Pagans et al: Let's start with the no-nos - what things would no self-respecting Pagan do, and why?

Question

"explicate" - new word. Can't tell you the last time that happened :-)

Yes please.

Answer 1

Try and convert others.
Damage nature or natural things without a really good reason.
Condemn the religious beliefs of others-Pagan or not.

These are things that most if not all Pagan beliefs systems share.Other no-no's are more specific to different belief systems I'd imagine.

Answer 2

That will vary from religion to religion. Wicca we live by harm none and if it harms anyone then we try not to do it, of course that cannot be lived completely because we harm grass when we cut it and plants and animals when we eat, but we harm none as much as humanly possible.

We do not cast spells that harm people or even if they help we do not cast a spell or send energy without the permission of the receiver.

About the only thing I will be bold enough and to say that we all pagans won't do and that is try and convert people. We believe everyone has a right to their own belief.

Answer 3

The most important things are to Do No Harm and to respect the Earth. There is a rule that whatever you do will come back to you three fold. This goes for positive and negative actions. We don't try to convert people but we are happy to answer question when they are asked genuinely and with the intent to learn. Your questions have been genuine and that is why so many people are happy to answer. As for all you who have so many negative things to say, it's amazing how when you feel someone is disrespecting your beliefs you have a hissy fit, but you are quick to attack us. Try to give the respect you want to receive.

Answer 4

Wow - lots of negative people out today - what, did your superstitious selves not have a good day on the supposedly luckiest day of the century?

To answer your question, Orion - I have two.
Never take the Wiccan Rede as a law, and never assume it applies to everyone, and never read just one book on any given subject related to your beliefs and assume you know all there is to know about it.

Three, I have three answers for you...LOL - I could explicate, would you like me to?

BTW- some of your answerers have forgotten the gypsy and the strega, who see not a single problem with curses and suchlike.

Answer 5

No self-respecting Pagan would ever hurt someone out of spite or wish bad things to happen to someone, because the evil thoughts and deeds will come back on them.

Answer 6

Pagan is such a broad term. One that encompasses so many philosophies and spiritual practices. I doubt very many pagans would agree on what a pagan "should do" let alone what they should not.
The sarcastic person within however insists that I answer that no self respecting pagan would become a Christian. hehe

Answer 7

Prosthylatize
Though I'm not sure I spelled it right.

We believe that each has the right to choose their own path. If someone comes asking, we will teach, but we will not go door to door or hand out tracts or otherwise attempt to convert people. And if we did, all of our Pagan friends would beyond mock us. We probably wouldn't be invited to the drum circles anymore.

Answer 8

That's a broad question for us pagans.. you're going to get several different answers.
Most of us would agree that we would never intentionally harm an animal, tree, plant or another human being without just cause (self-defense for example).. we also agree that self-esteem is very important on our journey.
Our path is about polishing the mirror of our soul more than anything.. the journey is more important than the destination.

Answer 9

Proselytize. :-)

Heathens don't have many "no-nos" beyond oath-breaking; we do, however, emphasize what we call the "Nine Noble Virtues" . . . it's a modern construction of values we feel our ancestors found praiseworthy:

Honor
Courage
Truth
Loyalty
Hospitality
Self-Reliance
Industriousness
Perseverance
Discipline

To which most of us would also add Moderation and Wisdom. :-)

We don't believe in sin, but we do believe in being accountable and responsible for our actions, and striving to uphold a high personal standard makes that easier than being a smacktard would.

Answer 10

Kind of a general question. I think you would find that most of us wouldn't try to force our beliefs on another person. I can't speak for all Pagans but for me it's all about bettering myself and my relationship with nature and my fellow human biengs.