| Jan 12, 2008 @ 12:41 AM |
What is a Pagan?
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kjac
Posts: 8,163
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Simple question. What do they believe?
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| Jan 12, 2008 @ 9:52 AM |
What is a Pagan? |
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yashaenka
Posts: 8,236
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What is Paganism?
We have been getting this question a lot lately, in fact, it is the most common info request we receive ...so here ya go :-)
http://www.outofthedark.com/ this link takes you to Pagan.com and provides a set of definitions.
Sex, rock and roll, the dark side and the good times"
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| Jan 12, 2008 @ 10:02 AM |
What is a Pagan?
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hammertime
Posts: 14,071
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On Long Island NY is a motorcycle gang called The Pagans. Wild bunch of dudes trying to out do the Hell's Angels.
An interesting movie about Paganism I recently saw is The Wicker Man (1973). Worth watching, with Edward Woodward, Christopher Lee and a really hot Britt Ekland. There is a new version of the movie with Nicolas Cage, its OK but I like the original much better. I don't think the movies accurately depicts what Paganism was really about. Yes, there was human sacrifices but Christians have their own human sacrifice too as the mass celebrates this every time in the symbolic eating of the flesh which is an act of cannibalism.
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| Jan 15, 2008 @ 1:21 PM |
What is a Pagan? |
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FunkyMonkey68
Posts: 450
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What is Paganism?
A brief introduction
Paganism is a spiritual way of life which has its roots in the ancient nature religions of the world. It is principally rooted in the old religions of Europe, though some adherents also find great worth in the indigenous beliefs of other countries. Such belief in the sacredness of all things can be found world-wide. Pagans see this as their heritage, and retain the beliefs and values of their ancestors in forms adapted to suit modern life. We celebrate the sanctity of Nature, revering the Divine in all things; the vast, unknowable spirit that runs through the universe, both seen and unseen.
Pagans honour the Divine in all its aspects, whether male or female, as parts of the sacred whole. Every man and woman is, to a Pagan, a beautiful and unique being. Children are loved and honoured and there is a strong sense of community. The woods and open spaces of the land, home to wild animals and birds, are cherished. Paganism stresses personal spiritual experience, and Pagans often find that experience through their relationship with the natural world that they love. We seek spiritual union with Divinity by attuning with the tides of Nature and by exploring our inner selves, seeing each reflected in the other. We believe that we should meet the Divine face to face, within our own experience, rather than through an intermediary. Although some paths do have leaders and teachers, these people act as facilitators, using their own wisdom and experience to help guide those in their care towards discovering their own sense and interpretation of the Divine. Our rites help us harmonise with the natural cycles, and so they are often held at the turning points of the seasons, at the phases of the moon and sun, and at times of transition in our lives.
There is a great variety of traditions within the broad spectrum of Paganism. This reflects the range of our spiritual experience, for we believe that everyone is unique, and so everyone's spirituality must be equally unique. Some Pagans follow multiple Gods and Goddesses, their names familiar to all from the pages of European folklore and mythology: others focus on a single Life Force of no specific gender; yet others devote themselves to a cosmic couple - Goddess and God, or Lord and Lady. We celebrate our diversity for we believe that each person should find their spirituality according to the dictates of the quiet, inner voice of their own soul. For this reason we respect all sincere religions, and do not proselytise or seek converts. From other faiths and from society generally, we ask only tolerance.
In these days of environmental concern and eco-awareness, Pagans are often at the forefront of Green awareness. Pagans of all paths respect the rights of every living soul, whether human, animal, plant or rock. We are ever mindful of the actions of cause and effect, whether by thought or deed, upon the creatures of the Earth. We encourage free thought, creative imagination and practical human resourcefulness, believing these to be fundamental to our spending our lives in harmony with the rhythms of the natural world. We rejoice that some of our personal beliefs should now be shared by so many other people. These beliefs are the heritage of all people from our distant and common ancestors - they are equally the concern of all our descendants.
http://www.paganfederation.org/paganism.htm
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| Jan 15, 2008 @ 1:26 PM |
What is a Pagan?
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Blondino
Posts: 4,553
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It would seem to depend on where you live as to what your definition is
# heathen: a person who does not acknowledge your god
# a person who follows a polytheistic or pre-Christian religion (not a Christian or Muslim or Jew)
# heathen: not acknowledging the God of Christianity and Judaism and Islam
# hedonist: someone motivated by desires for sensual pleasures
1. One who is not a Christian, Muslim, or Jew, especially a worshiper of a polytheistic religion.
2. One who has no religion.
3. A non-Christian.
4. A hedonist.
5. A Neo-Pagan.
adj.
