What does being a pagan mean?

Question

A (pagan) friend of mine told me a little bit about it a while ago, and I'm interested in what it is. Sorry I'm being so vague, but I'd like to know.

Answer 1

This is an excellent question and one that is often asked within the pagan community as a discussion starter. The reason it is such a good question is because the answer is as varied as many of the answers you have received. It IS and umbrella term for lots of different belief systems. It IS basically anyone who doesn't follow a Judeo-Christian theology. It IS often nature-based and holding reverent the world we have been born into. But the specific paths (belief traditions/theologies) are so diverse that it would be difficult to get a good cross-section to agree on any single definition of what a pagan believes or what it means to be a pagan. That's why one of the first questions you hear when two pagns meet is some variation on the question, "What tradition do you follow."

Answer 2

A Pagan is... well... hmn...

A Pagan is a person who is alright with people being Homosexual, okay with being open, okay with different races.

Here's a summary from an old question I wrote:

1) Paganism is an UMBRELLA TERM, like Christianity.
2) Those whom are Pagan do not believe in Satan, because Satan was created by Christians, based around the image of Pan.
3) Paganism came around in 10000 BCE. The first monotheistic religion came around in 5000 BCE, which is after Paganism.
4) Jesus died in 33 AD, around the same date as Attis. (March 23rd)
5) Magick isn't inherently evil. Magick can be changed to be evil through a person's intent.
6) Pagans don't eat babies. (But Christians are cannibals, eating the body and blood of Christ...)
7) Easter is about the same day as Ostara, which is when Pagans celebrate the Goddess Ester.
8) Hel is the Norse Goddess of the Underworld... seems familiar, don't it?
9) Most Pagans believe in reincarnation, not all of us.
10) We don't have a $^@&ing holy book.
11) We worship nature
12) Not all of us do magick.
13) Just because we're Pagan doesn't mean we're a witch.
14) Wiccans are Pagans.
15) Some -- not all -- Pagans are polytheistic.

That's it for now.

- 16 yo Pagan

Answer 3

"Pagan" is a very general, vague term that might be referring to any number of things. For example, it originally was used in a derogatory manner against those who were considered to be backwards or outsiders. Today, many members of Abrahamic religions (Christianity, Judaism, Islam) refer to "non-believers" as pagan (also commonly used negatively). Pagan can also refer to ancient polytheistic religions.

I'm assuming that you're referring to its use among neo-pagans who adapted the word to fit their various modern religions and spiritualities. In this case, the word remains incredibly vague. Sorry. :)

Usually, folks are referring to the religion of Wicca or Wicca-based practices and beliefs. (The latter are often loosely based on Wicca with a lot of eclecticism tossed in.) Pagan can also refer to many other religions, not all of them connected to magic, a Goddess, or nature reverence.

So what exactly does being a pagan mean? Technically, whatever you want it to mean. The word is applied quite liberally and there's no single, official meaning. If you are interested in learning about the assortment of religions that self-identify as pagan, I would recommend checking out some of the links below. It's a difficult question, but reading up on individual pagan religions can help you gain a better understanding of the term's diversity and complexity.

Good luck with your research.

Answer 4

Mostly it means earth-based spirituality's. The original definition of pagan was "country dweller". Christianity saw to it that it was something EVIL and in the process ruined a lot of great belief systems. Pagans I know do not believe in the existence of "Satan". They're very loving, open minded people who do not trash others because of their beliefs. As people have already mentioned there are many different paths in paganism but I've NEVER heard even one disrespect the other. It's the way all religions should be.

Answer 5

The term Pagan refers to anyone not in the traditional Judeo-Christian or Muslim religions. Doesn't have anything to do with beliefs, just refers to people who don't follow those religions.

Paganism covers a wide range of beliefs from cultures all over the world. Most people think of Pagans as the neo-pagans and Wiccans that tend to be polytheistic and follow nature based beliefs. Most of these are not ancient practices but rather recreations of what they believe are practices of ancient peoples.

Answer 6

Pagan may refer to:

One who follows a religion of European, North African, West Asian or Pre-Columban American origin and who is not Christian, Muslim nor Jewish, or who does not worship the God of Abraham. Such usage, while traditional in the above three religions, may be considered derogatory. Religions of Southern and Eastern Asian origin (eg. Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Shinto are not generally considered to be Pagan).
A believer in Paganism or Neopaganism
Bagan, a city in Myanmar also known as Pagan
Pagan (album), the 6th album by Celtic metal band Cruachan
Pagan Island, of the Northern Mariana Islands
Pagan Lorn, a metal band from Luxembourg, Europe (1994-1998)
Pagan's Mind, is a Norwegian progressive metal band.
A member of the Pagans Motorcycle Club
The world in which the Ultima VIII (or Ultima VIII:Pagan) computer game takes place.

Answer 7

Pagan means different things to different people. It can be one who believes in the existance of many Gods and Goddess'... one who does not adhere to mainstream religions. Pagan does not mean, however, "Witch"... that is a different label that usually falls under paganism, but never means Pagan. That would similar to me saying that my friend is a Christian therefore he/she's a Baptist. Not all Christians are Baptists. Just as not all Pagans are witches.

Answer 8

Pagans are any belief system that believes in more than one God. They are also called polytheistic religions. Christianity passes it's self off as a monotheistic religion, but it's belief in the "father, son and holy spirit" essentially makes it a polytheistic belief system.

Answer 9

Why not google it for some organizations that can give you reliable information? It is an earth-based religion with many rituals to honor and heal the earth.

Answer 10

pagan means not be being a Jew.
the holy line of descendants.

but than what is a Jew?

Romans 2:28 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither [is that] circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:
2:29 But he [is] a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision [is that] of the heart, in the spirit, [and] not in the letter; whose praise [is] not of men, but of God.

pagans are called as Gentiles
acts11:2 And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him,
11:3 Saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them.
11:4 But Peter rehearsed [the matter] from the beginning, and expounded [it] by order unto them, saying,
11:5 I was in the city of Joppa praying: and in a trance I saw a vision, A certain vessel descend, as it had been a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came even to me:
11:6 Upon the which when I had fastened mine eyes, I considered, and saw fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.
11:7 And I heard a voice saying unto me, Arise, Peter; slay and eat.
11:8 But I said, Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean hath at any time entered into my mouth.
11:9 But the voice answered me again from heaven, What God hath cleansed, [that] call not thou common.
11:10 And this was done three times: and all were drawn up again into heaven.
11:11 And, behold, immediately there were three men already come unto the house where I was, sent from Caesarea unto me.
11:12 And the Spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered into the man's house:
11:13 And he showed us how he had seen an angel in his house, which stood and said unto him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter;
11:14 Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved.
11:15 And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning.
11:16 Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.
11:17 Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as [he did] unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?
11:18 When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.