If I Lived In Bahrain, Would I Be Arrested for Sorcery?

So the Middle Eastern nation of Bahrain has made "sorcery" a crime, although they didn't exactly say how sorcery is described. Except to say it could be anything defined as "paranormal" by scientific and religious beliefs. Um, doesn't that present a problem. I mean, science might say that any religion is in itself "paranormal,"--so by that logic you might be considered a sorcerer for just being a good Muslim. And of course, it's very convenient when one religion has the power to label another set of beliefs "paranormal." After all, Muslims can't prove they're praying to the One True God any more than I prove that the images in my head are really animal totems.

Which brings me back to my question. Yes, I suppose I would be arrested if I lived in Bahrain, performing all my rituals, meditations and such. Ridiculous! Set aside the concept of religious freedom for a moment. Sure, we should all respect each other, but that isn't what bothers me most.

What bothers me most is that all religions and spiritual beliefs can be considered "sorcery" depending on your perspective. And none of it can be proven--not praying to Allah or Jesus or holding ceremonies for Mother Earth or Isis. Personally, I don't think any of it is "real" in the way most people conceive it. Let me explain. Say I decide to "curse" my neighbor because his cat pooped in my flower bed, and so I mix some herbs and potions together and light a candle and say a spell. Honestly, I don't think it has any effect on my neighbor--or his cat--unless that neighbor is aware of my intention. If he is aware, then he might begin to associate my "curse" with some bad luck that comes his way--but did my "curse" really work or was it simply the power of suggestion?

I think prayer is the same way. I think if you know people are praying for you or sending good thoughts or whatever, that makes you feel better. But me sitting in my house praying for people in Africa does no good whatsoever, except maybe to make me more aware of Africa, which might lead me to take real action.

Years ago, I examined my Christian faith and decided it didn't work as advertised. So why bother? But I do like ritual, and I can't shake my spiritual bent, so if I'm going to be all crazy religious, then I should at least get something out of it--and so shamanism and nature-based philosophy works for me. But just because I burn sage and ring chimes doesn't make me Harry Potter. Even if I really believe deep down in my heart that I'm tapping into something mystical or paranormal, that still doesn't make it real. For me, I have to walk that fine line and keep that balance. It keeps me grounded, helps me retain my sense of humor and prevents me from falling right back into some crazy fundie literalism like before.

I know this is just me ranting, but I can't help it. It's just so sad when cultures or nations like Bahrain are so entrenched in their worldview that they cannot see their own folly. European cultures have already been through this, and maybe every culture has to do it in order to evolve. There are true crimes in this world that need to be punished--murder, rape, theft and so on--but "sorcery?"

If I Lived In Bahrain, Would I Be Arrested for Sorcery?

So the Middle Eastern nation of Bahrain has made "sorcery" a crime, although they didn't exactly say how sorcery is described. Except to say it could be anything defined as "paranormal" by scientific and religious beliefs. Um, doesn't that present a problem. I mean, science might say that any religion is in itself "paranormal,"--so by that logic you might be considered a sorcerer for just being a good Muslim. And of course, it's very convenient when one religion has the power to label another set of beliefs "paranormal." After all, Muslims can't prove they're praying to the One True God any more than I prove that the images in my head are really animal totems.

Which brings me back to my question. Yes, I suppose I would be arrested if I lived in Bahrain, performing all my rituals, meditations and such. Ridiculous! Set aside the concept of religious freedom for a moment. Sure, we should all respect each other, but that isn't what bothers me most.

What bothers me most is that all religions and spiritual beliefs can be considered "sorcery" depending on your perspective. And none of it can be proven--not praying to Allah or Jesus or holding ceremonies for Mother Earth or Isis. Personally, I don't think any of it is "real" in the way most people conceive it. Let me explain. Say I decide to "curse" my neighbor because his cat pooped in my flower bed, and so I mix some herbs and potions together and light a candle and say a spell. Honestly, I don't think it has any effect on my neighbor--or his cat--unless that neighbor is aware of my intention. If he is aware, then he might begin to associate my "curse" with some bad luck that comes his way--but did my "curse" really work or was it simply the power of suggestion?

I think prayer is the same way. I think if you know people are praying for you or sending good thoughts or whatever, that makes you feel better. But me sitting in my house praying for people in Africa does no good whatsoever, except maybe to make me more aware of Africa, which might lead me to take real action.

Years ago, I examined my Christian faith and decided it didn't work as advertised. So why bother? But I do like ritual, and I can't shake my spiritual bent, so if I'm going to be all crazy religious, then I should at least get something out of it--and so shamanism and nature-based philosophy works for me. But just because I burn sage and ring chimes doesn't make me Harry Potter. Even if I really believe deep down in my heart that I'm tapping into something mystical or paranormal, that still doesn't make it real. For me, I have to walk that fine line and keep that balance. It keeps me grounded, helps me retain my sense of humor and prevents me from falling right back into some crazy fundie literalism like before.

