What is a Pagan?

Question

My friend has her "Religious views" on Facebook as Pagan. What exactly does that mean?
Also, I am Catholic, so I was wondering what kind of conflicting views we would have.
Thanks!!!

Answer 1

It's a blanket term that covers hundreds,perhaps thousands of religious beliefs.

It is likely she does not believe in or at least not worship Jesus or the god you serve.It does not mean she worships Satan as most Pagans don't believe he exists either.

Really your best to ask her.As a rule Pagans don't bring our religion up with others unless curiosity is expressed but most of us are happy to explain what we believe to anyone who is genuinely interested.

Answer 2

The literal meaning of a Pagan is simply a "country dweller".

In the spiritual sense, Pagan itself is not a religion. Much like Christianity has different divisions (yours, Catholic, being one), there are many types of Pagan religions/spiritual systems, such as Shamanism, Wicca, Buddhism, etc. Native American spirituality would fall under Paganism.

The three core beleifs among most practicing Pagans, as defined by noted religious historian Ronald Hutton, are: Belief in the Divine Masculine and Feminine (God and Goddess), a love for and kinship with Nature, and a code of ethics (such as the Wiccan rede or some comparable code).

Hope that helps. :)

Answer 3

Pagan tends to be a broad blanket term for those whose belief is based on the Gods of Old, or those religions which are poly or pantheist in belief. There are many different kinds of pagan. Asatru, Druidism, Witta, Gardnerian, as well as many others. Wicca is also sometimes used in this blanket term, though more often than not is it's own term.
You may have alot of conflicting views, as she does not accept Jesus, or even a one true God, rejects the concept of Christian Heaven and Hell, and scores of other things you may not like. BUT- you can still be friends as tolerant mature people. Research her beliefs if you like, you'll find she is really no different than anyone else.

Answer 4

The "Pagan" title is used by quite a few people. Literally it means something similar to "close to the earth," and was used to talk about peasants in ancient Rome, but has come to encompass anyone who has an earth-centered religion, like Wicca or Druidism, or a polytheistic religion. Polytheists tend to believe either that a: there actually are many different gods, b: Each of the many gods are a way to view a single larger deity, or c: gods represent aspects of your own psyche.

Answer 5

Paganism is usually used to describe witchcraft and in modern days wicca, which are 2 separate terms...irelevant here...

Pagans are mostly polytheists but there are some who are monotheistic, like myself and some who are atheistic and deny the very existance of a supreme being...like satanists so far I gathered.

Paganism is mostly concentrated on worshiping nature and the forces that create it...which are primarily the 4 elements and sometimes a quintessential element (spirit)

Anyway, paganism is a religion of love and peace and has nothing what so ever to do with devil worship like some followers of abrahamic religions attribute to it.

Answer 6

Paganism is any old "folk" religion. Pagans were originally meant to be "country folk" or "village people" in Roman culture. Any religion that doesn't fall into the category of Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam) is considered to be part of the Pagan culture.

Answer 7

As a 'catholic' you'll probably ignore this BUT here we go.
Originaly Pagans were the same as (What are now called) Satanists. Satanism is a misinterpreted religion, and the original ideas of it were to harmonize your self with Earth and the 5 aspects of it. Eg, Water, Fire, Earth, Air and Magic (I think). Hence the 5 pointed star. But now Satanism has been taken to be the same as worshipping the Christian Devil, in other words being an Antichrist.
There is a difference!

Answer 8

Pagan comes from the Latin Paganii, meaning 'country dweller' . Rome had its state religion and the people of the villages, that never heard of the state religion, had theirs. A belief in the duality of the Divine, God and Goddess, the seasons and their importance for sowing and reaping of the harvest, and loving, respecting, and caring for all of creation, animal, nature, and human.

Answer 9

A Pagan is someone who does not believe in the Christian God or Jesus. They believe in other deities... There are many religions that fall into this category

Answer 10

It is a Christian term to imply everything that is not from the Bible. Any doctrine not based on Bible principles is pagan. that would apply to the religion and the worshipers in that religion.