If Paganism is the fastest growing religion in the UK?
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Let's face it, how many people would have a clue what the section was about if it were called Samhain?\n\nWe all know the festivals by the names that are given in the categories so it makes sense for the categories to be given those names. Besides, yahoo wouldn't want to offend us now would they?
730021
It depends upon your definition of Paganism and your idea at religion.  People like to have a community belief system - that much is evident by the number of belief systems this old earth has seen.  People like to add structure and milestones to their lives with religious rites of passage, etc.  \n\nPagans can be those who observe the old natural ways of times past or they can be defined as anyone who is not Christian, Jewish or Muslim.  Religion can be a spiritual practice as well as an organized church.  There is so much and so many shades of gray - why do we need to label and belittle everything different from ourselves?\n\nPeace!
509995
Church of The Spiral Tree started a Pagan school years ago. Check them out... they are located in Alabama.
115962
though islam is the fastest growing religion i dont think its the easy at least it wont happen in the next few generations
110204
Dear. ISlam is the fastest growing religion in the world today. Its a true religion. more then 70% of quran has been proven scientifically correct and the rest is not proven yet. but not 1% is proven wrong.The best way is to study Islam. and if u need any resources please contact me on my email below. i'll try my best to find the topics u need. may God guide u to the right path.\nU must visit : \nhttp://www.irf.net/irf/comparativereligion/index.htm\nmy email is lion_mughal@yahoo.com
1112884
Of course, you are being sarcastic, but your underlying point is whether Christianity will be viewed in the distant future the same as Greek, Roman and Egyptian mythology.  It's a good question.  As humans continue to make social, economic, and technological advances, will people still hold true to their current religious beliefs.\n\nWill today's religions be replaced by newer more popular religions which have the effect of relegating older ones to mythology?  It is certainly possible.
397037
Paganism is a broad, eclectic contemporary religious movement that encompasses shamanistic, ecstatic, polytheistic, and magical religions. Most of the religions termed Pagan are characterized by nature-centered spirituality, honoring of pre-Christian deities, dynamic, personal belief systems, lack of institutionalization, a quest to develop the self, and acceptance and encouragement of diversity. Paganism is sometimes referred to as Neo-Paganism to emphasize its connections to as well as difference from pre-Christian religions.\n\nPaganism is a worldwide phenomenon and includes revived and updated ancient European practices and religions, feminist Goddess-worship, and religions inspired by science-fiction writings. For their inspiration, Pagans look to non-Abrahamic, ecstatic, and mystery religions of Europe as well as indigenous and magic-using traditions from around the world. Contemporary Paganism is interwoven with artistic, visionary, and libertarian traditions and emphasizes the free will of the individual. Many traditions celebrate rituals to mark transitions in the natural world (such as solstices, lunar phases, or a birth) as well as in a person's life (such as marriage or moving to a new home).\n\nWhile the largest segment of the Pagan population is Caucasian and middle class, Paganism cuts across all lines, whether racial, occupational, or class- or gender-based. Most Pagans, however, are avid readers with interests in ecology, creativity, and personal growth. Many come from the scientific, computer, and technical fields. Since it is not an organized movement, it is very difficult to determine the number of its practitioners, but it is estimated that there are between 100,000 and 600,000 in the U.S. alone. Some have termed Paganism the fastest-growing religion in the West.\n\nHistory & Structure\nPaganism as a movement grew out of the growing environmental awareness in the 1960s, though it encompasses some traditions from the Middle Ages and earlier. Since most Pagan religions are nature-centered, Pagans rethink the way in which we relate to the Earth. Rather than seek dominance over the environment, Pagans work to live as a part of Nature, finding a balance between the self, the biosphere, and society. Part of this rethinking goes along with the resurgence of Goddess-worship, which is widespread in the Pagan movement. Many Pagans look to the fertility Goddesses of old and find vibrant, dynamic models for ecological balance. The myriad Goddesses from the past also provide Pagans with a vision of powerful feminine divinity which is missing from other Western religions.\n\nThe Pagan movement has become somewhat coherent largely through networks, journals, and festivals. But it is not unified or structured - herein lies some of its greatest appeal. Pagans believe profoundly in freedom and the power of the individual. People are encouraged to explore paths that are most helpful to them, rather than conform to a specific code of beliefs. Through magazine columns and personal contact, Pagans participate in a dynamic marketplace of ideas, where each person is encouraged to contribute and to take away what is most appropriate for him or her. Rather than structuring the community around a particular set of beliefs or symbols, Pagans concentrate on process to create community. A variety of practices are used to fulfill spiritual needs, heal, or create change. Each person's particular technique is honored in the understanding that our aims are often the same. Most Pagans abide by some form of "If it harm none, do what you will."\n\nThere are no charismatic gurus in Paganism. Pagans do not seek to convert others. Each Pagan is independent and autonomous, even when working in groups. All value choosing one's own path and beliefs. There is no one spokesperson for Paganism.\n\nOne of the most characteristic elements of Pagan religions is their adaptability. In the case of nature-based religions, some will dif
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Pagan is a prechristian religion.  It's mainly based on understanding the cycles of nature and living with th earth.  It makes much more sense to me than modern religions like Christianity.
