GUEST said:

"..it's still participation in a pagan ritual..."

You are showing your ignorance here, obviously equating "pagan" with "devil worship" You, and many others like you, believe the bad press and misrepresentation that has been promoted by the Christian Church for centuries, designed to make people fear what they don't understand, thereby making them easy to control.

I am a pagan. I am not a devil worshipper, I don't sacrifice babies or anything else. In fact my way of being involves having respect for all beings, and always working for the highest good in the world. Yes, we sometimes have rituals, and you, looking through your particular filter, could put any meaning you want on them, when in fact they are about honouring the earth, the elements, and the great goddess, and bringing about positive changes, for the good of all.

I am not closed to the idea that some of what you have said may be true, but I can't prove it, and even if I could, there is nothing I can do about it, and nothing you can do about it either. That does not mean I am giving up. It means that I choose to live in the world with love for every living being, and looking at the REALLY big picture, love is the only thing that is ultimately going to make a difference in the world. This is what works for me.

If your present way of being works for you, that is fine, but you aren't necessarily going to get agreement from folks like me who have a different way of being. If agreement is what you want, then I would suggest that you be more careful of the words you use, try not to confuse other people's assumptions and opinions with facts, only speak your truth, not somebody else's, and you might gain more respect from some of us here.

Jenny