Modern Paganism...?

Question

I've read that modern paganism started in Europe within the last century. What connection with ancient paganism does this modern paganism have, if any? Is the ancient paganism still practiced today?

Answer 1

There is no continously practiced pre-christian indigenous European faith.

While Asatru beats most other reconstructionism by about 150 years, it's still Reconstructionism.

Modern Paganism consists of actual faiths, ancient paganism just meant what came first.

Answer 2

Well, there's some stuff that started in the early 1800s, with some of the proto-Asatru and Romantic Druids, but, yes, most of modern neo-Paganism is a fairly recent creature.

Most of Europe's Paganism did die off, though a reasonable amount survived in terms of folklore and folk practices. A few places still have some tribal practices, in the far remote areas, but they're few and far between.

In terms of relationship between ancient and modern Paganism, it depends on the religion. Some branches, like the Reconstructionist faiths, try to accurately research and rebuild (modernized, of course) the ancient religions, while others are merely inspired by the old beliefs.

Answer 3

I can only re-iterate what some have already said. All but a tiny fraction of Paganism that is practiced today is a reconstruction based on archeology and some writings.

If you wish to extend the definition of Paganism to indigenous practice, then yes, this still exists, even to certain extent to those who might be called Cunning Folk in the UK.

This should not, however, diminish the modern practice of Paganism. Not only are there those who are trying to relive/revive/reconstruct these ancient beliefs in their entirety, but there can still be much said about that which is inspired by these ancient beliefs.

In sort the study and practice of Paganism seems to have been and continues to be a method of understanding the world and our relationship with it.

Answer 4

Although now a lot of modern pagans try their best to reconstruct the paganism of yore, they'll be the first to admit that it's not the original and that they are only trying to revive or reconstruct the religion that was celebrated centuries ago. So no, it's not actually practised with the tote that "this is the ancient stuff from centuries ago that survived underground". It used to be toted like that with Gerald Gardner, but now? Practisers will be the first to tell you that the religion is merely a reconstruction - hence the terms "Celtic Revival" or "Hellenic Reconstructionism".

Answer 5

Hello all,

You only need to look at the Gnostic Gospels to see that Jesus said more than the rulers and masters could stomach.

Druidic History along with some family traditions can help you to see the One in two forms; Mother Earth and Father Sky. A Biune God not Triune is worshiped all over the world in many traditions. It is well understood in the philosophy and holidays of Brittish influenced world.

Worship Beauty in all forms of Humanity, Nature, Spirit and the Cosmos and you will see the face of God.

Just look at the Christian Holidays. Yule and Easter just to start. These holiday traditions as well as the cult of Mary are all very pagan in origin.

Just start reading about what heresies the church fought through the centuries and why. It will tell you a lot about paganism and Gnosticism. Look at masonry and other lodges for more one God many faces examples.

Food for thought.
Whoever said all pagans were social outcasts is sadly mistaken. I will put my status and ability to function in a business, academic or social environment up against theirs
any time.

Check it out. Be bold and read what the church has been hiding about its extermination of competition at all costs.

Kant said, "Dare to know!

Answer 6

yes and no ...first it needs to be made clear that the term "pagan" was derogatory term used by imperial religionists to a label "the enemy" in their war mongering ...so that anything "pagan" was of the "dark side", in fact there never was such thing as a "pagan" church by that name ...so that all the new constructs, are just that "new" ...the indegenous belief systems, for the most part were all basically the oral symbolic transmission of the wisdom of the ancestors and in no way organized religions like the "New Age/Neo Pagan" ...and some of these systems are still very much alive and have an unbroken chain of revelation going back 40000 yrs to pre vedic times ...the Auyrvedic and Yogic
systems for example.
churches or covens are becoming. In fact many of these started out on the correct path in the sixties awarness movements as anarcho syndicalist communes in the pacifist resistance but rapidly became coopted by drug and other vested interests. A good rule of thumb in terms of spirituality is " if you have to pay ...your in the wrong place". That is not as being self supporting like 12 step programs.

Answer 7

Ancient paganism isnt practised today, just a fusion of what people have decided is classed as paganism based on archeaological evidence and the writtings of a few well known authors from the 19th onwards. Due to the witchcraft trials and persecution of pagans very little remains of what ancient pagans actually practised, what we see today is what recent authors and believers think was practised. Ancient paganism doesnt exist...all religions develop and families that state that they are direct decendants of ancient pagans must have a very good family memory as our ancestors were pagans and didnt leave any writtings.
What you see today is a hotch potch of various different thoughts and theories from various writtings from the romans onwards.
When pagans use candles in ritual - thats a recent addition as our ancestors didnt have candles in colour, they used good old basic candles they made themselves if they used them at all, it is believed that prehistoric man who was definately pagan used the sun and moon for light.
There is no ancient paganism been practised today, as it is what it says it is..ancient and like all religions it will have developed over time and due to persecution of various religions much of what we have today is a complete guess.

Answer 8

Modern Paganism started in the 1960's I do believe with Gerald Gardner in England. He is considered the founder of what today is called Wicca - basically modern witchcraft. Not much of ancient paganism survived what did was through family practice and word of mouth. People of today do practice the old way to the best of their knowledge. Hope this was helpful.
Sigrid(Rowan)

Answer 9

Probably none. Read Witches, Druids and King Arthur by Hutton. He goes into a quite detailed reasons.

Is it still practiced today. To a extant(ish). There are reconstructionists who use archaeology and as many sources as they can get their hands on. But it isn't the same though. A Asutru could answer this better. They are one of the Recon groups. YOu could also ask Randall at ecauldron.com He's a greek recon.

Wicca started in England by Gerald Gardner. It came out in I believe 1951. WIcca is one brand of paganism it isn't the only one.

I hope this helps.

Answer 10

Ancient Paganism is still practiced today in the form of reconstructions of the old religions. There are also many religions that aren't actual reconstructions, though beliefs of Ancient Paganism do influence them quite a lot.