I think as a pagan I might be starting to become an athiest?

Question

I think I am. I'm starting to doubt it like I doubted Christianity. Should I just suck it up and be an athiest or still be a pagan? Most of the time I don't doubt it but when I hear some people talking about their belief in faeries or casting a spell it makes me wonder... What should I do?

Redeemed I'm NEVER going back to Christianity. Even on my dying day. If I don't stay Pagan I'll become an athiest. Don't try to convert me.

Answer 1

Believe whatever you feel comfortable believing. You have a LOT of options to choose from... including paganism (in various forms) and atheism.

You don't need our advice. Just go with your own feelings.

And remember -- MOST people think that THEY are right. And there's no way that they all can be. Your choice!

ADDED Comment: *You* wrote, "'Redeemed,' I'm NEVER going back to Christianity. Even on my dying day. If I don't stay Pagan I'll become an athiest. Don't try to convert me."

To which I say, if that's how you feel, good for you! ACTIVE Christian proselytizers make Christians in general look like intrusive and obnoxious loons. If they want to proselytize in a way that *doesn't* do that, they should simply leave tracts lying around for people to take or leave. That's "passive" proselytizing, and is FAR more preferable.

-- "Roadrat" -- Actual, sensible, and tolerant Christian.

Answer 2

There are two ways of looking at this, and I don't even know myself which is right -- actually, in a way they're different sides of the same coin:

I don't think anyone has ever had it all right, and no one ever will -- and so every religion has its flaws, if you look deeply enough you will find them.

On the one hand, you could say your eyes are being open. Whether you end up with atheism, agnosticism, or non-religious spirituality, you may be getting closer to the truth. You are learning.

On the other hand, if you feel a need for spirituality you may be hurting yourself by knowing too much -- like Icarus, flying to high -- or to put it another way, "When ignorance is bliss, 'tis folly to be wise." If you examine any religion enough you'll find things you don't believe in, if its really important to you it may be best just to feel the spirit and not get lost in the details.

I was an atheist once, in the name of rational objectivity, but felt something more -- I decided at best I was rejecting part of myself and at worse I was reject an actual transcendent reality. In the end, its up to you: rational objectivity or spiritual feeling. If you need both, you may end up "spiritual but not religious," but also possibly conflicted and very possibly outside any particular group.

Answer 3

You've gotten some wonderful, thoughtful answers.

The only thing I will add is the reaffirmation that your path is going to be the one that's right for you. At the end of the day it doesn't really matter what anyone else thinks or believes.

There's also nothing wrong with that path leading in different directions, sometimes even in circles. It's all a natural progression out of life. If you decide at this point that you're an athiest there's nothing to say that you can't add elements from just about any other tradition to add and supplement it.

Usually when someone says to me "You can't do that" or "That's just wrong" when it comes to my spirituality or belief system - well I might just be on to something.

Answer 4

First, what is your definition of being Pagan? Is it simply believing in/praying to different deities than Christians? Is it more of the Native American spirituality like believing and caring for Mother Earth? There are many forms of Paganism. Just because someone else's definition doesn't fit yours doesn't mean either of you are wrong or need to change.
I'm one of those who believes in faeries and casts spells (I call them Prayers with Props or Affirmations with Attitude). Still, it doesn't negate your not believing in faeries or spells. I believe in Mother Earth and Harming None. My brand of Pagan spirituality is my own... not even members of my Coven all believe EXACTLY the same thing.
I.E: I went to a Catholic church once and asked people about Mary- some believed she was a sort of Goddess in her own right (though their teaching didn't allow them to use that word), while others believed her simply a woman, and still others felt that she was sacred like a Saint for her role as the mother of Jesus.
Sucking it up and being an Atheist sounds like a sad ending to your spiritual explorations. NOT that I'm knocking Atheism- it is a valid belief for those who are called to it. I'm just saying that you shouldn't give up your spirituality because it's different from others' definitions.

Answer 5

Not much difference between being a Pagan and being an Atheist. If its the supernatural aspect of Paganism that you are doubting, then yes being an Atheist makes more sense. But somehow I think your heart secretly believes in those supernatural beliefs, even though you have not seen first hand. In that case being an Agnostic makes better sense. Its okay to sometimes say, what Jeff Spicoli made so famous in "Fast Times At Ridgemont High," "I Don't Know."

Answer 6

There are those among neo-paganism who are merely letting fantasy run riot. Even among the Faerie tradition, this is not necessarily true though.

As a Pagan, I cast spells, but perhaps my definition of a spell is not that of which you speak. Magick is part of Paganism, but it isn't the sort of thing that is seen on TV, as in the Charmed series.

Listen to the podcast called Deo's Shadow. He often talks about calling BS when people make extraordinary claims.

Answer 7

Out in the real world I have never tried to persuade someone one way or the other; I honestly couldn't care less what their religious views are. On here I will state my beliefs because that is what this board is for and also because I am an argumentative person by nature. I would like it even more if others on here could have a reasonable debate without either side getting offended and taking everything personally, but most cannot.

Answer 8

Make some honest observations about what you think you believe and see if they hold true. If you doubt someone's ability to cast a spell, then you probably do so with good cause.

Critical thinking usually proves religious claims to be false. If you are a pagan just because you love the environment or something like that--there is no need to belong to any religious point of view--many atheists love the environment too! I'm one of them!

Answer 9

The thing I like about paganism is being able to believe in God and the works of God without all of the other stuff about who is right or wrong or going to heaven or hell. Some pagans believe in things that I dont but that doesnt mean I have to which is one of the good points as far as Im concerned.

Organized religion just gets in the way of being religious

Answer 10

I think you should identify what you're doubting and consider how that impacts your faith. Just because you doubt the existence of magic and fairies doesn't necessarily mean you doubt the existence of your gods. It doesn't even mean you shouldn't call yourself Pagan. I am a Pagan, and I don't believe in fairies. I do believe in magic, but not the Hollywood image of magic that so many people think we're working.

Doubt is a wonderful thing in religion, because it means that whatever conclusion you eventually draw will be that much stronger.

Boiled down, as long as you believe in your gods, honor them. If you do not believe in them, don't honor them, because if you're just going through the motions without any belief then you're just wasting your time. And if you doubt them one day and believe the next, then go back to honoring them.