We've all heard people say, and I'm sure that there are as a matter of fact individuals reading this that feel the same way: "When I found Jesus, He set me free." "Jesus broke all my chains." Etc. And I personally think it's terrific for those people that they found peace and freedom-especially in a leader and role model as great as Jesus. However, I do feel sorry for them-the "born again Christians" (and also those that were raised Christian-maybe them even more so)-that they then all too often see non-Christians as "in need of saving" or "people in bondage." I read not too long ago about a young evangelical Christian man who was on a trip to Israel and ran into several Orthodox Jews. He noticed how they kept the Sabbath, didn't turn on electricity from sundown on Friday to Saturday, followed their strict dress codes and dietary restrictions-and he wrote that it "hurt him" to see how their religion "kept them bound in chains and they needed to be set free."
I will say, as many may know, one of my mentors from the Autism community is in fact an Orthodox Jewish religious leader. He does indeed keep the strict kosher dietary laws and dress code. On the Sabbath, he won't turn on his electricity, he won't drive, etc. And in no way-I mean NO WAY-has he EVER come across to me as "in bondage" "in chains" and "in need of saving." His Jewish faith is indeed his source of peace and freedom and I am approximately 99.9 percent sure that he would gladly die before he gave it up.
I've wrote so many frigging posts about the "Giggles" days-and my crippling fear in those days. My fear of metal music, violent games, fighting, etc. I strongly believed that pagans and Wiccans were pure evil and would certainly go to hell. I thought *I* was going to hell because I was, indeed, lesbian. Now I realize that I was in bondage-and those were pretty much wasted years of my life.
What set me free? Shaking off the chains of organized religion. Finding the Tuatha De Danann-and the Goddess. Not long ago, I was so terrified of them. Now all I feel is peace, love, power and strength radiating from myself-in lieu of the blatant fear I lived in in the Giggles days.
Being outside and feeling the heartbeat of the Earth. Observing my first Samhain, carving a face into a turnip, and catching a fleeting glimpse of my awesome ancestor, Fiachra Ua Dubhda, brother of Niall of the Nine Hostages and last pagan king of Ireland(!) Making my tactical paracord Brideog for Imbolc and leaving my dog tags out for Brigid to bless. Morrigan saying to me-"You are a warrior-and you must never let anyone tell you otherwise." Danu saying "You are never alone, a stor." Many will call me evil, many will say I'm going to hell, many will say I need to be saved...but I ignore them. This is my freedom, this is my peace-and it set me free. It turned me from a weak, scared girl into an incredibly strong, empowered woman-who wishes to empower other women and girls-particularly abuse survivors. Yes, I use the word "survivor" to describe myself-no longer "victim." Goddess, people who knew me in the Giggles days would be friggin' shocked by me now (chances are they wouldn't even know me.)
By the way, I still absolutely revere Jesus and Mother Mary-not to mention Mary Magdalene as well. And of course Saint Joan of Arc-I'm a female soldier and a virgin (and I want to die that way!)-of course I see myself as kin to Joan.