Paganism...... Is it a hot property these days?

It's very popular with women, as many of the branches worship the Goddess as equal with the God and provide wonderful role models for women, and a complete lack of male superiority. A few of the feminist branches seem to go a bit far in the opposite direction. For men who feel the need of a feminine archetype/deity it is also very popular. The emphasis on nature and environmentalism in many forms of neo-paganism is attractive to many people, and for those who need ritual and form in their lives, there are branches which work strongly with those elements. The strong mystical elements in many forms also has its attractions for some. Lash

Hiya Grandpa You may well be right that it may just have been a trend probably a decade ago. But does that mean it is on a downfall now? True, starting figure was apparently small. But I thought it was/is like a rage. And there ought to be a solid reason for that. What, in your opinion is that particular striking feature of Paganism? The explanation about neo-Paganism is useful. Always love your responses

Bull's eye. Just what I expected. One last question, probably: Could you elucidate on the mystical elements? [Since I'm myself an ardent fan of Eastern mysticism.] I only knew about Gnosticism and Sufism as the other ones. Do you know what those of Paganism are called? And the basic tenets?

I was lucky enough to be raised in a Pagan family. it's gone through a phase of being fashionable in recent years, because of that fashion, I've seen a lot of people pick it up, then move on to the next fashionable spiritual path. but some of those people who came here for the fashion then found spiritual peace in the path they sought only because it was the latest thing. I think it's passing now as a fashion, but some of the people into it through fashion have discovered that they have a Pagan soul

I see. You seem to imply that it was just a trend, may be a decade ago. But it seems it was an overwhelming one. Since without any missionary activity by the original Pagans it managed to attract so many. What could be the reason for it? From your other posts, it seems you're also one. If I ain't affecting your privacy and if you're a convert, may I ask the reason/s that prompted you to that path?

I think it's colorful nature and liberalism makes it fashionable. Besides, it had been under wraps for so many centuries I believe. So the curiosity factor too. Yes I see many proud Pagans on the internet. Not any formal Pagans in my nation, India but we Hindus, I reckon are Pagan in a way. Thanks for sharing.

Yeah, I too have known that a significant number of sects in Paganism are nature-worshipers. You're also right about the misconception that they are wrongly considered to be devil worshipers. Even Satanists are misunderstood. Your attitude, I feel is pretty correct. Why should one judge others' paths when there's no objective evidence for correctness of any particular one? Thanks for a nice answer.

Heh, Christians have a lot of room to talk. Many elements of their religion was borrowed from the following; Judaism, Gnosticism, Zoroastrianism, Hinduism, Kemeticism, Buddhism, Hellenios, and Druidry.

What is "confusing" about the term pagan; is the simple fact that if someone is identified as "pagan", you have no idea what they actually believe unless they identify which "flavor" they are. Most of the pagans in my area are wiccan; but, we do have a handful that follow Native American beliefs, and we even have one Egyption sun worshipper. Unless they identify which religious system they follow, you would not have any idea what they belief in if all you knew was that they were "pagan".

Although you term it confusing, I would call your response one of the most interesting here. You may be right about it being a dumping ground. It seems that people who were fed up with organized religions turned to the ancient, relatively more liberal Paganism. Since Paganism is an umbrella term for different belief systems, I reckon it has this similarity with Hinduism.

Ha, Yea true. Difficult to be recognized

Quite an important point.

