Do atheists and pagans have a lot in common?

Question

When you say that you're a child of the earth, and I say that I'm the product of millions of years of evolution, that's not too far apart, right?

Both groups are often condemed by christians as well.

Thoughts?

Answer 1

We are alike in the respect we do not threaten others with eternal damnation.

Answer 2

"Atheist" is often used as a generalization (and stereotype) to cover many different groups with some related beliefs, the main one being that they disagree (to say the least) with the majority religion (for many that is currently Christianity) if not all religions.

Some are truly Atheists, some have Atheist sympathies, and some are experimenting/rebelling; everyone has their own current personal beliefs and reasons.

Minority religions (even if they have a large following) often sympathize with Atheists in their disagreement with the majority.

Any faith that is in the majority brings pressure to bear. Any faith that enforces a certain (majority) belief will get violence.

Though I have several friends that would accept the stereotype Atheist, many of them would fit the term "counter-culture" even better.

ADD: If the Atheists were ever to be in the majority in this country (USA), I believe they would lose much of the cohesion they currently show and would fractionalize into individual variants (denominations?) just like groups of believers (faithful) have in other countries.

Answer 3

Maybe not by words, but since I've been here I've had no problem with being under the atheist umbrella.

I think life has it's rewards. I understand that those who are atheist are all about that. So,am I; so I have no problem hearing them. So, the way about it is different, but we all want the same outcome.

Creation at it's best. Everyone going about their own self-expressed masterpiece. It's not about the tools, but the end result.

That's why they may be poles apart, but co-hesive for all that. I want their logic and their science, I'll just intergrate it with my earth magic. Ever seen a tree grow around an inanimate object?

It becomes a part of the tree.

Answer 4

The only thing that atheist and pagans have in common is both groups being condemed by Christians.

Pagans still have a faith system in place. And atheist are found on any religious faith.

I personally have nothing against Pagans they have always been nice and helpfull and never judged me.

Answer 5

The ability to hold an intellectual conversation, debating the origin of mankind, the existence of the soul, the purpose of life, with an open mind, no threatening punishment for opposing view points, a sense of humor and an great appreciation for diversity in society. These are the qualities that we share and respect in each other.
Although these personal qualities are found in some Christians, if you spend very much time on here...you tend to forget that some good ones do exist. Ooops!!!
Although they say that we Pagan types "worship" Gods/Goddess', most of us recognize that "they" are not entities, but rather essences of desired elements in life, simply put, different types of energy in the Universe that we draw upon.
Yes, we are silly Heathens...and so are our Atheist sisters & brothers!
Blessed Be our Mother Earth and all her children! ; )

Answer 6

Imho, both have freedom of thought... intelligence.... respect for others.... and thats about it.
Seriously... do (some) Atheists think that logic cannot apply to Pagans ugh Earth-Based Religions...
For anyone... choice, and lack of hatered I think are 2 main things but
Earth-Based Religions have their Way and Atheists lack of belief in anything a human would call a God/ess/s...

In honesty all humans have some things in comon such as choice, freedom... some just love to take it from their fellow planet inhabitants....

Answer 7

Not really. I personally think that their beliefs are every bit as silly as the Christians, some times even more so. Most of us just like the pagans a lot more than the Christians. They may be silly, but they are nice.

Answer 8

In a logical sense no they are not that far apart but when it comes to the terminology they are, Pagans, wiccans and the like believe in the spirit of earth and when they die they will return in body and spirit to the earth and be reborn, as for atheists they don't believe in souls or god/goddesses etc.

And in ending It is the how you interpret the belief.

And a side note I'm agnostic. (Basicly meens i'm non-religous but do believe being higher then myself)

Answer 9

I think that they are close in the sense that you both come from the earth. You both are in your own way intertwined by that fact. Though you are both condemned that is as far it gets with you having something in common, in my opinion. I, myself, am agnostic though but I have friends both of the atheist and pagan ways.

Answer 10

I think the most that can be said is that we have "common cause" . . . against the rising theocracy and insane dominance of the most extreme and fundamentalist sects of Middle Eastern religion.

Beyond that, no, nothing in common. Atheists consider followers of indigenous ancestral folkways at *least* as "self-deluded" and "superstitious" as xians and deny the very existence, let alone any possible benefits, of human spirituality.

Answer 11

It may be that we have some things in common. However, many Pagans are pantheists and still consider spirits real, while most Atheists (excepting primarily Buddhists) consider spirits, souls, and anything supernatural untrue.