What is paganism?

Question

I just looked up paganism on Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paganism. Now I'm more bewildered than ever. As far as I can tell Paganism seems to be a family of freeform "religions?" that pretty much practice and believe a great variety of things -- whatever they feel like. I get the impression that it's just a buzz-word that means nothing. Am I wrong? You folks who call yourself pagans, would you care to clue us in on what paganism means to you?

Thanks to all those who answered. You confirm my impression that paganism is whatever anybody says it is. When a thing is all things to all people it's really nothing to anybody.

Answer 1

There are many forms of paganism. Pagans are polytheists. While they many not have as many rules and restrictions as the mainstream religions, each religion considered "pagan" still has a base set of beliefs. So here's the thing - to really understand Paganism, you have to choose a handful of Pagan religions and learn about each one individually. For example, I'm a pagan and I practice a religion called Daemonolatry. I worship an entire pantheon of Gods. A friend of mine is Khemetic, which is a modern form of the ancient Egyptian religion. She worships the Egyptian pantheon. I have another friend who considers herself an ecclectic Pagan. She has her own pantheon of darker feminine deities. This doesn't necessarily mean a "free for all". Some Pagan religions, like mine, have a bit more structure. Most pagans celebrate the phases of the moon and/or changes of seasons. Some believe it's okay to work with darker aspects of the natural universe, some don't. But to say it's a free-for-all might be a bit much in my opinion.

ADDED: That's your opinion that it's nothing to anyone just because there are so many religions considered pagan. You have to understand that Pagan is just a word that describes numerous minority religions because they're often nature based and polytheistic.

You're simply trying to downplay an entire group of religions because your too lazy to get off your dead butt and go beyond the term Pagan.

Answer 2

Ya know, we answered this recently.

Ask 100 pagans this question and you will get 150 answers. And you think wikipedia can cover this? Nope... not possible.

I like to think of paganism as a culture with a deep respect for the earth. You can have pagans who have a spirituality and there are those who do not. Yes, there are atheist pagans. So, in reality, you can't call it a spirituality.

Some will go into the meaning, some will go into the very diverse practices and spiritualities.

But it is an umbrella term for all those who do not practice a specific "religion" other than a few polytheistic religions that fall in there, and they are all very personal paths, not organized in any fashion that most religions would recognize. But do not interpret that as meaning we are not organized. Far from it.

We may be individuals with our own particular ideas and cultural practices and beliefs, but we are very much aware of our personal responsibility for who we are, what we represent, and how to keep it free to do exactly what we do.

So, again, read through the material that gets posted here. 100 pagans, 150 answers, or there abouts. But notice that there are two very basic similarities - we are respectful of our earth and we are very much responsible for our choices and actions.

Answer 3

Paganism is an umbrella term used to describe non-Abrahamic religions. It is confusing! It would be like if you just looked up "Monotheism" as a type of religion and tried to draw conclusions from that.

There are many, many types of Paganism. Often, people think of Wicca or Witches in reference to Paganism, and there are many, many types of Wicca too. (http://witchvox.com/ )

Some Pagan religions are re-constructionist, which means they try the best they can to practice their type or religion as ancient people did. There are also many types of reconstruction Pagan paths as well. One, for example, is Kemetic Reconstruction, which is a reconstruction of ancient Egyptian religion. (http://www.kemet.org/home.html )

Generally, Pagans are polytheistic (many Gods) or monolaritists (God is expressed as many Gods, but they're all connected.) There is usually reverence for nature, emphasis on knowledge/learning, altruism, self responsibility, respect for others, and tolerance. Some include magic, but some don't. Karma and reincarnation are also sometimes aspects included in belief structures. It's very hard to make generalizations because there isn't a central leader and there isn't universal scripture or dogma. Often, it is up to the individual to learn, research, and discern and apply reason and experience into the equation.

Holidays are also important, and they usually revolve around the cycles of the sun. The equinoxes and solstices are important.

Answer 4

Maybe you should go back and look at it again. Because you couldn't be any more wrong than you currently are. Pagan is a term that groups any Non-Mainstream religion together in a single term. The two biggest sects are Druidry and Wicca. Both are very beautiful religions. And instead of worshiping a single deity, we worship several, depending on the occasion, as well as everything those deities create and do for us. So, please feel free to read up on the Pagan faiths again sometime.

http://technovate.org
http://www.druidsofalbion.org
http://www.druidry.org

Answer 5

Pagan is a name for a grouping of earth based beliefs. Most of those beliefs center around the worship of two or more gods. Many are based either in part or as a whole on pre Christian philosophies such as Druidism, Wicca, Thelema, Hellenistic Reconstruction, Stregheria, Kemeticism, Native American Shamanism, Asatru, etc. They almost all incorporate Nature as either part or the whole of their deities.

Answer 6

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There are many religions that fall under the umbrella of "paganism", but not all of them believe the same things. Asatru, Druid, Wicca, Shaman, Voudou, Santeria - all of these could be considered "pagan religions", but that's about all they have in common with one another.

Just as there are various groups within Christianity (Mormon, Catholic, Protestant, etc.) and various denominations within those groups (Baptist, Episcopalian, Lutheran, etc.), there is an over-reaching similarity (the belief that Christ is the Savior), but how those beliefs are interpreted, taught, followed, and practiced can vary WIDELY from group to group and denomination to denomination. But within those groups and denominations there are a set of rules and beliefs that are followed.

Pagan religions generally have an over-reaching similarity (they are generally more nature-centric than Abrahamic religions), but how those beliefs are interpreted, taught, followed, and practiced can vary WIDELY from group to group and tradition to tradition. But within those groups and traditions, there are a set of rules and beliefs that are followed.

The articles on ReligiousTolerance.org may help clarify things for you.

http://www.religioustolerance.org/neo_paga.htm

Answer 7

Pagans are of the oldest religion of the world. To answer this first what type of pagans are you asking about. The oldest are Wiccans. We worship mother nature and her birth of life, meaning our children. And the god of hunt so we can feed or family's and support them. That's what Pagans are about. We do not worship one god but many.

Answer 8

Pagan is used as the word to describe any religion that isn't Christian. Its not a buzz word that means nothing. Its a word that describes a broadly collective group.

Think of it this way... did you play in the band in high school? Well I did.

You have the guitar players, the trumpet players, the flute players, and the players of every instrument. They all play in the band, but they're all very different.

Same concept.

Answer 9

Pagans are those that worship multiple gods. This is a huge group of peoples throughout history. Pagans are polytheists.