About

I am a pagan Christian Wiccan heretic, seminary student, writer, and artist. Here’s more about me:

Spiritual Background

I was initiated into an Alexandrian-type coven in 1999, and received my Second Degree in that coven in 2001. I received my Third Degree on Beltane of 2010, along with my partner.  I left my first coven in 2003, and have been mostly eclectic since then. Currently, my practice consists of Alexandrian, Christianity, shamanism, trancework, aromatherapy/herbalism, little splashes of Enochian/Ceremonial,  some Feri techniques, and techniques from other religious traditions.

What do you mean by being a Wiccan Christian heretic?

Heretic (n): a person holding an opinion at odds with what is generally accepted.

By practicing both my Wiccan tradition and Christianity, I am a heretic on both sides. Many pagans/Wiccans/witches think that Christianity and magickal paths will never be compatible. Many Christians think the same thing. I think otherwise, and while I’m not entirely sure what Jesus wants of me in the long run, I do know that my beliefs are compatible for me. Even the other deities that I work with: the Dagda, the Morrigan, Hecate, Lilith, Cerridwen, and Star Goddess, are perfectly ok with this (trust me, I asked).

I’m also a heretic in that I think the greater pagan community does a disservice by remaining insular and not working with the greater religious community. We are not alone in this world, and it’s time we stopped acting like it.

Why seminary?

I have two reasons: First, it is important for me, as a priest, to do service work for the community at large (not just the pagan community). Second, I feel called to do work that integrates both my Wiccan background and my Christianity. I will be going into detail with both of these as I progress through this process.

Why a Master of Divinity degree?

I need to have a M.Div from an accredited school in order to be an official anything (chaplain, pastor, etc).

I am also big into Interfaith work. I know there are many pagans out there who are not into working with any Christian group (and not without good reason), but I also believe that working with people, educating them about our Wiccan beliefs, and sharing in community work when possible is a better way to foster peace than always reacting in anger. For some people and denominations, unfortunately, compassion and love for one another is impossible. This, I find, is a sad state for all religion to be in.

I feel that if the compassion and love I give makes a difference to one person, and that allows them to open up to the fact that the differences in belief aren’t really that different, then maybe I’ve done some good in the world.

Where does the title of your blog come from?

One of my favorite movies is “Kundun”, a picture directed by Martin Scorsese about the pre-exile years of the Dalai Lama. There is one scene where the Dalai Lama asks a question of one of his advisers, and the other man responds: “I am but a bug, your Holiness.” and they smile at each other. The other monk was one of his teachers, but to me, when he said this, he recognized that he was not superior to the Dalai Lama, nor anyone else. It is one of my core beliefs that no one is better than anyone else on this journey. We are all human beings, and we all deserve to be treated with love, compassion, and respect.

What else do I do?

I am the owner/founder of Dual Citizen Productions, which produces the shows Coffee With God, The Greek Geek, and, briefly, This Week In Heresy. You can watch the shows on the Dual Citizen Productions YouTube Channel.

Besides spiritual stuff, I’m also a writer (duh), knitter, crocheter, jewelry maker, potter, amateur filmmaker, and ham radio operator. Visit my craft and art blog to see what I’m working on.

Administrivia

I will be posting on a lot of topics here as I go through this process. If there is ever a question or topic you’d like me to address that you don’t see here, please feel free to email or comment about it.

I also reserve the right to remove comments that are proselytizing, hateful, or verbally abusive. I am not here to be coverted, nor to convert anyone, nor am I here to bash any particular religion (even Christianity). There are other places to do those things, so please do not do it here.

Respect other people’s right to believe what they will, and be polite. That’s all I ask.

2/11/13