Most people who have been here for awhile know that I'm an ordained Christian minister, and that I also teach shamanism. I have to say that I have a lot of close friends who are Christians...the real thing, not just the people who say that they are but refuse to act it. So this is not a slap at Christians in any way (if it was, I'd be slapping myself and many friends in the process.)

I recently came across a couple of different people who had a misconceived and closed minded view that Shamanism was somehow occultist. One even tried to say that the Bible actively teaches against Shamanism. First, the Bible does NOT teach against it, nor does the tenets of any religion I'm aware of. That is because Shamanism is **NOT** a religion. Secondly, Jesus healed the sick, and conversed with spirits, which make him one of the more powerful Shamans. Granted that people don't often think of Jesus as a Shaman, but he did what Shamans do, and he taught that anyone could. I might be missing something, but I can't understand how it could be something Jesus did and taught, yet be "evil".

Could someone please explain (and understand that I will respond) why SOME of the teachings of Jesus would be "good", yet his own actions and teachings in other circumstances would be "evil"?

Rev. Rex,

I was at an interfaith service today, and three of us started to discuss Jesus, religion, control etc.

The consensus among us was that historically the church turned the man of Jesus into a God and refuses to focus on the parts of the bible in which that Jesus said that we can do what he did.

My understanding is Jesus was a great evolved man, mystic, healer, etc.

Those who believe Jesus is God (and the vicarious atonement is the only way to be save), can not admit other humans can do what Jesus did ( heal, walk on water, raise the dead, etc).

Perhaps admitting Jesus was a Shaman, in their eyes, would be admiting he was not divine.

~Peace

__________________
Let the beauty of what you love, be what you do ~Rumi

You have a point there that I'd not considered. Jesus said and implied numerous times that he was NOT God, throughout the new testament. He got very upset when people thought that he was. But I can understand why someone who believes that for 33 years, there was no God in heaven and who believe that God could die or go to hell, would get very upset at imagining that others could do what he told them they could do.

Yes, I agree with you completely Peace123 and I can understand your frustration Rev. Rex. I too have encountered a lot of disbelievers of Spiritusl Healing, mediumship and mysticism. Yes, Jesus could and Jesus taught that we could too, but that we could actually do it, is a misunderstanding on our part. LOL

Some believe Jesus will come back, can you imagine what they will do to him? If I were him, I'd stay away untill people are more open to the Truth.

__________________
May your awareness be perfection

Did you see this thread?

The Religions Of/About Jesus

__________________
InterfaithForums.com-Where your ideas and beliefs count.

I didn't before, but I agree with Viva....people need to start listening to the message rather than so much to the messenger.

Hi Rev Rex - I can relate to your experience, as I've been living in the Bible Belt for 20 years.... I've often wondered why I ended up here - everyone wants to know what church you attend, that is, which Baptist church you attend (!). I've also been chided for playing music that "sounds alot like that New Age stuff" (it opens the door to the devil, you know). Infact, I've been the object of concern and prayer for many friends over the years.

The ironic thing is, I remember a time when I was the one who sat in judgement of anything that wasn't mainstream "Christian." I recall years ago becoming enraged by a woman I met who was into a different kind of spirituality. I did my best to convince her of her errant thinking, but couldn't help noticing that as angry as I felt inside, she remained pleasant and peaceful. Years later, I found myself holding the same beliefs she did.

To have a gift such as yours must require great strength -certainly it's no accident that you're both a Christian and a Shaman (personally, I think it's beyond cool!) And I'm glad you shared your rant with us - it helps me to realize I'm not the only one who feels alone in my community sometimes. And even Jesus was misunderstood. I guess that's why we need his words: "Be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world." :-)

who will not understand anything outside of the beliefs and prejudices they themselves have. Personally, I have always though Shamans were cool. However, I have my own prejudices as well, and my admiration of Shamanism is not speread out over the world. Native American Shamanism is very appealing, but there are other forms of Shamanism I've hear missionaries speak of, in Africa that can get pretty scary and border on evilness. So you might also wanna consided just exactly what kinda impression a person has about Shamanism, as well.

__________________
When a man sleeps in his bed, his soul leaves him to soar above, each soul according to its own way.......
The Zohar

Oh, I agree. In fact, there are vast differences even in NA Shamanism. For instance, I never have and see no time in the future that I ever will use Peyote to help with my Shamanic journeys, yet there are tribal shamans that do. Still, my hope would be that people would take the time to learn of that which they speak before they start giving blanket statements that cover everyone. It would be like me claiming that ALL Christians believe in the Holy Trinity as three separate and unique individuals, when the truth is that most do not. Yet if I was only exposed to those who do, and never took the time to learn, I could very easily think it was true of all of them.

Well Rex,

As you can see from the previous responses, you're not alone. It seems there are several others who are 'condemned' because of their beliefs and skills who are members here on this forum. You can add me to that club.

While I no longer consider myself part of the Christian tradition, I do still consider myself a Christian in some ways. I find that I belong more in the spiritual category rather than the Christian one. That said, there are those people in the Christian church who just don't understand that you can grow and change and develop. They think I'm wrong and going to hell. I've learned that their thinking is their problem and not mine and I have to let it go.

Not everyone is as open-minded as many on this forum. There will always be those who point their fingers at people like us. That's where they get their power from...judgment. I really try to just ignore their comments, although that is sometimes difficult to do.

Maggie

__________________
So much to learn and see and do