Pagan holidays?

Question

Why is it that the Jews have Hanukkah, Passover, and Yom Kippur on the list, and African Americans have Kwanzaa on the list, and all the Christians have all their holidays on the list, but we Pagans always get grouped in the "other" category? And please, no answers from Pagan bashers. There's no need to show me how compassionate and non-judgmental your religion is by telling me that I'm on the fast track to Hell, thank you.

Answer 1

My guess is that because Paganism accounts for only a very small number of people as compared to the other religions you mentioned, information on it is not widely sought-after, and therefore not widely published. As to compassion - I think Paganism is an excellent belief system that teaches respect for all creatures, for people, and for the physical world. No one religion is right for everyone (contrary to the teaching of some); I think you have every right to be pleased with your choice of beliefs; if I weren't Jewish and wanted to choose a faith, I suspect Paganism would be it!

Answer 2

Paganism was once (a long time ago) a majority religion but once other religions took over as majority paganism has gone down to minority. Paganism actually isn't the same now as it used to be plus Paganism is a broad term that groups together a number of religions. So now Pagan holidays and/or celebrations are harder to come by as far as a larger group of people celebrating them together.

Never pay attention to those who tell you you're going to hell, it's wrong to force a religion on to someone else and that's just what they're doing to you. I've had that problem before and you just have to ignore it the best you can even though it's very hard to.

Answer 3

I don't really worry much about being an "other". I know my beliefs are outside what's considered mainstream and I know when and why I celebrate different holidays. I can't expect everyone else to understand and therefore include my holidays in the same ways. I do laugh because most of the mainstream holidays are based on Pagan ones!

My husband gets me a Pagan themed calendar each year for Yule. You can find them in a lot of places. Don't sweat this too much....we have more important things to fight for

Answer 4

Well, the short answer is that Pagans who are "out of the broom closet" make up a very very small percentage of the population in most areas.

You can get a calendar from Llewellen press with all the Pagan holidays on it.

Happy Mabon!

Answer 5

FEAR! Christians and Jews have feared "pagans" for over 5,000 yrs (including the Romans and their "gods"), so it's nothing new. I'm a pagan and I fight constant battles w/ Xtian relatives, etc. just to let me say my piece! My sister (a Druid priestess) resorts to ONLY communicating w/those of like mind. So, if you're like me and like arguing, go for it. If not, as the Aerosmith song says (to paraphrase it): "Shut up and worship"! LOL

Answer 6

Christmas is a Pagan holiday. It's winter solstice.

Answer 7

Because pagan holidays are not mainstream and we live in a Judeo Christian society.

Answer 8

what list are you talking about?
what "other" category?
My religion does not have it's holy days printed on the standard american calendars, nor are they observed as holidays from work. Just how it is. If you aren't christian or jew, I guess you don't count.
.

Answer 9

Look to which organization is calling the shots on this one. You are in "Others" as the rest of the world doesn't really celebrate the equinoxes and solstices

Answer 10

well actually we do have holidays, just not on our calender nor reconized by our own u.s goverment, and to think we we have people in the senate and congress that are pagan, go figure