How about folks leave their religion out of tarot

[prudence]

I hear completly what you are saying in regards to the people that feel this way. It is unfortunate that it is like this.
In my opinion it is not so much the religion, it is not so much the religious 'evil'; it is just plain fear, fear from what ever, that does not matter.
Fear is our worst enemy. Instead of focusing on the religious aspect, focus on the elimination of fear.

I second this.

Maybe there can be a sticky made for such questions, at the top of the forum, like they did with the other often asked questions....."The Gay/Lesbian/Trimming" threads.....

I suppose, if there is room for acceptance of all these types of questions (ie Christians voicing their fears, and asking if tarot is okay) that there is also room for those who do not like that these questions keep coming up. I understood when people got annoyed/fed up with all of the Gay/Lesbian questions....and then the trimming questions.....this one seems about the same to me.

ETA Marion! I like your new name.

 

[Sphinxmoth]

What I mean by ALIGN is this:

Faith = Belief in something not evident or factal according to a normal system of facts. I can not see one using the cards with out having faith or a belief system. Even if that belief system is in the paranormal, mystical, or alien world, guess what it is still a "system" of beliefs concerning ones "spirituality"= the essence of humans existence beyond the physical support of the body. Everything else one does is in support of existence of life or the functioning of the human body....ie..eating, thinking, being healthy. Spirit (spiritual) for me deals with existence or aspects of the human capacity to exist beyond day to day survival. Tarot itself is a belief system or system of beliefs based on the essence of humanity or spirituality.

"I can not see one using the cards with out having faith or a belief system"

well, that's how I use 'em, believe it or not. you may have to stretch your own belief system a little wider to accomodate me. or you can just disbelieve me, that's okay too, it won't bother me.

 

[afrosaxon]

I am a Unitarian... we're the one's who start our prayers with "To Whom it May Concern"...

This is off-topic (sorry, willowfox), but I LOVE IT!!

 

[avalonian]

Basically, I don't need the fear of "god" brought into every conceivable conversation.

Well, good for you. However, this forum isn't just about you, is it? All you have to do, as some replies have advised, is not read the things that you don't want to read. If the mention of God offends you so much then stop reading the posts when you see the word.

It's all very well to advise people to ask their religious spokesperson about the tarot but then they will only get one opinion. The joy of this forum is that you can ask a question and get loads of replies from people of differing beliefs and from all walks of life, and then make your own mind up.

Apologies if I sound a bit cross, but the closed mindedness of your posts on this subject seems very much like the attitude of the religions about which you are complaining.

To quote something I read on a bumper sticker: "minds are like doors, they function better when opened".

 

[Demon Goddess]

This is off-topic (sorry, willowfox), but I LOVE IT!!

Feel free to use it.

 

[franniee]

Do not be frustraited with these kinds of people, it is not their fault that they grew up knowing only the religion, or the man-made distortion of such religion, that has conditioned so many of our brothers and sisters.

I hear completly what you are saying in regards to the people that feel this way. It is unfortunate that it is like this.
In my opinion it is not so much the religion, it is not so much the religious 'evil'; it is just plain fear, fear from what ever, that does not matter.
Fear is our worst enemy. Instead of focusing on the religious aspect, focus on the elimination of fear.

...and in my opinion, spirituality is the search for truth, be it with divination or meditation, again what and how does not matter, for each individual has thier own way of connection with the Spirit, or what ever name one chooses to call it.

I agree luna.... it was what I was trying to say as well.....but you did it so much better.

 

[Kenny]

To quote something I read on a bumper sticker: "minds are like doors, they function better when opened".

Another bumper sticker: sh*t happens

Deal with it!

To be fair I can see both sides, yes it can be annoying but it can be scary. I've come up with my own world-view and religion-view and tarot, and other methods of divining, fit well into this.

It reminds me of something I read about British Water personal using diving rods to look for underground leaks, the spokesperson said something like: people do use them, yes, but they also use specialist equipment too. It depends upon the person.

(Damn, I can't find the original story but here is another take on the whole issue, from another website)

 

[Moonbow]

There is a sticky for threads about Christianity and Tarot along with other topics which appear frequently. The same subjects do crop up time and again and of course some of us will get tired of them.

I think the problem here is not that the subject is being repeated, its the assumption that religion should have nothing to do with Tarot (says who), and that people who follow a religion are either afraid or have a problem. This is an extreme and judgmental take, and exactly mirrors the attitude that is being condemned in the first post.

 

[Cenz]

i Agree

People come to this forum to learn Tarot. They should not be dismissed if they are expressing genuine fears about their religious beliefs conflicting with Tarot. They should be engaged, accepted, and above all, educated. If we just dismiss them and their fears, then we are in effect excluding them and indirectly contributing to their lack of knowledge.

I couldn't agree more with Splungeman.When the first time i'm interested in tarot card, i have a lot of doubts and questions too regarding my fear about tarot, simply because i don't know what it is about.I came to Aecletic forum and luckily people here didn't dismiss me and instead they answer to my doubts and fear.And today, i'm addicted with tarot, doing well with my religion, i'm happy and i learn a lot from both tarot and this forum.I can't imagine if people in the forum dismissed me back then, i would've missed out a lot of things i could gain from tarot.

 

[gregory]

This forum is a broad church (that's an idiom with no religious connotations )

I am as irreligious as they come, but I defend anyone's right to bring God up in conversation here if they like - just as I defend anyone else's right not to read the posts when they happen.

To take an analogy, look at all the people here who used to respond me when I said I never read my cards. Only a few blasted me.

Now I read them. If I had received the sort of response some people in this thread seem to wish on people posting about God, I would never have started to read. You have to allow for all types and learn how to use the ignore buttons.