I can agree that most do. The concepts of reincarnation will vary greatly from religion to religion, as well as individual spiritual belief. However, i'm certain there are some that do not believe in any form of re-incarnation, and possibly a few that don't believe in any manner of afterlife either. I still find it interesting how people in the christian faiths sometimes balk at the idea of reincarnation. Those concepts were actually part of the original belief systems. Almost all reference has been removed from the various versions of the bible but a few allude to reincarnation still. The early church removed most reincarnation references back when it decided what was worthy of being in the bible and what was 'apocryphal'. As, though somehow people several hundred years after the time of an original book's writing can determine what is truly inspired by god and what was just 'thoughts and ideas of the writer.' pfft. Christianity in and of itself has its judaic roots of course, but both Judaism and Christianity were based on older concepts that interspersed with the shamanic tribal ways of the early Hebrew people. Originally there were many gods and a belief in reincarnation as this belief system stemmed from Hindu, Buddhist, and Zoroastrian beliefs that mixed with personal thoughts of the shamans and tribal priests. A famous line from the bible goes something like 'They must not eat from the tree of life or they shall become like us.' it varies with the language and translation. however, the earliest translation had it stated as 'like the gods'. That was the Adam and Eve story as I recall. They'd already eaten the forbidden fruit of knowledge of good and evil.. if they'd eaten from the tree of life too then they'd know of good and evil and live forever on top of it. Even that story is based on older ones, just like the story of Noah and the flood is based on a much older tale. That particular flood story varied greatly with every tribe you went too and some of them were greco-roman variants with Zeus acting the part of Yahweh. In time this developed into a monotheistic approach with 'angels' and such. Many of the angels were actually dieties in earlier religions. Michael for instance I believe was derived from a diety in early mesopotamia. I'm probably wrong about that factoid, but he was derived from an ancient divinity prior to becoming an angel. Most of the named angels were. Anway.. i'm rambling.. yes.. most pagans believe in some form of reincarnation, but there are also many who don't. It's a real grab bag of various religions since 'pagan' is more of a title than a religion itself.

Great answer there, SNB. It's nice to hear that the religion focuses more on personal responsibility and self-development. Even I do not quite find a dualistic God appealing ever. From the last few sentences of yours it seems like a majority of Pagans believe in reincarnation and evolution of the soul. Is that so? I know since it ain't an organized religion the beliefs are not uniform. But do the majority believe?

I see. Yes, Hinduism as practised today by many or precisely the Puranas-following Hindus can be termed Pagan as they are polytheistic. And I have seen some calling them so; especially many Muslims think that Hindus are Pagans. "These small minded people prefer to live in their own little worlds where they believe they are right and everyone else is wrong - after all, ignorance is bliss." Quite well-said. They don't even think that had that been so, more than about 95 percent of the world would be suffering from some punishments in an after life. They don't care how this portrays their God as. Paganism in this decade, apart from being a fashion statement can also be a considered a retaliation against organized religion.

Yea, that's fine. Everybody's got choices!

I don't worship Idols. I worship Gods. I have no idols of these Gods, just the energy of them themselves.

Idols are severely misunderstood by outsiders. We don't worship the idol itself, we use idols as a tool in worship.

Paganism is a vast subject. Nobody would be able to speak everything on it. Hinduism, Buddhism also would fall under the Paganism category. When it comes to mystical, Pagans do lay emphasis on meditation. As some users here have rightly pointed out, Paganism is not something new. In ancient days, there were only pagans. The Abrahamic nonsense came much later. One beautiful thing in Paganism is the sacred feminine or the concept of female goddesses, not like the stupid Abrahamic male God. In Paganism, there are gods as well as goddesses, the yin and yang. Thus there is an equal balance. Unfortunately, many of the ancient texts of Pagans has been lost because of christianity. Many, many pagan scriptures have been burnt during the dark ages.

Most Neopagan religions celebrate the cycles and seasons of nature through a festival calendar that honours these changes. The timing of festivals, and the rites celebrated, may vary from climate to climate, and will also vary (sometimes widely) depending upon which particular Neopagan religion the adherent subscribes to . In the present world, when we speak about mysticism, Hinduism offers the best. The books written by the hindu masters are unparallelled.

Thanks for the info Fred. Yea, freedom is the keyword. Have you also known about its mystical dimensions? Of course, many of them are eclectics and follow Buddhism too; but does it also have more?

