A Christian druid... need opinions

I'd like the opinion of someone Christian. I'm conversing with a Christian druid and he has written the following posts on a public discussion forum under a thread entitled Alternative Christians:

[I was raised by a Christian mystic, and as a child I had very little influence from media, peers, or organized religion. My mother was very careful to always encourage me to experience God for myself, explore any religious texts or church I wished to go to (including non-Christian, and I explored a lot of churches!), and to shelter me from the media, which can greatly influence one's worldview. So you could say that I was encouraged to be myself first, to acknowledge my own spirituality, rather than trying to fit in with any group or belief system. The only things I was really taught was that God loved me. Though I was not taught one way or the other, I did witness my mother's devotion to God and her consistently being "not of this world" but also "the light of the world," and this profoundly affected my spirituality. My mother has the intelligence of a sage but the faith of a child, and that was always a great inspiration.

I have always been on a mystical path; I think it is just part of who I am. By the time I was two, I told people about dreams I was having of the famines in Africa and I was very upset about world hunger. This just came into my head; I was not allowed to watch the news or anything. I just knew that God would want us to fix this problem. God just always seemed to be there, and in the absence of being told I was "separated" from Him in some way, I was able to experience glimpses of God throughout my life. I can remember praying to God as far back as my earliest memories, just talking with Him as a personal being. By five, I firmly believed in the concept of multiple realities and that these were not as "separate" as most people think they are, based on visions I had. At ten, I experienced a vision-dream in which I caught a glimpse of the transcendent aspect of God, the Eternal and Infinite, which forever changed my understanding of Him. I've received visions throughout my life and all are deeply meaningful, some symbolic and some experiential; I've experienced visions of Christ, of the immanence of God in all creation, of my own non-corporeality and union with God... They started from my earliest memories and continue into the present.

I was very poor as a child, but I was always taught that God cares for all of us, and there is no shame in poverty. We are not to be attached to the things of this world, but we are to be involved in the world as Jesus was, focused on showing the love of God to others. I believe in miracles, despite being a scientist, but I think we often are called to make miracles for others. I saw God pay our bills, heal my mother when she was dying... and I've heard God's voice call to me to feed others, heal His creation, minister to others in their time of grief and pain.

Not surprisingly, I never really fit into any social groups. I'm very good at "blending in," but there is an emotional gap there that always leaves me feeling like I'm watching everyone else from outside this culture and society, if that makes any sense. As a teenager, like most, I desperately wanted to "belong" somewhere, and I took up the evangelical, born-again persona off and on for about ten years. But it always felt like a lie. I wasn't "born-again" in the sense of conscious decision as an older kid. God had always been there. I still remember having these little picture books of Jesus when I was about three, showing him healing the sick and hugging little children, and it just always was there for me. Jesus was already in my heart, tugging on my thoughts and leading me to God. I just knew Jesus was a manifestation of God, and an example of what a life lived fully for God would be. I tried and tried to convince myself into the fundamentalist doctrine, but the truth for me was that it made no sense. It felt like blasphemy against the Spirit that had guided me from my youngest days to say that God was separated from me by sin, when I myself had experienced otherwise. I was not born perfect, and yet God still reached out to me before I could learn about the Trinity or know about Jesus as a sacrifice. God did not feel wrathful, even when I felt as a child that I stood before him with all my imperfections. I felt small, but not insignificant. I felt a desire to be more, but not shame. He felt watchful. A love that was not like any human love on earth. An expectant love, a love that forgave my imperfections, but also called me to be more, to rise above them, to seek Him always.

Eventually, I gave up my attachment to belonging here on earth, to a sense of "knowing" anything, to a sense of entitlement to heaven and reunion with my loved ones. I began to get back to the heart of my spirituality- my personal walk with God. Not that I do not study scripture and religious doctrine and all, but that I truly believe that is not the heart of the matter for me. I knew God before I knew the Bible and long before I knew that people had doctrines, and His call to me was always there, unmediated by others. I felt His presence deep within me, and in all He created, and I stand in awe of His glory and love.

I guess you could say I am an "experiential" Christian, or a Christian mystic. The point of life to me is to experience a personal and deep relationship with God and to manifest the results of this in our care of others, and Jesus has long been my guide.]

...and...

This was uttered by another person:

Originally Posted ------------
What I really learned is that the entire journey to and from that point was the process of finding myself, stripping away my false sense of identity and experiencing the "Mystery of Christ in me."

