Paganism is a broad term that encompasses a wide range of spiritual beliefs and practices. While it is difficult to generalize what all pagans believe, there are some common threads that tie paganism together. At its core, paganism is a nature-based religion that emphasizes a deep connection with the natural world. Pagans view nature as sacred and believe in the inherent divinity of the world around them. This can manifest in various ways, such as worshipping specific deities associated with the earth or engaging in rituals and ceremonies that honor nature. Unlike many organized religions, paganism does not have a standardized set of beliefs or a central religious authority.
Faith is often found in unlikely places. The Bible tells the story of a pagan woman whom Jesus commended for her great faith (Matthew 15). She was not raised as a Jew, knowing the Scriptures. She certainly did not have the privilege of walking and talking with Jesus as the disciples had. This woman had been raised in a godless home, in a home filled with idols. But with what little she knew about Jesus, she applied dramatic faith. We could even describe it as amazing faith.
Deuteronomy 18 9-12 - When you come into the land that the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not learn to follow the abominable practices of those nations. You shall not make for yourself a carved image or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.
Unlike many organized religions, paganism does not have a standardized set of beliefs or a central religious authority. Instead, paganism is often characterized by its diversity and flexibility. Pagans may draw inspiration from ancient mythologies, folklore, or their own personal experiences to shape their beliefs and practices.
What is paganism?
From a Christian viewpoint, pagans are generally characterized as those who are caught up in any religious ceremony, act, or practice that is not distinctly Christian. Correspondingly, Jews and Muslims also use the term pagans to describe those outside their religion. Others define the term paganism as any religion outside of Buddhism, Hinduism, Judaism, and Christianity; whereas some argue that a pagan is anyone with no religion at all.
Pagan comes from the Latin word paganus, which means “country dweller”; paganism can refer to polytheism or the worship of more than one god, such as in ancient Rome. A pagan is also considered to be one who, for the most part, has no religion and indulges in worldly delights and material possessions; someone who revels in sensual pleasures; a hedonistic or self-indulgent individual. Another, more modern term is neo-paganism, which refers to some of the contemporary forms of paganism such as Wicca, Druidry, and Gwyddon.
These modern “pagan” practices are actually similar to their ancient counterparts in that they rely heavily on hedonism—sensual gratification and self-indulgence and the pursuit of happiness and pleasure to the exclusion of everything else. In ancient times, sexual ceremonies were a major part of pagan religions. The Old Testament references these perverted religions in such passages as Deuteronomy 23:17, Amos 2:7–8, and Isaiah 57:7–8.
Though they are numerous and varied in their practices and beliefs, pagans do hold to some similar beliefs. For example:
• The physical world is a good place, one to be taken pleasure in by everyone.
• Everyone is considered to be part of this Mother Earth.
• Divinity reveals itself in every facet of the world.
• Every being, man and animal, is a derivative of the Divine. As such, all are gods and goddess.
• Most pagan religions do not have gurus or messiahs.
• Doctrine is superseded by one’s own responsibility.
• Solar and lunar cycles are significant in pagan worship.
Any form of paganism is false doctrine. Paul addressed this perversion of the truth in his letter to the believers in Rome (Romans 1:22–27). The people Paul described were worldly and materialistic, worshiping created things rather than the Creator. They worshiped trees, animals, and rocks, going so far as to abuse their bodies in deviant sexual practices to revel in their passions. Paul then goes on to tell us why they did this and the end result:
“Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done” (Romans 1:28).
In spite of common assumptions, most pagan worshipers claim they don’t believe in Satan. However, there’s no question that Satan is their chief source of influence and control. Though they will deny it, they deify him in their worldly and sensual practices. Paul tells us plainly how Satan works in the lives of people without God, through his power, his signs, his deceit, and his lies:
“The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness” (2 Thessalonians 2:9–12).
That Satan is alive and well is powerfully evidenced in these pagan practices. This was not only clear in the times of the first-century church, but also in today’s postmodern world. To the faithful believers who know the Lord, pagan worship is what it appears to be—the power and deceit of the prince of this world, Satan (1 John 5:19), who “prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). As such, paganism should be avoided.
The Pagan religious practices of today are linked to ancient cultures who existed in close harmony with the natural world. These ancient Pagans would not have used the term Pagan to describe themselves, but would have developed distinct, indigenous practices related to their own set of circumstances. Many early ‘Pagans’ worshipped more than one god, and performed rituals in natural settings such as stone circles, hilltops, streams, waterfalls and forests. Ruins of today reveal how prehistoric and ancient cultures arranged their places of worship in accordance with the patterns of nature, including the summer and winter solstices.
This allows for a wide range of beliefs within paganism, with some pagans identifying as polytheists (belief in multiple gods), animists (belief that all things have a spiritual essence), or even pantheists (belief that God and the universe are one and the same). Rituals and ceremonies play an important role in pagan practices. These can vary depending on the specific tradition or individual belief system, but they often involve connecting with the natural world, celebrating the changing seasons, or honoring specific deities. Pagan rituals may involve chanting, dancing, or the use of sacred tools and symbols. Many pagans also believe in the power of magic and may incorporate spellwork or divination into their practices. Magic, in this context, is not necessarily about supernatural powers or changing reality at will. Instead, it is often seen as a way to align oneself with the natural energies of the universe and effect positive change in one's life. Ultimately, paganism is a deeply personal and individualistic spiritual path. What pagans believe can vary tremendously from person to person but is often centered around a reverence for nature, a connection to the divine, and a desire to live in harmony with the world around them..
Reviews for "Exploring Paganism in Popular Culture: From Books to TV Shows"
1. Jennifer - 2 stars
I was really excited to learn more about paganism and what it entails, but this book fell short of my expectations. The author's writing style was quite dry and lacked the passion and depth I was looking for. Additionally, I found the information provided to be quite basic and superficial. Overall, I was left feeling unsatisfied and still having many unanswered questions about paganism.
2. Mark - 1 star
I found "What pagans believe" to be incredibly misleading. The title suggests that it will delve into the beliefs and practices of paganism, but instead, it felt more like a superficial overview. The author barely scratched the surface and failed to provide any in-depth analysis or explanations. I was left feeling frustrated and disappointed with the lack of substance in this book.
3. Sarah - 2 stars
As someone who is genuinely interested in learning about different religions and spiritual practices, I was disappointed with "What pagans believe". The information provided felt repetitive and lacked originality. It seemed like the author was simply regurgitating common knowledge without adding anything new to the conversation. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a comprehensive understanding of paganism.
4. Michael - 1 star
I struggled to get through "What pagans believe". The writing style was incredibly dry and monotonous, making it a chore to read. Additionally, I found the author's explanations to be confusing and convoluted. This book had the potential to be informative and enlightening, but unfortunately, it missed the mark completely. I would not recommend it to anyone interested in learning about paganism.