What a Pagan is and what are their beliefs?\nWhat a Christian is and what are their beliefs?\nWhat a Catholic is and what are their beliefs?\nWhat a Babtist is and what are their beliefs?\nWhat a Jehova Witness is and what are their beliefs?\nWhat a Scientology is and what are their beliefs?\nWhat a Pentecostal is and what are their beliefs?\nWhat a Mormon is and what are their beliefs?\nWhat a Taoism is and what are their beliefs?\n\nI don't expect you to answer them all and PLEASE no hate post. I am just curious about the different religions and would like to hear yours. If I left one out; feel free to add it!\n\nA link will work also. Thanks in advance!
129301
Wow, there's a question that requires a book to answer! :)\n\nI would recommend a webpage like this one:\n\nhttp://www.beliefnet.com/index/index_10000.html\n\nI can answer questions about all the Christianity-related ones (Chrstian, which includes also Catholic, Baptist, Pentecostal). Feel free to send me an e-mail if you want the long version!
583124
(Note: I was raised Catholic and now consider myself agnostic.)My observations of religion throughout history:  Religion has always been there.  All religions give guidelines for how to live life.  Many people have died for the sake of religious beliefs.\n\nReligion has always been there...  How many religions (including all of the "extinct" religions) have there been?  How many do you worship?  Do you really have reason to believe that yours is the right religion?  Haven't you noticed that most children worship the same religion as their parents?\n\nAll religions give guidelines as how to live life...  the 10 commandments: dont kill, dont steal...   Yup that these types of things sound good to me.  Did I really need a list of things I should not do?  What about torture?  Why isn't that on the list?  Through education I developed a moral compass and a concious.  A way of knowing what is right and wrong.\n\nMany people have died for the sake of religious beliefs... This is my beef with religion.  It unites those within it, but it divides those of the different religions.  If its such a good thing why do so many die in its name?\n\nSo why am I not atheist?  I honestly don't know if there is a God or not.  Maybe God did create everything and is now on the sidelines.  I hope their is a God.  I really do.  My dad's passing was one of the hardest experiences of my life.  I hope he was not reduced to nothingness.  Still I must be honest with myself.  I DONT KNOW.  Anyone who says they do is lieing in my opinion.  If they did really know then it is no longer a question of faith.  Sure if I met God I'd worship him/her/it/them.  But I'm not going to blindly follow ANYTHING, much less something as powerful as religion.\n\nIf there is a God and they stand in judgement upon a person's death I do not believe that God will care if we went to church on Sunday, gave money to the church, or repented before our death.  They will care how we lived our life.  Did we try to improve the lives of the people around us?  Did we try to do the right thing?  Did we treat others as we wish to be treated?  And if there is this judgement followed by a heaven/hell, I believe I will be meeting my dad in heaven.  Until then I will try to do the right thing, not because of religion, but because ITS THE RIGHT THING TO DO.
31992
I am Christian and I don't practice magic, but am interested. I do know that this is the holiday which follows the Roman celebration of Winter Solstice, where the days are getting longer and the sun is returning from battle with darkness (so goes the mythology). I have not read much about Imbolgc, though, except that is something about the celebration of the recovery of the Goddess after giving birth to the God. I'll read up more on it. I have a question for you. Have you ever been able to achieve anything with your practice? I've never run into anyone who actually practiced anything other than Wicca, and I'm curious. I'm not actually interested in learning it, just in learning about it and what you've actually been able to do. And is this more than just a fun thing for you. Is it a spirituality of sorts for you? I'm learning about several belief backgrounds and I'd like to learn something from you. I do know a little about alot of religions, but not pagan traditions.
330156
Just to add on to the first answerer's list...\n\nhttp://www.godchecker.com\nhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Deities_by_association\n\nAnd ignore the crazy Christians. As usual, they don't know what they're talking about.
151881
I'm Pagan, and I agree with you. It is seriously annoying that Christians can't answer a single question without quoting the Bible or damning someone to Hell. It happens in most of the Questions on Yahoo! Answers. All I can say is to deal with it, because they still have no substantial proof for their religion. However, Quantum Physics has proven Paganism. Oh well. Their lives, live and let live, right?
