I would like to get the ball rolling on this very important topic. It's fairly safe to recognize and acknowledge that religion and magic are something that go hand and hand. Though the idea is somewhat respressed in the major religions of Christianity and Islam. The undeniable truth is that both religions were not only founded by the premiere mystics of their time it they are also overloaded with all kinds of occult knowledge. Other religions are very open to the idea of magic: buddhism, hinduism and wiccan all openly acknowledge the concept of magic and feel fine about it. Even this forum here called sacred magic denotes a kind of religious magical ability.

Obviously one of the biggest infleuence on today's magical approach is that of the Qabbalah. It's infleuence is felt through nearly the entire range of ceremonial magic and is, itself one of the great ways on which one can traverse the mystical path.

Another great magical idea created in religion was the idea of the christians gathering on sundays for worship. When one steps back and takes a detached view of this ceremony it becomes evidently clear that this is one of the most brilliant innovations of magical thought in the last two millenia. The idea of gathering everyone to praise the name of the lord on one single day is a kind of group magical ritual that's rather awe inspiring. What it basically means is that there's a twenty four hour period every week where major surges of positive thought rises up from all over the world. Or at least that was the idea. Nowadays the church has drifted from its original purpose and intention. I think one of the major issues is the lack of quality people who are now involved in living the 'sacred' life. And those who are goodly christians often have become very removed from the very mysticism that lies at the heart of christianity.

Well, there's more but I'm not here to write an article but hopefully this can start a most interesting topic.

Salud

I've noticed what you're talking about in most people who are claiming to be christians. Right away I will tell you that I have nothing against christians and/or their practice. My angst is against those who share the same views as my own but refute it openly because of it's direct connotations with magick. They tend to overlook the obvious similarities in our shared views, often leaning towards self supremacy with their own religion. My stepfather is a pastor, and it bothers him severely that I am not baptized and refuse to baptize my children. His only view is initiating them into the long road of a socially accepted doctrine so they can be "normal".

I've initiated conversations with him but fall short when his head shakes in a disapproving manner because I'm speaking of "the devil's work" when in actuality the same principles are quite parallel to what he speaks about. He reads and writes Hebrew and spends long arduous hours in translating greek passages for sermons. Often, he reads on prehistoric cultures as well as ancient belief structures but overlooks that we both share the same qualities. He travels to Greece to revere in the colossal buildings and brings home pictures to share of ancient temples built for worshipping antiquated dieties.

If I were to point out the same initiation process that children take into the confirmation ceremony seems to coalesce with other religions and their pubescent initiation into adulthood, he'd agree. But if I were to say, the ceremonial robes, incense, altar candle, prayer of dedications, offering of bread and water, and chosen sacred days are in correlation and reminiscent of old sacred ceremonies executed by ancient mystics if not originally designed by them, he'd scoff and tell me I had no idea what I was speaking of.

I've read on christian mysticism and often wonder why these obvious sacred practices are not practiced openly anymore when they seem to be an important piece of the christian culture. If I were to tell my stepfather that I've purposefully charged my will with a desire and sent it towards a specific outcome he'd nod in understanding (often seeing this as a form of prayer), but if I were to simply state, I do works of magick to reach my outcome, he'd protest openly before I would even finish my sentence.

But, I do have to state, that I am not religious. I am spiritual of sorts, but as far as following a specific Holy Writ or creed I have to say no. My personal belief is that, the idea of a spiritual essence and/or creator is present in man and often inborn but religion is a learned trait and something that is obviously created by man. I don't look down on people who do practice religion and do admire them, but personally I have an ill feeling towards completely appropriating myself to one set of credo.

This post has been edited by Angalor: Jul 27 2006, 10:23 AM

From Wikipedia: Religion and Magic

Actually, perhaps you failed to realize that this isn't just about separation it's also about the, the connection between the two as well. If you don't have any knowledge or opinions unto the subject, or feel that you're presence is too pristine to post in the a place such as 'the sewer' then all be it from me to stop you. However, if you feel like sharing you're thoughts and aren't adverse to them being strongly, and even brutally argued against then please tell us what you think.


Angalor, you highlight what I see as one of the great follies of the Christian belief in these days. It comes from the idea that Kinjo has so helpfully pointed out. Christianity and most religions have let themselves be removed from the concept of magic. Oh sure, there's magic, but only for the blessed, only for the saints, and instead of calling it magic, how about instead of calling it miracles. Then let's remove the concept even more by saying that we're only the channels of power, that the spirits, or spirit is the power doing all the work. Then to top it off, let's create something called 'nature-based' views. What were left with is a far cry from the true power of magick. Your stepfather is simply put: backing away from awareness in name of pride, but more than that, it's also from a millenia of corrupt ignorance within the church. If he were to read my first posting perhaps he might realize that prayer is magic, indeed of a potent kind.

Another interesting thing you say is that religion is a learned trait. This is one thing that I personally wonder about, is religion a trait or is it something that were born into, after all, religion could easily be seen as nothing more than a philosphy, and as such would be natural for all of humankind.