Let me begin this blog by defining the word Paganism in my own view. Paganism is an umbrella word referring to a large group of alternate religions, some tribal in nature, some modern or re constructionist. Pagan religions remain decentralized and generally are organized in small groups or practiced by individuals. There is no central theme to what is called Paganism and no one person or group can seriously claim to represent or even understand all facets of Paganism. It is in a way a kind of organized anarchy; defined in many ways equally by what it is not as well as what it is. How do you put that in simple terms; anyone who claims to be a Pagan is. We all have our own litmus test on what makes someone a Pagan; what values they must have, how they worship, who they worship, do they use magic, etc. However in reality, no one can say beyond their own opinion and that is the strength and weakness of Paganism in a nut shell. When you start applying other words like Wiccan or Heathen there are some qualities, beliefs and attitudes that generally apply to all people using that word. In my view the word Pagan is really only a way of saying "I don't belong to an organized religion". Take the concept of New Age religion; based in large part on Christian values and beliefs, yet sharing many ideas about energy, healing and spirits beings with Paganism. Given these facts you might naturally think that New Age believers would consider themselves Pagan and Pagans would except them as well, not true at all. There is a movement in some circles to combine the religions of Christianity and Wicca or Judaism and Wicca but, in general this has not been accepted by Pagans. Paganism represents for many people within it a break from the traditions of their society and present culture in favor of a reconstruction or new interpretation of ancient culture. So what does all this mean, why am I bringing this up? I will tell you; I have a very open definition of Paganism that includes all tribal religions (Australian aboriginal, Native American), Shamanism, African Traditional Religion (Voudon, Ocha, Ifa, Akan) and folk practices from around the world. I unlike many European Americans don't see our ancestors as the primary source of wisdom and culture in the world. In fact ancient people had more in common across the world than they had differences if you remove the form rituals and beliefs took. The basic concepts of religion and spirituality run like a thread through all human history; as proven by the works of Joseph Campbell, Levi Strauss and Mircea Eliade. So folks, Pagans one and all lets talk about our lives without worrying about who or what a Pagan is. I care about who you are and what you believe, not what your label might be. In the end we could call ourselves Christian and be habitually unfaithful to our spouse, we could call ourselves Pagan and hate the environment. What does that label mean in comparison to what you believe and what you do?
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3 comments:
I think you haven't met many Pagans. As a Pagan raised by Pagans and part of a grove with several other groves in a coven, we are all very accepting of my Jewitch sister. We are all very accepting of her orthadox church. All 598 of us, we love her. We've been to many festivals where thousands of people welcome her with open arms.
So I ask you:
Where are you getting that "generally, Pagans don't accept Christianity and Judaism"? Meaning that we don't believe that Judaism and Christianity can mix with Pagan culture?
I don't think ou know exaclty what you're talking about. Most Pagan festivals consist of Druids, Wiccans, Aboriginals, NeoPagans, etc. and we all agree that we don not necessarily agree, but that we are all brothers and sisters. That is the fundemental idea that resonates in both christianity and monotheistic religions. In a sense, the bible also calls upon people to be humanitarian and to revere nature, and that is part of Pagan culture. All religions basically share the idea that people have spirits. I don't see much of a difference, where all you see is the black-and-white conflicting ideas. That is only because people choose to conflict.
I wonder if perhaps this writer lives outside the U.S.A as we have very few gatherings numbering in the thousands in America and how could each member of such a gathering welcome one individual person and know for certain what that persons path is? I have been pagan for more than 20 years now, I have met Pagans from the U.K., Germany, and nearly every state in the U.S. Personally I have met hundreds of Pagans and only about 2 percent even accept the idea that a Witch could also be Christian or Jewish, they feel it is an either or matter. If you read Christian or Jewish tenants it very much is either or, you cannot by definition be Christian and believe in "other" Gods, read the bible. I personally don't care either way, I am not being hurt by this spiritual gymnastics but I would like you to qualify your experience with a general location. Where (USA or outside of) are these gatherings of thousands taking place with the loving open arms for Jewitch or Christowitch Pagans?
I came across your article because I am writing one on exactly "What does it mean to be a Pagan". I can not concur with you when you say that you can be a Pagan and hate the environment. Actually, if you are a Pagan, you believe in Earth-based religions (Gaia). Also, being a Pagan does not mean that you don't accept other religions.
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