BellaOnline Forums Religion and Spirituality Pagan What does "pagan" mean on this message board?

I am also new here--& I'm very glad my friend turned me on to this board. I think I'll learn a lot here <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I identify myself as an "eclectic pagan," mostly because there's no one term that really fits. I come from a Christian background, have studied a number of different religions, & have been influenced by all of them.

I identify with Wicca to some degree; but paganism is a
more general term & seems to fit me better. I'm a sort of polyglot, I suppose <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

MM,
I identify myself as a Practicing Shamanic ecclectic witch.

I use to just say witch but I have found I'm much more then just a witch.

SapphireMoon

I too am new here. I usually identify as a hedgewitch, kitchenwitch, or Goddessian. I don't follow all of the wicca ways, but more of the ancient Goddess paths, and Mother Earth. Been a witch for over twenty years now. Bright blessings.

"Pagan" seems to be a term that is defined and redefined constantly, and I'm about to toss my own definition onto the pile. It certainly has come a long way from the Latin paganus (country dweller) and it doesn't seem like we're talking about anybody who doesn't subscribe to one of the Peoples of the Book religions. So what is Pagan?

Foremost, a Pagan is someone who is aware of the divine/the source/the hamster driving the universe/whatever you wish to call it inherent in the natural world. This doesn't necessarily mean trees and turtledoves, but more in what is natural all around us all the time. Having gained this awareness, a Pagan then develops some kind of relationship with said power, something you might call worship or communing or something entirely different.

"Pagan" still implies polytheism, even if Pagans themselves are practicing other forms of belief. Personally I'd say Paganism is very open-ended on the theism question, and also brings in different ideas such as animism.

To be Pagan is to have respect for all other forms of belief. To this end, Pagans do not proselytize, nor should there be any "my way is better than yours". In fact, to be Pagan is to be open to the wisdom to be found in any and all faiths.

The confusion between Paganism and Wicca--where do I begin? Essentially Paganism is an umbrella term for many paths which share some essential commonalities. Wicca, in my view, is a religion unto itself, with its own doctrine and laws. Sometimes Wicca has a Pagan flair, and sometimes it doesn't. I think the wrench in the gears is the word Witch, which is used by some Wiccans and some non-Wiccans. You must have seen the "Witch not Wiccan" self-description somewhere online. I've read several authors who advocate that Wiccans call themselves Wiccans to avoid confusion.

Here's my understanding, for what it's worth.
The Wheel of the Year is Wiccan.
The "harm none" rule is Wiccan.
The ritual tools are Wiccan.
I know I'm missing some things, but my point is that self-described Pagans may borrow these and other things from Wicca (and certainly Wicca borrowed some of these from other traditions, but that's for another time). The practices of a Pagan and a Wiccan may very well not line up the way it might be expected.

Okay, end of rant. I'm happy to be on this board!

I always say:

All Wicca are Pagan, but not all Pagans are Wicca

I respect peoples right to worship how they see fit and wish others would do me the same favor, however christians won't leave me alone. When they get in my face, I tell them I am a Pagan, or that I live a Hedonistic lifestyle, whatever will make them run in the opposite direction. Sometimes I make the observation that there are so many similarities between Nazi's and Christians and then start listing them.

My brother, who only recently found Jesus(complete turn around), has set out to save my soul. I simply tell him, "Your God cannot save nor condemn me. If you believe, worry about yourself because you'll be the one in hell." I've never understood the christian need to bear witness. Spirituality is a one on one thing. It's between you and your maker. It doesn't need verification through anyone elses eyes.

Well I look at it this way Jehovahs Witnesses try to convert Prodestent christians and they try to convert Mormons and Catholics....Everyone has to convert someone some how...
I have found that there are christian pagans andchristian Witchs and Christo wiccian andwhatevers who are cast out from the pagan and wiccian group as well as the Christian groups so what makes Pagans and Wiccans any better or more open the Christians?

My point is people are jerks no matter the religion or lack or religion we are ALL prejustice to some point...

Why blame a religion (or lack or religion) for bad behavor? I think when people grow up and realize that if some one else wants or needs to believe in a three eyed blue and green poka dot bakini wearing oreo cookie and it does not hurt that person or anyone else and they let them do it, people will grow up and tkae responciblity for what they say do think or belive we will all be better off!!!

I like to know what religion other people are because 1 I love other religions and learning about them and 2 I dont want to say something stupid!!! for example: give a Birthday present to a Jehovahs Witness because they do celaberate birthdays or have a dinner party with ham cream potatos and rolls and invite a Jewish Family over for dinner. or ask a christian to join a coven. While it is done with the best of intentions... Its a matter of respect and understanding!

anyways I will get off my soap box now!!

I definitely agree that it is good to know someone's religion so that you can respect their beliefs. However, if you do make those ham and cheese potatoes and the family turns out to be Jewish, they shouldn't be offended that you made them. No, they won't eat them, and you'll learn why, but I can't see being offended over that if you didn't know. If you made the potatoes to see what their reaction would be, well that's a horse of a different color!!

And, people of all religions can be jerks. But, in Paganism I think we do try to be more tolerant of a mix of religions. After all, Paganism is a hodge-podge of religious beliefs in and of itself. For those Pagan groups that kicked out the Pagan witches, shame on them.

actualy I ment the christian pagan and christian witches or whatever christians....

But I agree people should not get offened because you made the ham and sheese potatoes either...

my mom is a vegatarian... she has always been a vegetarian not because of beliefs or religion but she cant or wont eat meat. she was invited to a house for dinner and they had meat enchalatas and taco salad with hamburger meat in the salad. the friend was a friend of my dad and the wife wanted to make a great first impression on my mom so she went heavy on the meat!

my mom never said a word she just picked the meat out of the dish and ate around it....the friends wife noticed and thought she didnt like her cooking so she asked her husband to ask my dad to ask my mom why she didnt like her cooking.... well her husband asked my dad and my dad laught and said she loved the food exept for the meat because she dont eat meat. and my mom was red faced and embaressed because she had noticed she did not eat much and my Aunt was embaressed because she had put meat in everything!!!

well to make a long story short my dads friend and his wife latter became Aunt and Uncle to me and best friends...
My father went to school with them both and was best friends with my uncle and they were closer then brothers!!

Later after my father died and my Uncle 10 yrs later was sick and dieing and told me this story he admited that my dad had told him to tell his wife about my mom being a vegataryian but he didnt because he wanted to see how my mom and dad would react!!!

anyways the point is this sceen could have went REALLY BAD if my mom had gotten upset and offende because of the food and a beutyful 35 yr friendship would not have ever started!!!!

just something to think about!