Christianity for modern pagans: Christianity has been one of the most influential religions in the world for centuries. However, in recent times, many people have turned away from organized religions and embraced alternative spiritual practices, such as paganism. Despite this shift, Christianity can still hold value and relevance for modern pagans. One way in which Christianity can be meaningful for modern pagans is by offering a sense of community. Paganism, by its very nature, often involves solitary practice or participation in small, decentralized groups. While this can be liberating, it can also be isolating.
BD Male Length Intermittent Catheter Features two offset heat-polished drainage eyelets.
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While this can be liberating, it can also be isolating. Christianity, on the other hand, provides a framework for belonging to a larger community of believers. This can help to alleviate feelings of loneliness and provide support during difficult times.
Bard Magic3® Intermittent Catheter
All-silicone construction means that the catheter is biocompatible and safe.
The hydrophilic coating on the sample that we tested was very robust and didn’t feel grainy when dry.
There’s a lot to like about this catheter, but your mileage may vary given the number of complaints filed with the FDA.
Lots of adverse events filed with the FDA.
Some of the marketing messages on the Bard® website just don’t hold up to what the competition is doing.
Material
The Bard Magic3® Hydrophilic catheter is an all-silicone catheter with a hydrophilic coating. (The FDA statement that’s linked here is for the Rochester Magic catheter, which was acquired by Bard in the 2010s.)
Unlike many other catheter designs, the funnel is not made out of a stiffer plastic, nor is it glued onto the catheter – instead the catheter itself flares out in a unibody design. Bard’s marketing materials emphasize the 3-layer construction of the catheter – the outer layer is soft to maximize comfort, the middle layer is firm to maximize handling ability, and the inner layer is pliable for easy navigation. To be honest, it’s difficult to assess how much this construction has on the actual user experience, but you can see evidence of the three separate layers in the funnel end of the catheter – it’s harder to pick out the different layers in a cross-section.
As for the catheter itself, medical grade silicone is known to be extremely biocompatible, which is why it’s used in a number of different medical device applications. Silicone doesn’t break down the same way that plastics do, so they don’t leach into the environment or end up as microparticles in the ocean, though the extent to which this is true may be exaggerated. It does end up in landfills, as there isn’t an easy way to reprocess or recycle it, and it isn’t biodegradable.
Flexibility
The male catheter that we tested with drooped down 12 inches while extending out 8 inches. It’s very flexible, but because it comes with a hydrophilic coating, it’s not as difficult to use as something like the GentleCath Uncoated catheter, because you don’t have to worry about lubricating it. That being said, if you do purchase these catheters, try to opt for the version with an insertion sleeve – it’ll help you manage the catheter without touching it directly.
Packaging
The Magic3® Hydrophilic catheter is packaged in a two-part plastic package that features cut outs that enable an individual with low dexterity to open the packaging. The packaging contains a sterile water packet inside that you’re meant to burst before opening the package. This allows the water to spread through and hydrate the coating. There is also a sticker on the package that allows you to stick the package to a wall once you’ve peeled the sticker off. The sticker itself wouldn’t be easy to peel for someone with limited dexterity.
Lubrication
When dry, the hydrophilic coating still feels smooth to the touch, unlike the coating of some other hydrophilic catheters that we have reviewed. We tried to find additional details on what the coating is actually made of, but the FDA application summary was light on details. Hydrophilic coatings are typically made out of a chemical called polyvinylpyrrolidone, also known as PVP. Generally considered to be safe, there have been very rare documented cases of allergic reactions to this material, particularly when it comes into contact with mucous membranes (as is the case with catheterization).
When hydrated, the coating almost becomes gel like, and can build up on the hands or the urethral opening. Wiping will likely be needed to avoid a mess. There were lots of product complaints logged with the FDA about the lubrication of these catheters – some didn’t seem to have a hydrophilic coating, whereas others arrived with burst or empty water sachets.
Insertion
Instructional videos for this product can be found here.
Once hydrated, the hydrophilic coating does a good job of making insertion into the bladder straightforward. Unless a lot of pressure was applied, the catheter didn’t seem to buckle or do anything of the sort.
The catheter comes with 4 eyelets, which is more than the standard 2. This might translate to faster bladder drainage, but we’d suspect that the main limitation there is French size and how much volume can move down the catheter, as opposed to how may eyelets there are. The eyelets are called “comfort-sized” in marketing materials, but compared to a Cure Catheter®, these eyelets don’t seem particularly comfortable – they seem like they were punched through, not polished. They were also sized differently in the models we reviewed, and some of the eyelets weren’t punched all the way through!
