Part 3: So a Goddess-centered Pagan and a Christian sat down to talk…
“If nature manifests the Goddess, what do you do with the fact of natural disasters, or the hard, uncaring, even bloody side of nature?”
In this portion of the interview, Grian touches on some key differences between Christian and pagan beliefs. The interesting thing is that she doesn’t see them as that different. Perhaps it’s a generational issue; Grian is a decade or so younger than me, and it’s often been observed that post-modern thought is characterized by syncretism, which means blending and merging various belief systems while minimizing the differences.
But it is probably also a function of where we believe truth comes from: Christians maintain our beliefs as outlined in the Bible, God’s unchanging revelation of truth and the road map for our lives. Pagans, on the other hand, define their beliefs in terms of their individual, unique, and very personal experiences. There is no written standard, no bedrock to cling to.
When we get to the end of the interview, in another couple of posts or so, I’m going to summarize some of the key differences in our beliefs as revealed in this pagan/Christian conversation. I’ll also highlight some of the similarities. After all, we’re both spiritual seekers!
Here’s Part 3…
SUSY: You said that you don’t consider yourself a Wiccan. Do you have a particular spiritual belief system that you identify with? Can you describe it?
GRIAN: I consider myself a Goddess-centered Pagan and I practice Tridea. Tridea is a tradition of Goddess Religion that focuses on Nature and its cycles – finding
spiritual meaning through seeing the Goddess in all things. Nature is considered the sacred text or blueprint by which the Goddess is understood and realized. 
SUSY: I see a similarity between us here, in that Christians believe God reveals himself through nature (and also through people’s consciences). However, we differ in that I believe God primarily reveals himself through the Bible, and through the life of Jesus. If nature manifests the Goddess, what do you do with the fact of natural disasters, or the hard, uncaring, even bloody side of nature? What do those things say about the Goddess?
GRIAN: As I mentioned earlier I believe in a “darker” aspect of the Goddess. I usually put that word in quotes because it can be misleading. This
“darker” aspect deals primarily with the absolutely necessary reality of physical death (destruction) that leads to transformation (both physically and spiritually). A metaphor I often use is the burning of wood in a fire. The wood is destroyed yet also transformed into heat and ash. It has not ceased to exist, only taken on new form. Along those same lines; when a forest fire happens it is awful and scary, but eventually the forest is more fertile and full of life than it was before.
Another example can be seen in human creation. When a person is created the two cells that came from their parents have to be destroyed in order to create something new. None of us are still those two cells. We are the beings those two cells were transformed into.
The main point I am trying to get at is that nothing can be created without something first being
destroyed. This is not a bad thing at all. It is how our planet works and how life itself works. While people mourn the victims of natural disasters and perhaps even fear the destructive qualities of nature;
I believe everything must happen for a reason. I believe in natural order that may not always be pretty or pleasant, but it is necessary and part of Divinity’s plan.
These ideas and practices are not new, nor are they specific to one religion. Instead they are considered universal and timeless. Terms that may help with these descriptions are Pantheism and Panentheism. Wikipedia has good definitions for both.
SUSY: What are some of your spiritual practices? Christians pray, tithe, read and study the Bible, take communion, and worship God together as a church. Do you have your own counterparts to these practices?
GRIAN: Absolutely. We pray as well; quite often and as a group. While Trideans don’t focus on magic as a practice, it is a firm belief that spells (as many Wiccans and Pagans practice) are a form of prayer. The only difference is that there are some props involved. I often find this helpful in explaining the use of magic or spell
work to people of other faiths. Again, I do not consider magic (as it is identified in Wicca) as a part of my religion. Instead I see magic as prayer with props and find only a small amount of distinction between it and the prayer practices of other faiths.
SUSY: One important distinction is that Christians pray to God with a request that he take action, and that His will be done, while it seems that pagans pray and cast spells
in an effort to effect change themselves. To us prayer is a conversation, a child with his or her Dad, with no props needed. So, that leads me to ask–why the props?
GRIAN: I think the way Pagans pray is not that different at all. I can only speak for myself though. Personally, I also have conversations with Goddess and ask for her help. Many times I have completely surrendered to her will. But I also believe I have some power over situations as well. I think this is the main distinction. I don’t feel subordinate to Goddess. Instead I am a part of her – I am Goddess as I believe everyone and everything else is. I do not believe in a separation between the Goddess and everything else, but instead a oneness of all things. So, I think what you’re referring to when Pagans
effect change themselves is because we believe we are also divine.
On the issue of props … Catholics use rosaries, some Christians may choose to focus on a crucifix during prayer, Buddhists use a collection of prayer items like oil lamps, incense, etc. I think these practices are more or less the same. Some people feel the need for elaborate spell setups that help them focus the intent of their prayers. Others like myself prefer a few simple candles, incense, and an altar figure or two. I enjoy the use of idols and even create them with my own hands. I don’t see this as anything more than a way to focus meditative energy for prayer. Actually, when I create Goddess images I consider it a form of worship. I am an artist after all, and cannot fathom why this form of “idolatry” would be any different than renaissance painters portraying Christ and the Virgin in oils or egg tempera.
More from this interview in my next post. Here’s a quick preview of questions in part 4:
- What are some of the common misconceptions Christians have about pagans?
- What do you find in goddess worship that you didn’t find in the church of your childhood?
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SUSY FLORY is a writer, speaker, and journalist who inspires and challenges women to embrace a life of passion, boldness, & adventure. In your own unique way, YOU can change the world, starting in your own backyard. 
Susy,
These interviews are fascinating, thank you so much for sharing them.
Sue
Suzy,
I am really enjoying this interview.
Anentte