Pagan Information Question #6 Are we good or are we evil?

Question

All too often we have been accused of being "evil" soley because we either don't or can't buy into the idea of a "Loving God" who passes judgement upon us merely for the way in which we worship divinity. So, what's YOUR take on this GOOD and EVIL view that the mainstream Religions impose upon us?

I see that the Bileans came out in force on this one. However there are a number of wonderful answers and THOSE are what we are looking for. Remember we are out to inform the mainstreamers about us. Let them know that we are NOTout to "get them" That we are NOT out to turn them away from thier forms of worship. Only that WE too wish to worship OUR God/Goddesses/spirits/whatever and be recognized as fellow humans who are simply trying our best , just like them.

Note of WARNING. If you are NOT pagan and just come into these questions to cause trouble you WILL be reported. This is NOT your chance to preach to the pagans, emase. This is your chance to learn about us and hopefully come to an understanding about us and learn that we are NOT wicked and evil but follow Religions and beliefs that are MUCH older than history itself (even though the forms and ways have had to be changed due to their loss over the milennia, and prety much re-invented).

Angie, that's where you are wrong, Pagans are NOT an organized Religion, with a hierarchy that can be tapped for "community service". Our elders are just that, ELDERS, no more no less. We ALL tend to have jobs and do NOT recieve support from a "congregation" and there is NO formal "clergy" to organize such assistance groups. Instead we EACH do our part and give to charities on our own volition and to many charities, even Christian Charities. You refer to the "pagan Community", well there's no such thing, period. We help those who ask for it and need it but we DON'T have "organized agencies" like the mainstream Religions have.

Nightwing, you are SO right about all of that. GREAT answer!

BB, Raji

Answer 1

One being good or evil is based entirely on the choices that individual makes and the path they decide to follow. Intention is entirely separate to good and evil. Good exists as does evil. One's intent is only their aim, however if the result is not always what was intended. One can truly be a bad person, do criminal activities, be immoral etc. yet still do good deeds, so how then can some be so foolish to say that good and bad or even evil don't exist? One saying that lacks true understanding of the world and the force of nature itself. It is better to say that people are neutral; an amalgamation of good and bad. However that is not to say that one cannot chose to be more one than the other. Generally though at birth as through the rest of our lives we remain neutral. Of course being religious would educate you that one should try to be more good than bad in order that what we get back is positive and not negative. So in a sense humans are like magic. They are both neutral. However it is how they are used that determines whether they are good or bad.

Although in truth intent plays a no more bigger part in magic than it does in humanity, as at the end of the day it is the result that counts not the intent. One that murders (let's say it is a crime of passion) may not have intended to kill their love. BUT they did. Should they be let off because it was not their intention to murder? Of course not. Why? Because it is our acts, our deeds, that we are judged by not just by fellow humans but also by The Gods. Yes The Gods know what is in our hearts and minds, however nature's law, as created by Them, states that what we give out we get back. That is regardless of the nature of the act.

Raji, in truth, mainstream religions are largley misguided and lack true understanding of Gods and Their nature. We are not evil because they say we are. Are they claiming to be Gods? What right do they have to pass judgements upon us in this way? I worship The Gods each day as High Priestess at The Temple and I try each day to follow the principles They set. I am by no means evil, and neither are you, purely based on my worshipping The Gods (individual, distinct, limitless Higher Beings). I will not burn in Hell as they say, nor will something bad befall me because I have devoted my life to The Gods. When I die bound for The Afterlife I am. Yes I am only a small being and I make mistakes. However I am a polytheist pagan and am not evil because of this. We have existed, we do exist and we shall continue to exist.

The Gods Blessings

Answer 2

I don't think there can be pure good or bad. Everyone has a little of each in them, it's how we choose to live our lives that's important. The reason Christians say Pagans evil is because they're not Christian. Paganism came before Christianity, and a lot of Pagan things have been converted to Christianity. Like Christmas was originally the Pagan festival Yule. This is the reason why Jehovah's witnesses don't celebrate Christmas.

The thing that annoys me about Christians is that they say Pagans worship the devil, but they don't even believe in the devil, that's a Christian belief. But the annoying thing about that is you tell a Christian that and they say you're lying, but how would they know. If they just read up about this so called 'evil religion' they'd find out that it's just an other religion.

Answer 3

No, you are not evil! Some of the nicest people I know are Pagan. Just ignore them is the best advice I can give. I've been called evil and told that I was going to burn in Hell for using Tarot Cards. It doesn't change a thing I still receive messages from the other side with or without the cards. I do believe that we have both light & dark forces. I did not say devils or demons but dark in the end we all go to the same spirit world anyway.

