What does your religion think of Pagans? What do you think of Pagans? [Atheists and Agnostics can answer, too]

Question

If you are Atheist or Agnostic, you can still answer this, just give your opinion!

So!...

What does your religion (or lack there of) teach you about Pagans?

What do YOU think of Pagans?

Do you know anybody who is Pagan?

How many types of Pagans can you name? Name them!

Answer 1

I am...kinda.
Pantheist with Pagan, Wiccan & Shaman influences.
I would like to say "Hi" to all our Pagan sisters/brothers of the Hindu religion. Peace always be with you! ; )

Answer 2

The Christian faith teaches that pagans worship false gods. I believe it talks a little about it in 1 or 2 Peter, but I'm not sure. There is only one true God who created the heaven, earth, sea, and everything in them. I feel very sorry for pagans, becuase if they continue their lifestyle, they will be separated from God forever. I don't know any Pagans, and I can't name their gods, I just know that they're on the wrong track.

Answer 3

I don't believe in Organized religion (with most of them it's just a money game.. they scare you into submission). If your talking generally about a personal belief system, then my own personal belief systems says to accept everyone for who they are. Life is to short to divide everyone up into little categories and then start excluding them from the list of "acceptables".

I believe mainstream beliefs (well, in the past and up into the new millennium) has given "pagans" and evil sort of cast, insinuating their devil worshipers and stuff like that (thanks christians for your pro-hatred belief and propoganda system). It seems that in the present that the mainstream religions are having less of a propagandist influence on society because our culture is diversifying. I no longer hear the "evil pagans" rational anymore.

As with all religions/belief structures, people take it either to a dark or a light place. I know many Pagans; some are great people while others give it a bad name.

I just simply believe that society should stop trying to place barriers between themselves and others. Work towards an open society of acceptance and tolerance for all.

Answer 4

Hey Loki. Many questions mean short answers -- we hope.

1) My religion or lack thereof is totally cool. I mean, what's the point of being an urban Pagan if you're just into self-loathing? Might as well be a devout Emo or something.

2) I'm good with them, though I tend to see my own omnipotent silliness mirrored in my fellows from time to time.

3) After awhile, you realize, deep down inside, we're all Pagans.

4) Reconstructionist and Neo-: druids, witches, greeks, romans, countrymen, urbanites...

Enough already. Four questions is one over the limit anyway.

Answer 5

i am on my own spiritual path so i can just give my *personal* opinion. I think that they`re really open minded people who try to live in an equilibrium with nature and other human beings.
Yeah i know a few pagans.
types of pagans: according to some religions a pagan is someone who is not of abrahamic religions, but i`ll name just a few of most known pagan types.So the hermetic pagans, the asatru pagans, wiccans(or should i call them neo-pagans) eclectic pagans, native americans, shamanism and i could go on..

Answer 6

Pagans are people.
Pagans are people.
Not personally, but I doubt it would bother me.
Larry, Curly, Moe. Okay, weak attempt at humour. Honestly, I wouldn't have the faintest idea. I thought Pagan was a 'tag' term like atheist. It covers a wide range of belief, and means that people can make generalised statements.
Isn't that what R&S is about?

Answer 7

Pagan is from the Latin "paganus", which was a sort of insult hurled by the Christian rules of Rome (4th c AD) against people who refused to convert to their faith. It means something like "rustic, countrified, old-fashioned, not "with it".

The Romans before Christianity came on the scene did not call themselves "pagans". Their religion was not "organized" as anything like the present-day concept of exclusive belief in only certain Gods and membership in an institution something like an army! Religio is Latin did not mean what "religion" means in the current sense. Rather, it implied more connection with ancestral roots and culture, through household and public rituals. It was "cafeteria" style. You could worship whatever God or Gods you wished, depending upon your needs or wants. Call on Aphrodite on matters of love, and make votive offerings should She grant your heart's desire. If you are a merchant, perhaps you will call upon Mercury (Hermes) to increase your skill at buying and selling, or upon Neptune (Poseidon) to protect your mechandise traveling by sea. If they fail you, maybe another God will be more favorable. The religions of India and Japan today are rather like the older ways of Europe. There are some shared beliefs and customs, almost of "national" character, but not that kind of uniformity that says "my way or the Hell-way". In other words, people have philosophy, poetry, plays, and art rather than scriptures as such. To my taste, the old ways are preferable, because it's hard to believe that the Gods would be jealous or petty. It doesn't seem to accord with observations of life and nature.... my opinion, take it as you will.

Answer 8

I have no problems with pagans. The ones who post here seem nice enough. I don't know any in person though. I do not tend to think of people as "bad" unless they give me reason to believe otherwise, and as i've never had any "bad" run-ins with pagans I do not have any ill feelings towards any of them.

I don't know enough about paganism to even consider naming the types there are. Forgive my ignorance.

Answer 9

Well by some folks standards I am Pagan. Technically though, I'm Heathen. I'm Asatru, most of us strongly prefer to be called Heathen as opposed to Pagan.

What do YOU think of Pagans? I like most of them I meet.

Do you know anybody who is Pagan? Yes, actually I know quite a few.

How many types of Pagans can you name? Name them!

Celtic Reconstructionist Paganism, Dievturiba, Finnish neopaganism, Ásatrú, Old English Heathenry, Hellenic polytheism, Judeo-Paganism, Kemetic polytheism, Romuva, Stregheria, Wicca (Alexandrian, Dianic, Faery, Feri, Gardnerian, Reclaiming, & Seax-Wicca.) Vodun, Santeria.

Answer 10

I have a friend who is a pagan and my relgion teaches me to love and to be an example to him in my life. Historically my religion has tought that pagans needed to be burnt at the stake but that is not what my Lord tought......people make mistakes and as we grow we learn from them and evolve.

How many types of Pagans...hmmmmm........Male and Female perhaps hermaphrodite or unic.

Answer 11

Most Christians have many pagan beliefs. Like the easter bunny and colored eggs and the cross and most holidays from the sun worship they call Christmas.
It is all false religion so that is what I think they are.