What is true paganism?
481683
Truth is relative...but for me paganism is a respect for nature, the spirit world and peoples right to worship the Gods how the wish.
483911
Christianity is paganism and has no relation with the original Hebrew religion.\n\nConstantine attempted to invent a universal religion by incorporating Hebrew myths into his pagan religion, but it appears Hebrews would have nothing to do with it.
1018174
Paganism is a general term referring to most earth-revering religions and ideologies that often also admire/worship multiple gods and practice magick.  Actually, neo-paganism more accurately describes most modern forms, but it's a bit cumbersome to say and write.  Pagans are those who see the earth as the giver of life, sometimes representing a spiritual being with the same purpose.  Pagans can fall into many categories.  One of these is Wicca.\n\nWicca is a religion that was started by Gerald Gardener in the middle of the last century.  Wiccans see the form of the Deity that controls everything as having two aspects, male and female.  It is a religion that teaches the balance among all things living.  Also, reincarnation is believed by most Wiccans because of the cycles of life, death and rebirth that occur in nature.  Wiccans believe, as many pagans do, in the power of our minds to influence the world around us through ritual and spells.  We appeal to the Goddess and God and the elements for help with this.  \n\nTo find out more, go to http://www.religioustolerance.org/witchcra.htm\n\nNow, agnostics believe that there is "something out there," but that no religions created by humans have the capability to fully explain what that is and what it wants from us.  Most believe that if they live good lives, that should be enough, which I don't see why it shouldn't be.  \n\nAtheists, btw, believe that there is NOT anything out there controlling the universe and its occupants.  They attribute everything to scientific explanations.
939137
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.
382075
A "Resconstructionalist" Pagan...is one who tries to worship as close as possible to the ancient ways as possible. This means Rituals that are as authentic as possible (ex...Ancient Egyptian Ritual, not modern rituals with an Ancient spin on them)\n\nBeing a "Reconstructionalist" can be hard sometimes...due to resources lost over the centuries, some resources being burnt or destroyed during the dark ages, etc...\n\nI try to be a "Reconstructionalist" in my personal path. I follow an Ancient Egyptian Path. Although I follow this in my personal path...not all Members of my Temple follow this path...so I have to have knowledge of both. :-)\n\nI hope this answers some who didn't know what a "Reconstructionalist" Pagan was. Also, to the author, I'll talk to you if you like.
1102782
There's no set way to become Pagan. Just go out into Nature, behold it, meditate and become part of your surroundings. When you open your eyes and you see that it is Holy, and you are Holy too because you are an integral part of it, then you will be Pagan.
869629
ITS NOT PAGAN.\n\nSET ASIDE A DAY TO HONOR THE BIRTH OF JESUS.\nGIFT GIVING REPRESENTS THE THREE GIFTS JESUS RECEIVED.\n\nNOTHING MORE NOTHING LESS.\n\nCHARITY---GIFT OF LOVE..........\nCHARITY COVERS A MULTITUDE OF SIN..\nTRY IT.............DOES A BODY GOOD.
1078888
The Neo-Pagan religions are, by far, the fastest growing religion in the US by a long shot.  According to American Religious Identification Survey Neo-Paganism is the 7th largest organized religion and the 10th largest religious grouping in the US.  These polls also show that 94% of Wiccans are registered to vote, far above the national average.  While it will be some time before it comes close to Christianity but that day is coming.  Do I think they will take it well?  No, I doubt it.  As it is there are a chunk of them out there now that think there is a 'war on Christianity" now and you see how well they are taking it.  It will get worse is what I think.
718432
Dear Friend,\n\nLaw is a product of the Legislature, with the consent (usually) of the President, as interpreted by the Judiciary.  Each of these branches are controlled overwhelmingly by Christians.  When pagans get political power (ha!) then they can make the rules.  It's called "democracy."\n\nYours in Him,\nFrancesois
934935
It is a form of worship. It includes a system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices; they may be personal or they may be advocated by an organization. The Bible speaks of true worship and false worship. Those serving God worship him with "spirit and truth." John 4:24
476595
Thank you for asking this question. Very good point. I am a Pagan, and Paganism pre-dates Chrisitianity and our festivals did come first. Any book will confirm this!
882753
Of course it is, but so is Christmas. December 25 has always been a pagan holiday. Early Christians did not celebrate birthdays only pagans did and John the Baptist lost his head during  Herod's birthday celebration. Santa Claus, gift giving and all the yule tide traditions are very pagan in origin. \n\nChristianity today is very much engulfed in pagan traditions. \n\nAs a pagan myself I think it is ironic that Christians keep our holy days when the bible condemns them.
721686
No clue. Yahoo/Google it.\n\nWikipedia.org may know.\n\n- 16 yo Pagan
795583
Which Pagan path do you want to hear about? It is an umbrella term or a general name placed to someone who practices an earth based religion but no specific path beyond that.\n\nA short list of a few pagan paths so you can refine your search. This is not quite all of them and some can have variations within themselves as well.\nSanteria\nVoodum(the religion behind the practice of Voodoo)\nWicca\nAsatru(spelling may be off0\nOdin-ism\nSatanism\nDruidism\nBuddhism
615501
I was about to ask you what you meant by "pagan", but a couple of others have already taken the dictionary definition to pieces, so I'll plunge right in! I'm a Hindu, by the way. Your comments on Hinduism are absolutely correct- I'm seriously impressed! You sound like you know what you're talking about :-) Personally, I feel that Hinduism is more of a way of life than a religion. It's just too vast to be classified as 'pagan' or not. Hinduism is one of the most tolerant religions, and it gives its adherants the freedom to seek God in their own ways, whatever those may be. For me, the ultimate message of my religion is the same as that of every religion- love, tolerance, and the unity of all life. But getting back to your question, it really depends on how you define the term 'pagan'!
