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To me, not at all, but then I don't follow an organised religious belief system. It depends on what you believe in. Basically, it is a point which you use as a focus so contains things which are meaningful for you and what you are trying to focus on.

I really haven't thought about it.I guess t depends on your beliefs

and alter is a tool kind a like a help to keep everything all at the same place and purify place, a place that all the things are kept and place all together where all is also kept away from the everyday things like the kitchen table or the desk in the bedroom, or the bathroom tub....trust me I am speaking out of experience lol. So yes an altar is important

I personally dont think an altar is as important as people think they are, yes it would be nice to have a seperate place to worship but if you do not have the room then anything could be used as an altar, alot of people use wooden trunks for altars that way you could set your altar up then when your done you can put all the thinks you put on your altar back in the trunk and it gives you more room, but if you have the space then i think it would be a good idea to set up a good altar somewhere in your house...

i think that altars have always played a role in cultural history from the times of rome untill current day.
i think havving a altar and it coinciding with ones religious beliefs would be quite beneficial.
i personally have 3 altars but one is a travel altar the size of a jewelry box that contains symbols,candles,incents..it is quite handy when not wanting to be obvious as some people fear when they see a altar.it is always helpfull to ones practices i feel.

The alter that I have set up, is for helping me focus... it is for remembrance and guidance of the god and the goddess, so for me it does have significance... it all comes down to your own personal beliefs and how you worship.. if you do at all...

I never use an alter, i just dont have ther room for one, I have not had any difficulty with out one though, as for its importance in history? I am sure there were those that used them all the time, as part of their ritual ceremonies or for everyday use. Just as well, I am sure there are those that did not use them. I guess its important only to those that think it is. a personal prefrence if you will.

Well altars can be important depending on how the person. How are you defining altars in your question though because technically the symbols set out by most religions in their holy places could be considered altars depending on how you look at it.
I mainly see them as purified places that act as focuses for whatever intent you set them up for.

It is all up to each individual and their own beliefs...It is not needed...Humans love rituals and things, it is always about the Energy...How One is able to work with it, is up to them....

as for myself, i feel a altar is good well will be good, and it helps reprsent and presents dedication and belief

If you notice in history what ever worship you wish to look at.. most have a central place the head person keeps their tools for the service on.. they and the place they rest are special.

Now do I think a personal one is important.. yes.. and no.

I do think they are usful as has been said to keep things together and ready. But I do not think its a necessity to have a table or some such where they are displayed. All my things for my God and GOddess are in one of three places .. depending on what it is and how offten I need it as not all tools are used each time you call on them. And some things like say herbs.. keep better in some places... I have a nice dark chest for my herbs and oils and etc.. a very nice three shelve glass display case for every thing else other than the blades I use.. they I keep in of al things a gun safe lol they are very sharp so I don't want anyone doing something stupid and hurting themselves.

The altar serves as a sacred place where you can perform your magic spells undisturbed. The meaning of the word altar is "high place" which indicates the most important aspect of the altar - to serve as a connection point between you and the divine. Spiritually, your altar should express and encourage a personal relationship with divine consciousness, deities, or concepts

For me personally, I dont find them to be of any real importance as I dont follow any real religion. However, as a tool to help channel your thoughts etc.. they have many benefits.

An alter is a focal point and container for magickal energies, a reminder of your ideals, an echo of your beliefs and wishes, and a Home for the Divine. While helpful, they are not necessary. Having lived the majority of my life with people who could neither understand or accept my magick, I have learned to function without one.

I guess it does have alot to do with your beliefs.

I use an altar for a focal point to harness energy and to reflect / meditate.

Altars have been used throughout history and in most cultures as a focal point for worship.

I dont find it important at all.

to me an altar is just a symbol. but symbols do have power. just look at catholics and the crucifix. or muslims and the moon. all in all to me an altar is just a symbol who gets its meaning from those who worship at it.

it depends to me, it depends on the beliefe and the offering that u want to do, for instance if i want to set up and offering of fruit to artimis, (i know i spelled that wrong) then i would have a silver candle at the top to represent her with her name on it lit insents lit and something to represent each of the elements on the talbe (a bowl of water for water, a bolw of salt for earth, candle for fire, and another incent for air) and then say a little prayre

it is also good to make your own wand

I had a friend who used to set up his altar right near the front door- that way, when the Jehovah's witness guys came around, they didn't want to come in...lol

My alter is a tool I use to focus my energies and help me to visualise what I want or need. Also it is a way for me to honour my chosen goddess and god.

