what are neo-pagans and wiccans? help!!!?

Question

i need help for my english essay.
i dont understand all the infomation on the net.
help please
thanks :D

Answer 1

I'm a naturalistic pantheist which means that "I believe in God/dess but spell it N-A-T-U-R-E." In other words, I am nontheistic. Knowing of the interdependence of nature (food cycle, etc.) as well as the interdependence of actions (ancestors' past actions affect my current circumstances and my actions will affect the circumstances of my descendents) fills me with a sense of gratefulness which I demonstrate both through my actions as well as concrete actions of respect and honor.

If you are interested:

These are the simple practices I developed based upon my exposure to such traditions as Reformed Druidry, Asatru, other forms of neopaganism as well as similar traditions within Buddhism, Hinduism and Shinto. I developed them to fit in better with naturalistic views but with the spirit of the traditions mentioned above. These cover a basic offeratory (libation and votive offering) service, a "Sacred Meal" practice, chanting, and meditation practices.

I. Naturalistic Spirituality Service Format

Create a small "altar" or "shrine" area with a picture of the planet Earth (or "Gaia" if you prefer). You can add candles, incense or other suitable decorations to the area if you wish. Light the candles or incense to provide mood and visual and olfactory stimuli.

1) Purification

(Out of respect for the interdependent forces of the Universe, wash both hands and mouth in a mindful manner before the service.)

2) Opening

(In front of the altar, chant "Be One. Be Love. Be Peace." a few times with hands in a position of reverence.)

3) Devotional drumming, singing, chanting, sharing, discussion, etc

(Do whatever devotional activities you or the group feels led to do. This can include drumming or singing along with recordings. This can include the chant of "Be One. Be Love. Be Peace." It can also include chants or songs from other cultures, religions, and spiritual traditions. A discussion or short talk can also be given if desired.)

4) Offering to the Interdependent Forces of the Universe

(Offer a cup or glass of water and a small portion of grain, bread, chips or crackers to the interdependent forces of the Universe by placing them in front of the altar while softly chanting "Be One. Be Love. Be Peace." a few times with hands in a position of reverence. Be in a grateful and thankful mood for the bounty that has been provided to you from Nature and from the work of others to provide that food and drink for your use.)

5) Sharing of the Bounty

(Everyone present can have a small sip of water and a taste of the grain. Be sure to leave a small portion of each in the cup and plate or bowl for offering back to Nature.)

6) Offering Prayer

(Take the remnants of the offered water and grain outside and respectfully and mindfully sprinkle them on the ground for the use of the plants, animals, and insects.)

"I (We) make this offering to the Earth and the Sun (Moon – if the service is at night), and to honor our ancestors who by their actions in the past continue to influence our present. I (We) thank the interdependent forces of the Universe for your many blessings. To you I (we) return this portion of your abundance, O our Mother, even as I (we) must return to you."


II. The Sacred Meal

Most spiritual paths utilise ceremonies similar to those of other faiths. I would like to present possibilities that may appeal to those who are attracted to the idea of naturalistic spirituality.

The purpose of any form of spiritual practice, whether interpreted in a supernaturalist or naturalistic vein, is the recognition of interdependence and being able to positively express one's identity while respecting that interdependence, rather than expressing one's identity in a negative way (which is known as egocentrism).

I would like to discuss a practice that is common to all people and so makes a very concrete, easy to follow practice - the Sacred Meal. This ceremony is a simple recognition that the food and drink of your meal is the result of the interdependent forces of the Universe. In more poetic terms we could say our food is composed of the physical body of "God", not in some strange archane mystical sense, but in reality. Furthermore, shared meals often serve as the basis of not only shared spiritual ideals, but also community building. This has
long been a practice in the bhakti yoga tradition so I would like to present it in a more universal, nonsectarian vein.

There are parallels to this tradition in many of the world's
religions and spiritual paths. For example, in Christianity, this is represented by Communion or Eucharist as well as within the earlier tradition of the agape meal. In Judaism, this tradition can be found in the Shabbat dinner and the Passover Meal. In many Hindu traditions and paths such as Krishna Consciousness, you will find the tradition
of prasadam where one offers the meal to the divine before one consumes it. In Sikhism, there is the tradition of the langar meal which provides spiritual benefit.

