Okay, pagans, you say that you aren't satanists, here's your chance to prove it!?

Question

I've been told time and time again that I don't understand anything about what paganism really is. Why don't you tell me? What does it entail? How do you practice your faith?

Doesn't circumventing the question seem like an admission of guilt?

Wow, I think I learned everything I needed to know from these answers.

How can you be sure that these "other, actual gods" aren't just incarnations of Satan? Satan appears in many forms.

Just because YOU don't believe in Satan doesn't mean he isn't real.

Julien, thanks for answering my question, instead of just circumventing it with attitude.

Answer 1

As an actual Satanist, I can say that pagans most definitely are NOT Satanists. Satanists worship themselves and believe in self advancement, and see Satan as a symbolic rolemodel of spiritual freedom and individuality.

Many pagans love to express their hatred and negative stereotypes about Satanists just as much as Christians do, usually in hopes of winning the favor of people such as yourself. But, much as you are proving now, such attempts will be useless because the people who love to judge other religions wouldn't be willing to change their mind if god himself reached down and smacked them over the head.

You see, Pagans, this questioner will never think you can prove it because as long as you aren't worshipping Jesus, such people will always believe that your deity is the devil whether you realize it or not. At least mine really is, if even only in a symbolic and personal sense.

Answer 2

By definition, Paganism is anyone who doesn't follow the Christian faith.

The term Paganism wasn't coined until the establishment of the Christian faith - this is how the Christian church defined anyone "other" than them. Pagan = 'other.'

So the real issue is understanding that just b/c someone is "Pagan" does not mean they are a satan worshiper. It just means they are "non Christian."

In fact, technically, a Pagan also includes those who are Jewish, Agnostic and Athiest since they do not follow the Christian faith.

So to respectfully counter your question, I would ask you- do you think that jews are satanists?

By Christian standards, Jews are "Pagan" since they are not of the Christian faith.

But the question is do you think they are Satanists merely b/c they do not follow the Christian faith??

Its hard to havev ti both ways. You can't say "Jews are not Satanists, but wiccans are." -- it can't be classified like that.

Spirituality/religion, etc, is a very personal thing. The diety an individual worships is true to them on their own and no one else has the same relationship with that god- everyone's realtionship is unique.

And, while this sounds disrespectful, it is not meant that way- just to be thought provoking...

The BIG question is how do you know that your methods of worship are not satanic?? No one really 100% KNOWS that their method of worship is what god wants.

Instead, we take it on faith. That is why it is called faith- we believe w/o proof/knowledge. So you hope and believe and have faith that your method (Lutheran, protestant, baptist, catholic, etc) is correct and have FAITH that it will be the true god an the true religion- but you never know for sure. That's why its faith.

I would worry less about others beliving in satan just b/c they're classified as "Pagan" ... :)

Answer 3

Now please understand why some people get alittle upset. After we killed a couple Jeudo-Christians, they have be persecuting us. This makes people kinda mad. Especially the line about Satanist since I am sure no Satanist would call themselves Pagan and no Pagan would call themselves Satanist (Christians have been using that line to justify killing Pagans, or so called Pagans, for many yrs-since Thomas Aquinas if I am not mistake.. not that Satanist should be killed. They are people just like everyone else).
As for what this lovely group of religions entail, its hard to codify since there are so many types (as multiple people have said before). Pagans really just tend to worship some sort of "old way" (Pre-Christian). So pick up a history book, and you'll find Pagans- Egyptians, Romans, Greeks and the like were all Pagan. To do some other basics, we tend to worship multiple gods or goddesses (though not always true) and we like nature because nature is the coolest thing ever (lol). Much beyond that, you would have to ask about specific types of Pagans (such as Wicca, Asatru and Druid). Each one, like Christians, Jews and Muslims, worship differently.
If you have any specific questions, I would gladly answer them in more depth (being part of a college organization, I am used to doing that). But thank you for asking and maybe next time, present it less as a challenge because it can be viewed as offensive.