My goal is to share the Love of God and see it moving in the hearts and minds of every person, no matter what language or symbols each individual may choose to express the One inexpressible Truth.

....to which he responded...

[Yes... this is wonderfully stated. That is how I feel. Underneath all the different languages and symbols and names of God, there is but One Divine. We are either experiencing that Truth, or we are experiencing our own self-delusion.

I have no doubt that if I were born in a Chinese family, I would still have experienced the presence of God. Maybe I would have called it the Tao. But God would still have been there within me, calling to me. And the more I have studied the religions and cultures of the world, the more I have seen people experiencing and loving the same Being that I do. If one cuts out the names and cultural contexts and self-identifications, one is left with people all over the world united in their experience of a personal, transcendent, and immanent Being. This ongoing realization only deepens my faith in a God that I experienced as infinitely loving and understanding of our needs and limitations.

As a side note, I know what you mean about how difficult it can be to write out one's testimony like that. There's a lot to one's lifelong journey with God, and I've never tried to summarize it succinctly. It is a challenge!]

He has also stated that he has studied other religions and that his spiritual faith has been influenced by that. He has also stated in a post to me that he believes in reincarnation.

I am insecure to whether this is psychosis, false Christianity or what... !!

Ok, this is sort of a form of chrisitanity. Like his own personal path that christianity does play a part in, a big part. This person has the rudimentary beliefs of a christian: Believes Jesus died for us, the trinity, are sins are fogiven etc. But they have adapted other religions into their belief.

If you are confused about where you stand in christianity you should read the bible and make your own judgements. Also visiting different kinds of churches(for at least 1 month per church) will give you ideas about the differences in belief. Like visiting a catholic, protestan(pentecostal, baspist, presbyterian, etc.), etc. Jehovah Witnesses tend to be more on the jewish belief system side. THeir christian Jews essentially(IMO). But Jehovah Witnesses tend to be nicer. :ninja: Ummm, anything else?

This is definatly not Christian, this person is extremely confused. Jehovah Witnesses are definately not Christian also, they do not believe in the Trinity of God.

Originally Posted by dr_osprey

This is definatly not Christian, this person is extremely confused. Jehovah Witnesses are definately not Christian also, they do not believe in the Trinity of God.

No they don't, that doesn't mean they don't believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross for their sins. Just because people think they are a fanatical cult doesn't mean that they are. And just for your info, many Bibical scholars believe Jesus, during the "lost 30 years" went to India and englad and learned from the druids, Hindus and Buddhists.

Druidism incorporates spiritism into more conventional religions, most commonly Christianity. It places emphasis on the 'spirits' of all living things, from trees, to animals, to even the earth itself.

As far as this version of it, I have never seen anything described quite like it--not sure what exactly it is, if any kind of organized path at all. Maybe it's just his personal belief?

Originally Posted by Geonitacka

No they don't, that doesn't mean they don't believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross for their sins. Just because people think they are a fanatical cult doesn't mean that they are. And just for your info, many Bibical scholars believe Jesus, during the "lost 30 years" went to India and englad and learned from the druids, Hindus and Buddhists.

There were no druids in India, I don't believe buddhism even existed yet, and Hinduism frofesses many Gods were as Christianity is one God. Jesus Never went to England or India, the farthest he went was Egypt when he was a baby. Jehovah Witnesses do not believe that Jesus is God, or that the Holy Spirit is God which is totally wrong and unchristian, Their is One God and Three distinct persons of God, Jesus is God, The Holy Spirit is God and The Father is God.

Who are these Biblical Scholars?

I never said Druids were in India. I said he went to India and england. And who's to say he didn't. No one knows for sure either way. I'm just putting a thought out there. ANd Buddh was in the BC times, so yeah that belief was around. And the point of all that was for learning from the religions, even Hinduism, not necessarily about their polytheistic ways.

Second off, who's to say that all chrisitans have to believe in the trinity. Christian means followers of christ. Which they are, they just believe he is not God. They have separated from the "normal" path christians take. And what about Catholics? Are they not christian? They virtually Worship Mary, whihc by the wya she the worship of her came from the Roman Goddess Diana. Catholicism has many roots in Paeganism(if that's what you call/spell it.) But yet, they are christian. So If Catholics can be called christians, why not Jehovah witnesses?

It really sounds contradicting, a Druid believes trees and stuff are all powerfull or something. So how can you be a Christian and believe that?