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Unprecedented numbers of British people, nearly all of them women, are converting to Islam at a time of deep divisions within the Anglican and Catholic churches. \nThe rate of conversions has prompted predictions that Islam will rapidly become an important religious force in this country. "Within the next 20 years the number of British converts will equal or overtake the immigrant Muslim community that brought the faith here", says Rose Kendrick, a religious education teacher at a Hull comprehensive and the author of a textbook guide to the Koran. She says: "Islam is as much a world faith as is Roman Catholicism. No one nationality claims it as its own". Islam is also spreading fast on the continent and in America. \n\nThe surge in conversions to Islam has taken place despite the negative image of the faith in the Western press. Indeed, the pace of conversions has accelerated since publicity over the Salman Rushdie affair, the Gulf War[1] and the plight of the Muslims in Bosnia. It is even more ironic that most British converts should be women, given the widespread view in the west that Islam treats women poorly. In the United States, women converts outnumber men by four to one, and in Britain make up the bulk of the estimated 10, 000 to 20, 000 converts, forming part of a Muslim community of 1 to 1.5 million. Many of Britains "New Muslims" are from middle-class backgrounds. They include Matthew Wilkinson, a former head boy of Eton who went on to Cambridge, and a son and daughter of Lord Justice Scott, the judge heading the arms-to-Iraq enquiry. \n\nA small scale survey by the Islamic Foundation in Leicester suggests that most converts are aged 30 to 50. Younger muslims point to many conversions among students and highlight the intellectual thrust of Islam. "Muhammad" said, "The light of Islam will rise in the West" and I think that is what is happening in our day" says Aliya Haeri, an American-born psychologist who converted 15 years ago. She is a consultant to the Zahra Trust, a charity publishing spiritual literature and is one of Britain's prominent Islamic speakers. She adds: "Western converts are coming to Islam with fresh eyes, without all the habits of the East, avoiding much of what is culturally wrong. The purest tradition is finding itself strongest in the West."[2] \n\nSome say the conversions are prompted by the rise of comparative religious education. The British media, offering what Muslims describe as a relentless bad press on all things Islamic, is also said to have helped. Westerners despairing of their own society - rising in crime, family breakdown, drugs and alcoholism[3] - have come to admire the discipline and security of Islam. Many converts are former Christians disillusioned by the uncertainty of the church and unhappy with the concept of the Trinity and deification of Jesus. \n\n\nQuest of the Convert - Why Change? \nOther converts describe a search for a religious identity. Many had previously been practising Christians but found intellectual satisfaction in Islam. "I was a theology student and it was the academic argument that led to my conversion." Rose Kendrick, a religious education teacher and author, said she objected to the concept of the original sin: "Under Islam, the sins of the fathers aren't visited on the sons. The idea that God is not always forgiving is blasphemous to Muslims. \n\nMaimuna, 39, was raised as a High Anglican and confirmed at 15 at the peak of her religious devotion. "I was entranced by the ritual of the High Church and thought about taking the veil." Her crisis came when a prayer was not answered. She slammed the door on visiting vicars but travelled to convents for discussions with nuns. "My belief came back stronger, but not for the Church, the institution or the dogma." She researched every Christian denomination, plus Judaism, Buddhism and Krishna Consciousnes
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It could be called MONEY.  The more faithful for any cult, religion, or sect means more coppers in the bank.  I firmly believe the Catholic church is pagan and not Christian because they bow to idols, call the priest "Father", and revere the Pope; which are all contrary to the Bible they claim to believe in.
