Pagans? Please tell me.....?

Question

I have a good friend and she has confessed to me a little about her beliefs. I just was wanting to know what does it mean to be a pagan ? What does this belief teach ?

I will add that my friend has mentioned that she is a witch and hinted along those lines...
Regardless, I have nothing against her beliefs as she has the same respect for me... I plan to keep her as a friend no matter... I was curious and I plan to ask her more about her beliefs but not sure what to think or say....

Answer 1

Well ask two Pagans and you may get completely different answers. There is no prescribed doctrine for Pagans, we don't have one book, like the Bible or one leader, like the Pope.
Paganism draws from many different ancient religions and some just draw upon their own beliefs that don't match the "normal" religions. Some of the old beliefs are Shamanism, Native American beliefs, and Celtic beliefs.
Paganism is usually a natural religion, that deals with the duality of Gods and Goddess', some believe in multiple Gods and Goddess' and some believe in one Energy that is neither male or female but at the same time is both male and female.
Many Pagans believe in Karma, many believe in reincarnation, and most do not believe in hell, and those that do usually believe it to be more of a existence far from Deity.
I suggest you talk to your friend and find out what she believes, because every Pagan is different.
Please don't believe anyone who says that Pagans are evil and they hurt people or control people, ignorance is bliss for some people and they refuse to do any research before posting ignorant tripe they heard from someone else.

Answer 2

Pagan is an open term likesaying I am human, it can be branched out to have different traits. for the most part I tell people I'm pagan so as not to confuse or scare them. If I were to come out and say I'm a witch, reactions could be misleading due to rumors and myths. Originaly pagan meant country folk. Mainly used by the upper class romans. Simular to the way one calls one a hick or a redneck today. However many country folk did practice beliefs in multiple god's and goddesses, dieties or spirits. Technically Native American religions were/ are pagan in todays terms. Being pagan doesn't make one a bad person. Today pagan can mean anything. Buddist, Hindu, Wicca, Witchcraft, Druids, Celtic, etc.

Basically, ask your friend what she believes. But keep an open mind. Remeber your friend hasn't changed over night. she's still the same person you know, only she trust you more. Now you have the opportunity to learn about her faith or lose a friend. The choice is yours. Good Luck and BB (Blessed Be) Sdw

Answer 3

There's a whole lotta different Pagan religions out there, and even within specific religions, beliefs can vary.

If she hinted/claimed that she is a witch, chances are she's Wiccan. There's a number of varieties in Wicca too, but there's also a lot of info out there. The Wiccans here can give you a better run-down than I can, but the Wiki page is pretty accurate: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wicca

Answer 4

"Pagan" (she probably meant "Neo-Pagan", though) is an umbrella term that covers a wide range of religions. Did she mention WHICH Neo-Pagan religion she belongs to?

Here is some good general information on Neo-Paganism for you:

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

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neopaganism

Hope this helps.

EDITED TO ADD: With all due respect to Trinity, Wicca is NOT an "ancient" religion. It can only be reliably traced back to the mid-20th century. This does not automatically invalidate it. All religions have to start somewhere.

Answer 5

The definition of the word Pagan, is any religion that is not Christianity. So... that would include Judaism, Hindu, Shinto, Islam, and everything else.

But yes, look at the ReligiousTolerance website.

Answer 6

It has been my experience that the majority of people who claim to be pagan are actually practicing a type of wicca.
"They are ordinary people who have found the right religion for themselves. They worship the Old Gods-The God of life and death, The Goddess of Nature and Fertility- celebrating the seasons and practicing the ancient arts of healing, magick, and divination.
Wicca is an ancient religion and practice that predates chritianity. It is not anti-Christian ( or anti-anything) but simply non-christian."
"Wicca is based on a teaching of love for all life."

It is a very basic practice and belief for me. I do not associate with a coven, i choose to walk the path of the "Solitaire"

"It is the acceptance of personal and social responsibility. It is acknowledgement of a holistic universe, and the means toward raising our consciousness. Equal rights;feminism;ecology; attunement; brotherly/sisterly love; planetary care- those are all part and parcel of Witchcraft, the old yet new religion"

Really very peaceful and peace loving, Respecting all of Nature and Mankind.

Answer 7

The general misuse of the term Pagan is a devil worshiper, or has anti God beliefs. It's not a organized religion with beliefs that are taught. Pagans is also a motor cycle gang.