Originally Posted by Geonitacka

Second off, who's to say that all chrisitans have to believe in the trinity.

It is a traditional mark of Christian orthodoxy. You should check the ancient confessions of faith-- the Apostles', Nicene and Athanasian creeds. I do know that Lutherans consider those who deny the Trinity are not Christian, as well as my own faith, Catholics. Dr_osprey is... reformed? I believe. And apparently his denominations doesn't either. (I explain this more at the bottom of the post.)

Christian means followers of christ. Which they are, they just believe he is not God.

A Christian, more accurately, is someone who has been bapitzed.

And what about Catholics? Are they not christian? They virtually Worship Mary, whihc by the wya she the worship of her came from the Roman Goddess Diana.

... Catholics don't worship Mary. Don't believe everything you read, or that your preacher tells you about Catholics. There is an especially nasty strain of misinformation that comes from Seventh Day Adventist tracts against Catholicism (calling it pagan); don't believe that either. Try to see what they believe themselves. Since the Church has its Catechism online, that would be a good place to start.

Catholicism has many roots in Paeganism(if that's what you call/spell it.) But yet, they are christian.

... we discussed whether or not Catholicism was 'pagan' in this thread, and not a single one of the objections stood up. Catholicism is not pagan, it is authentic Christianity. Please read the entire thread before you respond.

So If Catholics can be called christians, why not Jehovah witnesses?

Catholics believe in the Trinity and are validly baptized. Hence, Christians. It is impossible to have the proper intent to perform baptism (in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, cf. Matt 28:19) if you do not believe that Christ is God or that God is Triune. This is a very confusing subject, but this isn't an arbitrary case of us doing it because we don't like you guys, we do it because our definition of a sacrament makes it impossible for someone who doesn't have the proper intent to baptize someone (and these defintions have been existent, in a formal sense, as far as I know, since at least Augustine's time, which is around 400AD, far before the Jehovah's Witnesses first began).

Originally Posted by Geonitacka

...many Bibical scholars believe Jesus, during the "lost 30 years" went to India and englad and learned from the druids, Hindus and Buddhists.

Um, excuse me, Jesus "learned"? God "learned"?

Originally Posted by Kadin

It really sounds contradicting, a Druid believes trees and stuff are all powerfull or something. So how can you be a Christian and believe that?

Actualy, no. The druids belive in the power of the elements. Like darkness, earth, wind, water, fire and light; such as their magickal structure suggests. It also would be possible for Christians belive that god created the world so there fore he created the elements and it is possible to view magickal gifts from him. It is in a small way like that wicca. we belive that our power comes from nature which is in essence the God and Goddess. So it is possible.

I didn't ask for a discussion on which Christian denomination is the authentic one or which church spreads lies about which.

I merely asked for a sane, informed opinion on the statements of this druid.
To me he seems like a confused madman and I'm insecure as to how I should speak to him. He firmly believes in reincarnation, that we have multiple lives here on Earth, and that all people believe in the same God, but all people have different interpretations of Him.

But as we speak of baptizement, Bobslob. I have not been physically baptised. Is this a requirement in the Catholic church for becoming a Christian?

I did not read anywere in the direct quotes that he said he was a druid. Merly a mystic. As I have said in my previous post it is not wrong for him to think this way and does not make him any less of a christinan than he belives he is. Your faith is what matters and you interpertain of it is merly your path to the diety you are seeking. He is not crazy, he merly is forging a unique path ot which he hopes to find and will mostly likely find eternal peace and happiness.

Originally Posted by Mrs Ganondorf

But as we speak of baptizement, Bobslob. I have not been physically baptised. Is this a requirement in the Catholic church for becoming a Christian?

Baptizing with Water is a symbol, Jesus Baptizes with the Holy Spirit.

Originally Posted by Marius

I did not read anywere in the direct quotes that he said he was a druid. Merly a mystic. As I have said in my previous post it is not wrong for him to think this way and does not make him any less of a christinan than he belives he is. Your faith is what matters and you interpertain of it is merly your path to the diety you are seeking. He is not crazy, he merly is forging a unique path ot which he hopes to find and will mostly likely find eternal peace and happiness.

The post where he says he is a druid I have not posted here.
He says he is a Christian druid. Don't make a big deal out of whether it says anywhere that he is a druid or not. :mad: *losing patience*

Most likely find eternal peace and happiness?

There is not one god for every one person. That's what he seems to believe. Exactly, forging his own religion.

