As a pagan, am I not allowed to choose my beliefs? Why are my beliefs not as valid as those of a recognized religion? That gives people the right to tell me that my beliefs aren't good enough?
2006-07-31 18:35:56 · 17 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I'm from Canada.
2006-07-31 18:50:26 · update #1
Lets make this clear... I'm Canadian so all the USA Constitution stuff is useless to me... And all you GOD people please stop posting, you have the right to believe in your GOD but I don't believe in any GOD and I don't need you imposing your beliefs on me in my question. Thank you
2006-07-31 18:59:37 · update #2
And this isn't about Holidays. I only celebrate New years, Halloween, My Birthday, the Equinoxes and Solstices That's 6 days a year... less than most religions
2006-07-31 19:02:31 · update #3
You have every right to choose your beliefs. They are as valid as any other religions beliefs. However there are a lot of narrow minded people out there that think that there religion should be the only religion in the world. Pagans were around long before a lot of other religions so don't worry about it. You do what you think is right for you and ignore all the bigots.
2006-07-31 18:44:42 · answer #1 · answered by Mawyemsekhmet 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
As a Pagan, you have the right to celebrate Easter.
How many holidays do you want, anyway?
Pagan beliefs ARE valid, that's demonstrated by the modern
celebration of Easter having the bunny and the chicken. Bird
and Rabbit are based in Paganism and fully acceptable as
monikers for Easter in the modern day.
New beginnings and the idea of re-birth also come from Paganism.
Both of these are found throughout springtime celebrations
in many modern religions.
2006-07-31 18:56:55 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am a Pagan too, And hun no one can tell you what to believe and what not to!
Paganism/Wiccan is recognized by the army as a real religion. I have me a copy of my rights just incase I was to be hurrased by cops or something while doing a ceramony. You should think about getting you a copy as well :)
Your beliefs ARE good enough. I should know :)
I would have never converted if I didnt think it was. I am a "See it to believe it" kind of person. I saw, I believed.
Dont ever doubt it. But if you do.. then thats your choice,
good luck to you !!
Blessed Be!
2006-07-31 18:42:33 · answer #3 · answered by Branwen 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
In America you have freedom of religion. That means you can choose what you believe and they are just as valid as any other religion.
When people tell you that your belief isn't good enough, just take solace in knowing they are idiots and the only reason they can say these things to you is because we also have freedom of speech in America.
2006-07-31 18:44:17 · answer #4 · answered by Joa5 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This is something I've noticed among Pagan religions. I ask "what do you believe?" I get answers like, "we don't believe in a savior". We don't believe in the concept of sin. We don't believe in Heaven or Hell."
If you have a faith that has it's own beliefs rather than setting yourself up against another faith, you would get more respect.
Buddhist, Jewish, and other non Christian faiths are open about their beliefs. Do Pagans have real beliefs?
2006-07-31 18:52:23 · answer #5 · answered by nursesr4evr 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Ok. That's a good one. Freedom to worship whichever God you choose...isn't that why there is an America in the first place? Yeah, I guess it should be recognized. I mean, how different can paganism be from Catholicism anyway? Hmmm.....
2006-07-31 18:49:57 · answer #6 · answered by Ashley 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You have rights, it's pretty obvious you do, otherwise you wouldn't be able to say that you're a Pagan out loud.
No one truly should say 'your belief's aren't good enough', as it's not fair... But every religion does it no matter what their religion is, unfortunately.
2006-07-31 18:42:03 · answer #7 · answered by Pixie-elf 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you live in the U.S., then the First Amendment guarantees you the right to freedom of expression. That same amendment gives others the right to disagree with you.
So you feel persecuted? Join the crowd. Blacks, women, jews, gays, muslims and Christians also feel persecuted? Why? In general because we humans like to whine about the general unfairness of things. We like to believe that others are against us.
Sometimes I think I am one of a very tiny minority that is not actually persecuted. It's a small group called "People who are grateful about life and don't complain about everything." Feel free to join, - everyone is welcome, including Pagans. Unfortunately most people are too attached to their misery and persecution complexes to consider joining. Alas, the human condition.
2006-07-31 18:46:51 · answer #8 · answered by rj 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you live in the U.S., according to the First Amendment of the Constitution you (and all other U.S. citizens) are granted the freedom of religious belief and the right to exercise that belief.
But I know that you are likely delving for something deeper here. I wish that I could address your concerns, for many of us share them.
2006-07-31 18:41:15 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You have the right to your beliefs; however, others have the right to be intolerant towards that. If you are happy why worry about what others think.. we do not choose our beliefs to be validated by others we choose them because they fit us. If you are happy and content then that is all that matters.
2006-07-31 20:01:02 · answer #10 · answered by genaddt 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