24862
Merry Meet!\nBecause they don't understand what you/we believe in. Unfortunately, there are so many religions, but if you research them, you will find that most religions follow a lot of the Pagan/Wiccan beliefs. Take a look at Christmas, for example. The first Christmas tree was used by Pagans as a Yule Tree in Germany. Prince Albert of Germany, Queen Victorias husband, made it popular when he set one up in Windsor Castle for his family.\nBlessed Be!
66865
First off, there is no single Pagan religion.  The terms Pagan and Paganism - as used by those who self-identify as Pagan - frequently mean "I have some sort of spirituality, but I don't know what other category in which to stick myself."  For others, it refers more specifically to those religions reconstructed from or inspired by (in whole or in part) pre-Christian source material.\n\nSome specific Pagan religions have prophet-figures in their mythology.  For example, Bran the Blessed in Druidry, Orpheus in Hellenismos, or Odin in Asatru.\n\nOther specific Pagan religion can point to a founder, who may or may not be regarded as a prophet.  Wiccans have Gerald Gardner, and Thelemites (while it may be a point of debate as to whether they, as a general rule, consider themselves Pagan) have Aleister Crowley.\n\nIn comparison to other religions, Pagan religions will tend to appear more organic and ad hoc - particularly amongst those who identify as Pagan because they don't know what else to identify as.  But some specific Pagan religions are, if not more organized at least slightly less disorganized, and have a definite structure to them even if it isn't always readily apparent.
666316
Hy Jen. neo-pagans is a term, because real pagans doesn't see they as that (considering that "pagans" are people away form Christianity).\nfor sympathy, we believes in the same gods/goddesses of the classical old religions (Romans, Greeks, Celtic, Assyrian, Persian, Sumerian) and in the Sacred Mystery or the Myth that is a part of our religion. some are polytheists, some pantheists. some observe the 8 eve of nature cycle, others just moon phases or only the sun. basically all have the same feeling about the earth and a sense of community.\nBB!
473088
I researched a few sects of Christianity but never converted.\nMennonites are very peaceful people.\nSeventh-day Adventists are interesting and learned about their bible.\nI respect the modesty of the females of the Holiness denomination.\nCatholics have beautiful services.\nJW are very friendly people (the ones I've met, at least)\n\nI had a best friend who was Jewish and worked with a few Jewish people and I learned some about their religion but never converted.\nI respect their devotion and loyalty to their beliefs.\n\nI've read some about Zen Buddhism but never converted.\nUnfortunately, I've never known anyone well who practiced long term.  It seems like a peaceful religion.\n\nI've studied about different sects of Wicca and have quite a few Wiccan friends, but never converted.\nI like the importance they place on self-responsibility and respect their loyalty to their oaths.  I like the fact that they don't believe in only one "true" way to worship/believe.\n\nI'm starting to learn about Hinduism and find it fascinating.  By far, I've studied about Wicca and Neo-Wicca the most.  I'm secure enough in my faith that I'm not threatened by objectively learning about other paths.  It's interesting and helps me to understand people better.
173596
They sound like a Christian to me.  I've never met one who follows the teachings of Christ. Intead they follow the politics of their "religion" usually to the compleat exclusion of the teachings of Christ.
285704
OK, I'm a Mormon (convert of ten years) and am amazed at the level of ignorance shown here. Here's how it really is:\n\nWe DO NOT believe that God had sex with Mary. (Pernicious falsehood started by anti-Mormons)\n\nWe DO believe "that Jesus is Lord and that He died on the cross and he rose from the dead on the third day". [c.f. "Jesus_is_awesome"]\n\nWe believe that Jesus and satan are spirit brothers ONLY IN THE SENSE that everyone and everything, even satan, are created by God. People created by the same father are brothers.\n\nWe DO believe in salvation by grace, and we DO NOT believe that our good works save us. However, when we confess faith in Jesus Christ we promise to follow him. "If ye love me, keep my commandments". Our works are what show that He is Lord of our lives. If we deliberately fail to live according to his will we cannot really have meant that prayer. (But we know we can repent when we make a mistake.)\n\nI recently asked "What must I do to be saved?" I had 33 answrs, all of which said something along the lines of "Accept Jesus Christ and repent of your sins." I have done that, therefore I am saved and going to heaven. I also happen to be a Mormon.
