MI

FURTHER NOTICE:
I was raised Southern Baptist and am now a witch. I found that the lack of “evil” in the Wiccan religion (among other things) made me feel that this was the answer for me. I endured the tradition of hellfire and brimstone preaching as a youngster and was terrified of the devil and going to hell. I didn’t understand the necessity for the scare tactics of the religion. As I grew older and explored many, many different religions, I saw this “evil” rearing its head in most of them. Then I found Wicca and appreciated its views on the “lack” of evil.

I think man has a need to explain the evil that happens in the world. Unfortunately, it manifests itself through religion and the “devil.” It seems to me that most religions agree on a higher being and a “love” force that runs throughout the people of the world. But the evil side has them perplexed. Most don’t realize that it’s all inside each person, good and evil. We decide which path we will take.

Learn more about the Celts and their religion. I think you will find it very comforting, and it makes a whole lot of sense. You’re on the right path, keep asking questions. That’s the key!
POSTED JUNE 13, 1998
Lee, 35, Wiccan for five 5 years, Atlanta, GA
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THE QUESTION:
RE19: After Cain slew Abel, Cain and his wife went off to build a city. Where did his wife and the people to help him build the city come from? The Bible doesn’t seem to specify this.
POSTED MARCH 25, 1998
Nathan <techtci@advdata.net>
Lake Orion, MI

ANSWER 1:
I asked this same question of my teacher in third grade. She read to me a verse in the King James version of the Bible (I don’t remember the chapter and verse offhand). The verse briefly mentioned that Adam and Eve had many children. The sisters and brothers “married” each other.
POSTED MARCH 28, 1998
Heather S., 22, San Jose, CA

FURTHER NOTICE:
I had a debate with someone else about four months ago on this same issue. According to the New King James Version, Genesis 4: 16-17, the wife of Cain was from the Land of Nod. It does not say she was the child of Adam and Eve. There were people already in the Land of Nod (Adam and Eve were the first, not the only,people.)
POSTED APRIL 1, 1998
Apryl P., black <apryl@mail-me.com>
Oak Park , MI

FURTHER NOTICE 2:
The answers so far come from within the Christian belief structure – and a conservative Christianity, at that. If you look at the question from outside of Christianity, or even from a half-way liberal Christian point of view, it’s easy to say that the Adam and Eve story is symbolic. Many people find it quite unlikely that there were two specific people long ago, one named Adam and the other named Eve, who were the literal parents of our species. More likely, people evolved gradually from earlier life forms. There was never an “original” or “only” family. From the beginning, there have always been a fair number of us, so no one ever had to worry about marrying his or her sibling.
POSTED APRIL 4, 1998
Will H., 48, white, raised Christian, now closer to Buddhist, Dallas, TX

FURTHER NOTICE 3:
It’s not really conservative Christianity but fundamentalist Christianity that interprets the first 11 chapters of Genesis as completely literal. Most of the traditionally conservative denominations (Lutheran, Roman Catholic, etc.) interpret these chapters much like Will H.’s non-Christian approach. These chapters are a compilation from several sources and are written for the people of that day. In that time, precision of time and place were not important (much like many cultures today). The important ideas are theological (God as creator, the introduction of sin and evil into the world, marriage as the basic social structure, etc.). Adam, Eve and crew are “prototypes” of humanity, and their actions are meant to illustrate these concepts.
POSTED APRIL 8, 1998
Peter P., 37, Roman Catholic <PPROUT20@aol.com>
Redford, MI

