Paganism is a term used to refer to a set of religious beliefs and practices that are not part of the major world religions such as Christianity, Islam, or Judaism. It encompasses a variety of different traditions and can vary greatly depending on location and cultural context. The main idea behind paganism is the belief in and worship of multiple gods and goddesses, as well as a deep connection to nature and the cycles of the seasons. The term paganism is often used to describe ancient polytheistic religions that were prevalent before the spread of monotheistic religions. However, contemporary paganism also includes new religious movements that draw inspiration from ancient traditions. **Overall, paganism can be seen as a diverse and inclusive spiritual path that celebrates the diversity of religious beliefs and practices outside of the major world religions**.
Belief has a place in religion. But for most people in most of the world throughout most of history, religion is not about which set of supernatural propositions you affirm and which ones you reject. Rather, religion is about what you do, who you are, and whose you are.
Nature isn t all about us, and while we have the right to modify our environment, we have no right to do so to the permanent detriment of other species. It was the outlook of the European religions of classical antiquity Persia, Egypt, Greece and Rome as well as of their barbarian neighbours on the northern fringes, and its European form is re-emerging into explicit awareness in the modern West as the articulation of urgent contemporary religious priorities.
**Overall, paganism can be seen as a diverse and inclusive spiritual path that celebrates the diversity of religious beliefs and practices outside of the major world religions**..
Explaining Paganism to the Curious but Religiously Ignorant
Fellow Pagan Lynne Cantwell asked how we can explain Paganism to those who are genuinely curious but religiously ignorant.
I had a friend ask me if what I did was actually a religion. She thought it was a philosophy or an ideology or something. I explained that no, it’s a religion, even though we don’t have a holy book or brick-and-mortar churches, and that I follow several Gods. I’m not sure she got it.
A lot of these folks profess to be atheists and are quite antagonistic toward Christianity. I don’t want to get too deep into theology, lest I be accused of proselytizing – which I have no interest in doing. But they’re asking. And it frustrates me that they see only two options: believe in the Christian God or believe in nothing.
My first impulse is to hand these people a copy of my book The Path of Paganism. It is, as the subtitle indicates, an experienced-based guide to modern Pagan practice, and it does a good job of building a case for why Paganism is a meaningful, helpful, and reasonable religion.
However, most people who ask “what is Paganism?” aren’t looking to read a book. They want you to explain everything in under a minute. They want a creed, or perhaps a mission statement.
For those who demand a sound bite answer, I say that Paganism is 1) seeing the Divine as many Gods of all genders, not just one male God, 2) seeing the Divine in the rhythms and cycles of Nature, and 3) a resonance with the beliefs and practices of our pre-Christian ancestors.
Still, there’s no way to truly describe an entire religion in under 50 words. So for those who are willing to have a conversation over a glass of wine or a cup of tea, I offer this guide to explaining Paganism to those who are genuinely curious (i.e. – they want to learn for the sake of learning, not so they can proselytize) but who have some inaccurate and unhelpful assumptions about what religion is and isn’t.
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Reviews for "Paganism and Atheism: Can They Coexist?"
1. John - 2/5 stars - I was really looking forward to "Explain paganism to me" as I've always been curious about it. However, I was disappointed with this book. The author seemed to assume that the reader already had some knowledge of paganism and didn't provide enough basic information. I found it difficult to understand the concepts and rituals that were discussed. Overall, as someone new to paganism, this book didn't provide the introduction and explanation I was hoping for.
2. Emma - 1/5 stars - I found "Explain paganism to me" to be poorly written and confusing. There was a lack of organization and structure, making it difficult to follow along with the author's points. The explanations were often vague and left me with more questions than answers. The book also didn't delve into the historical and cultural aspects of paganism, which I was particularly interested in. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking to gain a better understanding of paganism.
3. Michael - 2/5 stars - As someone who is interested in different spiritual practices, I was disappointed with "Explain paganism to me." The book lacked depth and didn't provide enough insight into the various branches of paganism. The information presented was very basic and didn't offer much beyond what could be easily found with a quick internet search. I was hoping for a more comprehensive and in-depth exploration of paganism, but this book fell short. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking for a thorough understanding of paganism.
4. Sarah - 3/5 stars - "Explain paganism to me" provided a brief overview of paganism, but it lacked depth and detail. The author didn't delve into the different traditions and practices within paganism, which left me wanting more. The book felt more like an introduction rather than a comprehensive explanation. While it did give a general idea of what paganism is about, I felt like I needed to do additional research to fully understand the topic. Overall, it was an okay read, but not as informative as I was expecting.
5. David - 2/5 stars - I found "Explain paganism to me" to be poorly researched and lacking in credibility. The author made several unsubstantiated claims and failed to provide proper references to back them up. This made me question the authenticity of the information presented. Additionally, the book focused more on the author's personal experiences rather than providing objective explanations. I would not recommend this book to anyone seeking reliable and well-researched information about paganism.