what is pagan?please explain to me.do you all believe in god?if not why?
2006-11-13 15:31:34 · 10 answers · asked by someone who loves jesus 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
how can you not believe in the one true god?
2006-11-13 15:37:55 · update #1
how can you worship a dead god? why not the true god that is for real?
2006-11-13 15:45:25 · update #2
The christians' god is modeled after the Goddess, the holidays, everything is a rip off.
The theory of 'one god' is a relatively new one..people have believed in more than one god and goddess before christianity. When the men took over and suppressed women, the patriarch god that is know today came into play..before that the Goddess and Horned One was worshipped..a balance of male and female which is what I believe the universal energy is.
2006-11-13 15:35:24 · answer #1 · answered by daisy 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋
"Pagan" is a blanket term generally used to encompass people who believe in dieties from mythology, not the Christian God, therefore there is a lot of variation in the beliefs held by pagans. Most pagans are polythiestic and/or work with panatheons. Most believe that the divine is both masculine and feminine, and many put the female in the higher position of authority. Pagans are also usually earth-centered in their beliefs. I could go on forever, but if you have more question or want to know more, feel free to send me a message.
We do not all believe in the Christian God, but some of us do. I personally believe in all dieties equally, but worship the norse dieties in particular.
I do not understand what you mean about worshipping a dead god. In mythology, gods frequently die and come back to life, Jesus even did this. There is nothing wrong with worshipping a diety who has died if there are going to be reincarnated. If you mean that the gods of mythology are "dead", I personally believe that so long as a diety has followers, they are not. As for the Christian god, he may be A true god that is real, but I for one do not think he is the only one.
2006-11-14 20:33:28 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Pagan is more related to old religions before christ. Maybe based on god or gods including more factors on spirits.
Atheist do not belive in anything.
Heretics belive in a hidden doctrine or mysteries. Like a truth behind christ or fate. More so relating to the apple that was ate by eve and adam. Tree of knowledge etc.
2006-11-13 23:45:04 · answer #3 · answered by Labatt113 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pagan comes from the oldest religion known as Wicca. When christianity came about they termed pagan's to practise evil witch craft. Which is not true. Wiccan followers worship the female goddess mother earth and the male horned god of harvest. They believe in peace and harmony. The believe in living simply only take what you need from the earth and give back to it. They practice wicca through spells and ceremonies. They follow the moon and seasons. It is a beautiful religion or way of life. I believe in god, but as you would. I believe god is energy that connects all living creatures and life not as a super being that gave us life on earth.
2006-11-13 23:42:36 · answer #4 · answered by jjewel 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
A pagan is one who does not practice an Abrahamic faith, usually one who is polytheistic (believes in more than one deity). There are many, many religions in the world besides Abrahamic faiths. A class in world religions or even a dictionary of world religions would help to explain them. Each religious practitioner believes that their deity/ies are "true" and are faithful to their beliefs. In general, telling someone that their god is dead and not "true" is rude and not conductive to learning and sharing between people of differing faiths.
I am devoutly religious and I worship mostly Gaulish deities. I have never practiced Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Taoism, Hinduism, Shinto, or any other mainstream religion. I find it mildly interesting to learn about these religions though and the people who practice them. Each of the practitioners of these religions are just as devout about their beliefs as I am---we simply worship different deities and see the world differently.
Have you studied any religion besides your own? It is very interesting and helps to understand people better and their point of views. With more education about the beliefs of others, perhaps we can promote understanding and peace between our different cultures.
2006-11-14 09:05:04 · answer #5 · answered by Witchy 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Pagan is a "skunk word." It has varied meanings to different people. In fact, it have so many meanings that it often causes misunderstandings if it are used. Unfortunately, many people do not know this, and naturally assume that the meaning that they have been taught is the universal definition of the term.
Pagan is most often used (currently) as an "umbrella term," referring to a vast number of different religions. The one thing they all have in common is the reverence of nature.
This page explores several different definitions:
http://www.religioustolerance.org/paganism.htm
2006-11-13 23:37:52 · answer #6 · answered by Lady of the Pink 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
In a modern sense, a Pagan is someone who follows a neo-Pagan religion - religions typically based off of pre-/post-Christian European beliefs. (There are numerous non-European Pagan religions as well, but the bulk of Pagans are European-inspired).
Most Pagans believe in a number of deities, actually.
I can reverse your additional comments, and ask you why you don't believe in the living Lugh instead of your dead and sacrificed god - we've all got our reasons to believe in our respective religions, and they probably won't make much sense to people who aren't inclined in that direction.
2006-11-14 14:06:30 · answer #7 · answered by ArcadianStormcrow 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A dictionary is your friend.
A Pagan is someone who believes in any religion other than Christianity. The religion may have one or more gods. Pagan isn't Christian.
I'm Pagan. Wiccan actually (think of wicca as a denomination of Paganism).
I don't believe in the Christian god because I think everything from Christianity is a joke and that it's the worst religion in the world.
2006-11-13 23:36:02 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 4⤋
"Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name (NOT THE NAMES) of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit" (St. Matt. 28:20).
