Confused: Pantheism vs Paganism

[Sand Dancer]

I have been researching paganism lately, and wondered what the difference was between pantheism and paganism. Help!

 

[Unveiled Artist]

I have been researching paganism lately, and wondered what the difference was between pantheism and paganism. Help!

Everyone will vary slightly in their answers. Paganism is a board term for people who don't share abrahamic faiths, polytheistic, folk practioners (traditional), or modern to new age, earth-centered, wiccan faiths.

Pantheism, likewise, is a broad term. I see it as believing that the Divine (God, whoever) IS everything and everyone. No one created us. We are, in a vary careful sense, God.

Pantheism has many different definitions. Here is some information on this. Read at your own risk.

http://www.pantheism.net/pagan.htm
http://www.pantheism.net/paul/faqs.htm (This is an alright resource)
http://www.paganfederation.org/what-is-paganism/
http://www.ancient-origins.net/myths-legends/true-meaning-paganism-002306 (Looks like a good read. Traditional paganism)

Hope this helps

Nam.

 

[Sand Dancer]

Thanks!!

 

[Quintessence]

Paganism designates religion.

Pantheism is a theological approach that happens to nearly always be found within Paganisms.

 

[Politesse]

They are describing different things. One can be both, and many are. But Paganism is by far the broader label, since just about any minority religion is apt to get thrown under it at somepoint, regardless of their stance on God. Indeed, people who actually identify as Pagans tend to be skeptical of the value others place on "right belief".

 

[Sees]

A good way to think of it - the boundary lines between sacred and mundane certain other religious traditions believe in, you take an eraser to it (by varying degrees). Divine is immanent and you breath it, walk in it, see it - infused in everything, you and the world around you, or even that very thing itself.

It's a big part of the differences in perceptions between majority of pagan traditions and certain others. Some people see it as: World is magical, wondrous, sacred and life-giving VS a prison humans were cast out into.

 

[Iereas tou Apollona]

I have been researching paganism lately, and wondered what the difference was between pantheism and paganism. Help!

I am Pagan and I worship 12 Gods and acknowledge several Gods, Ocean Gods, Titans, and Primordial Deities.

I could still be Pagan but if I was pantheistic I would probably think that γαῖα (Gaia) is the universe.

 

[Sand Dancer]

I am Pagan and I worship 12 Gods and acknowledge several Gods, Ocean Gods, Titans, and Primordial Deities.

I could still be Pagan but if I was pantheistic I would probably think that γαῖα (Gaia) is the universe.

Oh, I got it. To me, God is more the essence of everything, not any particular deity. So is pantheism a specific religion or just a view point?

 

[Sand Dancer]

Divine is immanent and you breath it, walk in it, see it - infused in everything, you and the world around you, or even that very thing itself.

I like that!

 

[Sand Dancer]

Paganism designates religion.

Pantheism is a theological approach that happens to nearly always be found within Paganisms.

Okay. So what types of religions embrace pantheism?

 

[Quintessence]

Okay. So what types of religions embrace pantheism?

Pretty much any of the theistic religions that don't enforce the dualistic division between gods/sacred and world/profane is going to have a pantheistic tone to it. That theological tone can be found in any religion - you even see it in religions that are traditionally thought of as dualistic.