Here is simple form of the Sacred Meal in order to be more conscious of the interdependent origins of your food and drink. Create a small "altar" area with a picture of the planet Earth (or "Gaia" if you prefer). You can add candles, incense or other suitable decorations to the area if you wish. Before eating or drinking present your food to the interdependent forces of the Universe by placing it or a small portion on a serving dish in front of this picture while softly chanting "Be One. Be Love. Be Peace." a few times with hands in a position of reverence. Be in a grateful and thankful mood for the bounty that has been provided to you from Nature and from the work of others to provide that food and drink for
your use.

When you begin to eat or drink, be sure you recognize with your full consciousness just what you will be consuming and some of the factors that helped make it available to you. This includes the agriculture, the weather and soil, the human labor, harvest of the materials, packaging and transporting the goods, etc.

For maximum benefit the ceremony should be carried out before every meal, or at the very least, on one occasion each week.

III. Way of Oneness Chanting Practice

Being more musically inclined, I created a nonsectarian alternative to the combination of chanting a rhythmic phrase (or mantra) to a visual object (often a scroll, picture or statue). This is a more active form of meditation as compared to the silent form of meditation which is discussed below.

You are more than welcome to use this chanting practice if you think you may find it possibly useful. While there are many folks that seem to believe their particular mantra (which is a phrase which is repeated as a focusing device has "magical power", it really is the mindfulness that matters. The mantra is just one of the vehicles you can use to get there.

I recommend "Be One. Be Love. Be Peace." as the chanting and meditation mantra which is appropriate for nonsectarian, universal spirituality in the Way of Oneness. This phrase is a reframing and translation of the Hindu term "satchitananda" (which means pure being, pure consciousness, and pure bliss) and is another way of referring to the interdependent forces of the Universe.

I use two forms: "Be One. Be Peace." for those who prefer a four syllable "mantra" or more often I recommend "Be One. Be Love. Be Peace." for those who prefer the pace of a six syllable "mantra". As in drumming, people who like to chant are attracted to the rhythm and they find it an easy way to center themselves and become mindful.

The specific chanting practice method that I find helpful in the
vein of the Way of Oneness (the realization of interdependence) is to chant "Be One. Be Love. Be Peace" in a position of reverence (palms together in front of chest with fingers pointing upward - a traditional gesture of respect) to a picture or photograph of the planet Earth which is a wonderful visual representation of the interdependent forces of the Universe. Just chant this phrase loudly
or softly in a comfortable pace until you are satisfied.

IV. Silent Meditation Practice in the Way of Oneness

Meditation is simply learning to live in the moment, when nothing distracts you and when you are not tied to the past or anxious about the future. In meditation you become peacefully aware of your real self. The more you use it, the more aware you become. When you learn to live life for each moment, to enjoy and appreciate life to the fullest at that moment, you suddenly become impervious to the myraid
of doubts and fears that you've lived with all your life.

There are a couple of simple techniques for silent meditation as well. You do not have to sit on the floor. You can sit with erect back on a chair. Many people say try for 15 minutes twice a day. I say start with a simpler goal - 5 minutes twice per day. The benefits include stress management and relaxation benefits which help the body, increased mindfulness and focus, and increased energy. The mindfulness can be a benefit to your spiritual life, but
meditation also has "non-spiritual" benefits. Here are two easy techniques:

Breathing meditation - 1) Check posture. 2) Close your eyes and relax. 3) Focus on your breath entering and leaving your body. 4) Count breaths mentally one to four. Repeat. 5) Don't fight a wandering mind, but calmly direct it back to task. 6) Sit for a minute afterwards.

"Mantra" technique (choose a personal "calm" word or phrase that you will repeat in your meditation – I use the nonsectarian "Be One. Be Love. Be Peace.") - 1) and 2) as above in the Breathing meditation. 3) Listen to your breathing and let it relax you with each breath. 4) Once you are relaxed, mentally "hear" your "calm" word or phrase in your mind. Let it repeat in your mind. 5) Don't fight a wandering mind, but calmly direct it back to task. 6) Sit for a minute afterwards.