Many Christians begin to learn about the Trinity through knowledge of Baptism. This is also a starting point for others in comprehending why the doctrine matters to so many Christians, even though the doctrine itself teaches that the being of God is beyond complete comprehension. The Apostles' Creed and the Nicene Creed are structured around profession of the Trinity, and are solemnly professed by converts to Christianity when they receive baptism, and in the Church's liturgy, particularly when celebrating the Eucharist. One or both of these creeds are often used as brief summations of Christian faith by mainstream denominations.
One God
God is one, and the Godhead a single being: The Hebrew Scriptures lift this one article of faith above others, and surround it with stern warnings against departure from this central issue of faith, and of faithfulness to the covenant God had made with them. "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD" (Deuteronomy 6:4) (the Shema), "Thou shalt have no other gods before me" (Deuteronomy 5:7) and, "Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel and his redeemer the LORD of hosts: I am the first and I am the last; and beside me there is no God." (Isaiah 44:6). Any formulation of an article of faith which does not insist that God is solitary, that divides worship between God and any other, or that imagines God coming into existence rather than being God eternally, is not capable of directing people toward the knowledge of God, according to the trinitarian understanding of the Old Testament. The same insistence is found in the New Testament: "...there is none other God but one" (1 Corinthians 8:4). The "other gods" warned against are therefore not gods at all, but substitutes for God, and so are, according to St. Paul, simply mythological or are demons.
So, in the trinitarian view, the common conception which thinks of the Father and Christ as two separate beings, is incorrect. The central, and crucial affirmation of Christian faith is that there is one savior, God, and one salvation, manifest in Jesus Christ, to which there is access only because of the Holy Spirit. The God of the Old is still the same as the God of the New. In Christianity, it is understood that statements about a solitary god are intended to distinguish the Hebraic understanding from the polytheistic view, which see divine power as shared by several separate beings, beings which can, and do, disagree and have conflicts with each other. The concept of Many comprising One is quite visible in the Gospel of John, chapter 17, verses 20 through 23.
God exists in three persons
The "Shield of the Trinity" or "Scutum Fidei" diagram of traditional Western Christian symbolism.This one God however exists in three persons, or in the Greek hypostases. God has but a single divine nature. Chalcedonians — Catholics, Orthodox, and Protestants — hold that, in addition, the Second Person of the Trinity — God the Son, Jesus — assumed human nature, so that he has two natures (and hence two wills), and is really and fully both true God and true human.
The singleness of God's being and the multiplicity of the Divine Persons together account for the nature of Christian salvation, and disclose the gift of eternal life. "Through the Son we have access to the Father in one Spirit" (Ephesians 2:18). Communion with the Father is the goal of the Christian faith and is eternal life. It is given to humans through the Divine union with humanity in Jesus Christ who, although fully God, died for sinners "in the flesh" to accomplish their redemption, and this forgiveness, restoration, and friendship with God is made accessible through the gift to the Church of the Holy Spirit, who, being God, knows the Divine Essence intimately and leads and empowers the Christian to fulfill the will of God. Thus, this doctrine touches on every aspect of the trinitarian Christian's faith and life; and this explains why it has been so earnestly contended for, throughout Christian history.
Source(s):
Douay Rheims Bible
78 References and Illusions To The Trinity Found In The Sacred Scriptures
I. Even the Old Testament makes definite reference both to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
Isaiah 11:2 "...the Spirit ... the Lord ... Him"
Isaiah 42:1 "My Servant ... I ... My Spirit ... upon Him"
Isaiah 48:16 "The Lord God ... His Spirit ... sent Me"
Isaiah 61:1 "Spirit of the Lord God ... upon Me ... the Lord"
Isaiah 63:9 "He ...the Angel of His Presence ... His Holy Spirit"
II. Close examination of the following New Testament scriptures will make obvious to any student of the Bible that the doctrine of the Godhead is truth.
