Question regarding balance and tolerance?

When really looked at the various religions are not all that different. We al have similar moral codes and a belief in the divine.

As for the God and Goddess think about:

Baldur-The god of light, joy, purity, beauty, innocence, and reconciliation.

Eir-Goddess of healing (to heal the rift between peoples)

Good luck with this.

Perhaps something that speaks for the two dragon spirits that are drawing all religions together now; those being the spirit of human rights and the spirit of human tradition. I have read of at least one major denomination that has a maze drawn out on the gym floor already. I don't know how you work social services into a ritual without donations.

Since this is a ritual project a little smoke and incense might represent a Christian note. There is ritual in all religion, including much labeled Christianity, but I see it as mostly unobtrusive herding; so you don't need much. Not to be completely negative you might perhaps pick up an idea from this article and one other comment:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us air force academy earth religion.

Until a recent transliteration of the the Bible by some Gnostics the word tolerance did (does) not appear in the Bible. The word has now been used once to replace the word forbearance which is really the Christian position in terms of a world where two spirits are not in agreement.

Not the best switch of words considering that forbearance is nothing like the idea of tolerance which today expects acceptance, status and power as part of the package. Actually the Christian position is neutral; for it is better understood that forbearance is the divine position and those who follow Christ are to follow peace with all men, in so far as is possible.

I will give you these for your project. I would major on the word balance for that is a much overlooked human sense and plays in the outcome of all things. It also lends itself to ritual. In the movies and the stage it is set up with the screen and curtain. In the organized religions it is set up by the order of worship either by accepted sequences to present the story or by such a simple thing as the church bulletin or responsive reading or mantra beads.

With balance I would allow for a pure expression of thanksgiving. There is, perhaps you missed it, a deep understanding in Christianity (hundreds of years past) found in the songs and programs and preachings about the bounty of nature and the concept of seed time and harvest. That is Harvest Home.

As to gods and goddess combinations, animal sacrifice, spells written in blood and stations (oh stations of the cross! There is a ritual you could borrow from. I'm serious.) I will pass saying only that in any ritual I would always involve the four directions.

Also you could look into the ancient mother earth religion of Russia and come up with a ritual which speaks to fertility and virtues forever divided by sex; or should I say between god and goddess.

Ostara correspond with the Christian Easter. Having an egg hunt or food/candy gifts in an egg shell or an egg may be something that might work. Also using the light pastels of the spring would evoke feelings of the traditional Easter celebration as well as maybe the wearing of hats for a spectacle. Like the traditional "Easter Bonnets." Just a thought or two. Good luck with it all my dear Keltasia! Blessed be...~M~

That is not true for every person on this earth came from a pagan back-ground... So some of those former Pagans choose to become a Christian and some choose a Christian and pagan beliefs some have chosen witchcraft which is just another form of paganism... And some remained purely pagan.... So for many thousands of years paganism was the way of life and all of the rest came later on.........

Sorry this isn't more of an in-depth answer, but I think there is a lot of positive outreach done by Christians and the Christian Church. For instance, Catholic Charities is one of the largest aid-giving groups in the world, and a huge force in opposing human trafficking. In short, there is a huge amount of generosity to the less fortunate. Additionally, loud, politically-minded blowhards aside, the major message of Christianity is to love of everyone and help your fellow (wo)man.

The Pros of Christianity?

Let's see....really, the idea of it is a good thing. It's about peace and love and helping to take care of those around you because we are all connected. It's about giving of ourselves. It's about hope from death and joy in life.

Well, that's what it's supposed to be, anyway, I thought......

Oh - and the Fates...I'd have to say the Fates show our aspects well. Atropos, Clothos and Lachesis.

The bear was considered a protective spirit in the Otherworld realms of dreams and death -- the mythology that surrounds it being inextricably linked with its winter retreat into caves (or the Underworld) to hibernate. In spring, the female emerges from her winter hibernation in the womb of mother earth with bear cubs in tow. This led to the bear being associated with regeneration, rebirth and adopted as a solar symbol. Bears are known to protect their cubs with unrivalled ferocity, using all their strength and courage to protect their vulnerable offspring. The bear represents a symbol of the dreamtime, when we surrender to sleep and allow ourselves to be receptive and nurtured by the Great Mother. As the bear is a fierce and powerful fighter, its name was also adopted by kings and warriors.

Andarta godess of the bear

the biggest pro for christianity is that it preserved at least one mystery religion and several gods. i'm completely indifferent to the rest of it.

Bet you don't get any answers. except mine. Christians know nothing of God/Goddess combinations and the geographical areas of them.

This is the last hing a Christain would study.