Answer 4

"Okay, pagans, you say that you aren't satanists, here's your chance to prove it!?"

Who are you that you demand proof of anything from ANYONE?

"I've been told time and time again that I don't understand anything about what paganism really is."

And judging from your piss poor, smug,holier-than-thou attitude I would say you hit the nail right on the head, it's just a shame the head wasn't yours......

"Why don't you tell me? "

Why don't you get off your fat,lazy,pimply burrito eating *** and do some research on your own?

"What does it entail?"

Knowledge,dedication and work. 3 things you apparently were never taught by your adopted parents or social workers from DYFS


"How do you practice your faith?"

Thats a secret, we could show you bu tthen we would have to sacrifice you in pigs blood and the entrails of baby seals.

"Doesn't circumventing the question seem like an admission of guilt?"

doesn't coming across as a b*tch make you feel stupid?

"Wow, I think I learned everything I needed to know from these answers."

And I am sure all you learned about turning tricks you learned from......nevermind, too easy


"How can you be sure that these "other, actual gods" aren't just incarnations of Satan? Satan appears in many forms."

So does retardation, your post is a shining example.

"Just because YOU don't believe in Satan doesn't mean he isn't real."

Just because YOU say he does doesn't mean he is real.

Answer 5

I hope I can remember everything in the details of your question.

One I personally don't believe in satan because that is a christian concept, not a Pagan one. I know that my Gods and Goddesses aren't just Satan tricking me two ways. One Satan doesn't exist and two I could say the same way you know that your God isn't. I'm not being a smart butt there. If you had studied other religions you will se that not all religion believe in satan. So really the just because you say so doesn't make it not true, one of those arguments that can't be won.

I practice my faith in different ways. I greet the sun in the morning but what that really is, is saying a morning prayer to the God and Goddess and thanking them for all I have. When I light candles it for the reason of focus, much like when someone holds onto a cross or a bible when they pray. This Samhain I will be doing a ritual for my father, who passed in August. This ritual is a way of honoring him and what he taught me. I will include all my relatives who passed. I don't tell other people their beliefs are stupid or evil because everyone's path is the right one for them. I do sometimes get annoyed with some questions.

Just a note. You didn't want attitude but your questions was written with a pretty nasty energy. The same as if I were had posted one saying Prove that your God isn't satan, you claim he isn't so here's your chance to prove it.

Answer 6

As an aside - normally it's customary to have the accuser prove the accusation, as opposed to having the accused disprove it.

I'm a Celtic Reconstructionist. I follow the beliefs of the pre-Christian Irish. I honor the gods, the spirits, and the ancestors. I say prayers, make votive offerings, observe the holidays - all in all, it's not terribly different from any other religion, when you're looking at it from the high level. If you want more in-depth details, the wiki article is pretty good: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celtic_Reconstructionism

As to Satan - I can be as certain about my gods not being him as much as any Christian can be that any angel/etc that they've ever dealt with isn't him. I've got to go with what I felt in my gut at the time. You can insist, if you so desire, that my gods are nothing by disguises for your Adversary - but I have to respectfully disagree, and insist that I know my Elder Kin better than you do.

Answer 7

Paganism is an umbrella term for any religion that is not one of the big 3 monotheistic religions.

There are many, many different pagan religions, so I'll just tell you about mine. My spiritual philosophy is Taoist and atheist, but I am a pagan in that that's how I practice everyday spirituality.

I celebrate the 8 Celtic pagan holidays. They are more or less evenly spaced throughout the year, and each focuses on celebrating the corresponding aspect of the life cycle. I love to celebrate life, so this really speaks to me.

I also practice witchcraft which is a sort of meditation and mental focus.

BTW you will get far less attitude in the answers if you ask a question with less attitude in it.