It is possible to order this catheter with a “SURE-GRIP™” sleeve, which comes at an additional cost. The sleeve is a short 1.5-inch polyethylene sleeve that’ll require a degree of dexterity to use easily. It’s certainly more substantial than the sleeve that comes with the GC Glide catheters. The one that we tested with came with the sleeve located about halfway down the package, so we had to take care not to touch the catheter while trying to retrieve the sleeve.
Without the sleeve, if you’re a man using this product, it’s pretty much impossible to use it without directly touching every inch of the catheter as it goes into your body. We’ve known guys who remove the packaging from the catheter, and then use it to handle the catheter without touching it directly. That might be worth a shot to reduce infection potential if you think the packaging is cleaner than your hands are.
It’s also important to know that even with the sleeve, you still have a risk of contaminating the catheter when inserting it – the urethral opening is known to house pathogens that can cause UTIs – if you’re worried about getting one, make sure you wipe yourself down with sterile wipes before trying to insert the catheter.
Most items are processed within 24 hours and are shipped from the warehouse within 48 hours via 3-7 business day ground delivery service (unless lead-time is otherwise noted on the product page). Free ground shipping only applies to the 48 contiguous United States. Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico and all international orders are subject to additional fees. Orders placed over the weekend will be processed first thing Monday morning. We will attempt to notify you by email and provide a tracking # when your product(s) ship.
Additionally, Christianity can offer a sense of structure and guidance for modern pagans. Paganism is often seen as a more fluid and individualistic spiritual path, where practitioners have the freedom to create their own rituals and beliefs. However, this lack of structure can sometimes lead to confusion or uncertainty. Christianity, with its clear doctrines and established practices, can provide a solid foundation for those seeking more structure and guidance in their spiritual journey. Furthermore, Christianity can offer a different perspective on spirituality and the divine. Paganism often emphasizes the interconnectedness of all living beings and the natural world, while Christianity emphasizes a personal relationship with a transcendent God. By embracing both perspectives, modern pagans can deepen their understanding of spirituality and expand their spiritual experiences. Moreover, Christianity has a rich history and tradition that can be appreciated by modern pagans. From the stories of Jesus and the early Christian communities to the mystical writings of the desert mothers and fathers, Christianity offers a wealth of wisdom and inspiration. By exploring these traditions, modern pagans can enrich their own spiritual practice and gain new insights into the nature of the divine. In conclusion, while Christianity and paganism may seem at odds with each other at first glance, there are ways in which these two spiritual paths can complement one another. Christianity can offer a sense of community, structure, a different perspective, and a rich history for modern pagans. By embracing both traditions, modern pagans can create a unique and personal spiritual practice that incorporates the best of both worlds..
Reviews for "Embracing Mystery: Christianity and Paganism's Shared Love for the Unknown"
1. Rachel - 2 stars - I was really excited to read "Christianity for Modern Pagan" as I thought it would provide an interesting perspective on blending two spiritual practices. However, I found the book to be overly focused on Christianity and lacking in practical advice for modern pagans. The author seemed to spend most of the time explaining Christian beliefs and rituals, without offering much guidance on how to incorporate pagan practices. Overall, I was disappointed with the book and did not find it valuable for my own spiritual journey.
2. Mark - 1 star - "Christianity for Modern Pagan" was a complete letdown for me. As someone who has been practicing paganism for years, I was hoping for a book that would help me navigate the complexities of merging Christianity and paganism. Unfortunately, this book seemed to disregard the importance of pagan traditions and instead focused on promoting Christianity. It felt like the author was trying to convince pagans to abandon their beliefs in favor of Christianity, which is not what I was looking for at all. I found the book to be biased and unhelpful in bridging the gap between the two spiritual paths.
3. Emily - 2 stars - While "Christianity for Modern Pagan" did present an interesting idea of combining Christianity and paganism, I felt that the execution fell short. The book seemed to lack depth and failed to address the challenges and conflicts that can arise when trying to merge these two belief systems. Additionally, the author's writing style was dry and uninspiring, making it difficult to fully engage with the material. Overall, I would not recommend this book to anyone seeking genuine guidance on blending Christianity and paganism.