FURTHER NOTICE 4:
I came up with an imaginative interpretation of the Genesis story that squares with evolution after reading Jane Goodall’sThe Chimpanzees of Gombe. The chimps have no “knowledge of good and evil” – they kill, commit cannibalism and fornicate with no concept of right and wrong. If we imagine Adam and Eve as the first hominids who had “knowledge of good and evil” – the ability to tell right from wrong that we use in the legal definition of insanity – then the account squares with evolution and presents probably the best criterion for distinguishing man from other hominids -we are the ethical primates (other definitions such as tool-use having failed). Then Cain, in the story, was human because he knew good from evil (he knew the slaying of Abel was evil). His “wife” would be another hominid with whom he could genetically produce offspring, etc. The Genesis story can’t be taken too literally because, among other reasons, it contains two different and contradictory creation stories.
POSTED APRIL 26, 1998
L.E., 40, Lutheran with Buddhist interests, <tales@worldnet.att.net>
Austin, TX
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THE QUESTION:
RE18: As an undergrad, I noticed Jewish students favored purple clothing. I also knew of a Jewish fraternity employing purple as one of its colors. Is there, in fact, a connection, and if so, what is the significance?
POSTED MARCH 23, 1998
James J. <crash57927@aol.com>
Novi, MI

ANSWER 1:
This is in no way an “official” explanation for the “purple” phenomenon, but here is one possible point of view. In the Torah (the first five books of the Bible) there is the instruction to tie tsitsi (tassels) to the corners of our garments. These tsitsi were supposed to have been dyed with a substance that came from a molusk that was indigenous to the Eastern Mediterranean, and that produced a purple die that was reserved for royalty. (The die was actually more of a fuchsia color, but it was called blue or purple.) The garment was a rectangular cloth worn by men and women and later evolved into the tallis (prayer shawl) used in worship today. The tsitsi are tied in such a way to reflect the 613 commandments in the Torah, and looking at them is supposed to remind the wearer of the blessings of the Torah. In modern times it has become unclear which species of molusk produces the die, or even if it is or isn’t extinct, so tsitsi are now usually white. I personally like the color purple and wear it most of the time, and aside from the above know of no religious or cultural reason for wearing purple. Still, as a color that non-Jewish cultures limited to royalty, the choice to use it in the tsitsi to me reflected a kind of royal priesthood to which all Jews belong.
POSTED APRIL 1, 1998
Cheryl J. M., Reconstructionist Jew, Columbus, OH

FURTHER NOTICE:
As a Jew who grew up in a Jewish neighborhood, I can’t say that I ever noticed any preference for purple. Although the reference to the tsitsit is accurate, as far as it goes, I should add that since the original source of the dye was unknown or unavailable throughout most of the Common Era, all tsitsit have been undied wool for well over a thousand years. The colors of the Israeli flag (white and light blue) are common in decorations, but that is a late development and I never saw it as a fashion statement. Purple, being a rich and (for modern men’s clothing, at least) unusual color, is often used to add drama to costumes, so that may have been the motivation for the fraternity.
POSTED APRIL 9, 1998
Jerry S., 49, Jewish <jerryschwartz@comfortable.com>
New Britain, CT
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THE QUESTION:
RE17: In the Bible, the apostles baptized in the name of Jesus Christ (Mt 28:19). Why is it that so many Christian religions baptize in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost?
POSTED MARCH 21, 1998
Keith, Warren MI

ANSWER 1:
I believe this has to do with the Trinity: God the “father,” God the “son” and God the “Holy Spirit.” The Trinity really could not be in existence until the Lord was crucified and his blood was shed to wash away our sins… and then rose from the dead.
A believer <bc2hndr@wdl.net>
POSTED MARCH 23, 1998
New Boston, Mi

FURTHER NOTICE:
I was raised Baptist and currently attend a Baptist university. The main reason many Christian religions baptize in the name of each of the three is that after Jesus’ resurrection (according to the book of Matthew), he stated to go and make disciples of all nations “baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” So it’s Biblicly based.
POSTED APRIL 1, 1998
Rick A., Ottawa, KS
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THE QUESTION:
RE16: Is it against Kosher dietary laws to mix eggs and chicken?
Kathy C., Milton , PA

ANSWER 1:
Orthodox (observant) Jews are permitted to eat eggs with chicken.
U. Schoeps <yesus@ulster.net>
POSTED MARCH 22, 1998
Olivebridge, NY
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THE QUESTION:
RE15: It is my understanding that Native Americans believe in God, but that they also believe in the spirits of animals and elements (water, fire,etc.). In believing in God, does this mean they believe in the Holy Bible, or just a spirit that is referred to as God? And, where does the belief in other spirits come into play?
POSTED MARCH 20, 1998
Amy S., 25, NC

ANSWER 1:
While Native Americans comprise one racial group, they include many tribes, languages and different cultures. Most Native Americans today are Christian. They do indeed believe in the Bible. Among this group, there are those who also wish to honor their heritage and will include or incorporate customs or ceremonies that had tribal/religious signifigance. But this will vary from tribe to tribe.

