I just had a conversation with a co-worker about my wedding and mentioned that my sister is a Pagan and he immediately got this image in his head about people killing animals in ritual. Now I know that Pagans don't do that but he said that unless he sees literature on the subject negating his belief that he won't believe me. I know that there is a lot of information on the net showing how the church pertetrated lies about pagans centuries ago, but I was wondering if anyone can provide me with a specific link showing the truth of Pagans and the lies that were told about them.
If you are going to answer that Pagans do kill animals in rituals, don't bother answering, please.
2006-11-08 03:19:50 · 12 answers · asked by FaerieWhings 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Perhaps this non-biased link will help.
http://www.religioustolerance.org/paganism.htm
2006-11-08 03:25:35 · answer #1 · answered by Epona Willow 7 · 9⤊ 1⤋
There's an interesting book called "The Truth About Witchcraft Today" that addresses issues like that, might be worth having around. If you're only looking for weblinks, the ones listed in the other responses - especially the religoustolerance.org site - are good ones to go for.
Yes, the ancient Pagans did kill animals in rituals. Yes, some modern Pagans do as well, though not as frequently. The big thing to remember is that it *very* rarely is anything like the Hollywood image. If anything, it's more akin to kosher slaughtering practices - the animal is blessed, then killed in as respectful a manner as possible, then eaten. (In fact, a common joke is, "It's well-known that Voudoun ceremonies include a chicken sacrifice. It's less well-known that they're often followed by a chicken barbeque.)
2006-11-09 12:40:34 · answer #2 · answered by ArcadianStormcrow 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Back through the centuries they did do sacrifices. But the pagan religion today is more Mother Earth. Try some of the history channels documentaries about the faith. and ask people here to explain their culture if they are pagan.
2006-11-08 11:26:39 · answer #3 · answered by mommy 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Actually, several ancient cultures used to sacrifice animals as part of their rituals. Celtic, Greek, Jewis, Roman, Chrisitan, etc. It was seen as a gift to god/the gods and the smoke from the sacrificial alter was bringing the message to the heavens. Other cultures, like the Aztec, sacrificed humans to bring the rainy seasons and make the crops grow.
I don't know where your coworker got his ideas, but those practices have faded out centuries ago.
2006-11-08 11:26:18 · answer #4 · answered by sister steph 6 · 4⤊ 1⤋
The ancient Jews used to kill animals too. Medieval Christians used to put people to death by burning at the stake. Pagans?!
2006-11-08 11:23:17 · answer #5 · answered by Irreverend 6 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Check out this website
http://paganwiccan.about.com/od/rituals/
It'll tell you/him about rituals that are used today. I'm not too sure about pagans, but wiccans DO NOT sacrifice animals or such. That would in fact be against our belief. Harm none!
Blessed be!
2006-11-08 11:30:29 · answer #6 · answered by INSANE SUGARPUFF 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Well, I was going to give a few links regarding myths and FAQs about Paganism but Epona Willow and Paladin beat me to it.
2006-11-08 11:34:48 · answer #7 · answered by PaganPoetess 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Try:
http://www.pagans.org/
.
2006-11-08 11:26:00 · answer #8 · answered by Chickyn in a Handbasket 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The word "Pagan" means country people.
2006-11-08 11:28:55 · answer #9 · answered by The professor 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
If he's too lazy to discover the truth on his own, tell him you will insist on saying that he (if he's a Christian) drinks blood and consumes human flesh or (if he's a Jew) kills Christian children and drinks their blood. You're not responsible for his ignorance.
2006-11-08 11:26:58 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