Quote From: elffie
I came across this board and was excited to see it. I don't get to say much about Paganism.....most people do not understand. I've copied a post below so that will help. I have also made many postings on this subjects, to read them just click on my name and go to "read messages from this user". I am in the middle of moving, so I do not have a lot of free time, so if I do not return your question or reply, please excuse me. Paganism is a religion. We are not athiest, or evil, or devil worshippers. We do not believe in him. Anyway, I must go now, lots of empty boxes await me. LOL Have a good day everyone.
I didn't think I would get so many positive posts. You are right when you talk about "New Age" I myself have wondered why it is called that when Paganism has been around for thousands of years! Paganism pre-dates Christianity. Infact, many Pagans were persecuted because they didn't want to convert to Christianity. I think maybe it is called "New Age" because Paganism and Wicca are making a comeback. I wrote a little something on this in an earlier post. Wicca is a sect of Paganism kind of how Catholocism is a sect of Christianity. All Wiccans are Pagan, but not all Pagans are Wiccan.
The equality of sexes is very important, you can't have one without the other, how would the world or the human species flourish if there were only one? This is what I believe. To answer your questions:
1.) I could go on forever of the history of my faith. We are mentioned in the Bible. When God created Adam and Eve He mentions people of the East. So obviously there were people around before them. Could these people be the Pagans? Again, these are my thoughts and beleifs, I hope no one takes offense to them. Now, their two sons marry, but where did their wives come from? Were they the people from the East? Pagan? Who knows for sure. I just thought this was interesting.
As for the recent history of my religion, we are making a comeback. People are not hiding anymore. There is nothing to hide. Paganism is a loving religion, not one full of evil.
2.) What I beleive happens to us after we die is that we are reunited with the God and the Goddess. Isn't that the goal for most religions? To be one with diety? We beleive the Mother Goddess gives birth to us all and she takes us in when we pass and we stay for a while until we are ready to return to Earth again. Reincarnation.
3.) We do have a Rede that we follow and it goes like this, "An' it harm none,l do what ye will." Basically this is saying that you may do what you want as long as it is not causing harm for another. There is no Hell or Heaven in this religion. We do beleive in Karma, as to," What goes around, comes around." And, " You will get what you deserve in the end." There are no threats of eternal damnation or firing flames or the devil. Basically our life goal is to live peacefully, respect nature, and the people in this world. Sure, there are evil people, but I do not try to convert them, that is not my job. My job is to honor the God and Goddess and honor all things that they create.
4.) Paganism doesn't really have anything against other religion. We believe that there are many paths in this world to take and only one path cannot be right for everyone. I know some of these religion mentioned above have a bad rap, but so does mine, so how can I judge? I honestly haven't done much reserch on the Muslim faith, but I do think there are people out there that will judge and say things about one's religion when they themselves have never looked into it. As long as they beleive in something and are not hurting people I say leave them be.
I hope this answers your questions. Paganism has a very long history. If you are still interested, "Drawing Down the Moon," by Margot Adler is an excellent book about the Pagan movement. It is a long read, but worth it.
Thank you so much for sharing your faith with us.
I live in the SF Bay Area, and I have 2 girlfriends from work who belong to covens in The City. They are loving and caring medical assistants. They are pagan and call themselves Wiccan. I love them to pieces and have no desire to convert them..."If it ain't broke...don't try to fix it".
Hugs...and welcome!
Marie
Welcome!