Among Native Americans in pre-Columbian times, there were both Agricultural & Nomadic societies; there were shamanic & priestly religions; there were city-dwellers and hunter-gatherers. They had different religious practices and beliefs. Popular culture has focused on the Plains Tribes, but there were other cultures: Eastern Woodland (Iriquois), Southeastern (Creek, Seminole), Southwestern Agricultural (Hopi, Navaho) Southwestern Nomadic (Apache, Comanche), Northwestern (Tlingit,Cosalish) Eskimo and the Aztec, Mayan and Inca. All had, and have, different religious beliefs. Even among singular tribes you will find different faiths. Unfortunately, if you want more specific information, you will probably have to go to the library. Native Americans are the smallest percentage of our population and your chances of hearing from a representative of each culture or belief system are slim. Just remember there are groups within groups and individuals within sub-groups. All Native Americans do not have the same “religion.”

P.S. While I am white, my husband and I have Amerind ancestors (different tribes and cultures) and I have spent some years researching this. I was surprised myself to learn there is really no such thing as “American Indian Culture” – or “religion.” There is diversity within diversity. And human beings, whatever their racial or cultural origins, are a paradox. We constantly seek the simple anwer while celebrating our own complexity. We need to classify people into groups while jealously guarding our own individuality. I hope this site will be a tool for speaking to individuals rather than to “groups.” We are so different and so much the same.
POSTED MARCH 23, 1998
G.C., white female, 45, Jacksonville, FL

FURTHER NOTICE:
I am a Lakota/Potawatomi man from Michigan. Obviously, I cannot speak for all Indian nations, and I will speak only what I know. Most Wicasa Wakan (Holy Men) I have encountered have shared this common understanding: There is one God, and He is the God of all people. In Lakota, the word for God is “Wakantanka.” Translated properly to English, it would be “The Great Holy Mystery Spirit.” Is this the same God as the one from the Bible? I believe so. As for believing in “other spirits,” I would say yes. Read Luke 19:40 (“…the stones will cry out.”). How can stones cry out, trees clap their hands and hills break forth with singing, if they do not have a spirit? As children, we were taught that God made all things with a spirit, which developed a great reverence and respect for all things He created, and an even greater respect for Wakantanka. If you search, I am confident you will find that these are Biblical truths as well. Megwetch (thank you) for your honest question. Mitakuye Oyasin (We are all related).
POSTED MARCH 28, 1998
J. Cetan Nunpa, 30, American-Indian <onearrow@shianet.org>
Ovid, MI

FURTHER NOTICE 2:
Though I only have one quarter Blackfoot blood, I have researched my ancestory extensively. In answering Amy S.’ question, G.C. responded directly and accurately, but failed to mention that the Christian faith was forced upon, and taught to a great many Native American tribes, and when it was resisted, there were repercussions against these tribes. Mother Earth is alive in many of the tribes even today.
POSTED MARCH 28, 1998
Matthew C., 35 <TankHoney@aol.com>
Ferndale, MI
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THE QUESTION:
RE14: My wife and I went out to eat on a Friday night. After we got through eating, my wife realized she had eaten meat and wasn’t supposed to because of her religion. She tries to practice her Catholic faith, but sometimes she forgets. My question is: What is the reason for not eating meat on Friday?
POSTED MARCH 19, 1998
Dan M. <marshall_artz@yahoo.com>
Westland, MI

