Basically, what do Pagans believe? Are Pagans & Wiccans the same? Do all Pagans believe the same way?

Question

Just asking in innocence and curiosity, here. Not looking for any debates about why Christianity is better.

Unbelievable. This is the first time that everyone has such thorough information (well... except for that Zeus guy) that I truly cannot choose a "best"! I'm leaving it up to your fellow Wiccans, Pagans and interested people to pick their faves. Thank you so much for informing me so well! =)

Answer 1

Pagan is a general, catch-all word used to describe those who follow a religion that is not modern Christianity, Judeoism, Islam, Hindu or Buddism. (Yes, I know I spelled two of those wrong, I appologize.) Those who worship the various "ancient" pantheons of deities (Greek, Roman, Egyptian, Celtic, Native American, Japanese, Chinese, African) and those who "worship" the primortial forces of life, death, time, the four elements, etc. are normally labeled "pagan". Also, those who follow older versions of Christianity or Judeoism (using much older versions of the modern day holy books or texts considered "blasphamous" by those in charge), or those who mix elements of many different religions to fit their own personalities are sometimes called pagans.

Unlike the five major religions, very few pagan religions have written doctorine, codified expectations/contracts between the divine and mortals, or worship guide-lines that must be met. The only thing that has to be done, really, is be mindful of your god(s) and the forces around you, and do as you feel you need to do with in the limits of sound judgement and Natural and mortal law (there is no sacrificing of babies or virgins to appease spirits, despite what Hollywood wants you think).

Generally, most people who are labled "pagan" are not bothered with it, as some don't really have a word (nor do some want a word) to describe themselves and their believes, while many more would just rather not take the time to explain what they exactly do (not out of shame or embarassment, but because it tends to confuse people; no two pagans worship the same things in the same way or even for the same reasons).

Wiccans are pagans, but not ALL pagans are Wiccans. Wicca is an earth-based religion, in that their religion is centered around the concepts of the Earth Mother, who loves and nurtures her children (all creation), and other etheral personifications of the four Seasons, the four elements, time, life and death. (I am not a wiccan myself, but I have a wiccan friend and that was his 'in lay-men's terms' explaination).

For more specifice answers (if you are in college or a really open minded high-school), visit your local Pagan Club and ask the members there for details. Though many will be open and do their best to answer your questions, there are still a lot of pagans who do not trust "non-pagans" because they are afriad of being harassed because of their beliefs. Though people are not hung or burned for their believes as they used to be, some pagans have suffered discrimination and abuse for openly expressing their believes and in a few cases children of pagan couples have been taken and placed into foster homes for years because their religion is seen as "harmful and neglectful to children".

This believe steams from the "no written doctorine" line above as well as the fact that until recently (the birth of Christianity and spread of Buddism), very few religions had a clear-cut moral code (ie a list of good things one can do and a list of bad things one can do in the eyes of God, who determined where you went after death). Ancient religions did not have to spell out everything to their worshippers as the main rule in their worship was "follow the laws of nature and of man", which pretty much covered the "do not kill", "honor they parents", "don't steal", so forth and so on. Also, in very few ancient religions did the gods have any say in what happened to man-kind after death. Death was a primortal force the gods had little control over or contact with, so it was up to man to determine what happened to him when he was beyond the reach of the gods, and he could only do that by ensure he "followed the laws of nature and of man" while alive.

~~ Abaddon

Answer 2

Atheism quite does not have some thing to do with Paganism or Wicca on account that Atheism is the loss of perception in any greater vigor or supernatural forces and Pagans and Wiccans for probably the most facet do worship God(s) and think in supernatural forces. Witchcraft would possibly or might not be a facet of 1's practices. It relies. Some train witchcraft, a few do not. Pagan is an umbrella time period for a vast sort of religious paths which are deemed "Earth-headquartered", "reconstructionalist", and/or "New Age". So to explain what Pagans think could be tough considering now not all Pagans think within the equal factor. For illustration I am a Heathen/Norse Pagan....I worship the Norse Gods, am a polytheist, and my course is recon-encouraged alternatively than strictly recon. And sure I am additionally a witch. Wiccans worship a God and a Goddess and revere nature. They rejoice the cycles of the seasons in what they name the Wheel of the Year. That's an excessively simplistic definition however I'm definite the Wiccans right here can intricate additional.

Answer 3

Basicaly Wicca is a religion that is a Pagan way of belief, and no they are not the same per say. You can be Pagan and not be Wiccan, but Wicca is just one of many New Age Pagan religions. I personally worship Gaea (Mother Earth is what most people know her as) and The Creator (the being that created all of this existance including Gaea), but many of my Pagan friends pay homage to other gods and goddesses. We all basicaly try to do positive things instead of focusing in on the negative things around us, but I would give the shirt off my back to some one if they need it; most of us are good people and want to help others if we can. There are very few that worship the darker dieties of pre Christian Eroupe, but they are out their trying to prove how powerful they are. This howerver is not the majority of Pagans just like the majority of Christians are not Bible thumpers, but they are both out there and we have to live with that simple fact even if it makes us uneasy. I appriciate your honesty and respect for other peoples religious beliefs, and hopefully my answer is not to confusing or long winded for anyone. Sorry in advance if it is.

Blessed Be

24 y.o. Pagan College Student

Answer 4

http://www.sacredhearth.com/whatispagan.html
No, we don't all believe the same.
Wicca is a specific sect of Paganism, like Presbyterian is a specific sect of Christianity. All Wiccans are Pagan, not all Pagans are Wiccan.

Answer 5

"Pagan" is a blanket term - technically, it probably includes all non-Christians, from atheists to Hindus. Even "Wiccan" isn't specific - there's a lot of variation. That said, most Wiccans have a number of beliefs in common.

Answer 6

No, "Pagan" is a very general term for someone of any religion EXCEPT Christianity, Judaism, and Islam.

Answer 7

I agree with with the answer above me.