Surely there iis no hogwash here. But defintely u read ony some points and ignore the rest. Abraham was a righteous man. Therefore, God spok e to him. But today, many people are disobedient and rebellious. God is very displeased with this. We are hurting and wounding God. There is many people who is with a pure heart, but considerng urself God is questioning Almighty and it is like you want to kill the real God and then you seat yourself on the throne of God. Then u can rule the universe. But surely u are mistaken. God is a one who is apart frm universe. Surely he is glorious and awesome and wil punish us if we disobey his laws. One day. each of us will stand befre him. He does not give us proof of his existence bcoz he wants to have faith fr us. Abraham, Moses, Jesus, Muhammad-all these proves the existece of God. These are the people noble and rightous. And surely God is watching from his thron in heaven.

Law of gravity, our blood is read, we breathe air- surely all these are fact and not belief. No person denies this. God is als an absolute certainty. And there er plenty of proofs. We should see his wonders and his throne in heaven. And in paradise, Abraham s seated along with God. God can destroy Shaitan ina go, but he is merciful. He has given shaitan many chances to repent. Before, shitan was alo angel. He rebelled. He fought for God's throne. This made God wroth exceedingly and he tols Shaitan' worship me for i am he Lord. ' But Shaitan ignored and he laughed at God and so God kicked Shitan out of paradise. Surely Abraham is righteous. Now, Shaitan is tempting the children of the Lord. H e wants more an more peple in his flock He wants to make a large army and lead it againstGod and overthrow him. All these thing will be evident in the last days. Whole world will see what is going to see wha t ahppens. even our hindu brothers believe Krishna killed Kamsa, Shisupal, Kauravas. Ran cut the nose of Surpanaka, he killed Kumabakarna, Ravan and Megnad. Varaha killed Hiranyaksha. Narasimha killed Hiranyakaspy. Donot disreagrd these as mere mythlogy. God came to hindu brohers and told the truh to them. HIndus believe that God is Almithy and will severely punish thse who disobey. Jut as Narasimha kill Hranyakasipu. Nobody can escape. Each person has to pay te price.

I only found your penultimate para really commendable. Rest is hogwash as usual. It does make sense that belief should be secondary and purity of heart is the deciding factor. But how does considering yourself god an indication of an impure heart? Especially when your god gives no solid evidence of his existence? The true God, creator, throne in heaven and blah blah is just a belief of you and your like-minded individuals and not an indisputable fact. And interestingly, why does god not finish off Shaitaan once and for all? Shaitaan has been messing up with God since many light years, isn't he? Is your god impotent? Learn to gather concrete evidence (and not mere book quotes) before spouting out postulates as facts; or at least have the courtesy to use phrases like 'I feel', 'probably', 'may be' etc.

I think you've said it yourself. I liked this phrase: "Feeling of finding a name for what we already believed in, or like finding home." It seems the internal diversity and ability to absorb any and all belief systems into itself is the USP of Paganism. I wanted to know this.

Great attitude. Not much to say anything against. And your last line is correct. There have been many myLot discussions too, clarifying the matter.

If you're referring to a religion such as LaVeyan Satanism, no they definitely don't represent Paganism as a whole.

my Gods are definitely not false. they may not be your God, as your God is not mine, but that doesn't mean they're false. buf blossoms. leaf unfolds. the Gods are with us every breath. if life is false, then my Gods are false. so is life false?

You have absolutely no idea what you're babbling about Joseph. How about taking the simple course of actually learning something about the things you are critical of before engaging mouth. Lash

Now what on earth makes you say that those gods/deities are false? They may be for you, but don't consider it a universal truth. They have their own nice followers for whom they are absolutely true. After all there's no objective way to prove either ones right or wrong.

Yea, it is considered a pejorative term by the Abrahamic religions, for no real logical reason. So do you describe yourself a polytheist? Because I've heard that not all Kemetics are polytheists either. (I may be wrong though)

True, till date some people oppose them for no real reason!