Answer 8

I am pagan.
I believe that all faiths have validity as long as there is no intentional harm done to yourself or others.
I believe in Osiris.
I believe in Isis.
I also belive in Jesus.
I believe SAtan exists ONLY as a constructed being because so very many people have, and continue to believe in him.
I do NOT ascribe any power to Satan. In my realm, he is not a great being, only a scapegoat fo the weak to blame their bad choices on.
Everyone else has explained it far better than I. I would just like to say that I ferverently hope that someday Christians will do some research before asking questions of this nature.
As an attempt to be educated, I have studied all forms of Christianity. I personally do not see how such a loving god would want his people to suffer. That is simply my perception.
Someday I hope you will read a book or too, I know for a fact that Jesus's message was of love and acceptance- not one of religious intolerance.

Pax

Ravyn

Answer 9

No need to prove pagans are not Satanists. Obviously asked by a Christian. Satan is Christian, exists in the bible, correct? Exists as a fallen angel (in biblical mythology) from the Christian's idea of heaven, correct? Hence only christians can be satanists? To believe in a diety from a particular spiritual tradition and to claim oneself as a worshipper of such diety, one might probably be of that spiritual denomination? Yes, I think so. Your question is unresearched, uneducated, and oppressive. Passing off the negative diety of christianity (satan), onto pagans is bizarre. Uninformed, and ignorant. If you actually do some research into your own question, you might come up with some slightly more informed thinking and ideas, than the ignorance of your original question.

Answer 10

What is Paganism? There are many flavors of Paganism as there are flavors of Christianity. At the basic level, Pagans honor and worship nature and the God and the Goddess.

What does it entail? From a moral stand point, pagans are fairly open. Our Rede can be summed up in Do What Thou Will and Harm Ye None (including yourself). So pretty much anything goes. You can be heterosexual, homosexual, have an open relationship, be wedded to one person or more than one person. Each indiviudal is his/her own preist/preistess, whom can mediate and talk to the gods. Each pagan can believe in any mythos they desire: Greek, Norse, Egyptian, Indian, etc. Pagans are typicaly either Solitares (practice on their own) or are part of a Coven (a group of witches [term used for both men and women] with a Head or High Priest and Priestess).

How do you practice your faith? We practice our faith everyday, in every step and with every breath. We honor the seasons, so Sabbats (rituals) are held on the special days, the Equinoxes and the Solstices. There are eight holidays: Samhain (sow-han, Oct. 31st), Yule (Dec. 21st, Winter Solstice), Candlemas (Feb 2), Ostara (March 21- Spring Equinox), Beltane (May 1st), Litha (Midsumer, June 22nd-Summer Solstice), Lammas (Aug 1), Mabon (Sept. 21- Autumn Equinox). These times are celebratory, with joy and merryment. The full moons of each month also hold special significance. These times are for working magick (spells or prayers focused on a particualr thing, prosperity, love, thanksgiving, blessing, etc) Since, we associate the Moon with the Goddess (and the Sun with the God) the time fo the full moon is more powerful for these requests.

Magick is the science and art of focusing ones will and intetnion to cause change. Through meditation, the use of spells (interactive prayers) and intention, one can change (or ask for a change) the world around them. Once again following the Rede:Do what thou will, and harm ye none.

To answer your question about Santanism: Pagans, as many have previously answered, do not believe in Satan or the Devil. We do not believe in "sin", but do feel that our actions have karmic consequences, for good or bad. Our actions, in ritual, at the grocery store, driving on the interstate, should always follow.... for the greater good and with harm to none.

This is a very basic and short summation of Paganism (or Wicca). For more answers, I would go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wicca or use Google

Answer 11

Doesn't the burden of proof lie on you? Can you actually PROVE Paganism is all about Satan? Since we're on the topic, can you prove your god isn't? Why don't you just leave us alone. We don't want your "help" or "saving". If you really think Paganism is Satanish, why then, do you care about what we have to say? There are TONS of books out there, good books too, that can inform you about Paganism and it's many different branches. Be forewarned though, Paganism often calls out to people, and you may find yourself thinking that's its not all that bad!