how many sects of paganism are there? i ask this because i dont know a lot about paganism?

Question

i have notived there are many gods in the pagan beliefs so i wonder if there is any sects of these pagans out there that may or may not speak of some older or unknown gods in the modern world or even worship the goddess Venus

10 points for best answer

Answer 1

There are thousands of different traditions. For a thorough but by no means complete list, go to http://www.witchvox.com/_x.html?c=trads

As for the larger blanket groups.
They would be
Hindu
Wicca
Druid
Asatru
Strega
Gypsy
Native American
Voudou
HooDoo
Santaria

There are more, but these are the most well known.

Answer 2

Well, considering that by definition, anyone who is not a Christian is technically a pagan, there is literally an almost infinite number of sects of paganism out there.

Generally, when people think "pagan" they tend to lump all of us together in the Wiccan/witch category, which is really not the case at all. Wiccans don't have to be witches, and witches don't have to be Wiccan (sorry to all you lovely warlocks out there for excluding you). Or the other category that we get herded into is "devil worshippers," which is ridiculous because most pagans don't believe in the Christian idea of the devil.

Many people who are classified as pagans worship different gods, goddesses, or a combination of the two. Typically, they have a healthy respect for nature and believe in doing no harm to others. Let me say however, that there are pagans who do not follow these tenets and embrace a wholly self-serving attitude. But whatever floats your religious boat folks.

As for worshipping the goddess Venus, I happen to know several Venusian followers. They are fablous people, and are a lot of fun to run around with for a weekend. They exhaust me however. I suppose I tend to be a bit more sedate.

In regards to older, unknown gods. Well, if we don't know about them, that doesn't mean they're not out there! If they speak to you, by all means listen. Just realize the difference between "voices in your head" and a "voice from the other". Paganism does not equal mental instability.

Answer 3

There are many different sects of pagan beliefs. Most worship many different Gods and Goddess. And yes the Goddess Venus is one.

Check out this link...it may answer some questions.

http://www.crystalinks.com/paganism.html

Answer 4

There are many sects of Paganism... To try to say how many, well, I don't think anybody knows.

There's Heathenry- Northern European based, includes Asatru, Odinism, others.
Stregheria- Italian Witchcraft- Venus would probably be in that pantheon.
Hellenismos- Revival of ancient Greek spirituality
Druidry- American and European- revival of ancient Celtic spirituality.
Wicca- Somewhat Celtic based with some Asian ideas thrown in. Codified by Gerald Gardner.
Kemeticsm- Revival of ancient Egyptian spirituality
Hermeticsm- A mystery religion includes Egyptian, Greek and some Kabbalist ideas.
Shamanism- A highly variable synchretic belief system that combines African, Native American and other spiritualities. It's really the method that defines things here.
Then, of course, there are African, Native American (Northern and Southern) belief systems which are variously named as well.

There are also many Christian synchretic religions, the most notable being Umbanda, Voodoo and Santeria.

Answer 5

Paganism is by definition any religion observed by peasants and farmers (which can include some Christian sects, btw).

However it it more commonly used to denote any polytheistic, nature based religion, generally claiming a pre-Christian heritage.

Those following an ancestral religion (such as Asatru, Shamanism, or Shinto) would more properly be called heathens, rather than pagans.

Answer 6

>>>christianity is the only religion that tries to force there beliefs onto others <<<

Wrong. When someone tells you what Christianity believes, who Jesus was, and invites you to explore those beliefs, it's not an act of "forcing" anything on you.

It's like if someone invites you to a party. If you don't want to go to the part, just say "no thanks." If someone invites you to a party that you don't want to go to, do you also accuse that person of trying to "force" you to go?

You seem to think that because someone is inviting you into something, to which you can simply say "no thanks," it's an act of the person somehow trying to "force" you to do it.

That makes you intellectually fragile, if you think that a simple invitation amounts to "force." I can't imagine what caused you to be so intellectually delicate.