What defines Paganism? (Earth, tradition, virtual, beliefs, myth)

[opensoul7]

Pagan original meaning was a derogatory term meaning country dweller (bumpkin so to say)
and then used to define non Christian beliefs. But never enough to cover the myriad of religious beliefs before christianity. What of those religions have survived , where does the documentaion or belief base come from and connect to the past ? From my understanding there is nothing (for example) left from the druids , barely any historical information , but there are modern druids. also from Sol Invictus, Dionysus, Isis and Osiris, Attis, Mythria, etc,etc,etc they are all so different from a general term used to insult so much . so what defines modern Paganism ? Is it still as diverse and represent many beliefs , were there documents that survived the purging of the Church? I mean no disrespect in asking this question , it is something I have been personally curious about for awhile . I am looking to be educated about y'alls system or systems of belief.

[Enigmata]

It seems that there are several modern definitions for paganism. A more common one is any non judeo-Christian or Muslim religion. It usually refers to more earth based and polytheistic religions. Paganism is very diverse and represents many different views and beliefs. Take Wicca for instance. There are many different traditions and paths within Wicca as well as many different paths within paganism as well.

I am not quite sure what you are looking for when you ask about documents. I am sure there are plenty of documents written by pagans that survived the purging but if you are looking for documents that defined pagan religions before Christianity came along then I have no idea. I am not educated in that area of religious history. In todays society it is very difficult to put one definition to what paganistic religions are.

[opensoul7]

Turk,
thanks for the response . I was more interested if the varied forms of Paganisim were based on beliefs that date or connect back to the varied beliefs of the past? Or are they a modern development started by modern people ? based on what was believed was practiced in the past , or just how people should live today. For example what are the roots of the Wiccan belief and how did the various branches or forms come about? Thanks again!

[kreeden]

I think that it is a little of both Opensoul . But that is just my opinion .

[Mike182]

once you have got it defined, let me know so i can debate it

paganism is such a wide term, covering a mass of belief and practices, it would be impossible to define what is "pagan"

[michel]

Originally Posted by opensoul7

Pagan original meaning was a derogatory term meaning country dweller (bumpkin so to say)
and then used to define non Christian beliefs. But never enough to cover the myriad of religious beliefs before christianity. What of those religions have survived , where does the documentaion or belief base come from and connect to the past ? From my understanding there is nothing (for example) left from the druids , barely any historical information , but there are modern druids. also from Sol Invictus, Dionysus, Isis and Osiris, Attis, Mythria, etc,etc,etc they are all so different from a general term used to insult so much . so what defines modern Paganism ? Is it still as diverse and represent many beliefs , were there documents that survived the purging of the Church? I mean no disrespect in asking this question , it is something I have been personally curious about for awhile . I am looking to be educated about y'alls system or systems of belief.

I am no expert, but I want to learn!

IMHO Pagan is most certainly not 'new Age' - although there might have been a revival of it in the early 1900's. To be fair, I believe that all 'New Age' stuff would be better described as 'Old Age'.

If I understand correctly, open Soul, you are looking for something akin to a 'Pagan Bible' - which you won't find, as I believe that most pagans 'work' on individually tailored beliefs passed down through generations by word of mouth.

http://paganwiccan.about.com/od/history/index_a.htm gives a very broad spectrum reading suggestion.

If you Google 'Pagan Roots', you will find sites that advocate that there are pagan roots to virtually all religions;

although this site 'looks' a bit suspicious, it sounds as if it might be of use:-
http://www.sacred-texts.com/pag/

[opensoul7]

Thank you,
Yes pagan is a term that always has been used to cover a myriad (myriad , I just like that word) of beliefs. And Michel , any form of documentation that connected modern to the past. It is sad because I am sure there were (for example) plenty of scrolls at the library of alexandria, that would have changed the worlds moderen understanding of all spirirtual thought had it not been burnt to the ground.I have to go to work here shortly but I will look at your links when I get home, thank you.

