Pagans....do you feel that you have more in common with christians or atheists? and why?

Question

Straw man....is that YOU? Good....thanx! I can finally find my way to Wal mart....LMAO

Answer 1

While it is true that christianity has pagan roots, I have much more in common with atheists in that I use my mind, I believe that science is a valid way to explore our world and the universe, and that christianity is a plague upon mankind, especially in the U.S. where they attempt to legislate their beliefs upon the rest of us.

Answer 2

I'm going to go in the other direction and say I actually have more in common with Christians. I believe that there is a Divine presence (I'm a panentheist) and that there's more to the Multiverse than meets the eye. I've met some wonderful atheists as well, but I've also met some very closed-minded cynical ones, too, who want to debunk everyone's religion.

I do want to mention that, despite the other answers you've gotten, not all pagans are anti-Christian, nor are all Christians anti-pagan. You have closed-minded people on both sides (and in ever religion, really). I've met pagans who were incredibly petty and dogmatic, and Christians who were very generous and loving. You can't judge by labels alone.

Answer 3

There are some Christians I have more in common with than some Atheists and some Atheists I have more in common with than some Christians. And some Christians I have more in common with than some Pagans and some Atheists I have more in common with than some Pagans too. Unfortunately, or not, whatever, I have little in common with most Pagans, so it's silly to package people up according to their religion.

I have stuff in common with people who love life and live life to the fullest, seek knowledge, especially of science and history, and fulfillment without stepping on other people and don't spend their days daydreaming about unicorns or telling other people they're wrong.

Answer 4

Ooh, fun question! To identify myself, I am mainstream, nondenominational Wiccan. I think it's a tough call, because it seems to me so far removed from either. For one thing, there are so many different kinds of Pagans, Christians and Atheists that it's nearly impossible to fit into any categories. For practical purposes, I would give the main characteristics of Christians faith and, if we're talking about Christ-like Christians, not fundamentalists, kindness, compassion and forgiveness. I would characterize Athiests as insistant on proof and scientists. It's a cop-out answer, I suppose, but I think many Pagans try to balance both of those: We have faith, but at the same time, we won't accept things that don't make good sense to us just because someone tells us that it's so. This is definitely a generalization. There are many Pagans thick enough to believe whatever they hear. Paganism is largely based on nature, and therefore fits the Athiest view. Belief in divinity is rarely about supplication in Paganism, but about cooperation. I would say the most similar form of either Christianity or Athiesm is Liberal Christianty, the belief that God is about humanitarian love and progress in society and not about vengence. I hope this helps you. Thank you for your interest!

Answer 5

Well, I personally do get along much better with the Atheists because they show more respect and seem to know more about my religion (Asatru) than even some other Pagans do, much less Christians. Also, I can have a decent conversation about science with a Atheist, it's almost impossible to do that with a Christian (at least the creationist kind).

Christians can get extremely nasty if you don't believe as they do. They will attack me and what I believe without having any knowledge of who I am or what my religion is. (Which I find amusing) I have never gotten hate-mail from Atheists, but I've gotten tons of it from Christians. The hate mail almost always includes threats of hellfire and damnation.

Answer 6

ATHEISTS! since our concern is with this life only. Modern day pagans don't really believe in the gods of antiquity; they are just symbolic.

We have a scientific view of the universe, with a reverence for nature.

Answer 7

Atheists
They tend to be more open-minded, use their brains to think rather than following like sheep. While atheists don't believe in any god or goddess, many Pagans pick and choose who to use as symbols in their rituals.
I, personally, tend to use different deities for different rituals, but basically use Nature, Mother Earth, and Elementals more than anything.

I used to be a born-again, tongue speaking, Bible scholar, and lay-minister. Glad I kept an open mind and found Paganism. It has certainly freed me in more ways than one.

Answer 8

ooh. liking this question. On one side we're both oppressed and dominated by an egotistical religion that have slighted us historically. On the other hand you're united against a lsck of faith or belief in the spiritual.

This should be interesting to see...

Answer 9

Atheists, at least they can look objectively at things and don't go around saying I'm going to hell or I'm the agent of some kind of cosmic boogeyman. Also, I've never heard of any Atheists who'd like to re-enact the Medieval witch-burnings.

Answer 10

Atheists. They don't deny themselves pleasure because of some silly dogma. We seem to lead a freer life, without the chains of religion.