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What is Paganism?
by Nyx Wolfwalker
History of Paganism
The term Pagan has numerous common definitions. Many dictionaries
define a Pagan as anyone not of the Judeo-Islamic-Christian religions. Some people
consider anyone who does not share their religion to be a Pagan. Still others believe that
a Pagan is a person who is anti-religion. None of these "definitions" manage to capture
the true meaning of the term.
To discover the core meaning of Pagan, we look back to ancient times when the word
Pagan referred to a person of the country, or a peasant.
{deletia... in summary, several paragraphs relating the history of the Catholic Church and
the poor peasants' inability to relate. Brief description of the "glory of the Goddess and
God in each starry night" and note of the inconsistancies of the original Pagan beliefs
with the Catholic church. Also, several paragraphs detailing the development of of the
Church's campaign to expunge Paganism, some of the methods employed and the
subsequent Witch Hunts. Finally, an overall summary of the persecution.}
Paganism in Modern Times
"Today, little is known about the Pagans who survived what is now often called "The
Burning Times." Paganism, as it exists today, is best described as the practice of any of a
number of nature-based religions, traditions that find their roots all over the world.
{Liana- sound familiar?} Many modern Pagans call themselves "Neo-Pagans" to declare
their religion as a revival of the old beliefs.
{more deletia... in summary, two paragraphs comparing contemporary Pagans to the
peasants of old, extolling our intelligence and involvement in technology. Also a
paragraph defusing the Satanism comparison.}
What do Modern Pagans Believe?
Paganism is actually a large umbrella containing a number of nature-based religions
beneath it, from the European-originated Wicca and Druidism, to African Yoruba
traditions and Hawaiian Huna. As a result of this diversity, it is impossible to make
statements about the beliefs of Pagans that will apply to *all* {italics} Pagans. However,
some statements can be made that will, in general, apply to a vast number of Pagans.
Many Pagans tend to:
* Be polytheists, believing in more than one deity or more than one aspect of a single
deity.
* Be pantheists, seeing the God/Goddess force represented in everything around them.
* Recognize the divinity of the feminine as well as the masculine, not seeing masculinity
as a superior force.
http://www.pathwalkers.net/interactive/modules....ame=News&file=index&catid=1&topic=&allstories=1 (93 of 236) [12/25/2005 12:17:43 AM]