Top 5 Misconceptions Pagans Have About Christians

Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. —Martin Luther King, Jr

Since my story, The Goddess Unmasked, was posted online by Today’s Christian Woman, there’s been a  small ripple of response from the pagan/Wiccan community. I’ve read some of the comments, both on TCW’s website (at the end of the article) and on pagan sites (like Witchvox).

I think it’s worth carefully considering the response because it helps me (and you) to understand the Hl_goddessappeal of goddess spirituality, and why and how the church is sometimes failing these women. Although many pagans & wiccans have an evangelical or Catholic background, I find that they are often fuzzy on the main points of the Gospel. If we don’t know what they believe, it’s hard to have a conversation. Likewise, if pagans don’t know what we believe, how can they make an informed decision as to whether to accept or reject our invitation to follow Christ?

I don’t have all of the answers to these issues, but I’m learning as I go along.

That said, here are, from what I’m seeing, the Top 5 Misconceptions Pagans Have About Christians:

  • The church is male-dominated and Christianity is a religion for men only.
  • Christianity is only popular because it’s the established religion of the U.S. It will die out as our culture becomes more knowledgeable, logical, and scientific.
  • Christianity is a political tool that uses fear to gain recruits and control the masses.
  • Christianity is a religion based on sin and guilt; if you don’t keep the rules, you’re going to hell.
  • Christians are trying to shove their religion down people’s throats.

What are your thoughts? Are we to blame? How do we answer these misconceptions? And how can we11410422theinvitationposters make sure we’re effectively and accurately sharing the Good News?

For me, that last point is the most painful. Jesus portrayed his offer of new life as an invitation to a  feast; of those invited, some accept …. and some decline. And he respects that choice.

God, help me today to be loving, kind, and non-judgmental to those searching for the truth.

[If you're a subscriber, and would like to comment on this post or read the comments, click here to go to the Unmasking the Goddess blog.]

  1. Stan says:

    There is an aspect that so often is missed; that we are called as Christians to bring forth a bounty in our families in a specific way. Goddess worship promotes an unnatural concept and continuation of singleness. Goddess worship ignores those inherent basic differences of a man and a women in their perceptions of the world that together produce a fullness, or oneness if you will that was designed by God.

  2. Pam Gilman says:

    If it were not for the many experiences of personal love I have received from the Father, I, too, might have considered goddess worship because, let’s face it, a lot of Evangelical Christianity is male-dominated, and these males are not always sensitive to a woman’s needs and desires. It is God that has made the difference in my life, not the elders of some church!

  3. Sue says:

    It is very interesting to hear their perspective, and very sobering.
    I feel ilke the Lord has really dealt with me on my attitudes towards non-Christians. I didn’t realize how judgemental I was.
    But in this verse:
    Matt 5:16
    16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
    NIV
    It says that the way to shine our light is to do good.
    Do I really DO GOOD, or do I try to manipulate situations to prove my point.
    Sure I feel that I walk in love and really mean it, I do love people, but sometimes I just need to DO good. And let my light shine that way.
    I hate being manipulated and I know when someone is trying to manipulate me.
    I pray that my love doesn’t come across that way- and I need to make sure that -that’s not what I’m actually doing. Even if my heart is in the right place to bring someone to the truth.
    I need to love unconditionally. That’s what Jesus did, right?
    (Hope my ramblings made some sense :) )

  4. Mark Bishop says:

    Good afternoon,
    I went looking to see where people were linking in to Exwitch Ministries from when it came under our ministry’s care; and so found your article on Christianity Today’s website. Well done.
    His servant,
    Bro Mark

  5. Katya says:

    I know I’m commenting on a blog entry from around two years ago but I think I should say something.
    I’m a Pagan (don’t judge…) and I have to say, most people I know don’t think this of all Christians.
    In fact, most Pagans are VERY tolerant and understanding of people’s religions, probably because we get discriminated against a lot.
    1. I don’t think the Church is dominated by men at all.
    2. I don’t think it’s popular due to the US, I think because it is such an established religion all over the world, especially in the Western World, it has become incresingly popular. Also because while I don’t personally believe that Jesus has the son of God, I do think he was an amazing, kind man who had a lot of good things to tell people. I do generally think he had great philosophies, even if I don’t follow him religiously.
    3. I think this depends on the politician. I certainly don’t think this is very widespread and therefore a reason to dislike Christianity.
    4. Haha, I can see why people think this. In a way, yes. We (and by that I mean generally people outside your religion) think that according to you, if you sin at all – you go to Hell. Sometimes you make God out to be forgiving and loving, other times it seems like he’s vengeful and nasty. The way I see it, it’s not our fault but how the media descibes it.
    5. Definately depends on the person. A lot of Christians are so understanding and would never preach or try to convert me but I also know a lot of people I don’t tell about my own religion because they would try to convert me. And preach to me. And possibly hold a cross to me and then pray for my soul.
    So yeah, as a Pagan, that’s my views on all that.

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