BellaOnline Forums Religion and Spirituality Pagan What Is Paganism Today?

Again, I'm going to ask you, what type of Paganism are you asking about?

There are so many varied beliefs that the term "Paganism" covers, I can't answer a general question like that. For instance, Hinduism is considered by some to be a form of Paganism, as it is a polytheistic religion. But it's not like the worship of Greek gods, nor is it like Asatru, the Norse-based form of Pagansim. The Voudoun beliefs are also considered Paganism, and those incorporate a lot of Christian influence in the modern forms. Then you've got Druidism, which comes from the Western Europeans, as do some Wiccan traditions (Gardnerian, Dianic, etc). Then we could go into shamanism or the practices of the Huichol Indians. Plus Native American spiritualities, Aboriginal beliefs, and the list goes on.

All of those are considered to be part of the Paganism family, and each one comes from various cultural and societal roots. There are no doctrines or foundational truths that cover them all. Each one must be explored independently. Paganism is an umbrella term, and if you're searching for "one great truth" here, you're just not going to find it.

Oh O.K.

Well put, Rae.

I will add that Wicca is only one kind of Paganism and it can be further divided into Traditions (Gardenerian, Alexandrian, BTW, Eclectic) and many many Wiccan practice as Solitaries.

Most Wiccans follow the Wiccan Rede which states: An it Harm None, Do as you Will. Sort of a golden rule of sorts. And many also believe in the Threefold Law: that which you put out into the Universe will return to you threefold.

Other than that Wiccans, like other Pagans, cannot be easily grouped into boxes or rules really.

If there are so many, which one is right? How do you pick out what is true and false from so much stuff?

Honestly, you have to trust what science cant tell you... what you feel is right in your heart and soul. For some that is Jesus and God, for others Krishna and Vishnu, and still others The God and Goddess, etc.

There have been many who have said that all paths lead to one Divine. That it dosent matter what you call it. I believe (personally) that the divine presents itself to a person in the manner in which it makes the most sense to that person.

And no matter what religion it is... there is a part of it that there is no proof for, that must be taken on faith.

How would you pick between Islam, Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Wicca, Druidism or any of the other religions in the world?

Most people make their decisions based on their experiences, what they were raised with and what they feel they need to balance their life. It's not a cut and dried experiment, so the line of reasoning and questioning that you keep using, which is very scientific, isn't going to work as well as you'd like in these instances.

I can see where you might rely on your personal faith to affirm what you believe but I cannot see how personal faith can originally lead you to the truth. I mean if Jesus was right then muhammad was wrong since they make many opposing claims. And if a person is right to choose wicca then something else has to be wrong. I mean how can all paths lead to the divine if not all roads lead to Denver? Is it so terrible if you have to admit that, hey, somebody is just wrong?

emaster, you really sound like you're on a philosophical quest, not a religious one. Maybe you should try talking to some philosophers instead of Pagans.

Personally, I don't believe anyone has to be wrong, but that's just how my spirituality goes. If you want to think someone is wrong, you can just go right ahead and think that.

Blessed Be

I agree with Rae. pretty much on all counts here.