Misconceptions about Pagans and Paganism (experience, worship, Christian, Christ)

[Burning Giraffe]

Originally Posted by Circle_One

I agree. This has got to be my BIGGEST source of frustration regarding misconceptions. The worst part of it is though, is that many people who CLAIM to be Pagan, make this statement as well. "Well, I'm a white witch. I don't believe in Black Magick. It's bad." Etc, etc. It's more of a frustration when it's coming from someone who's claiming to be Pagan, than when it comes from someone who knows nothing at all.

One of the reasons I think we do have so many misconceptions about Paganism stems from the obscene amount of Fluffs there are out there. Those are the ones who loudly and obnoxiously yell about being proud Pagans, when they really know nothing at all, but since they are more apt to want someone to hear them, they scream it from the rooftops and have more people listen to them, sadly.

Neo-pagan traditions are reflections of modern interpretations of ancient traditions. Of course they are fluffy. In most cases, neo-pagan traditions are founded in complete misunderstandings of the original belief system and culture out of which the system was derived. What people choose to believe about magic, however, ought to be a personal decision and should not reflect fundamental theological propositions (essentially, the foundation of an individuals world view). Personal experience should dictate to the individual the reality of their faith.