What is Neo-Pagainism, is it not an offshoot of Paganism? [Please read entire question as not to misinterpret]

Question

There are many words in the Bible, and others to reference them. What I am wondering is what Neo-Paganism is, and if that is an offshoot of Paganism or not. I have been told that just because a group chooses a different prefix to aff to a name, that they should still be considered the root name. Why do you believe or disbeleive this about Neo-Paganism?

Answer 1

"Neopagan" was first coined by Isaac Bonewits in 1970 in his book, "Real Magic", which was the first book that combined both an academic and practical approach to magic in general. He used it to differntiate it from paleopaganism, which includes both existing and extinct indigenous cultures, and mesopagan, which covers such groups as the Golden Dawn and other late 19th century mystical groups.

Neopaganism is not paleopagan because we are in an entirely different culture than the original pagans. We don't live directly off the earth, nor do we face death by exposure and starvation in the winter. We don't have raiders from neighboring areas attacking us, and natural disasters like floods and earthquakes aren't nearly as devastating as they used to be. Additionally, our values are quite different--there were no vegetarian Celts, for example. And back then, "pagan" was an insult similar to "redneck"; when Christianity began to spread, it started in urban areas. Those who had not converted because they lived in remote areas were made fun of in this way.

Neopaganism is paganism for now. We are not ancient Celts or Norse, and we have an entirely different social structure. There's nothing wrong with that.

Answer 2

neo simply means new or updated.

some would say that Neo Pagans go against some of the Ancient teachings of our religions. but i see them as people that are open to New Wisdom and teachings. the world changes every day. some of the ancient ways are still great sources of information, and some of the ancient rituals still need to be done in the ancient way to have any power. but to focus entirely on the ancient when there is so much new knowlege (i think) goes against the core of what most Pagans are (scholars, and historians.)

Answer 3

"Paganus" originally meant someone who lived in a "pagus", ie, a rural administrative district. In Christian usage it gradually took on the meaning of non-Christian, since it was assumed that people who lived in such rural areas had not been Christianized. It wasn't particularly a derogatory label until late in the Empire, when it acquired the dual connotation of "hick" and "non-Christian". The people referred to as "Paganus" may have thought of themselves as "pagani" in relation to where they lived (if they lived in a pagus), but they wouldn't have applied the term to their religious practices. So the term "pagan" (in a religious context) was originally a label that was applied to a group of people, not from themselves, but from a culture outside of their own. To learn the beliefs of these ancient peoples, one would need to study their individual cultures.

A person calling themselves "pagan" is a relatively new practice which may at best be traced back to the Modern Pagan movement of the Romantic period. I usually use the word "neo-pagan" (neo- means new) to indicate the difference between modern polytheists (like me) and the historical pagans who practiced their indigenous way of life. Many neo-pagans (but not all) practice a polytheistic religion and honor pre-Christian deities. There are many different beliefs and practices that fall under the umbrella term neo-pagan and it is difficult to accurately describe traits that they all have in common. It would be similar to try to describe all monotheists---the beliefs and practices are just too diverse. Some of the well-known neo-pagan religions include Traditional Wicca, Neo-Wicca, Druidism, Asatru, Kemeticism, Hellenismos, Celtic Reconstructionism, Religion Romana, Stregheria, Shamanism, etc. Each of these religions have differrent histories, beliefs, and practices.

Answer 4

Neo-Paganism is kind of a watered-down mix of many pre or non-Christian practices or beliefs with a "white light" spiritual bent. I opt to practice more traditional forms of Paganism. I am an eclectic witch with a background in Green Witchcraft, Shamanism, and herbology, heavily influenced by Thracian/ Hellenistic Paganism and Celtic/Druidic beliefs with a little bit of Ceremonial Magick thrown in.

Answer 5

Sure neo-Pagans are Pagans. Like the term says "new" (neo) updated version of paganism.

Answer 6

Neo-Paganism (It means "New Paganism") refers to religions such as Wicca who date back to about the 1950's. They are still Pagans.

Answer 7

Well, Neo means "New". That's it. Neo-paganism is an offshot of Paganism.