What does Pagan mean to me?

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?