Answer 4

To say that there is no good or evil is deluded as there are forces in this world that are good and evil. As for people we have the potential to be either it is a choice. Intention is not everything and one can still commit evil acts yet not intend to do so. However, ignorance is not an excuse. Good and evil are in no way imposed upon me as they exist it is just that some do not truly understand it. We are born with the ability to be either there is no "original sin." They way we worship The Gods has no bearing on being good or evil however lack of principles or not adhering to principles does not automatically make one evil. There is a fine line between what is bad and what is evil. One can be a good person yet still do bad things this does not mean that they are truly evil only that they still make mistakes. The Gods are just and gave us all the opportunity to make choices. Make the right ones, live a principled life and in The Afterlife you shall be rewarded for this. Make the wrong ones, live an unprincipled life and you too shall be rewarded in The Afterlife however this reward may not be to your liking. What we give out we get back.

Answer 5

If one is a Pagan, then how can you call ANYTHING good or evil?

At best, you can say that an act is not to your liking. To claim that something is good or evil implies a transcendent moral framework by which to discern good from evil. But from whence would this framework come? Good or evil imply a moral law. A moral law needs a moral law giver. But, a moral law giver is what Pagans deny!

Answer 6

Well, I cannot add anything that has not already bee said. We are not evl and we are many times live better lives than most Christians. We are not saved sinners like the christians like to brag. We believe in personal responsibility. Wicca teaches to not harm anyone.

I have been on both sides. I was a Christian preacher 14 years. I have seen the good and bad in Christians and sadly modern Christianity as a whole is lacking and is not filled with good works like it was meant to be.
I have seen Christians feed the poor and have been on the giving and recieving end of this but I also know pagans do this but it is more individual like you pointed out.

Answer 7

We are neither. Like all things we are created ethically neutral. (Trees are not good. Storms are not evil. They simply are.) But we have free will, and from free will comes the choice to do good or evil. Still, I judge choices, not people, to be good or evil. No matter how many good choices a person makes, they always have the capacity to choose evil, and no matter how many evil choices a person makes, they always have the capacity to choose good.

Labeling someone as "evil" is the easy way out. It turns them into a boogeyman, a monster and a villain instead of a person to be understood. I understand that some people object to my religious choice. They can judge it wrong or damning. That is their belief. But if they want to slap the label "evil" on me when they know nothing about me, my life or my choices (other than my religion), that's just a coward participating in name calling.

Answer 8

Religion, or lack of religion, cannot make you evil or good.
Failure to accept mainstream dogma doesn't make you evil, and too often that which we do not understand gets heaped into the evil category with not too much thought.
There have been so many evil people that have claimed devoutness in any faith, all one has to do is read a history book- or the Sunday paper.
It is our actions coupled with our intentions that make us evil or good. Not how we worship, or do not worship.
Angie- I have known several pagan activists for many causes, and those friends I have that are pagan have been treasures to me for helping me with anything from guy problems, to coping with cancer, and dealing with being raped. And they never once tried to convert me for all this help and love they bestowed upon me. Meanwhile, all these Christians are telling me horrible things happen to me because I don't have strong enough faith. Nice Bunch. Perhaps your sister(even if by marriage) merely reached out to you because you are her SISTER, and that is meant to be an unbreakable bond which far transcends that of spiritual groups or even friendship. It's too bad you did not understand.

Answer 9

Mathew 2:1-16 is self explanatory. There is no indication that these magi (holy men) did anything but what God expected of them. There is nothing in the account that would infer that God himself was not involved in the placement of the star over Jesus home. The words are plain easy to understand. Once again interpretation based upon need to support one religious doctrine over an other has caused simple language to appear as very difficult to understand. In fact if you read vs 16 it clearly indicates that Herod realized the 'the three kings', 'three wise men', 'three magi', 'holy men' had pulled a fast one on him, if this does not represent a good move from God's standpoint what does?

Answer 10

Wicca or paganism is not a religion,its a goddess based belief that can be dated back 25,000yrs,as with all faiths there are offshoots and varieties and that is because everyone is different and their needs also ..Wicca or Paganism is something that you believe in and practise in a way that suits you ..and is neither good or bad just wisdom passed down the centuries and give thanks to our ancestors for their secrets and rejoice for the season passing and the new one approaching.....and hope its a good one ....blessed be