Originally Posted by Mrs Ganondorf

I didn't ask for a discussion on which Christian denomination is the authentic one or which church spreads lies about which.

I am sorry Mrs Ganondorf, I will desist from further comments.

I merely asked for a sane, informed opinion on the statements of this druid.
To me he seems like a confused madman and I'm insecure as to how I should speak to him. He firmly believes in reincarnation, that we have multiple lives here on Earth, and that all people believe in the same God, but all people have different interpretations of Him.

Reincarnation is not a Christian belief.

But as we speak of baptizement, Bobslob. I have not been physically baptised. Is this a requirement in the Catholic church for becoming a Christian?

Christ commands: Matt 28:19

19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit,

And in John 3:5

5 Jesus answered, "Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit.

1 Peter 3: 20-21

20 who had once been disobedient while God patiently waited in the days of Noah during the building of the ark, in which a few persons, eight in all, were saved through water.
21 This prefigured baptism, which saves you now. It is not a removal of dirt from the body but an appeal to God 7 for a clear conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

Quite honestly, I have no idea if this passage is connected with baptism, as a prophecy or something, but I like it. Ezekiel 36: 24-28

24 For I will take you away from among the nations, gather you from all the foreign lands, and bring you back to your own land.
25 I will sprinkle clean water upon you to cleanse you from all your impurities, and from all your idols I will cleanse you.
26 I will give you a new heart and place a new spirit within you, taking from your bodies your stony hearts and giving you natural hearts.
27 I will put my spirit within you and make you live by my statutes, careful to observe my decrees.
28 You shall live in the land I gave your fathers; you shall be my people, and I will be your God.

For someone who is of rational age, like yourself, people who have the possibility of baptism must take it. (I.e., given the possibility, you cannot reject it.) Matt 16:16

16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned.

So, yes, baptism is required.

Baptizing with Water is a symbol, Jesus Baptizes with the Holy Spirit.

Yes and no, dr_osprey. The water of baptism, concurrently with the words that Jesus told us to baptize with constitute the physical sign that make up the sacrament of baptism. A sacrament is a physical sign that confers grace. Jesus still said that we must be born of 'water and Spirit,' so a water baptism is just as necessary. The water baptism is effective because it effects the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

Originally Posted by Bobslob

So, yes, baptism is required.


Yes and no, dr_osprey. The water of baptism, concurrently with the words that Jesus told us to baptize with constitute the physical sign that make up the sacrament of baptism. A sacrament is a physical sign that confers grace. Jesus still said that we must be born of 'water and Spirit,' so a water baptism is just as necessary. The water baptism is effective because it effects the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

Baptism is a Commanded sacrament, but someone who isn't baptized can go to heaven.

Originally Posted by (Rom 10:9-10 NIV)

That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

I forgot who said it to Jesus but, somewhere it says something like this; "What must I do to Be saved, 'Jesus Replied' Repent and Believe". (Im sorry I forgot were this is found)

Do you agree with Infant Baptism? (I do, Im just wondering?)

Originally Posted by dr_osprey

Baptism is a Commanded sacrament, but someone who isn't baptized can go to heaven.

In the sense of a baptism of desire, yes someone can be sanctified without the sacrament of baptism, but it is the exception not the rule. Likewise, the baptism of blood by martyrs suffices to sanctify the soul. But these are exceptions to the normative rule.

I forgot who said it to Jesus but, somewhere it says something like this; "What must I do to Be saved, 'Jesus Replied' Repent and Believe". (Im sorry I forgot were this is found)

Romans 10: 9-10 cannot be taken outside of context. There are many verses that take simply of of other requirements without mentioning these, necessarily. In these cases, they don't negate the other requirements, but many times assume them.

For instance, Rom 10:13

"For whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

That says nothing about confessing and believing, merely 'calling upon his name.' That's why these types of statements are inclusive of more.

"If you confess... and believe... you will be saved." Because the adult who confesses with his mouth and believes will be baptized, and by that baptism he will be saved (because "baptism now saves you"). "Will be." Hence Matt 16:16

16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved

That is because belief is the prerequisite for the adult who wishes to be baptized. He will be saved, because he will be baptized. They can't be separated here.

Do you agree with Infant Baptism? (I do, Im just wondering?)

Yes. "Let the little children come to me." Also see the faith of the centurion healing his servant.

I'm going to hell.

Originally Posted by Mrs Ganondorf

I'm going to hell.

Um... was that a sarcastic comment, or were you serious?