Matthew 1:20, 21 "the Lord (the Father) ... the Holy Spirit ... Jesus"
Matthew 3:16, 17 "Jesus ... the Spirit of God ... a Voice from heaven (the Father)"
Matthew 12:18 "I ... My Spirit ... on Him"
Matthew 22:42, 43 "Christ ... the Spirit ... Lord (the Father)"
Mark 1:9-11 "Jesus ... the Spirit ... a Voice from heaven ... My beloved Son"
Mark 12:35, 36 "Christ ... the Holy Spirit ... the Lord (the Father)"
Luke 1:35 "the Holy Spirit ... the Highest ... the Son of God"
Luke 2:26, 27 "the Holy Spirit ... Christ ... Jesus"
Luke 3:21, 22 "Jesus ... the Holy Spirit ... a Voice from heaven ... My beloved Son"
Luke 10:21 "Jesus ... the Spirit ... Father"
Luke 12:9, 10 "God ... the Son ... the Holy Spirit"
John 3:5 "Jesus ... the Spirit ... God"
John 3:34, 35 "God ... the Spirit ... the Father ... the Son"
John 4:24, 25 "God ... a Spirit ... Messiah... Christ"
John 14:16, 17, 26 "the Comforter ... the Father ... in My name"
John 15:26 "the Comforter ... the Father ... of Me"
John 20:21, 22 "Jesus ... Father ... the Holy Spirit"
Acts 2:32,33 "Jesus ... God ... the Father ... the Holy Spirit"
Acts 2:38,39 "Jesus Christ ... the Holy Spirit ... God"
Acts 4:30,31 "Jesus ... the Holy Spirit ... God"
Acts 5:31,32 "God ... a Prince and Savior ... the Holy Spirit"
Acts 7:55 "the Holy Spirit ... Jesus ... God"
Acts 8:14_16 "God ... the Holy Spirit ... Jesus"
Acts 10:38 "God ... Jesus ... the Holy Spirit"
Acts 10:46_48 "God ... the Holy Spirit ... the Lord"
Acts 11:16, 17 "the Lord... the Holy Spirit ... God ... the Lord Jesus Christ"
Acts 20:21_23 "God ... Jesus ... the Holy Spirit"
Romans 1:1,3,4 "God ... His Son, Jesus Christ ... the Spirit"
Romans 5:5,6 "God ... the Holy Spirit ... Christ"
Romans 8:2,3 "the Spirit ... Jesus ... God ... His own Son"
Romans 8:8,9 "God ... the Spirit ... the Spirit of Christ"
Romans 8:16, 17 "the Spirit ... God ... Christ"
Romans 14:17, 18 "the Holy Spirit ... Christ... God"
Romans 15:12, 13 "Root of Jesse (Jesus) ... God ... Holy Spirit"
Romans 15:16 "Jesus ... God ... the Holy Spirit"
Romans 15:30 "The Lord Jesus Christ ... the Spirit ... God"
1 Corinthians 6:10, 11 "God ... the Lord Jesus... the Spirit"
I Corinthians 12:4_6 "Spirit ... Lord... God"
1 Corinthians 7:39, 40 "the Lord Jesus ... the Spirit ... God"
1 Corinthians 8:2 "the Lord Jesus ... the Spirit ... God"
2 Corinthians 3:3, 4 "the Spirit ... Christ ... God"
2 Corinthians 13:14 "Jesus... God ... the Holy Spirit"
2 Corinthians 5:5, 6 "God ... the Spirit ... the Lord (Jesus)"
Galatians 4:6, 7 "God ... the Spirit ... Son ... Father ... God ... Christ"
Ephesians 2:18 "through Him (Jesus) ... Spirit ... the Father"
Ephesians 2:21, 22 "the Lord ... God ... the Spirit"
Ephesians 3:14, 16 "the Father ... Jesus Christ ... His Spirit"
Ephesians 4:4-6 "Spirit ... Lord (Jesus) ... God and Father"
Ephesians 5:18-20 "Spirit ... Lord (Jesus) ... God ... Father"
Colossians 1:6-8 "God ... Christ ... Spirit"
1Thessalonians 4:6-8 "Lord (Jesus) ... God ... Holy Spirit"
1 Thessalonians 5:18, 19 "God ... Father ... Christ ... Jesus ... Spirit"
2 Thessalonians 2:13, 14 "God ... Lord... God ... Spirit ... Lord Jesus Christ"
Titus 3:4-6 "God ... Holy Spirit ... Jesus Christ"
Hebrews 2:3, 4 "Lord (Jesus) ... God ... Holy Spirit"
Hebrews 3:4, 6, 7 "God ... Christ... Holy Spirit"
Hebrews 6:4-6 "Holy Spirit ... God ... Son"
Hebrews 9:14 "Christ ... Spirit ... God"
Hebrews 10:29-31 "Son of God ... Spirit ... Lord ... God"
1 Peter 1:2 "God the Father ... Spirit ... Jesus Christ"
1 Peter 3:18 "Christ ... God ... Spirit"
1 Peter 4:14 "Christ ... Spirit ... God"
2 Peter 1:21 "God ... Holy Spirit... Lord (Jesus)"
2 Peter 2:1 "God ... Holy Spirit ... Lord (Jesus)"
1 John 4:2 "Spirit ... Jesus ... God"
1 John 4:13, 14 "Spirit ... Father ... Son ... Savior"
1 John 5:7 "Father... Word ... Holy Spirit"
Jude 20, 21 "the Holy Spirit... God... Lord ... Jesus Christ"
Revelation 1:9, 10 "Jesus Christ ... God ... Jesus Christ ... Spirit"
Revelation 3:5-7 "Father ... Spirit ... He that hath the key of David (Jesus)"
Revelation 14:12, 13 "God ... Jesus ... Lord ... Spirit"
Revelation 21:9, 10 "Lamb ... Spirit ... God"
Revelation 22:16-18 "the offspring of David (Jesus) ... Spirit ... God"
2006-11-14 15:30:14 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
ANYONE WHO IS NOT A jehovah's witness
2006-11-14 09:07:18 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