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Paganism is a catch all term for people who believe in spirits and gods. They can follow different pantheons that have nothing in common, but are grouped together because they fall outside the main monotheist religions. Paganism can range from animism in the Americas, through to shamanism in Siberia, and druidry in Europe. All are different. I have included a few websites, which will show some of the diversity in paganism as a whole, but there is far more diversity than just these.
585997
its not true in england.  sikhs have the biggest gurdwara in europe.
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Absolutely you can - a dear friend of mine who lives in Hull just recently got married in a Pagan ceremony there.\n\nCongrats!\n\nMay the Lord and Lady rain blessings on your union!\n\nI'm not sure how you'd find a Pagan Prist/ess, but there MUST be some sort of online networking going on.
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Wicca is a Neopagan religious movement found in many different countries, though most commonly in English-speaking cultures. Wicca was first publicised in 1954 after the repeal of the British Witchcraft Act, by a British civil servant named Gerald Gardner. He claimed that the religion, of which he was an initiate, was a modern survival of an old witch cult, which had existed in secret for hundreds of years, originating in the pre-Christian Paganism of Europe. Wicca is thus sometimes referred to as the Old Religion. The veracity of Gardner's claims is now much debated, and it is thought that much if not all of Wiccan theology was established no earlier than the 1920s. Since its founding, various related Wiccan traditions have evolved, or been adapted from, the form established by Gardner, which came to be called Gardnerian Wicca. These other traditions of Wicca each have specific beliefs, rituals, and practices. Most traditions of Wicca remain secretive and require members to be initiated, however there is a growing movement of Eclectic or Solitary Wiccans who adhere to the religion but do not believe a traditional initiation is necessary. Gardnerian Wicca is perhaps the most popular of the traditions excepting Solitary Wicca. you can find more information also in the address that i give you
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Yes, Christianity is the largest community of faith. There are more nations that claim Christianity as their faith than any others.
420507
OK if you are going to convert Pagans to Christians it is easier if you incorporate there beliefs. For actual info on the Trinity look up Triune in almost any Pagan religion from that time.
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Pagans,wickens new agers etc are the best...\n\nThey are not nasty like chrisitians who only ever used to repress people and quote their nasty bible whilst burning people alive, relgious wars  etc...\n\n\nPagans like sex and sexuality and beauty and affection and fun.\n\nThey are not sexist and see males and females as two parts of a whole and equal. And that includes behavour like you being flirty, wanting to be kissy  and pawy with boyfriend.\n\nIts all part of nature.\n\n\nThey have no problems with gays either.\n\n\nTheir ethical system is as long as it harms none do as you will.\n\n\nThey are the true relgion in the sense of many of the christian and other relgions stole their festivals (ie easter... the easter bunny was origonally the easterous hare (or sounds something like that) a pagan fertility god of spring... look it up.\n\nThe wickens were early doctors and the herbs still work. Other magic is based around psychology.\n\nThink hippies.\n\nWomen are empowered unlike in christianity this is why they say its immoral and wicked ...\n\nIts their way of keeping the girlies down.\n\nCheck out new age shops.\n\nAs you said if you mention the P word it shows chrisitn scum in their true nature. Best described in the iris magdelen laundry system\n\nsee\nhttp://www.thewildgeese.com/pages/magdalen.html \nhttp://www.netreach.net/~steed/magdalen.html\nhttp://www.imdb.com/title/tt0380703/ \nhttp://www.bbc.co.uk/northernireland/drama/sinners/interviews/annemarie.shtml \nOrigonal documentry available from \nhttp://cgi.ebay.com/SEX-IN-A-COLD-CLIMATE-DVD-DOCUMENTRY-REG-0_W0QQitemZ6437066430QQcategoryZ617QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem \n\n\nPagans would never be that nasty.\n\nAnd this is from an athiest not a pagan... I just see that pagans have the right idea even if I don't Believe in astrology... Pagans are soo cool.\n\nNothing nasty about them...\n\nThe other relgions make up all the nasty burn in hell stuff up about them as they are competition and actually they are nicer.\n\nAs for getting in touch as said crystal new age shops should help. Other then that check the net.\n\n\n\nor just quit on all relgions...\n\n\nPAganisiam is not about worship though