Pagans

[Wing]

Nothing says 'silly' like war and massive genocide!

He was just playing around with Poland and the camps.

 

[Finbar800]

I have a religion called Gandalfiism. I worship him because he dies but is reborn just like Jesus. Our holiday is coming up on the 25 of Jan. That is when he is reborn.

 

[Enishi]

The new Neopaganism seems more like a fad -- not to insult anyone's beliefs but, from an outsider-looking-in, today's neopagans are just anti-establishment Christians

 

[Wing]

The new Neopaganism seems more like a fad -- not to insult anyone's beliefs but, from an outsider-looking-in, today's neopagans are just anti-establishment Christians

That is what i seems like to moi.

 

[Madmoxxi]

I describe myself as a non-theist. Not an atheist, a non-theist. The distinction came after finding that many atheists are as intolerant as the religious people they despise. I did not want to be included in that group, as I feel religion is your business and yours alone.

 

[Dread]

I describe myself as a non-theist. Not an atheist, a non-theist. The distinction came after finding that many atheists are as intolerant as the religious people they despise. I did not want to be included in that group, as I feel religion is your business and yours alone.

I'm atheist and I have nothing against anyones religion. What I do dislike is how some people assume you're a god-hater when you simply make the choice not to believe in one - that's a huge generalization that can't be backed up with solid facts. "Many" is not a good word to use, "some" is less aggressive and finger pointing. I believe that it's just as aggressive to label someone as such for being atheist as it is being atheist and hating god(s) tbh.

 

[Will]

I describe myself as a non-theist. Not an atheist, a non-theist. The distinction came after finding that many atheists are as intolerant as the religious people they despise. I did not want to be included in that group, as I feel religion is your business and yours alone.

To be fair, that view is the same view people take on everyone being the religious fundamentalists. So really, your view is just as bad as those 'Intolerant' atheists.

 

[Cailst]

Not possible.

Only the fanatics should be eliminated.

What all do you count as a fanatic?

I agree with this. To me, paganism is chiefly about reviving the beliefs your ancestors held before they were Christianized. Wicca is all-new, it's not reviving anything.

Also the whole 'spellcasting' thing doesn't appeal to me. But to each their own, as they say.

What about other smaller religions that were replaced by the bigger religions like Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, etc.?

 

[Jake]

When did everyone stop calling christians/catholics out on being intolerant and start saying atheists are just as bigoted?

Both are totally baseless claims. Both sides have their extremists.

 

[Madmoxxi]

I'm atheist and I have nothing against anyones religion. What I do dislike is how some people assume you're a god-hater when you simply make the choice not to believe in one - that's a huge generalization that can't be backed up with solid facts. "Many" is not a good word to use, "some" is less aggressive and finger pointing. I believe that it's just as aggressive to label someone as such for being atheist as it is being atheist and hating god(s) tbh.

It appears that insult was perceived, even though it was not intended. It is unfortunate. I am not one to argue or debate points regarding religion (or lack of). I have stated my conclusion based on observation. Until the observed evidence changes my view stands.

 

[Niner]

Niner, you are seriously pagan?

How did this happen?

No more at all??

correct, and yes....no more at all.

 

[Jaqen H'ghar]

/wave


Granted, I was heathen when i joined the site originally. I just never felt much need to discuss it. Then I had a series of unfortunate events *insert book reference here* that caused me to become rather cynical and bitter. Lost faith in essentially everything and everyone there for awhile, couple years really. But now I've managed to come full circle I think. Funny how that works...

 

[Viggy]

The new Neopaganism seems more like a fad -- not to insult anyone's beliefs but, from an outsider-looking-in, today's neopagans are just anti-establishment Christians

That's true of a lot of of neopagans, but not all of us. There are some neopagans who actually put serious thought into it when they were choosing neopaganism, and also into their personal interpretation and beliefs concerning the world, the gods, etc. I do my best to be one of the thinking ones.

What about other smaller religions that were replaced by the bigger religions like Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, etc.?

Those smaller religions are (or were, not sure how much effort there is to revive those) the indigenous beliefs of areas like the Middle East, Africa and Asia. I don't know what you'd call them, but from my perspective, the word 'pagan' has always referred to the indigenous beliefs of Europe.

