what do you think of when you hear the term pagan?

Question

do you have a steriotype that you apply?

do you have any real world knowledge or is everything that you know from TV and movies like The Craft and Charmed?

I am a Pagan minister, how would you think that i would look walking down the street?

(please do not go by my profile pictures, they are of me at a medieval reinactment)

How would you expect me to act?

I am doing a small study on preception with my grove and your help is appreciated.

thank you.

shadowgirl, and Debra

good answers,

Shadowgirl,
as i said i am doing a study on perception.
wondering what comes to mind when people think of a specific word.

i am looking into perception and steriotypes as a way to understand and hopefully break them down.

thank you for your answers.

Cindy, also a good answer,,,not really what i like to hear but HONEST.

you are right there is no book that defines how we act. many would say that the Wiccan reede is a good start.

"As it harm none. Do what you will"

this is not all of the wiccan reede but it gives a very strong message about most of us and our beliefs.

as far as prostitution both hetro and homo sexual....most of us do not have any problem with homosexuals, what people do in their own lives is not our business.

i think that the act of prostitution would get mixed results. simply because it can lead to a dangerous lifestyle. and it is against the law on most of america and many pagan coltures ask us to respect the laws and customs of whatever land we travel through

Answer 1

I think of myself. Pagan is just a broad term to describe those who believe in more than one god. I know the definition also varies depending on who you ask. Which you already know. If someone says they're christian, it doesn't tell you what denomination, if any they follow. Same with Pagans. We can be Wiccans, Shamans, Druids, etc.. To each their own personal belief and path.
I would expect you to look however you wish walking down the street. We generally try to blend in unless there is a reason not to. Some people just like to stand out, but most of those who honor their faith, not just the symbols of it, care more about changing and growing in themselves, rather than how they appear to others.

Merry Meet,

QW

Answer 2

What I think when I hear the word pagan? I think it means that that person or whatnot is inclined to think on a more spiritual level than others.
I have real world knowledge. I think movies based on paganism are overcooked and sometimes misrepresented.
I think you would look mostly normal like everyone else, but might have a neat trinket or 2. :)
I love medieval stuff.
I would at least hope you to act in a more positive respectful manner than some other people I know.
I am a Christian, but do not consider myself one of those overly crazy ones or a uneducated or "unspiritualcated" :) I will always grow to better myself, not be judgemental toward any others no matter what they believe.

Answer 3

I think back to a very good conversation I had with a very nice and smart pagan about half a year ago on the subject of psychology, religion, and what not. I just think of somebody basically just like everybody else when I hear "pagan" and I'm supposed to think of an image to relate to it. I've only known two pagans online, but for all I know I've met a hundred in person and don't know it. Labels and steriotypes are useless, why bother with them?

Answer 4

I think of pagans as nature worshipping people. I kind of get pagan and wiccan a little mixed up, since I think I kind of fit both categories.

As far as looks, a lot of pagans look just like anyone else walking next to you in the grocery store. You might notice a few odd things if you went into their house, looked at the books they are reading, or if they happen to wear a pentacle ring or necklace. But otherwise, they look like most anyone else. This is how they survived the burning times, by blending in with other folk.

Answer 5

Christians have traditionally defined pagans as anyone who does not profess Christ as savior, so that would include atheists, agnostics, Mormons, JWs, Muslims, etc.

I have noticed a segment of people call themselves Pagan, and they have a more specialized meaning for it. It seems pretty vague, but I'm gathering that it has something to do with witchcraft/new age/humanism.

Anyhow, my stereotype, if I have one, is that they're usually pretty nice people, like most other folks I encounter. I expect them to act completely normal and decent. I doubt that I could pick you out walking down the street. If you were looking for an exciting answer like "I bet you wear a green tunic with an upside-down cross and act like David Koresh," well, I doubt all that. Good luck with your study.

Answer 6

I imagine Pagans like trees and nature. They are ordinary people who have a spiritual path different from the traditional ones. I plan to read more about Pagan faiths soon. I am interested. BUT alas, I am not Christian, nor atheist or even agnostic. I never watch those childish shows and movies about witches.

Answer 7

I don't have stereotypes--I don't judge. I just see actions and evaluate. OK, well think that you would look like a normal person. You probably have a style of dress, like prep or gangsta or whatever. I would expect you to talk like a normal person. I would expect you to be civilized. Pagans are not monsters ;-) I dunno where that came from. You just believe in more Gods than I do, or a different one. You celebrate different holidays, you have different religious guidances. Other than that, you are really just an average Joe. No offense. I mean, why would you act crazy?

Answer 8

Not much mostly I think of a person who is a Naturalist. I do not know any Pagans around where I live. I do not have an opinion.

Answer 9

You wouldn't stand out in a crowd, just dressed and groomed normal. You might even work at a bank and wear a suit and tie to work.

Answer 10

Biblically you are a non believer.

The bible describes you as worshipping false gods with repetative chants and prayers.

We are told to not conform to your worldly views, although for the most part we have in person and in our churches.

Biblically, you condone prostitution both heterosexual and same sex.

Basically those are my perceptions and where I was taught them from. As to your modern day views of what and who you are, I am willing to bet that there is no "book or code" that you as a group try to live by. Therefore very difficult to study about and learn about. Could be simply a code of "to each his own".