I know this is just me ranting, but I can't help it. It's just so sad when cultures or nations like Bahrain are so entrenched in their worldview that they cannot see their own folly. European cultures have already been through this, and maybe every culture has to do it in order to evolve. There are true crimes in this world that need to be punished--murder, rape, theft and so on--but "sorcery?"

Creepy, Scary, Spooky Post--Week 3: Do You Believe in Spirits or Ghosts?

My wrists and hands are all limbered up and ready to type! And were there sun spots or something yesterday? I had the darndest time getting online and checking my favorite sites.

Is the spirit world real?
So are you a believer in ghosts, spirits or any other unseen (or rarely seen) entities? Many cultures, including some Celtic groups, believed this time of year was a prime time to spot them. They believed that the veil between our world and the spirit world became very thin, so you could cross back and forth easily. Sort of like our border with Mexico! So does that make the spirits illegal immigrants or us mortals?

I digress. Myself, if I had to give an answer, I'd say I don't know. I'm not copping out--I simply don't know. I lean toward "no," but then I've had some experiences I can't explain. And others I know have had experiences. But if I claim there is no God, then how can I claim that spirits, fairies or other beings exist? Like I said, I don't know!

Many neo-pagans believe or accept the possibility of all kinds of unseen things. I'm still skeptical. I think it's fun and part of being human to wonder, but I do not want to base any kind of religious practice or belief system on what can't be seen. That's just me--I already have that T-shirt!

Angels Among Us?
Are these entities real or imaginary? Do we just convince ourselves they're real because we want them to be? Most Christians believe in angels, a devil and demons. I know I once did!

Back one night in college, my roommate and I were sitting across from one another having a great religious discussion. The lights were on in the room, which was located 3 floors up in the dormitory. The blinds on the window were shut. Suddenly in the middle of this deep discussion, we both "saw" a bright light appear near the window, the speed between us across the room and then flash in the mirrors before disappearing completely. We both turned and asked simultaneously: "What was that?" Then this incredible sense of joy washed over us! I can still recall that unexplainable sensation today. Being good Christians, we just thought it must be some messenger of God, an angel sent to visit us during our wonderfully spiritual discussion. I don't know what the angel was supposed to tell us, but well, what else was it? No car lights could reach 3 floors up. There were no search lights in the area. But we both saw something!

Meeting My First Witch (was she a good witch or a bad witch?)
That same year, my roommate began hanging with some weirdo friends--at least, they were weirdos to this sheltered Christian who took everything literally! His new girlfriend was a witch! She was involved in Wicca, which I had never heard of up until this point. He showed me some books on Wicca that she had given to him, and being the concerned fellow Christian, I told him to get rid of them. Those books would draw evil spirits and plunge us into spiritual warfare! (Oh, the irony, if he could only see me today.)

His girlfriend had a guy-friend she always dragged along with her, and looking back, he might have been "her gay." But I was too sheltered to figure anything out back then. Both of them were into Wicca--and I really can't say how serious they were about it, but they did talk about it all the time. And it freaked me out! I prayed all the time for Jesus to protect me and to turn their hearts to the Lord! I was polite, however (I am a good Southern boy, after all).

We would have interesting spiritual discussion, us four, but then one day my roommate's girlfriend said something that sent chills up my spine! I don't remember the context now, but she said she was going to light a candle for me. Dear Jesus, I just knew that meant she was going to cast some evil spell on me to turn me away from the Lord and toward acts of evil! Instead of asking what she intended, I freaked out! Later, I preached to my roommate that, no matter what evil power she might unleash, Jesus was stronger! I was terrified, ya'll.

Well, nothing happened that I can attribute to her "lighting a candle." Can any visiting Wiccans explain what she might have meant? Regardless of whether it was malicious or not, it just shows the power that belief in spirits can have. Even though I had never seen anything or experienced anything, I was caught up in all the stories I had heard. If nothing else, a spirit of fear had me in its grip--and that was of my own creation, not hers.

At the same time, the girl's male friend gave us the scariest jack o' lantern that I have ever seen! He had carved it himself, and the two of them stopped by the dorm to drop of this "present"--all dressed up in black capes and wild outfits around Halloween (this was way before goth was cool). I just knew there was some hex on that pumpkin! His carving was superb--but the evil grin and the frightening countenance on that thing scared the bejesus outta me! So after they were gone, I made my longsuffering roommate smash it on the ground--you know, to break its hellish power!

