What defines a Pagan? How would one "convert" to Paganism?

Question

Im very interested in Paganism and learning more, but the more visible groups I have found have been extreme for me. How do I find out more? Most Pagans that I am aware of dont attend any events and rather practice alone. I'm ok with that but need some good resources to learn more about it.

Answer 1

A pagan is one who does not practice Christianity, Islam, or Judaism. Especially one who is a polytheist.

A neo-pagan is one who follows a modern version of religion based on pre-Christian deities. There are many different neo-pagan religions so their initiation rites (if any) varies. These are some of the main neo-pagan religions:

My favorite Yahoo group of traditional Wiccans:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/amberandjet/

A couple of good sites about Wicca:
http://www.geraldgardner.com/
http://wicca.timerift.net/
http://www.controverscial.com/index.html
http://www.waningmoon.com/ethics/rede.shtml

Comparing Wicca and Druidism:
http://davensjournal.com/index.htm?DaWaC.xhtml&2
http://www.clannada.org/wicca.php
http://www.tangledmoon.org/wiccanotceltic.htm

Websites about Druidism:
http://www.geocities.com/mikerdna/drulinks.html
http://www.wildideas.net/cathbad/druid.html
http://www.themystica.com/mystica/articles/d/druidism.html

Websites about Pagan Reconstructionists
http://www.ecauldron.com/reconindex.php
http://www.thetroth.org/memsvc/stewards/flyers/benw/reconflyer.pdf (links at the bottom for various Reconstructionist groups)
http://paganachd.com/faq/index.html

A good forum that has members of all different neo-pagan paths:
http://www.ecauldron.net/

Read critically. There's a lot of BS out there.
http://www.tangledmoon.org/critthink.htm
Hope this helps

Answer 2

You had better really check and see if you want to
follow paganism. This is a very old form of religion
and they worshipped mostly the sun/moon/stars/
seasons. etc. But they did have live sacrifices to
appease their gods and for fertility rites.
They built a fire and actually threw a virgin maiden
alive into that fire--they did the same with babies.
Read up on the Aztec and incas and early indigenous tribes
of South America. They were mostly pagans.

Answer 3

Paganism is simply the belief in more than one god.
there is no converting involved. many of us start as agnostics, and find through our own research that some of the older gods fit our personalities better than the mainstream ones.

some views may sound extreme at first, i know that i can come off to the extreme depending on who i am talking to. but you will find that many of us are very flexible.

for example I have no tolerance for anyone that believes that their one religion is the single great truth of the universe and has no tolerance for anyone else. (Christians and Muslims are the usual suspects for this stereotype).

however i enjoy the singing and energy on some christian churches, and attend them on occasion. the pastor's know that i am Pagan yet they come to my house to have dinner and to play dungeons and dragons. and have even invited other members of their congregation to Saween rituals at my home, in an attempt to get their people to better understand us.

my jewish neighbors can usually expect me for a haunnukah celebration, and my Muslim friends can expect me to honor their traditions on their holidays. my father is protestant, and my mother is a catholic.

if you need some advise or just someone to talk to e-mail me.

Answer 4

The only mainstream Pagan religions I know of are Hinduism and Wicca. Check those out.

Answer 5

Go to http://www.mysticwicks.com There are plenty of good resources there and friendly Pagans. You can also look at http://www.witchvox.com

Answer 6

Paganism is broadly defined as anything non-Christian, but usually it refers to pre-Christian European religions. Which is still very broad.

You should narrow it down. Wicca seems to be all the rage.

Answer 7

there are all kinds of pagans, just like there are all kinds of christians. i for instance am a wiccan/witch. but in that sect alone there is like 20 different types of wiccans. so, you'll have to be a bit more specific. what sort of things to you want to associate yourself with? Maybe this link will be of use to you.

~Blessed Be!

Answer 8

Try witchvox.com, sacredhearth.com
Depending on the tradition you are interested in... I could recommend some books. But I'd have to know your tradition.

Answer 9

Check out witchvox.com Its a great site to give you links to check for great info

Answer 10

E-mail me i have been praticing for a year now and always like to talk to someone new about it