1. Not Christian, Muslim, or Jewish.
2. Professing no religion; heathen.
3. Neo-Pagan.
Paganism (from Latin paganus, meaning "an old country dweller, rustic") is a term which, from a Western perspective, has come to connote a broad set of spiritual or cultic practices or beliefs of any folk religion, and of historical and contemporary polytheism religions in particular.
Everybody has their favorite definition of the word "Pagan." Most people are convinced that their meaning is the correct one. But no consensus exists, even within a single faith tradition or religion as to the "correct" definition of "Pagan." The same problem happens with the definition of "Christianity," and probably with many other religion
Most modern Pagan sources interpret the word to have meant "rustic," "hick," or "country bumpkin" -- a pejorative term. The implication was that Christians used the term to ridicule country folk who tenaciously held on to what the Christians considered old-fashioned, outmoded Pagan beliefs. Those in the country were much slower in adopting the new religion of Christianity than were the city folks. They still followed the Greek state religion, Roman state religion, Mithraism, various mystery religions, etc., long after those in urban areas had converted.
bullet Some believe that in the early Roman Empire, "paganus" came to mean "civilian" as opposed to "military." Christians often called themselves "miles Christi" (Soldiers of Christ). The non-Christians became "pagani" -- non-soldiers or civilians. No denigration would be implied.
bullet C. Mohrmann suggests that the general meaning was any "outsider," -- a neutral term -- and that the other meanings, "civilian" and "hick," were merely specialized uses of the term. 17
take your pick 
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| Jan 15, 2008 @ 1:29 PM |
What is a Pagan? |
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yashaenka
Posts: 8,236
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Pantheism, Shintoism, Taoism and other beliefs all point to nature as being a part of all that there is without Pagan rituals.
But if you review the Earth Based religions of old such a Devil worship and other such forms you will find Paganism there.
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| Jan 15, 2008 @ 1:42 PM |
What is a Pagan?
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Blondino
Posts: 4,553
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In English the word is a "skunk " word ... or means different things to different people .. no general accepted use  most people do not know this, and naturally assume that the meaning that they have been taught is universally accepted
(By the third century CE, its meaning evolved to include all non-Christians. Eventually, it became an evil term that implied the possibility of Satan worship. )
many Wiccans, Neopagans, and others regularly use the terms "Pagan" and "Paganism" to describe themselves. Everyone should be free to continue whatever definitions that they wish. However, the possibility of major confusion exists -- particularly if one is talking to a general audience. When addressing non-Wiccans or non-Neopagans, it is important that the term be carefully defined in advance, or that
bullet Its meaning is clearly understandable from the text's context.
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| Jan 15, 2008 @ 7:39 PM |
What is a Pagan? |
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FunkyMonkey68
Posts: 450
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Pagan Misconception #1
Pagan religions tend to be prone to misunderstandings or misrepresentations by other religions. There are many stories, myths and comparisons that are made up to perpetuate the idea that Paganism is wrong. Whether this intentional or not, it creates many problems for Pagan religions in moving forward in the public’s eye to be considered a legitimate religion. I am going to spend the next few posts exploring some of the myths and misconceptions regarding modern Pagan religions.
Myth #1 – Pagans Worship The Devil
One of the top myths that I see talked about is that some religions state that Paganism equals devil worship, specifically Satan worship. On many Pagan websites, the first thing that you will see is a disclaimer stating that the occupants of the site do not adhere to Satanic beliefs as a way to get past this false belief. They dispel this myth by pointing out that Satan is a figure in the Christian religion and is therefore not something they believe in. But it seems there is more to this misconception then meets the eye – it includes Pagans spreading these types of myths, too. Let me explain.
While it is fair to say that Pagans are not Satanic, one site I found says that when Pagans try to use this as their reason, they have to remember that Pagans could be misrepresenting Satanism. Satanism, while having its roots in Christianity, is not part of the Christian religion. When Pagans try to debunk the whole Pagans as Satanism as Christianity, they are also creating misconceptions. I think that it is fair to say that if you don’t want your religion misrepresented, it is necessary to understand how you are representing a religion that is not your own and be aware that you, too, may be creating misconceptions.
While Paganism-is-not-Satanism-by-way-of-Christianity seems to be the top defense in debunking this myth, there is another one that I noticed. While looking around to see what some sites had to say about this particular myth, I noticed that one site goes beyond the above misrepresentation. About.com’s Pagan/Wiccan site mentions that not only are Pagans not Satanists because they don’t believe in the Christian idea of Satan, but also because they don’t do summon demons to work for them. From my understanding of Satanism, Satanist don’t do this either.