690556
Witchcraft is very real in a spiritual sense and is listed in the word of God hun.\n  1 Samuel 15:23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, he hath also rejected thee from being king.\n  The word of God says that we are  priests and kings unto our God. This scripture was spoken from Samuel to Saul but should be a warning that all who reject the word of God can lose their place in the kingdom of God and have their name blotted out of the book of life. \n  Many of the modern day practicioners of witchcraft may be preaching from behind pulpits. As our precious Lord said, Howbeit in vain do they worship me; teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.\n  Those who are rebellious and stubborn as Vashti may find themselves hearing depart from me ye workers of iniquity. They can only reject the word of the Lord so long and cleave to what they want and he may very well cast them off. \n  The word of God says that the wicked are led forth with workers of iniquity. Many are witches in unawares and turned over to a reprobate mind being reserved to the day of judgement.\n  But that's just my opinion.\n  Love,\n  Samantha.
435855
I believe in Wicca, which is very loosely defined religion. Wiccan doctrine is limited, being a Neopagan religion. Neopagan religions are faiths reformed from Pagan religions. Pagan faiths are ancient, earth-based, and predate Christianity. There are few things all Wiccans adhere to, which include the Witches' Rede (An' it harm none, do as thou wilt.), and the Threefold Law, which is similar to Karma, in that whatever you put out into the world, be it good or bad, will come back to you threefold. Wiccans also celebrate the eight Sabbats, which are comprised of the Winter and Summer Solstices, the Spring and Autumn Equinoxes, and their midpoints.\n\nDuring this cycle of holidays, the Mother Goddess and Father God of Celtic origin also cycles: through different forms. Starting with the Winter Solstice, the Sabbats are called (they're approximate dates by mm/dd are) and mark these occurrences:\n\nYule (12/21): The God is Oak King and is born of the Goddess; God as Holly King prepares to depart; Goddess is Mother of the Sun God; Goddess is Crone of Winter.\n\nImbolc (2/1): Goddess is cleansed and purified; milk flows for lambs and for the baby God; quickening of the Earth occurs; Goddess is preparing to return to Maiden.\n\nOstara (3/21): Goddess is Maiden, and brings Spring; God and Goddess encourage animal fertility.\n\nBeltane (5/1): God Youth and Goddess Maiden unite in love; May Day flowers, romps, and bonfires occur.\n\nLitha (6/21): God turns from Youth to Sage; Marriage of God to Goddess occurs.\n\nLughnassadh (8/1): God enters the Earth in marriage, giving his energy into the grain, and now his body; First Harvest/Bread Harvest of grains occurs.\n\nMabon (9/21): God gives his spirit into the vines, fruit, and barleycorn; wine, cider, whisky, beer, and mead are now God’s blood; He rules Underworld; Goddess is alone and pregnant with the God.\n\nSamhain (10/31): God within the Goddess, yet also Leader of the Wild Hunt; Veil between the worlds at its thinnest; Crone and Hunter [Lord of Shadows] reign together. This is also the Wiccan New Year.\n\nOther than these few guidelines, Wiccans are free to define to their own faith. This creates vast definitions of Wicca, even within the Wiccan community. This is what makes it so hard to define, and also that which gives birth do the different Wiccan sects. Different sects will usually add to these basic doctrines, as that is what separates the sects. These include (but are not limited to): Gardnerian, Alexandrian, Dianic, Druidic, Traditionalist, Family Traditionalist, Erisian, and Protean. Many also practice solitary Wicca, like myself. While Wiccans normally worship in covens (groups of three to thirteen practitioners), some choose to work alone; these are called solitary Wiccans.\n\nWiccan belief is often not limited to one Goddess, and one God; many are considered monotheists, believing that the Goddess and God are two separate aspects of one Almighty Deity; many are considered duotheists, believing that the Goddess and God are two separate deities themselves; but many more are polytheists, believing in many gods and goddesses, most commonly borrowed from other polytheistic faiths; the most popular are Greek, Roman, Norse, and Egyptian.\n\nMany equate Wicca with Witchcraft, which, contrary to popular belief, is not true. Wicca is a RELIGION, whereas Witchcraft is a PRACTICE. Witchcraft does not dictate any religious spiritual beliefs; instead it is simply an activity, similar to prayer, performed with the intention of eliciting a desired result. Although many Wiccans also practice Witchcraft, there are other religions that also practice other forms of Witchcraft. These include (but are not limited to): other Neopagan faiths like Asatru, many of the surviving Pagan faiths like Shamanism, as well as others like Vodun, Santeria, and Romani. There are many non-religious Witches as well. Witch is a general, non-gender specific term for any practitioner of Witchcraft; w