What do Pagans Believe ...

by Cristíona Fri Mar 07, 2008 4:50 pm

There may be a curiosity ...

What Do Pagans Believe?

Pagans worship the sacred as immanent in Nature, often personified as Mother Earth and Father Sky/Sun. As polytheists, they may use many other names for Deity. Individuals will often choose Goddesses or Gods from any of the world's pantheons whose stories are particularly inspiring and use those Deities as a focus for personal devotions.

Many, but not all, Pagans believe in reincarnation. Some take this as a literal description of what happens to people when they die. For others, it is a symbolic model that helps them deal with the cycles and changes within this life.

Most Pagan groups also practice magic, by which they mean the direction and use of "psychic energy," those natural but invisible forces which surround all living things. Pagans employ such means as dance, chant and creative visualization to focus and direct psychic energy for the purpose of healing, protecting and aiding members in various endeavors. Such assistance is also extended to non-members upon request.
It is very important to be aware that Pagans do not in any way worship or believe in "Satan," "the Devil," or any similar entities. They point out that "Satan" is a symbol of rebellion against and inversion of the Christian and Jewish traditions. Wiccans do not revile the Bible. They simply regard it as one among many of the world's mythic systems, less applicable than some to their core values, but still deserving just as much respect as any of the others.

Ethics

The majority of Pagans are Wiccans. This Path has a core ethical statement, called the "Wiccan Rede". Many of the other Pagan Paths also acknowledge a variation on this theme. It states "an it harm none, do what you will". The Rede fulfils the same function as does the "Golden Rule" for Jews and Christians; all other ethical teachings are considered to be elaborations and applications of the Rede. It is a statement of situational ethics, emphasising at once the individual's responsibility to avoid harm to others and the widest range of personal autonomy in "victimless" activities.

Paganism has been described as having a "high-choice" ethic. Because of the basic Nature orientation of the religion, many Wiccans will regard all living things as Sacred, and show a special concern for ecological issues. For this reason, individual conscience will lead some to take a pacifist position. Some are vegetarians. Others will feel that, as Nature's Way includes self-defence, they should participate in wars that they conscientiously consider to be just. The religion does not dictate either position, but requires each member to thoughtfully and meditatively examine her or his own conscience and to live by it.

by Guest Fri Mar 07, 2008 5:04 pm

Thank you
I really had no idea of what a pagan was. I suppose I always thought it was someone who was atheist or agnostic. just another word along those lines.

by Cristíona Fri Mar 07, 2008 5:37 pm

You're welcome, sweetie.

Just Tree Huggers, darlin'

In fact it originated centuries ago as a name that country dwellers were known as. Country folk or farm folk --- because they had to understand the Earth or perish ... they had to work around her clock, her seasons, her mood swings, etc. The word Pagan has actually been raped and bastardized over and over again in our new and modern society --- made to mean something dark or evil. It's sad really because all it means is a person who recognizes, respects, acknowledges and loves God's Creation.

My heart swelled and I had to smile when I saw samijo's sermon on Sunday ... there's a wee Pagan in all of us ...