Neo-Pagan Christianity

Especially in the environment that I grew up in, Pagan traditions co-existed with Christian (Catholic) ones. I don't simply refer to celebrating the birth of the Christ in December -- whether the Baby Jesus was born in December or some other month as contested by scholars as a possible alteration of the date by the early Church.

There were many superstitions that were incorporated into the Christian (maybe more into the Catholic) practice and doctrine. Maybe this is the true way that religion gets transformed through out time to accommodate Pagan beliefs of the masses.

Whatever the case, the practice of Christianity that I've seen forming around me is somewhat of a Neo-Pagan/Christian doctrine, in which people believe in God but don't trust the Church all the while doing as they please. For example, there are Christians who drink and/or do drugs, sleep around (recreational sex or looking for love) and/or refuse to go to any church (biggest group) all the while believing in God and even praying. This behavior would've been seen as HERETIC and even SATANIC several years ago (before I was born, most likely, great thing about being born after the hippie era). Nowadays this over all behavior's become part of most cultures in the Western world and hence tolerated by the Church.

As a matter of fact, most (99.8%) of the people I know (single, never married, separated or divorced) have been in a sexual relation with someone at least once at some point of their lives. Most of these people are good law-abiding citizens, good people in all. Of course, about more than half of this group have no desire to go to a church of any sort, but still consider themselves Christians or religious (myself included for about thirteen years).

fun & games with Catholic condoms

The Pope's finally given "permission" to the use condoms in order to prevent AIDS or other sexually transmitted diseases by male prostitutes (odd example used by the Pope). This also means that all Catholics are now "allowed" to use condoms even the use prevents a pregnancy -- a huge contradiction to prohibition of contraceptives by the Vatican. This has been shocking news for the Church. Some are on favor and of course some oppose -- the same old story. I just see it as a hypocritical move by the Catholic church giving in to a modern society of sexual recreation.

Pope seeks to start debate on condoms and AIDS
http://www.foxnews.com/world/2010/11/22/apnewsbreak-pope-seeks-debate-condoms-aids-106693935/

This decision from the Vatican came the same day a new drug's expected and hoped to help avoid the transmission of AIDS between gay men.

Study: AIDS Pill Helps Gay Men Avoid HIV Infection
http://www.foxnews.com/health/2010/11/23/study-aids-pill-helps-gay-men-avoid-hiv-infection/

All of a sudden, homosexuality and AIDS are once again headline news with the Catholic Church in the mix. Now this is surely strange.

10% teen gay sex (NYC)

Putting religion aside, men and women have experimented sexually maybe since humans were created. Depending how you see the following article, we could say that men and women start experimenting early in their sexual lives -- teenage experimentation. Then again gay sex might be a game, a tease, a dare or a way to find out about heterosexuality and homosexuality. Gay sex doesn't quite mean being gay, but it's seen that way.

"The study published Monday in the journal Pediatrics analyzed 17,220 public health surveys and found that more than a third of teens who had same-sex encounters identified themselves as straight."

Study: 1 in 10 Teens Has Had a Same-Sex Partner
http://www.aolhealth.com/2010/10/25/10-percent-teens-have-same-sex-partner/

Of course, within religion, gay sex is condemned. In some churches, it could even mean being kicked out of the church congregation and not being allowed back in the church building. Needless to say, some people (not only teens) have committed suicide due to the shame or at times been driven to suicide by teasing and/or rejection of his/her family and/or peers.