As for history, as far as I know it has always been used for the same thing. To pay homage to your chosen god or goddess and as a tool to help focus your mind on what you are asking for.

I dont personally believe that an altar is important. I dont think you need anything to worship anything, apart from yourself.

Same with Church, I dont believe you have to go to church to prey, or be a holy person.

i feel a altar is just ones personal space that is set aside for things that one can keep sacred and it lets them get away from the daily lives..not necessarily asociated with church just a way for an individual to have personal space with the deities and or objects of their focus.

many cultures believe to have an altar in a place of worship is the same as being able to STRONGLY focus energies of your choice on those items, and i do believe that an alter is essential to a life of focus,power,and prayer, I am of the kiva people and being a native woman my people used altars inside these special living structures over eons of time, but to each his own, if an alter is not respected by others,do not put it where it will be disrespected,,,,,,,,,,,be well

I do think an Altar is impotant but you don't neccessarily need one. But when doing Witchcraft its good to have a devotional altar as it is there as a sort of Pschic pit stop.

For me i keep an altar with my working tools on but my altar changes all the time, i usually have objects on there that have a meaning to me, I try to keep a theme going, and usually put everything away when i'm finished, i don't mind people seeing my Altar i just don't want them touching anything. I use images and objects related to Gods and Goddess' when i invoke them depending on what spell i am casting.

they are of use, but its not neccesary

I think it`s not necessary, but it`sa very nice and traditional thing and for learning witches it is good.

My altar is my own personal space. It is a place where I meditate and when I cast a circle it is my own private santuany where I have built up my own personal energy.

I don't feel it's important or needed at all but that's just me...

There are some spells, rituals and groups that use natural landmarks or astronomical bodies as alters. This would include the use of a visible mountain, the sun, the moon or a constellation as a means of focus and direction. It is not necessary that one keep a physical constructed alter or to necessarily dedicate such a construct to a particular god. Wicca and other neo pagan groups often use these as a way of building focus and maintaining a proper respect of surrounding but these religions borrow heavily from earlier pagan religions like the druids who were so in tune with nature that often nature was used as a focus or alter itself. It is the reason behind the ritual significance of certain trees, or fires burning of certain wood, certain plants and bushes that were viewed as sacred.

yeah it play important rolls in History ..even Vampire history ..

Ascension
Ascension is the name given to the ceremony wherein a person is formally accepted into a vampire pack. The ceremony begins with the fledgling approaching an altar in the company of one or two pack members. There, the Alpha Vampire reads a series of vows in Latin, which the fledgling repeats. The ceremony culminates with the Alpha biting the fledgling, usually on the wrist, and drinking some blood. The fledgling is then taken to a private chamber, where transformation takes place over the next 24 hours.
Ascension was set up as a way to formally reward fledglings, those humans who served a variety of functions to the pack.

( referenced from ) The Federal Vampire and Zombie Agency www.fza.org

im sure you dont need a alter but i think it is better

i use an alter and think it is needed as far as having a cleansed area for magicks and mediation.A safe area for lack of a better term.

ummmm Federal Vampire and Zombie Agency?

ps. www.fza.org is the website for "gathering-minds.net" so I'm assuming your real source is RPG.tv

my altar helps me focus and stay strong

It helps me to calm down when I go to my alter and relax

I think having an Altar is a very good to have. I can't have mine up right now due lack of space.

Some people go to church, temple, etc. For those of us that have no place to go the altars gives us a place to worship in our own homes.

Sorry its www.fvza.org

missed the v..sorry everyone

so do you feel that a altar is mainly a outter visual tool or do you look at an altar in havving a more deeper inner meaning..i know of some individuals who have a mental altar in which they visualize everything in their mind and thoughts rather than with touch and concious sight.i think either way an altar does have it's set of importance and does in fact play a role in current activities be it one way or another.

I think an alter is predominantly a focus. A way of bringing together your mind and spirit in a single direction for whatever purpose you are looking for. It can also be relatively symbolic as a way of setting aside a sacred place for your ritual free from daily emotions or distractions but that too is a form of focus.

this is intersting my alter is for guideance

I don't have an altar. The only one I worship at is at church. I do have spots I like to go to when I am looking for clarity.

yes i think they hold great significance in history and many use them to uphold their belives and to worship but i don't think they worship the altar i think they place offereing and pray towards the Altar as a passage way to allow their prayers to enter the heavens.