Answer 2

I am wiccan, and not neo anything. As for Video games, I see no problem with them not even world of warcraft. My son and I have sat in the same room while he played the game. We have talked about it. He knows it is not real and is able to figure the games out within the day. It can be fun and good mental exercise, especially the RPG's. He knows which ones are ok and which are too violent or sexually explicit. He doesn't play those.

Answer 3

I am a neopagan, what do you need to know exactly?

I can tell you what you need to know about both..

Wicca is essentially an earth based polytheist religion. it is newer than a few of the other pagan religions but basically the same although they are more focused on nature than a few other variations. A wiccan believes in the God And godess (or Lord and Lady) and usually several thousands of other deities.
Neopaganism is essentially the same but with a few modern updates and adaptations.

Both are positive religions and contrary to popular belief are not evil,satanic, atheist, e.t.c..
We believe in Majick, but not like what you see in the movies, more like a natural energy current of the surrounding wold that can be slightly manipulated and tapped into..

Answer 4

If I were you, I'd go to www.religioustolerance.org
That site is unbiased, and pretty easy to understand. A few other sources: wikipedia (of course), witchvox (covers many different Wiccan traditions), a pagan wiki (I don't know any in particular).
Really, if you have anything in particular you need to know, like funeral rites, handfastings, holidays, etc. just ask here. There seem to be plenty of pagans here and we'd be happy to lend a hand.

EDIT: Generally, Wiccans believe:
-in a God and Goddess
-in reincarnation
-in celebrating the cycles of nature
A Few Important events:
-8 main holidays (Sabbats, or solar celebrations)
-Wiccannings
-Handfastings
-13 esbats, or lunar celebrations
What Wiccans don't believe in:
-an ultimate evil, such as Lucifer
-Harming others
Important people in Wiccan History:
-Gerald Gardner
-Alex Sanders
-Raymond Buckland
Important Divisions of Wicca:
-Alexandrain
-Dianic
-Gardnerian
-Seax
-Christian Wicca
Other Neopagan Religions:
-Druids
-Asatru
-Shamans
Rules in Wicca
-an it harm none, so as thou wilt (wiccan rede)
-threefold law
-some follow Gardners 141 laws

Answer 5

Neo pagan comes from the word neo = new; and Pagan meaning one who is not a Christian, Jew or Muslim.

So these are people who are trying to recreate a pre-Christian religion. Many simply drop the neo bit and call themselves pagans.

Pagans come from various traditions sometimes referred to as paths (a bit like Christian denominations)

Wicca is one of these paths.

A bit like how one person might say I am Christian and another say I am Baptist.

Wiccans are all Pagans but not all Pagans are Wiccans.

hope this helps.

Answer 6

Speaking as a Wiccan, but more importantly as an EDUCATOR, the 'net is not an appropriate place to research stuff for an essay, unless you're using it to access JSTOR or Eric or other databases of PEER REVIEWED articles.

Put down the computer and get to the library.

Answer 7

the wikipedia page on wicca is actually pretty easy to understand. They have a basic understanding of paganism and im sure its a good start.

Answer 8

"Neo-Pagan" is a term that covers a range of religions, mostly modern and/or reconstructionist. They tend to be nature-focussed and polytheistic, but that's not universally true of all of them.

Wicca is one of the Neo-Pagan religions.

http://wicca.timerift.net

Answer 9

go to www.witchvox.com They have alot of info that should help you.

Answer 10

Wicca because it, like so many other religious systems, is growing in popularity and is contrary to Christian theological truth. It is the view of CARM, that Wicca is a dangerous religion because it denies the claims and teachings of Jesus who said he alone was the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). It is not dangerous in the sense that Wiccans are evil Satan worshippers who want to harm people (they aren't). But, since Wicca contradicts Jesus, we conclude that Wicca is not authored from God, but finds its source ultimately in that which is contradictory to Christ.