Do all Pagan religions believe in reincarnation?

Question

I'm aware the the word "Pagan" is a large term, but I always have this idea that all Pagans believe in reincarnation. If so, do you, as a Pagan, believe that all living creatures are reincarnations of a previous life? And when I die, for example, is it possible, according to your beliefs, that I will be reincarnated as an animal or even a plant? And if that's true, do all Pagans abstain from eating animals? And one final question: Who is responsible for the process of the reincarnation? Is it a particular God (Or Goddess)?

Thanks in advance :-)
btw: I'm a Deist

Answer 1

No, not all pagan religions believe in reincarnation. For instance, many reconstructionist religions (such as Hellenism and Asatru) do not believe in reincarnation.

I personally believe in reincarnation. I don't believe that all living creatures are reincarnations, as I believe that new souls are born/created sometimes. It's certainly possible that you'll be reincarnated as an animal or a plant. If there is life on other planets, you may even be reincarnated as a lifeform on one of them.

Some pagans are vegetarians and vegans, but not all are. I'm an omnivore. While it's important to respect all life, I don't see anything wrong with eating animals, as that is what our bodies were made/evolved to do.

I don't know whether anyone's responsible for reincarnation. I think it just happens. I think that other religions' afterlives exist too, but I think they're probably for staying temporarily until you're next incarnation. For instance, I don't believe in Hell (eternal punishment for a finite sin), but I do believe that Purgatory is certainly possible.

In Hinduism (or at least one sect of HInduism), souls are emanated from Shri Brahma like sunbeams and they end up in wheat in the fields. This is eaten by the father-to-be and the soul is implanted in the mother's egg with the sperm. I think it's pretty phallocentric, but that's one theory.

Answer 2

Not all Pagans do as you've been told by others here already. lol

For me yes. I believe in reincarnation. I also believe that animals do. I believe that my horse has been with me in several life times. Do I have tangible proof? No I don't.

I don't believe that I will reincarnate as an animal.

I don't abstain from eating meat. I love a good steak.

Who is responsible for reincarnation? I would say that it's a process that happens not necessarily something over seen by a God/dess.

Answer 3

Even within one Pagan religion, Wicca, not all Wiccans believe in reincarnation.

Myself, I think it's just as likely as any other scenario I can think of -- the universe runs in cycles; why not the life of a soul? (Assuming that there's any survival of anything like the self after the death of the body.) I haven't bothered to think through the details of such a possibility, since I figure I'll find them out when and if I get to that point.

I eat animals because life feeds on death in this world, though I do try to make sure that the animals that feed me have been treated humanely.

If reincarnation exists, I suspect that it's a law of the universe, like gravity, and hence not under the control of any particular God/dess.

Answer 4

No@@ lol No! Not Pagan religions believe in reincarnation. Sorry!

Answer 5

Almost every religion believes or has believed in reincarnation at one time or another...It was even one of the original teachings of early Christianity. Ya don't have to be a Pagan to believe in reincarnation.
As far as coming back as a lower life-form...I don't think it's possible for a human to return in another life as a lower life-form (unless it's something they choose to do just to see what it's like). That would go entirely against the process of spiritual evolution...Remember, to evolve is to move ever forward, adapting to any and all situations...EVOLVE!!
As far as a single Deity (or even a group of them!) being in charge of the cycle of reincarnation, I don't think so. I think that it should be looked at as a natural process; sort of built into the universe like a line of basic programming (IF X+R=J THEN GOTO 743, NEXT X) or something like that.
Hope I helped with my tiny opinion!
Peace!

Answer 6

it is my belief that as souls, we all have life lessons to learn, and we will continue to be reincarnated until we learn those lessons.
I also believe that as souls, we choose our parents according to which lesson it is we are working on.
I consider myself Pagan and i do not abstain from eating animals!
And for your last question, who is responsible for the process of reincarnation......i have no idea. I would have to say the Divine Entity that we refer to as God/Goddess.
Good luck on your quest for truth and knowledge!
Blessed Be

Answer 7

I am Buddhist and believe in reincarnation and am a vegan in my dietary habits, as a statement of this belief. Also, I feel better eating like that. But I didn't know if by Pagan you meant all beliefs outside Christianity or what you meant.

Answer 8

no, not all pagans believe in reincarnation, it is not a major concept.

Euclid (best known for his geometry), had the curious belief that people would be reincarnated as beans.

Answer 9

No, some Pagan groups and individuals believe in living on as an individual after death in some form.

Answer 10

No, I'm agnostic on the subject of reincarnation. I'm not sure about it. I suppose anything's possible.

I eat animals! I'm very comfortable with my inner predator. It does not mean I disrespect them in any way. I'm just doing like they do, filling my need for nourishing protein.