Paganism (ritual, reject, Earth, tradition, Buddhism)

[michel]

As you guys might have noticed by now, my hand is never too far from the dictionary (Well, I use an on line one now).
I was interested to see if I was correct about my definition of 'Paganism' ; having looked at the definition, Yes, I can incorporate Paganism in 'Religion :- 'My Own'

(Quote From 'Word IQ.com)-
Paganism (or "Heathenism") is a catch-all term which has come to bundle together (by extension from its original classical meaning of a non-Christian religion) a very broad set of not necessarily compatible religious beliefs and practices that are usually, but not necessarily, characterized by polytheism and, less commonly, animism.

Linked to:-

Polytheism is belief in, or worship of, multiple and equal gods or divinities. The word comes from the Greek words poly+theoi, literally "many gods." Most ancient religions were polytheistic, holding to pantheons of traditional deities, often accumulated over centuries of cultural interchange and experience. Present-day polytheistic religions include Hellenismos, Shinto, some forms of Wicca, Vodun, and Asatru. Buddhism and Hinduism are regarded by some non-practitioners as polytheistic although this view of the religion is rejected by many believers. Some Jewish and Islamic scholars regard the Christian doctrine of the trinity as bordering on polytheism, a view that Christians in general strongly reject.

I'm OK with that.

//P.S enjoy your celebration Lilithu!!!!!

//

[kreeden]

I'm not sure of the reason for your post Michel , but I have to say that I like your avie . I have thought of using the Fool as my avie several times as it has special meaning for me . { although I would likely have gone with the Ryder / Waite image }

[michel]

Hi Kredeen,

I've just seen your reply to my post addressed (not cleary enough addressed as a reply to lilithu's post on celebrating the winter solstice). I can see why you were confused; perhaps I might have been much better off sending her a PM, but I always am conscious that we all(and that includes me, I am afraid to admit) use words presuming that we actually have a precise idea of the meaning of the words used.

I do find that I sometimes have a vague idea of a word, but not a goog enough one for debating purposes.
As I said, the post was primarily inted for Lilithu, to let her know that, having looked into paganism, I find nothing in it that is against any of my beliefs.

Strangely enough, I was talking to a friend last night, and metioned the fact that I'd mentioned Stonehenge 'to a friend I'd met' (was how I put it), and she surprised me by telling me that most churches are actually built, more than often, on sites that were previously used by Pagans. She told me that excavations in some churches had unearthed very old objects relating to paganism! However much older I become, it never ceaces to amaze me about how little I know about some aspects of life; learning is a lifelong 'path'.
Quote [{ although I would likely have gone with the Ryder / Waite image }]; I agree with you completely, I agree with you. The reason I used that image is that it is in a pack given to me by my son (who was aware that I was interested). As I later was told that the first Tarot pack that you use needs to be one chosen and gifted to you, I continued using that one. However, I agree and will go out and buy a Ryder / Waite pack ASAP.

[kreeden]

Yes , churchs were often build over the ruins of other religious sites . No only Christian churchs , but that appears to be something many religions do . The Temple Mount in Jerusalem for excample , as well as several sites in India . I think that if one looked , they would find that has happened all around the world , throughout histroy .

As you may have noticed . Paganism is a term then covers many beliefs . I believe that it usually refers to any { mostly European } pre-Christian belief ???

[Scuba Pete]

So paganism is defined by what it is not? Curious. And pagans are alright with this? (I hope I am not overstepping my bounds here, as I really want to know).

[michel]

Hi Net Doc,

Quote:[So paganism is defined by what it is not? Curious]

I'm not the 'sharpest tool in the box', I'm not qite sure exactly why you say that?

[Master Vigil]

Anything can be defined as what it is not NetDoc. But there are many ways to define paganism by what it is. Basically, Earth based spirituality focusing on "earth" based gods and/or goddesses. Many people say it is Pre-Christian because that is when paganism flourished, even though it wasn't called paganism until the christians coined that term for them. All Pagan means is "country dweller". Animism was a big part, especially in tribes that had shamans. But everything was very centered on nature. The earth, trees, moon, starts, sun, animals, etc... While Wicca claims to be a Pre-Christian religion, it only borrowed their beliefs. Wicca is a very new religion that developed in the mid to late 1900's. It is true many pagans hate christians and therefore define their belief as "anything but christian" but this is not the general case. But since Christians have been around, anything other than christian has been seen as Pagan in their eyes, this is just simply not the case.

[Scuba Pete]

Hey Michel...

I was just wondering in that it was defined: "its original classical meaning of a non-Christian religion". I wasn't trying to "pick a fight", but looking for an understanding of something I have heard of but have never experienced (except through TV).

Thank you MV... very concise!

My daughter is Wiccan and claims Paganism as well, so it interests me greatly.

[Jaymes]

Awk. I sincerely hope she's a sincere practicing Wiccan, NetDoc... they're generally looked down upon in the pagan communities as fulffbunnies that just want to rebel against Christianity without risking getting sent to hell. If she isn't well-read on many forms of paganism/heathenism, she's likely to get an earfull.

[kreeden]

Heathenism , doesn't that usually refer to the Norse beliefs ? Gawd , I hate labels .