Instead of creating more religious misconceptions, I think that a fair way to deal with this myth would be to state that Paganism is not Satanism and that Satanists have their own beliefs. I think that it is necessary to leave out explaining this myth away by using an interpretation of the beliefs of others. I would rather see explanations of what Pagans believe rather than what they don’t.
In the end, it is true that Paganism does not equal Satanic practice and people who perpetuate this myth should stop passing this off as truth. However, it is also true that how the Pagan community deals with this particular myth could have an impact on how other religions are viewed and it needs to be addressed as well. We all need to be careful when we are discussing another's set of beliefs.
http://pagansojourn.blogspot.com/2006/07/pagan-misconception-1.html
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| Jan 15, 2008 @ 8:09 PM |
What is a Pagan?
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kattsmeow
Posts: 22,625
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Funky, what about "white magic"? Is there a such thing as White Witches?
Are there spells involved?
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| Jan 16, 2008 @ 8:46 AM |
What is a Pagan? |
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FunkyMonkey68
Posts: 450
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Kitty Katt... With everything it depends on how you use something.
But from what I have learned it is neither black nor white. Wicca - a religion that follows a nature loving path. But some stray and try and do harm. As it is with all religions. Not everyones intentions are honorable or true. If a person wants to wish harm on someone, then that is a negative/dark thing.. I know you get my drift. I believe though.. what a person puts out into the heavens.. comes back to them.. good or bad. So if it is a bad/negative thing, it will come back three times as hard as it was sent out. Same as good.
I think a person of religious beliefs that does not follow the mainstream are gonna get slammed and picked apart on this board. So I was just trying to put up information, that is why I posted addys to the sights I got the info from. I am trying and keep my opinion about it to myself. Even though you know where I am at in my beliefs.
This thread has been civil and it is nice.. maybe I am just scared from reading the political board and am gun shy about posting on here. Also, my feathers can get ruffled and I don't want that to happen. 
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| Jan 16, 2008 @ 9:04 AM |
What is a Pagan?
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yashaenka
Posts: 8,236
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I do not think that any practice that is attuned to nature, being one with it is Pagan. Unless of course one makes blood sacrifices. Praying to any deity external to you is just like praying to God or Jesus external to you. When in reality all prayer begins and ends inside you, does it not. In earth based religions like Japanese Shinto they have deities for all things, even Kami's [soul and spirit] of a tree for example. I just take that form to be a more specific form of prayer rather than a more general one.
If one prays to a deity and ask for forgiveness are they not really asking their selves to forgive their selves?
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| Jan 16, 2008 @ 9:18 AM |
What is a Pagan? |
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hammertime
Posts: 14,071
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What is Pagan is a very broad question. There are several forms of Wicca. There are Gardenian paths which was founded by Gerald Gardner of the British tradition. There are the Celtic and Dianic traditions where probably the beliefs in earth spirits such as trolls (not the Seal or Jankia kind) and leprechauns came from. There are numerous denominations but their core beliefs are similar in that they are earth based and nature worshipers. There are male and female aspects in nature and these traditions are found in the agricultural cultures. The cycles of the seasons were celebrated in what is called Samhain day. This predates All Saints day and Halloween. The God and Goddess are worshiped and so there is Priest and Priestess often officiating at these ceremonies. Our expressions of "Mother Earth" is from this traditions where is sees earth as a womb. Some Wiccian coverns (congregations) are female only.
Wiccans have a moral and ethical code based on the Wiccan Rede, An it harm none, do what ye will which means do as you will as long as no harm is done. Its a live and let live philosophy where all should be living in harmony and peace. This is similar to Jesus' golden rule, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" which many Christians ignore. There is also the Law of Three which sounds similar to Karma. What you do others you get back threefold. That means if you harm another you will suffer three times what they suffering. This also applies to doing good.
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| Jan 16, 2008 @ 12:13 PM |
What is a Pagan?
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yashaenka
Posts: 8,236
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This is like saying Eastern Mysticism is Mystical, while in fact it is practical.
Monotheism is really the religions that are Mystical because they claim something that cannot be proven, requiring a blind faith in a mystical being.
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| Jan 16, 2008 @ 12:20 PM |
What is a Pagan? |
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kattsmeow
Posts: 22,625
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There is also the Law of Three which sounds similar to Karma. What you do others you get back threefold. That means if you harm another you will suffer three times what they suffering. This also applies to doing good.
That must be a universal thing. My mother used to tell me this all the time.
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