Paganism

Tuesday, November 14, 2006

A requested article.
Here at the WoW, we aim to please, at least Malach does. Recently one of my favorite buckos has requested to hear about paganism and some of my opinions on it. So watch me work.

Paganism as a general term in this modern day refers mainly to any non Abrahamic based religions (Christianity, Judiasm, Islam). While some would include a number of very popular Eastern religions in this (IE Buddhims, Hinduism), that is always deabatable and based upon opinion.

The basic definiton of Pagan/Paganism connotes a broad sense of esoteric, naturalistic, polytheistic, and/or spiritualist practices that are out of the Abrahamic branch of religions. This is a very broad term and many Eytemologist avoid this generalization and prefer to sub-catergorize paganism into other smaller categories like animism, shamanism, polytheism, etc, etc. The range of "Pagan" religions is immense. Not including Eastern Religions everything from Old dead religions to modern Wicca are "Pagan" religions. Pagan which at one time was a very perjorative term like Heathen or Blasphemer, has become a very accepted term, and term used by self descibe pagans. There is also some debate whether Paganism includesAtheism and Agnosticism.

Paganism because of it's colorful range and history is broken up into several sub divisions:
Paleo-Paganism: Is a Pagan religion that has not been disrupted by culture and other religion. They have survived since their inception or were abadoned. For example Shito, Hinduism, and Celtic Polytheism which survive to this day, or the more familar Ancient Greek and Egyptian Religions which nor longer are forms of worship.
Meso-Paganism: These are Pagan religion that have been highly influenced by other relgions and cultures, but has been able to maintain a semblace of it's own worship. For example thing like the Native American religion or Voodoo.
Neo-Paganism: Is an attempt by modern man to reconnect and reconstruct ancient religion like Neo-Druidism and Wicca.

As for use of the term, Pagan and Paganism, one of my favorite websites, Religioustolerance.org has an excellent 7 item definition for it's modern use. I reprint it the items below:

1. Pagans consist of Wiccans and other Neopagans
2. Pagans are people to hate
3. Pagans are ancient polytheists
4. Pagans follow Aboriginal religions
5. Pagans are followers of non-Abrahamic religions
6. Pagans don't belong to any of the main religions of the world
7. Pagans are Atheists, Agnostics, Humanists, etc

You can read the entire article here.

So, know that you are confused, here is Malach's opinion. To me, you cannot be an Athiest and be a pagan. Pagans all believe is some type of higher power. Because of the numerous religions that can be applied as Pagan, it is kind of hard to give you an opinion on Paganism. In general Malach has the opinion that most religions teach us the same things.

1. Love and respect everyone you meet.
2. Respect the Earth.
3. Know there is something greater in the universe than you.

This goes for most Pagan religions. There are obviously some exceptions to this (Satanism being one of them), but to me, whether you are Wiccan, Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, Baha'i, or what ever, these are your basic tenets. Why are most people coverting to Paganism (if you look at some stats, Paganism is one of the fastest growing religions in some parts of the world)? Disillusionment, anger, and curiosity.

Wow.
Malach's website had almost 700 unique visitors yesturday which is the most visitors ever in one day by almost 200 visitors. I am getting massive links from two pretty popular site forums. The Internet Infidels and Something Awful (this one really surprised me). So thanks to who ever from there is sending me traffic.

I am Malach, and Who broke my heart? You did, you did.