Well, that romance with Wicca faded for my roommate and his witch friends faded away. I regret my actions and superstitions now that I look back. If I'm honest, they were both interesting, fun people, but I was too wrapped up in my own ignorance and fear to recognize that.

So, what about you? A believer, skeptic or something in between?

Creepy, Scary, Spooky Post--Week 3: Do You Believe in Spirits or Ghosts?

My wrists and hands are all limbered up and ready to type! And were there sun spots or something yesterday? I had the darndest time getting online and checking my favorite sites.

Is the spirit world real?
So are you a believer in ghosts, spirits or any other unseen (or rarely seen) entities? Many cultures, including some Celtic groups, believed this time of year was a prime time to spot them. They believed that the veil between our world and the spirit world became very thin, so you could cross back and forth easily. Sort of like our border with Mexico! So does that make the spirits illegal immigrants or us mortals?

I digress. Myself, if I had to give an answer, I'd say I don't know. I'm not copping out--I simply don't know. I lean toward "no," but then I've had some experiences I can't explain. And others I know have had experiences. But if I claim there is no God, then how can I claim that spirits, fairies or other beings exist? Like I said, I don't know!

Many neo-pagans believe or accept the possibility of all kinds of unseen things. I'm still skeptical. I think it's fun and part of being human to wonder, but I do not want to base any kind of religious practice or belief system on what can't be seen. That's just me--I already have that T-shirt!

Angels Among Us?
Are these entities real or imaginary? Do we just convince ourselves they're real because we want them to be? Most Christians believe in angels, a devil and demons. I know I once did!

Back one night in college, my roommate and I were sitting across from one another having a great religious discussion. The lights were on in the room, which was located 3 floors up in the dormitory. The blinds on the window were shut. Suddenly in the middle of this deep discussion, we both "saw" a bright light appear near the window, the speed between us across the room and then flash in the mirrors before disappearing completely. We both turned and asked simultaneously: "What was that?" Then this incredible sense of joy washed over us! I can still recall that unexplainable sensation today. Being good Christians, we just thought it must be some messenger of God, an angel sent to visit us during our wonderfully spiritual discussion. I don't know what the angel was supposed to tell us, but well, what else was it? No car lights could reach 3 floors up. There were no search lights in the area. But we both saw something!

Meeting My First Witch (was she a good witch or a bad witch?)
That same year, my roommate began hanging with some weirdo friends--at least, they were weirdos to this sheltered Christian who took everything literally! His new girlfriend was a witch! She was involved in Wicca, which I had never heard of up until this point. He showed me some books on Wicca that she had given to him, and being the concerned fellow Christian, I told him to get rid of them. Those books would draw evil spirits and plunge us into spiritual warfare! (Oh, the irony, if he could only see me today.)

His girlfriend had a guy-friend she always dragged along with her, and looking back, he might have been "her gay." But I was too sheltered to figure anything out back then. Both of them were into Wicca--and I really can't say how serious they were about it, but they did talk about it all the time. And it freaked me out! I prayed all the time for Jesus to protect me and to turn their hearts to the Lord! I was polite, however (I am a good Southern boy, after all).

We would have interesting spiritual discussion, us four, but then one day my roommate's girlfriend said something that sent chills up my spine! I don't remember the context now, but she said she was going to light a candle for me. Dear Jesus, I just knew that meant she was going to cast some evil spell on me to turn me away from the Lord and toward acts of evil! Instead of asking what she intended, I freaked out! Later, I preached to my roommate that, no matter what evil power she might unleash, Jesus was stronger! I was terrified, ya'll.

Well, nothing happened that I can attribute to her "lighting a candle." Can any visiting Wiccans explain what she might have meant? Regardless of whether it was malicious or not, it just shows the power that belief in spirits can have. Even though I had never seen anything or experienced anything, I was caught up in all the stories I had heard. If nothing else, a spirit of fear had me in its grip--and that was of my own creation, not hers.

At the same time, the girl's male friend gave us the scariest jack o' lantern that I have ever seen! He had carved it himself, and the two of them stopped by the dorm to drop of this "present"--all dressed up in black capes and wild outfits around Halloween (this was way before goth was cool). I just knew there was some hex on that pumpkin! His carving was superb--but the evil grin and the frightening countenance on that thing scared the bejesus outta me! So after they were gone, I made my longsuffering roommate smash it on the ground--you know, to break its hellish power!

Well, that romance with Wicca faded for my roommate and his witch friends faded away. I regret my actions and superstitions now that I look back. If I'm honest, they were both interesting, fun people, but I was too wrapped up in my own ignorance and fear to recognize that.

So, what about you? A believer, skeptic or something in between?