/wave


Granted, I was heathen when i joined the site originally. I just never felt much need to discuss it. Then I had a series of unfortunate events *insert book reference here* that caused me to become rather cynical and bitter. Lost faith in essentially everything and everyone there for awhile, couple years really. But now I've managed to come full circle I think. Funny how that works...

I still find it funny that you wound up Christian for a short time along the way. xD No offense or nothin', it was just the last thing I expected from you!

 

[Wing]

correct, and yes....no more at all.

/wave


Granted, I was heathen when i joined the site originally. I just never felt much need to discuss it. Then I had a series of unfortunate events *insert book reference here* that caused me to become rather cynical and bitter. Lost faith in essentially everything and everyone there for awhile, couple years really. But now I've managed to come full circle I think. Funny how that works...

Wow. That is something. Why Paganism?

 

[Dread]

It appears that insult was perceived, even though it was not intended. It is unfortunate. I am not one to argue or debate points regarding religion (or lack of). I have stated my conclusion based on observation. Until the observed evidence changes my view stands.

You claim to be a part of a group because you find "atheists" bigoted, yet your view is bigoted against atheists. lol

Also Read:

To be fair, that view is the same view people take on everyone being the religious fundamentalists. So really, your view is just as bad as those 'Intolerant' atheists.

When did everyone stop calling christians/catholics out on being intolerant and start saying atheists are just as bigoted?

Both are totally baseless claims. Both sides have their extremists.

 

[Jaqen H'ghar]

I still find it funny that you wound up Christian for a short time along the way. xD No offense or nothin', it was just the last thing I expected from you!

Wow. That is something. Why Paganism?

To answer both of these, I tried to do the christian thing because as a child my mom was catholic, and I wasn't certain what I believed in, again I was pagan, but when one loses they're faith it's hard to remember why they had it in the first place.

I went to mass every sunday, and saturday for all of a month. I felt a connection to some of the saints, and I felt like there was a higher power there. But I couldn't go ahead with the dogma. It didn't sit right with me on various points. I also knew that alot of the saints were originally pagan Gods, and were turned into saints to aid in the christianizing of europe.

After a bit of thought I realized that I had lost the lack of faith in everything, but I wasn't sure what to put my faith into. Christianity, ironically, opened me up once again to the idea of a higher power existing. I then took that thought one step further, in that if one higher power can exist, more than one could just as easily. That was when I decided to return to my heathen roots if you will. I've found peace with myself, and with alot of what's going on. It also has a moral code that I agree with, and has taught me alot about myself and other things.

Ultimately I think that the fanatics of both the religious and non religious camps have it wrong. The point of religion isn't to force an ideal upon someone, without allowing for thought. The point of religion is to teach, and from that teaching bring you to a knew place in your life on both an emotional, psychological, and physical level. Alot of people walk that path very incorrectly though.


I'z ranting, sorry about that >.>

 

[Viggy]

Let's all thank Sheogorath, for sharing himself with us...

*support-group style tentative applause*










:CHappy

 

[Horizon]

Ultimately I think that the fanatics of both the religious and non religious camps have it wrong. The point of religion isn't to force an ideal upon someone, without allowing for thought. The point of religion is to teach, and from that teaching bring you to a knew place in your life on both an emotional, psychological, and physical level. Alot of people walk that path very incorrectly though.


I'z ranting, sorry about that >.>

Could not agree more with you sir. *Clap clap!*

 

[Enishi]

I'm curious, of our pagan SWRPers, how many of you actively practice your newfound religion? And what you do in such circles? I'm taking "the Secular and the Sacred" for CORE classes, and I'd like to understand more about people's modern beliefs and practices.

 

[Dread]

Paganism is really a individual thing. All "practices" very extremely between types and in the types themselves it will very. Everyone has their own take on it just like other belief systems. It also depends whether they view their beliefs as spiritual or religious. So whatever answer you get from the people here wont necessarily reflect the large mass nor even the smaller mass of how they practice theirs.

As I've said, I've dabbled in Neo-Druidism and use to partake in a mixed Pagan forum.