264105
CULTS ARE ALSO WICCANS AND PAGANS ARE ALSO A CULT\nIF YOU TRY TO CORRECT THEM THEY HAVE SOME REASONAL EXPLAINATION THEY USALLY WELL SAY JUST LIKE THE MORONS ARE YOU LDS AS THEY WOULD SAY ARE YOU WICCAN OR PAGAN LOL.\nI find it to be very funny and very humorous and all are in correct to there nature because the fact is they all have in common there all correct and if not then f you they say lol.\n\nSo i would say pagans and wiccans follow also a book \nsome wiccans follow the satanic witch mostly all of them do\nAlso there is a book alot of cults follow it is called when worshiping satanic self lol. Satanic Rituals another book made from antone lavey history of books. This book talks about animal sacrifices and all sorts of other bullony lol.\nVery close to voddoo.\n\nThe true books of cult hood are here.\n\nGuide to Jehovah Witnesses\nGuide To MORMONISM\nGuide to Satanic Cults\nGuide To Witchcraft\nGuide To Seventh Day Adventist \n\ndo your own research to find these books i well not do it for you.
356404
:) Isn't it great to see how much Christianity is Pagan?\n\nDon't forget the Holy Water (Water), Candles (Fire), Incense (Air), and Eucharist (Earth) used at Catholic Masses. Oh, lookie there, all the Alchemical Elements that have always been used by Pagans!\n\nAlso, the entire Rainbow means God's keeping a promise... Hera had a Winged Goddess go across the sky with a bowl and dump out the contents -- a rainbow -- whenever the Gods kept a promise with the people.\n\nDon't forget Osiris, who came back from the dead.\n\nHell was named after Hel, the Norse Goddess of the Underworld.\n\nSatan was created based on how Pan was supposed to look.\n\nJesus was "born" on December 25th... around the time of Yule/Saturnalia, thus making it easier for Pagans to convert. However, based on Astrology, they said Jesus would be an Aries, meaning he was born sometime in April... around the middle.\n\n"Easter". Funny, spelt just like Ester, the Goddess whom is celebrated on Ostara, about March 23rd. Which is about when EASTER is celebrated.\n\n:3 Heehee. Silly Christians. Your stories are for Pagans!\n\nNote: Paganism first came about in 10000 BCE, and Zoroastrianism (first monotheistic religion) came about in 5000 BCE.\n\nTo davlynark: Your Jehovah wasn't even around at that time. Pick up a history book. You learn about the people from the Ice Age. They were Pagan. You keep learning about Pagans, too, for such a long time. Think for a change, won't you?\n\n- 16 yo Pagan
206820
I don't know where you get your information from.  You have been misinformed.  There are some so called "Catholics" that are misguided, as well as many others.  I was raised and taught in Catholic schools.  Not once, did anyone ever suggest praising statues or worshiping anyone or anything other than (Jesus, Holy Spirit & the Father) Holy trinity = one God.  We believe in offering prayers for loved ones, and we believe that the Staints offer they're prayers for the living.  But if someone was to assume that Catholics are taught to worship anyone or anything other than God, they are sadly mistaken.  Statues, pictures, etc... are reminders of who are good examples of how to live as Christ did.  Just like having pictures of your children.  The pictures are NOT your children, but an image of your children.  you would feed, clothe or talk to the picture.  Being Cathoilic does not mean that you are out of touch with reality.
520052
a)  Nope.  100% Neo-pagan, which makes sense since I'm Wiccan.  The next closest matches were New Age and Buddhism.\nb)  I've explored all three.  I was raised Protestant.\nc)  I'm extremely happy with where I am in my life.  I would advise anyone else to look at what they truly believe - not what they have been told to believe, but what they actually think "explains things" when they look at life and how it works.  I was very unhappy until I finally let go of the fear that I would be punished if I said, thanks Jesus, but I'm going over here.  Thus far, things have been much better since I realized I was on the wrong path.  Above all, I think maintaining a balance in life helps breed happiness.
91265
Go to www.beliefnet.com and take the Belief O Matic quiz.  It is not definitive but it can give you a good idea of what religion to investigate.  :)
594368
A lot of religions share similar themes. Most have taken ideas from past religions and sort of reformed them.  It can be confusing with so many religions out there.  I take a anthropological mostly agnostic view on religion.  I know there is something, but who knows what, and who knows which religion is the one to follow.