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 Posted: Sat Feb 13, 2010 1:12 pm
We all know that "paganism" is an umbrella term for most religions that do not follow the Abramatic god. What I'm curious about is whether or not people who considder themselves to be a certain type of "pagan" feel about being shoved under this umbrella with so many others that may not necessarily believe the same things you do? Spoons:
* Are you "pagan"? If so, what kind of pagan are you?
* How do you feel about other "pagans" that don't follow your particular form of it?
* What is you take on people who call themselves "pagan" without really knowing what that means? (Sort of like the minors that run around calling themselves Wiccan to spite the fact that they can't be.)
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Posted: Sun Feb 14, 2010 7:33 pm
I am a pagan, I associate with the Eygptian pantheon due to it being the most comfortable for me, primarily with Bastet and Anubis.
I've no problem with other pagans, they don't tend to bother me for my beliefs or jump down my throat with theirs...having said that I've not met many other pagans around here.
I can't say I'm fond of the people who run about claiming they're pagan, and giving us a bad name by focussing on the more morbid and dark aspects of pagan religions.
People who use pagan symbols, or wear them without understanding their meaning (ankh's for example, are very significant to me), or significance also irritate me. Many is the time I've asked someone about their ankh, and they're wearing it because they're 'goth' and don't like the cross designs...or they think it looks 'cool'. **growls**
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Posted: Sun Feb 14, 2010 8:23 pm
Paganism *can* be defined as an umbrella term in the manner stated, but I generally do not use this definition as I find it useless in most contexts. From what I followed of the last Parliament on World Religions, they do not define Paganism in this manner either (at least not when in proper case), nor do a number of scholars (though some do when it suits their purpose).
I suppose in most respects, then, it is a non-issue for me since I almost never mean "non-Abrahamic" when I use the word "Pagan." I don't really care what other Pagans follow as my path is my own anyway. Nor do I really care if people call themselves that when I don't think they're using the term properly; it's not like my preferred way of defining Paganism is the only way to go about looking at it. It's mostly just important that people have a common understanding of the term if they're going to discuss something so communication is clear.
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Posted: Wed Feb 17, 2010 1:33 pm
I'm sure some Hindus and Buddhists would be offended to be called pagan, so that wouldn't really work, either, under the umbrella. It's all on a personal level--if the person says s/he is pagan, than s/he is. But even then some people don't like to be/can't really be put into categories like Western society seems to think it needs.
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Posted: Thu Feb 18, 2010 6:21 pm
There's a very nice thread in this subforum on the defenition of the term Pagan, if you want to discuss meaning. http://www.gaiaonline.com/guilds/viewtopic.php?t=16594637But for the questions you asked at the end, I have some answers of my own. I am a Pagan, and I tend to use the term Heathen, since I follow a Norse path. There are a lot of more specific terms for those who don't care to use the broader Pagan. Generally I have no issues with other pagans wether they follow the same path as me or not. It's basically a live and let live situation. And if you call yourself a pagan, I'll probably believe you unless you do something tht says to me that you're not. At that point, I'm always up for a good debate on the issue.
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Posted: Fri Feb 19, 2010 5:11 pm
I am but a servant... OP * Are you "pagan"? If so, what kind of pagan are you? I am indeed a pagan, more specifically a neo-pagan. I practice witchcraft, if that is what you mean. I am a hedgewitch that worships a Goddess of the Underworld and Fate and a God of Sorcery and Light. OP * How do you feel about other "pagans" that don't follow your particular form of it? I don't exactly have any eschatological beliefs. Not everyone is going to believe what I believe, and I don't really give a damn if you do or not XD OP * What is you take on people who call themselves "pagan" without really knowing what that means? (Sort of like the minors that run around calling themselves Wiccan to spite the fact that they can't be.) Well if you don't worship the Abrahamic god you are pagan regardless. It's when you start getting into the finer details of their beliefs that problems begin, I think. People who worship conflicting gods, or people that that believe that they are demons, or people that take on a title that they have not earned (ie Wicca) then I have a problem and I seek to correct them in the best way that I can by suggesting books and websites that I have found useful. ...of the Cunning Flame
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Posted: Wed Apr 14, 2010 7:05 pm
I'm a neopagan. I have an interest in Vedic religion and Hinduism (specifically Shaivism), British Traditional Wica, and "eclectic" non-BTW Wicca. I am fascinated by hedgewitchery, various other "Otherworld traditions" (i.e. Shamanism), and ceremonial magic. I love me some Hermetic Qabalah, too.
I am only interested in what other pagans believe if it is relevant to my path or just intellectually interesting. Same goes to non-pagans. I just received gnosis that I should look back into Catholicism, perhaps from a more mystic and gnostic stance.
While I find a lot of things people do to be intellectually dishonest, I alone cannot fix the world and as such I don't make a big fuss over whether or not a person is using a word correctly. Words change as societies--who create those words--change. And change isn't always a bad thing.
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Posted: Thu Apr 15, 2010 3:41 am
Renkon Root * Are you "pagan"? If so, what kind of pagan are you? Yes. Heathen, and I practise a form of religious witchcraft. I also have interests elsewhere within the umbrella. Quote: * How do you feel about other "pagans" that don't follow your particular form of it? I'm cool with it so long as their Paganism is respectful. Quote: * What is you take on people who call themselves "pagan" without really knowing what that means? (Sort of like the minors that run around calling themselves Wiccan to spite the fact that they can't be.) No issues there. I mean, they probably are a Pagan. It's almost hard not to be. My issues tend to arise when they assume every Pagan believes what they do or follows the same ethical system, but I don't have a problem with them calling themselves Pagan or anything like that.
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Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2010 12:30 am
I don't really know what you would call it. We just say antitra fivavahana when referring to it .
I honestly don't care what other pagans do.
Fake pagans are just silly. They clearly aren't getting enough attention from their parents.
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Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2010 12:51 am
i like to consider myself a Shaman rather than Pagan. with me, it;s that i prefer to get more specific detailed answers out of people, and simply "Pagan" doesn't cut it for me when it comes to that. i don't mind if people consider themselves Pagan, but when i ask someone what their Path is i will insist on getting a more detailed explanation out of them, simply because the term Pagan is used in so many varying ways.
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Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2010 1:23 am
Wait... wait... I'm certain we've had this argument already.
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Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2010 3:58 am
Starlock I suppose in most respects, then, it is a non-issue for me since I almost never mean "non-Abrahamic" when I use the word "Pagan." So what do you mean when you use the word "Pagan"? What is your definition of the word?
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Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2010 8:44 am
Sanguina Cruenta Wait... wait... I'm certain we've had this argument already. As you were, I was
On the Shaman comment or the "Pagan" comment in general?
As I am, you will be
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Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2010 8:30 pm
I consider myself to fall under the definition of Pagan... After all, I'm not a follower of the Abrahamic religions. However, I don't identify with any of the established Pagan religions either. Really, no religion is a perfect fit for me. When asked what I am, in that context, I simply reply with "I am."
With a bit of deeper thinking, a philosophical mindset, and some desire to understand, you can get a lot from those two little words. I am what I am. No more, no less.
I take a very very broad, indefinite look at existence and the understanding thereof. The definitions of reality and spirituality are subjective; to claim a religion is to advocate a definite worldview. I prefer to claim no religion, and no titles. To define something is to limit it. I prefer not to attempt to impose limits upon the limitless.
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