pagans
paganism
A vaguely defined term from the Latin word Poganus meaning countryman that has become an umbrella term for a group of reconstructed pre-Christian beliefs systems which are often nature centred. Followers of these belief systems share a wide variety of beliefs as these beliefs systems tend not to be formally structured and very focused on individual spirituality. Their beliefs can be polytheistic, animistic, pantheistic, monotheistic, bitheistic, nontheistic or a mixture of the former. Alternatively and less confusingly the term Neopagan can be used as the term has also been used for centuries as a derogotory term for any non-Abramic belief system.
Example:
Religions that have come to be considered (neo)pagan include; Wicca, Shamanism, Astatru(thought Asatruars seem to prefer the term Heathen) and, Druidism.
Religions that have come to be considered (neo)pagan include; Wicca, Shamanism, Astatru(thought Asatruars seem to prefer the term Heathen) and, Druidism.
Pagan
paganism
A nature-based religion.
Can be seen as having one deity or many, but never any kind of "devil" as this is a purely Christian concept invented much later.
Can be seen as having one deity or many, but never any kind of "devil" as this is a purely Christian concept invented much later.
Example:
"Is Wicca a form of Paganism?"
"I guess it is, in the same way that Catholisism is a form of Christianity."
"Is Wicca a form of Paganism?"
"I guess it is, in the same way that Catholisism is a form of Christianity."
Paganality
The personality of a Pagan.
Was made up while trying to describe a friends love for her Beliefs.....
Was made up while trying to describe a friends love for her Beliefs.....
Pagan
A somewhat vague term derived from from the Latin word paganus. Pagan is a term which refers to a variety of different religions ranging from Wicca, to that of ancient Egypt and even Hinduism, among many others. Some Pagans are of no specific religion, but rather are eclectic. In general Pagan religions have more than one deity, or many gods which are aspects of one (an idea similar to that of the Christian trinity). Another quite common feature of Pagan religions are that they tend to be nature oriented. Pagan can also be used as a derogatory word for any non-Judeo/Christian/Islamic religion.
paganism
Example:
Wicca is a polytheistic religion, because Wiccans honor not only a god and a goddess, but all of nature as well.
Wicca is a polytheistic religion, because Wiccans honor not only a god and a goddess, but all of nature as well.
Pagan
Put basically, any religion with more than one god, otherwise known as polytheism. Usually nature based, but not necessarily in a hippy "flower power" way. The term Pagan is usually applied to the old European pre-Christian religions of the Greeks/Romans, the Germanic tribes (such as the Vikings, Saxons and Danes etc) and the Celtic tribes. Wicca is a more modern blend of Paganism, that includes elements of all the above religions. Pagans can be found in all walks of life, from the Hippies through to Neo-Nazi groups and all in between. This goes to show that there are many forms and beliefs within Paganism.
Anton LaVey's form of Satanism includes many elements of paganism, almost an anti-Wicca.
Alot of Pagans attempt to hide their religion from their peers as pagans have been persecuted since the early days of Christianity, and as such some tend to have anti-Christian views.
That said, if they are known pagans, most pagans will quite gladly give time to help out people starting out on the pagan path and will talk to non-pagans about their views and beliefs.
Anton LaVey's form of Satanism includes many elements of paganism, almost an anti-Wicca.
Alot of Pagans attempt to hide their religion from their peers as pagans have been persecuted since the early days of Christianity, and as such some tend to have anti-Christian views.
That said, if they are known pagans, most pagans will quite gladly give time to help out people starting out on the pagan path and will talk to non-pagans about their views and beliefs.