[Pluralist]

There is a clear break in Paganism. All the traditions are reinvented, according to what might be the case rather than what was. Anyway, Paganism exists now in a different context, one where magic is not taken for granted, and where common everyday thought is practical (if not quite rational) and of this world. So rather than being obvious and given, Paganism is more obviously a religion and structured as such. It remains, however, local, and with few exceptions lacks the philosophical heights of say a worked through Christianity or Hinduism. The feminist movement slightly qualifies this point (Miriam Simos for example, known as Starhawk). Another development is Paganism having the beginnings of dialogue (as with Starhawk and Matthew Fox) rather than opposition and dismissal.

[Rek Law]

Others have already covered that the word "Pagan" comes from the Latin, "Paganus" ... meaning country dweller (from "Pagus" = country. From the same root we derive "peasant", (via Old French "paisant ... the French "paysan". The Old Spanish "peon" meant a person who walked rather than a Callabero, who rode a horse.
You get the general drift? ... modern connotation = not the top of the social heap (or hierarchy).

What it actually derives from is the direct connection with nature ... easier to connect (or commune) with Nature in a rural setting than urban ... and the term is used loosely to define those who divine inspiration fromthe natural world.
Those of my acquaintance who call themselves "Pagan" are not adherents of any religious system other than reverence for the unspecific divine expressed in the observable natural world. ... one whom I spoke to said he had to learn Norse runes and the Sagas in order to "progress" but I could never pin him down to specifics as to what or where he was "progressing".

I should declare an interest in that although I share a fascination with the Lore of Mesopotamia, of Greece and Rome and Norse legends and of Persia, I remain at core a committed Christian and have a constant awareness of my beloved companion in every waking moment. When my aforementioned Pagan friend told me that his gods are potent forces compared to mine I reminded him that there is no weakness in meekness and that MY Holy Spirit was no pushover for all the He (or She, I know not and worry not) did not rush around whirling Hammers nor showers of gold.

What is left of the Druids is ... nothing! Suetonius Paulinus and Agricola saw to that. There was no written record other than those of Romans e.g Caesar, Tacitus, Cicero & Gaius Suetonius. ... which are contradictory viz. Caesar states they keep aloof from war whereas Tacitus has them inciting resistance and hideous practices (?is this just propaganda? ... i.e. in order to raise your own profile by destroying your enemy utterly you must first dehumanise them lest the masses you ultimately serve take sympathy with the underdog and turn against you).

I respect reverence for nature ... I grew up in The Vale of Glamorgan ...so I am a "bumpkin" at heart for all that I live in an English town now; and I have no conflict between my Faith and such reverence.

In my youth I learned Tolkien's Dwarf Runes ... for the fun of it ... I enjoy the sagas as stories - BUT immersing in Lore and Religious Observance are separate compartments of my intellect, psyche ... or whatever

My goodness, how I have rambled ... I AM growing old.


what I MEANT to say is that this site looks useful http://www.paganfed.org but I don't know enough about Post Roman Paganism to tell if it is accurate or moonshine.

[Freedomelf]

I have a hard time knowing for sure what I am. I know the people who started the faith/philosophy to which I hold, and I have actually helped to write some of the prayers etc myself. They are good friends, and it is still a small group of no more than 50 so far. But it isn't a "cult" in that it doesn't have a leader or anyone in control, and it doesn't ask for donations or ask you to stop believing in any other religion, if you still want to. It's a faith "system", but not an actual religion, perhaps. We are very low key and don't believe that religion should be "in your face." So is it a religion or a philosophy? And if a religion, what kind?

I think you could call it Pagan, but you can be a Calyr Elf and also be Christian, if you wanted to, so I'm not sure it is. At any rate, I consider myself Pagan because I believe in a Heavenly Mother and Father, and in the sacred nature of the earth, the environment and all of creation. Is that the definition of a Pagan? Maybe it is to me.

If this sounds confusing, don't worry, lol! Certainty doesn't really matter....only goodness and kindness, and respect for God's creations. That's what I am more concerned with. So I guess I'm pagan.