Paganism in Today's World (part Two)

In the first article in this series, I explained what paganism and neo-paganism are not. Here, I am going to give an overview of what it is. There are a few basic beliefs, as well as some things that are somewhat vague, even to pagans and neo-pagans themselves. One thing to keep in mind is that there are few absolutes in the group of religions that are considered pagan or neo-pagan. Everything I can say is based on tendencies, which hold true for most pagans. But not all pagans, or neo-pagans hold all of these beliefs, or even most of the beliefs. Also, you will not always find two who can actually agree on the beliefs.

The first and most important thing to remember is that most pagans are, at least respectful of the earth and of nature, if they do not outright worship it. This is to say, that we tend to avoid such things as littering, needless killing, and hunting for sport. We have a high respect for life in all forms, most often with the understanding that even a plant is alive, thus in order for humans to survive, something else must die. This is the cycle of life, the food chain. In order for one living thing to remain that way something else must die.

The second thing about pagans, or more precisely neo-pagans, is that we tend to believe in the right of every person to hold their own beliefs. This does not mean we have to think the same way as everyone else, nor to think that they are right. We just believe that each person has the right to their own opinion, as long as that opinion does not interfere with their ability to see the facts. This idea is evident in the controversy over whether pagan/neo-pagan religions are satanic. The fact is that Satanism is an offshoot of the mainstream monotheistic religions, and has nothing to do with pagan/neo-pagan religions. However, some choose to ignore that fact, and instead hold an opinion to the opposite. The inability to separate fact from fiction/opinion is called delusion. In fact, paganism and witchcraft are not connected with Satan in the holy books, but rather were connected with the entity by the churches, during the early days of the witchcraft trials, as a means of showing why such people should not exist.

The third thing about pagans and neo-pagans is that we tend to hold a thirst for knowledge. We look for answers instead of expecting them to be handed to us. This holds true mostly for neo-pagans. We are seldom from families or from communities which share our beliefs, or even really accept them. Many neo-pagans have had to find their answers from outside of their homes and communities. As neo-pagan religions grow, this is becoming not so much a necessity, as a way of life. Many of these people, who had to search long and hard to find their answers feel, as I do, that they are better people, and more secure in their religions because of it. They usually tell those interested in what paganism and neo-paganism are, to look within, as well as to look it up. This is because in this way only does a religion, and knowledge of any kind, become ones own.

This is not the last article in this series. There is much to be told of paganism and neo-paganism. So far, you have only a drop out of the bucket. In fact, all that I know is only a small portion, and I have been a neo-pagan for ten years, and studied the topic for twelve. These articles are designed with the purpose of giving you a sort of "jumping point". Getting you started on the long journey that is the discovery of the self. Please read these articles with that understanding, and then find out more from books and websites.

A side note: Much of my material is drawn from personal experience, and from information I have gathered over the years, as such I have few references. However, there are sites which I have found which have helped me immensely over the years, and I also have two sites of my own based on this topic. Each article will have different websites, as there are many good websites, and it would take many pages to give them all at once.