I'm considering becoming a Pagan, and I need some help. So tel me the factions, core belifs and other things please.
2007-09-14 14:30:07 · 9 answers · asked by David M 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Paganims is a very BROAD category of religions. It's like saying you want to become religious, almost... too vague.
There are tons of religions that qualify as being pagan. The most well-known are Asatru, Wicca, Druidism, Egyptian pantheonism, Greek polytheism, Hellenic pagan, Vodun, etc. They all have different beliefs and practices, and there's very little that connects every single one of them. After all, many pagan religions developed separately from one another.
2007-09-14 14:40:43 · answer #1 · answered by xx. 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You've gotten some really good answers here. Yes, the term "pagan" is a blanket covering a wide variety of spiritual paths - I believe the present day term means anything that is not Christianity.
Read a LOT. There are so many wonderful roads to choose. If you have an issue with Jesus, that need not stand in your way. I'm a priestess of OYA, in the Vodoun/Yoruban faith - with american-style rootwork ("hoodoo" thrown in:) - and I happen to believe that Yeshua ben Miriam aka Jesus was a real guy - - -
- - -I don't believe all the claptrap with the virgin birth, etc., but I think he was a true historical figure, along with Buddha and others, and was a good man and a healer. That's just my belief :
- the beauty in a spiritual pagan path is that YOU get to forge your own beliefs - and change them at will. Was this Nietzsche or Blake - "I must invent my own religion, or be enslaved by another man's." That became my credo when I took this road. I'ts worked out pretty well. Find an ideal of your own and start from there. There are no wrong answers.
Treat yourself well, as you would treat others, and don't be afraid to change a belief, or contradict yourself. Only ninnies and anal retentive cretins don't feel free to contradict themselves - my opinion only. And I just may contradict that later on - teehee! *Bless* Sj
2007-09-14 14:55:52 · answer #2 · answered by The Church Lady 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Pagan and Paganism are broad terms and so they can't easily be defined. Most people today refer to them as "neo-pagans" because not much knowledge is preserved about the ancient pagan religions such as what the Celtic people had, so what pagans believe and do today is mostly newly developed and based on what they think the ancients believed rather than something that has survived the centuries. Today most Pagans seem to be "Earth-Centered" and there is a strong system of values. However, some will look to ancient Egypt and other cultures so it's impossible to classify "pagan." A good book and relatively easy read on the topic is "Paganism an introduction to Earth-Centered Religions" by Joyce & River Higginbotham. If you pick it up and read it you'll be well on your way.
2007-09-14 14:47:55 · answer #3 · answered by yurya2 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
As the others said, it's an umbrella term. There are some types that have defined beliefs, but really it can be anything you really believe.
Most pagan religions have a reverence for nature and an edict not to cause harm to others. Some worship deities, some don't but instead see them as archetypes and symbols.
I'm a Pagan Taoist myself, meaning my spiritual views are Taoist but I love to celebrate pagan holidays and use pagan symbolism. I don't believe in dieties but I do invoke them as archetypes.
Below is a link that gives great information about the Celtic pagan holidays.
2007-09-14 16:06:37 · answer #4 · answered by KC 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would suggest you research a variety of pagan religions. Pagan is mostly an umbrella as is the term Christian with many sects under it. You may choose to be a non denominational Pagan having a general belief in nature or find that Wicca (which also has many different sects), Asatru, Druidism or many of the other Pagan varieties interests you.
2007-09-14 14:45:00 · answer #5 · answered by besom_rider 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Since "Pagan" is an umbrella term that includes several different religions that can have very different beliefs, you may want to narrow your search down some...
Why are you considering becoming a Pagan? What do you know about it that draws you?
2007-09-14 14:38:12 · answer #6 · answered by Nandina (Bunny Slipper Goddess) 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Ah as so many have stated, pagan is rather generic. As a community, we have reclaimed the title as religions that are following the "old ways" so to speak. That's still pretty broad.
With paganism you have a lot of different tradition (demoninations) and approached to the gods. Some believe all gods are one god, all gods are aspects of the god and all goddessess are aspects of the goddess and then are those of us who are hard polytheist who believe the gods are seperate and unique.
A few of the traditions are Kemetic (egyptian) Asatru/Heathen Recon (Norse and yours truley) Wiccan, Hellenistic Recon, Celtic Recon, and tons of others.
paganspath.com is great and so is witchvox.com
Paganism is rich and diverse in history and worldviews. There are plently of us around here from ALL sorts of trads so feel free to ask them questions.
Frith!
2007-09-14 15:45:15 · answer #7 · answered by ~Heathen Princess~ 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think the Earth is there god ,and they celebrate everything on it
you probably already do the winter solstice,you decorate a evergreen tree and give out presents
2007-09-14 14:44:15 · answer #8 · answered by God 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The answers would be very long, so instead, I shall give you a few places to do some research:
http://www.religioustolerance.org/paganism.htm
http://witchvox.com/
http://www.runestone.org/home.html
http://www.wicca.com
2007-09-14 14:38:39 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