You asked some questions about Christianity which I think are important to clarify. First of all, rather than say “Christianity teaches that anything not of its faith is evil” I would rephrase to say “Anything not of God is evil.” My reason for that difference is because God is–and has been throughout the history of the humanity–actively revealing Himself to us all. So it is not surprising then that all cultures and religions have adopted aspects of His truth. I think all religions have this underlying sense that humanity is incomplete or imperfect. That is clearly something that God has revealed to us. Just because other religions also acknowledge the imperfection of humanity does not mean then that Christians reject that as evil. But the different ways that other religions, worldviews and cultures attempt to address and correct those imperfections may run contrary to what God has revealed. In fact, I think that is the most significant argument for Christianity as true because all other religions, worldviews, cultures etc. recommend something for humans to do in order to deal with their own personal or corporate imperfections. Jesus said that He is the only way to deal with those imperfections and to have relationship with God. His death paid the penalty for those imperfections on our behalf so that now we can stand before God pure, without any imperfection. Followers of Jesus put their trust in His death rather than anything that they can do, or any enlightenment that they can achieve, or any other means of paying for their own imperfection. It’s uniqueness at least encourages closer investigation to discern it truth.

You also refer to the way Christians have adopted pagan rituals and holidays. While I know of some Christians who would agree with you and do not celebrate those holidays, in most cases, the intent behind taking those holidays and making them Christian was out of a desire to show how Christ has taken our lives which were trapped in a rebellion against God and redeemed them for the purposes of God. Those holidays really become an example of what has happened in the life of a follower of Jesus: once they were opposed to God and lived life for their own purpose, but now Jesus has died for them and adopted them into His family so they are now set apart for the purposes of God and reveal His transforming power.

You also identified two teachings that you claim are not in the Bible. There I would have to disagree with you. First Hell is a reality referred to throughout the Bible. There are different names that are used to refer to Hell–Abbadon, Hades, Lake of Fire, etc.–but there is no question that it is a literal place that is characterized by torment due to the complete absence of God and His goodness and love.

Secondly, you also suggest that “Trinity” is a foreign concept in the Bible. While it is true the word ‘Trinity’ is never used in the Bible the idea of one God existing in Three Persons–God the Father, God the Son (Jesus) and God the Holy Spirit–is the way that He has revealed Himself in the Bible. Just a few references would be Matthew 28:19 where Jesus Himself instructs His disciples to baptize people “in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit”. Another is 2Corinthians 13:14 where Paul closes his letter with “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.” Another is found in Hebrews 9:14 which talks about how Jesus’ death pays the penalty of our sin, “how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” I could go on but suffice it to say that God has clearly revealed Himself in the Bible as 1 God existing as 3 persons.

Let me suggest that you take your wonderful persistence and intellectual
curiosity and invest it in the book I mentioned to you back in January, Hamlet Made Simple and Other Essays. If you look closely you’ll find a
an exposition of Shakespeare’s paganism and the nature of Wyrd. Trying to express those ideas in abbreviated form here would not accomplish very much. True learning lies in the big books, Jamie, not in sound bites online. If we are willing to enter into serious dialogue with literature, we discover things and change. That’s my counsel and my hope for you. Sincerely, Dave Gontar

And harme ye none, do as ye will? We are clearly told not to align with evil forces.

As for Christianity, it teaches that anything not of it’s faith is evil. In that case, why the adoption of pagan holidays? Why the teaching of things not in the Bible, such as Hell, and trinity? They just aren’t in there.

Thanks for your question about Shakespeare. There are,
of course, many aspects of his writing which play a part
in his popularity. First is his poetry and incomparable
use of language. No has has ever assembled elements of
English which have such power to affect and move us. Second
is his unrivalled insight into the human soul. His
psychological vision and understanding have made him vastly
influential not just in literature but in psychology as well.
Sigmund Freud, for example, wrote under the sway of Shakespeare’s
insights. Third is his compassion and moral strength making
him a first class source of happiness and moral improvement.
Finally we find his religious depth which, from the point of view
of paganism, reflects his fascination with the gods and the ancient
concept of Wyrd (as evidenced by the “weird sisters” in Macbeth and
his constant use of synchronicity. All of these wonderful dimensions
of Shakespeare’s art have always placed him at the top of the
leader board when it comes to transformative capacity and reader
satisfaction. Hope this helps. In my latest book, HAMLET MADE SIMPLE AND OTHER ESSAYS I attempt to address and explain all this. I have studied
Shakespeare each day for over 20 years.

Best wishes,

Dave Gontar