Facts about Paganism

      Since my mid teens I have been interested in assorted religions and cultures. I have always been a “spiritual” person, but never interested in conforming to a religion or deity. This past year I have become friends with three Pagans. I was raised by Christian parents, and was always taught that Pagans were basically non Christians whom worshiped evil and the ‘devil’. I had been to these friends’ houses several times, and had yet to see any signs of ‘devil’ symbolism. Myself being a very nosy person, I began to inquire as to what exactly was Paganism. My friends were wonderful, and explained to me their belief system, which varied amongst the three. I’ve dabbled in some Native American spirituality before, being part Cherokee, so I have a strong desire to give back to the earth and to keep it clean. Through my friends I discovered that Paganism shared my belief.

I was very intrigued by the fact that between my three friends, they all three seemed to practice different forms of Paganism. This, and the connection with the Earth that Pagans hold peeked my interests, which led me to investigate further. I have compiled a small assortment of facts that I have discovered about Paganism. As for now, I’m not a practitioner of Paganism, but it is definitely something that intrigues me and may be something I adapt to my life in the future.

Paganism is an actual religion, and not just a term coined by the early Christians. Paganism was around long before Christianity. It was the religion of the country folk whom followed the cycles of the Sun to assist them in their farming. With the rise of Christianity, many Pagans were persecuted and converted, or were killed. Paganism ‘died out’ for a long period of time. However, around the 20^th century Paganism resurfaced as a semi-main stream religion.   

Pagans do not believe in, nor worship, the ‘devil’. The devil is a concept within Christianity, and therefore does not apply to Paganism. Pagans do not believe in nor worship a ‘devil’ or Satan figure head.

Paganism is not a cult, but rather a compilation of various thoughts and beliefs that form into a spiritual awakening for its practitioner. Like all other religions, there is some cult like behavior within certain groups inside the Pagan community. But that is found in any religion, and cannot be held against the religion as a whole.

Pagans do not make animal nor human sacrifices. Pagans believe life is sacred and must be cherished. Therefore main stream Pagans would not consider performing any such acts. Many Pagans do perform sacrifices, but these are in the form of flowers, stones, etc.

Paganism is just an umbrella term used to identify assorted earth-based spiritual beliefs.

Paganism does not conform to a set number of beliefs. Most Pagans believe the individual should know what is right and what is wrong. They believe that it’s ok for you to have your own beliefs within the religion, so long as they follow a moral code.

Paganism consists of: Shamanism, Druidism, Wicca, Animism, and many more beliefs.

Paganism is generally a polytheistic religion. However, there are polytheistic and atheist Pagans as well.

Pagans are often active environmentalist. With their love for nature, it isn’t a surprise that many Pagans are active environmentalist. Many feel that it is their duty to help keep Mother Earth clean and healthy.

Many Pagans practice some form of Magic.

Pagans follow the cycles of nature.

Wicca is one of the most popular forms of Paganism. Wicca became popular in the 1950s by Gerald Gardner. Gardner feared that the religion would become extinct, and therefore set out to recruit others. The religion began to grow and is now one of the most commonly heard of Neopagan belief systems.

Not all Pagans are Wiccan. Wicca is one of the commonly publicized forms of Paganism within the United States. It arose as being a religion found primarily amongst young adults.

Not all Pagans are witches, very few even refer to themselves as witches. The term witch is most commonly used amongst the practitioners of Wicca, as their religion is more so associated with witchcraft.

There is no sacred accepted text amongst Pagans.

Most Pagans either practice alone, or in small groups. The ones that choose to practice within a group setting typically join what is called a coven.

Pagans are typically not interested in converting others.

A symbol commonly associated with Paganism is the Pentagram. For many Pagans, the pentagram is a symbol similar to how the cross is for Christians. The pentagram, in Pagan belief, represents the elementsand spirit, with the circle around it representing unity.

There are many famous Pagans.

Below is a small list of notable Neopagans:

Ronald Hutton (British scholar and professor)

Sully Erna (singer for Godsmack)

Alison Goldfrapp (British singer)

Kate Orman (author)

Alice Walker (author)

Eric Steven Raymond (computer programmer)

Paolo Rustichelli (Italian composer)