ANSWER 1:
It is a form of fasting. Physically denying yourself clears your mind and brings you into a closer touch with your spiritual side and God. The church has always encouraged fasting and prayer, and over the centuries has developed a variety of “recommended practices” concerning appropriate times. Fasting is particularly recommended during the Lenten season as we reflect on our sinful nature and prepare for the celebration of Easter. Fasting can take many forms (juice only, abstaining from meat, giving up sweets, etc.) and can vary in length (Jesus fasted completely for 40 days). Typically, the recommended Lenten fast is two bowls of soup and a light, meatless meal on Fridays during Lent (thus the popularity of fish fries). At one time, this practice was carried over to all Fridays, but that’s not necessarily widely observed anymore. And, its purpose is for our benefit, so it’s not a sin to miss it as long as you are not purposely trying to flaunt your rebelliousness.
Peter P., 37, Roman Catholic <PPROUT20@aol.com>
Redford, MI

FURTHER NOTICE:
Actually, you should tell your wife not to worry about eating meat on a Friday – it’s no longer a sin. In the mid-60s, the Catholic Church underwent one of its periodic adjustments (“Vatican II”), and as a result large changes were brought to the practice of Catholicism. Among these changes were the introduction of the vernacular into the Mass and doing away with the ban on eating meat on Fridays. In fact, even prior to Vatican II, it was quite common for parishes to offer “Special Dispensation” from the local Diocese, which would allow eating of meat on a Friday to certain groups of church workers as an incentive to be more productive. So, as such things go, eating meat on Friday doesn’t seem to have been much of a sin to begin with.
POSTED MAY 3, 1998
Robert M., atheist, Brandon, FL

FURTHER NOTICE 2:
As a graduate student in history, I took a course in Medieval Church History. The concept of eating fish on Friday was based not solely on religious reasoning but was done as a matter of commerce. The Church had heavily invested in the fishing industry, and when profits did not make an effective return, it was decided that a solution was to get people to eat more fish. Thus the decision for the faithful to eat fish on Friday. This showed support of the church and boosted the return on the investments. Hot-cross buns, another medieval food, were baked by the church and sold to the public during Lent to raise funds. The idea of having the faithful show support for their local church by purchasing food is far from dead. Many churches of various denominations raise funds by selling peroghi, kolachi, spaghetti, pizza and any variety of meals to this very day.
POSTED JULY 1, 1998
Puma, 43, Youngstown, OH
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THE QUESTION:
RE13: I have noticed in many movies centering on a Jewish family (Schindler’s list and Unstrung Heroes) that stones are placed on a loved one’s grave. What is the reason behind this custom?
POSTED MARCH 18, 1998
Renee M., 31 <heyrenee@rocketmail.com>
(Similar question posted April 3, 1998, by Geoff, 19, atheist, Toronto, ONT)

ANSWER 1:
Throughout Tonak (Gen., Ex., Lev., Num., Deut.), stones are used to mark significant places. I can’t say for sure what the reason it, but the tradition is certainly an old one. Examples: Gen. 28:18 – After Jacob has his dream which affirms the covenant between Abraham and God, he leaves a stone to mark the place. Gen. 31:44 – Covenant with Jacob and Laban is marked by a pile of stones.
POSTED MARCH 19, 1998
Carl F., 19 <muskr@muskr.ml.org>
Ann Arbor , MI

FURTHER NOTICE:
As was explained to me by my grandmother: The stones are an indication that someone has visited the grave and paid their respects to the memory of a loved one. It is symbolic of doing something for the deceased.
POSTED MARCH 19, 1998
Jim, New York , NY

FURTHER NOTICE 2:
This is a symbolic act indicating that members of the family and friends have not forgotten the deceased. (As stated in “The Jewish Book of Why” by Alfred J. Kolatch)
POSTED MARCH 19, 1998
Erica E., 24, Jewish <rmh@voyager.net>
Clarkston , MI

