Question by Sebboh is back!: What do pagans believe? Are there any good websites and/or resources for information about paganism?
thank you
Best answer:
Answer by Just Plain Ol’ Green Kitteh
They believe in the power of elements and nature, or something like that. Who am I kidding, I just wanted points.
Give your answer to this question below!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paganism
Hope that helps 😉 (((Sebboh)))
Paganism is a huge group of varius beliefs. Everything from modern Wicca to ancient Aboriginal spiritism.
The three pillars of Paganism are
Polytheism
Animism
Pantheism
Pretty much every Pagan beliefs have all three pillars, although one or two may be emphasised over the others
There are many branches of pagan religions. What they believe depends on what branch you are talking about. In general they are nature based religions.
“Gods, Demons and Symbols of Ancient Mesopotamia”, Jeremy Black and Anthony Green.
“Primitive Mythology, The Masks of God Vol. 1” by Joseph Campbell
Some common pagan beliefs (not all pagan religions believe these): reincarnation * karma * harming none * multiple deities (male and female) * a reverence for life and nature * celebrating the cycle of life and the year with holidays and full moons *
Things pagans don’t believe in: the devil * hell * a savior * a deity that condemns someone for eternity for not believing in him
Religious Tolerance. org is a good website
pagans or wiccans believe in helping the world they believe in magick or magic and they believr in god and godeses. they have many belies due to the many kinds of paganism just look around in your local bookstores if you want to learn more about them.
http://www.channel4.com/culture/microsites/P/pagans/html/ss/ss.html
http://www.ina-mahlstedt.de/bohuslaen_engl.pdf
http://www.nerve.com/CS/blogs/scanner/archive/tags/statues/default.aspx
you would have to specify a bit paganism is not a religion its a group of religions if your looking for wicca i guess witchvox.com is the only site i know of but if your looking for other religions i might be able to help you out
The website for our temple will give you
lots of info about our history and beliefs.
http://www.cybele2.com
paganwiccan.about.com
witchvox.com
ecauldron.net
pagan.meetup.com
Magic is a system, not a religion. Even Atheists can preform magic. It requires belief in yourself, not belief in any certain higher power.
Wicca is just one of many faiths that embrace Magic.
You can be both a Wiccan and a witch, these two words are not the same. None of these words has anything to do with devil worship.
One of the biggest sore points among Wiccans is the improper usage of the terms “Wiccan” and “Witch”. Too many people use the terms interchangeably, presuming that they both mean the same thing. They do not.
Wiccan
Wicca is a religion, and someone who follows that religion is called a Wiccan. Sometimes it can be difficult to accurately define Wicca, and not all Wiccans will define themselves the same way. Observing the 8 Wiccan Sabbats, honoring the Gods and/or Goddesses, creating sacred space for rituals, to name a few. Many traditional Wiccans also feel that belonging to a coven is also a requirement and that those who practice their religion as a solitary, should not refer to themselves as Wiccan. Personally, I’m still not sure on that point. Typical Wiccans also practice magick, and therefore are also witches. You cannot be a “natural Wiccan” any more than you could be a “natural Christian”.
Witch
The practice of witchcraft is not associated with any religion, therefore you can be a witch and yet also be a member of any number of religions (or none). Using the natural energies within yourself, along with the energies of herbs, stones or other elements to make changes around you is considered witchcraft. Though the skills and gifts that are part of witchcraft can be inherited from parents or grandparents, you aren’t automatically a witch just because your grandmother may have been one. The use of magick takes practice, experience and learning. On a side note, a male witch is called a witch, not a warlock.
Pagan
While I’m explaining terminology, I thought I would throw in “Pagan” as well. Paganism refers to a variety of non-Christian/Jewish/ Islamic religions that are usually polytheistic and are often nature-based. Wicca is only one Pagan religion, but there are others such as Santeria, Asatru, or Shamanism. Many people do not necessarily identify with a specific religion, and just use the broad term “Pagan” to define their spiritual path. Pagan religions are distinct and separate from each other, and it should not be assumed that they are just different names for the same faith.
Suggested Reading List
Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner by Scott Cunningham
Living Wicca: A Further Guide for the Solitary Practitioner by Scott Cunningham
Complete Book of Incense, Oils and Brews by Scott Cunningham
Book of Shadows: A Modern Woman’s Journey into the Wisdom of Witchcraft and the Magic of the Goddess by Phyllis Curott
Green Witchcraft by Aoumiel (Ann Moura)
True Magick by Amber K
Inner Temple of Witchcraft: Magick, Meditation and Psychic Development by Christopher Penczak
Heart of Wicca: Wise Words from a Crone on the Path by Ellen Cannon Reed
The Spiral Dance by Starhawk
Natural Magic by Marian Green
Wheel of the Year: Living the Magical Life by Pauline Campanelli
The Triumph of the Moon: A History of Modern Pagan
Witchcraft by Ronald Hutton