FURTHER NOTICE 3:
Y? contacted Judd Richheimer, License Manager for Beth Israel Memorial Chapel in Del Ray Beach, Fla., one of the few remaining independent Jewish funeral homes. Richheimer, who has 30 years’ experience in the funeral business, told us the stones are a “mark of respect that one has visited a relative’s grave.” In the old days, he said, until 1945, Jewish people generally stayed put. “But after World War II, we are spread all over. It used to be in the old days that you would visit gravesites more, on holidays and various occasions, say prayers and mark the grave with a stone to show you had been there. It’s like Christians leaving flowers or plants – to show the dead are not forgotten and their families are not forgotten.”
POSTED APRIL 18, 1998
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THE QUESTION:
RE12: What makes someone a witch? What exactly do they believe in?
Rilo <rlassaline@hca.mnsi.com>
POSTED MARCH 18, 1998
Windsor, Ontario, Canada

ANSWER 1:
A witch is a person who practices Wicca, a pre-Christian European faith. While traditions (i.e. denominations) vary, the basic tenets that run across most are a profound respect and reverence for the circle of life and death, most often symbolized either figuratively or literally as the triple Goddess (Maiden, Mother, Crone) and God. The earth and nature are sacred. Free will is highly regarded as shown in the common tenet “Do what ye will and harm none.” Responsibility for one’s actions is reinforced by the Triple-Fold Law – whatever energy you send out into the world, whether positive or negative, will come back to you threefold. Many but not all witches believe in reincarnation. Most witches celebrate the Wheel of the Year, which are the eight Sabbats associated with the sun cycle – Yule (Winter Solstice); Imbolc (Candlemas); Ostara or Eostar (Spring Equinox); Beltane (May Day); Litha or Midsummer (Summer Solstice); Lammas or Lughnasadh; Mabon (Autumn Equinox); and Samhain (Halloween). Esbats may also be celebrated on the full moon.
POSTED MARCH 21, 1998
Witch Womon, Dianic witch for past 15 years <WitchWomon@aol.com>
Southfield, MI

FURTHER NOTICE:
I’m a witch (Unitarian Universalist pagan) in Southern California and have been all my life, including childhood. I was raised in the Appalachians. In my family and culture, spells/charms and healing through spiritual means was an everyday part of life, as was the agricultural/natural cycles. There is tremendous diversity in our beliefs and practices. A large number celebrate/believe/explore goddesses, and some celebrate only gods, some a mixture and some no deities at all. Some of us are solitary and some in covens (which is a study/practice group that can have many members or only two members). Some groups are very structured with a rigid set of beliefs and performance of ritual, and some are very flexible in their beliefs and practice. Some have a priestess, priest, etc., some alternate leadership positions, and some avoid all leadership roles.

In a lot of religions, what you believe defines you as part of that religion. In my spiritual belief system, you can pick and choose what you believe and how you practice, and you can still call yourself a witch or pagan. Perhaps it’s by our diversity that we are defined. Bright blessings.
POSTED MAY 3, 1998
Lisa B., 34, witch <starwings@pemail.net>, Southern California

FURTHER NOTICE 2:
One clarification to WitchWomon’s answer: While the vast majority of Witches in the United States and United Kingdom are Wiccan, it’s not correct to say all Witches are Wiccan. The word “witch” also describes followers and teachers of other (non-Celtic) ethnic and indigenous religious and spiritual practices (i.e. witch doctors, etc.). In some Satanic groups, “witch” also refers to a female member of the religion. (This sometimes confuses matters, since some Wiccans and some Satanists draw on some of the same secular or non-denominational source material in their studies. However, Wicca is not Satanism, any more than Hinduism, Buddhism or Native American beliefs are Satanism.) These other Witches, understandably, get annoyed when we Wiccans insist that Witch equals Wiccan; from their perspective, it’s arrogance.
POSTED JUNE 27, 1998
Sandra 32, Wiccan <sandle@my-dejanews.com>, Bellevue, WA
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THE QUESTION:
RE11: My question is for Native Americans (especially Cherokee). What breathing exercises or rhythm of breathing do you use to move energy through all the chakras and to balance them?
POSTED MARCH 18,1998
Pat. K., Jacksonville, FL