Please educate me on Paganism

[perla75]

I am interested in learning more about this religion.

Anyone on here a Pagan or know alot about Pagan beliefs?

Any websites you could refer me to as well? The Wikipedia website was not very clear to me.

Thanks!

 

[Fifinella]

For information on paganism as currently practiced by most folks, you'll probably find more useful information searching for neo-paganism or neopaganism. The Wikipedia entry on neopaganism has links you can follow. I just Googled up this little FAQ which seems fairly informative.

As is often said, organizing pagans is like herding cats. There's no one overarching dogma, but many *many* flavors of neo-paganism: Wicca, Asatru, Druidism (plus the many sub-flavors of all those) and loads of others. And there are plenty of us who just do our own thing, too. Just keep in mind that there really are no absolutes and that for every generalization you read, there is probably an exception!

Be aware that most pagans aren't interested in proselytizing, and there are still folks who aren't comfortable talking about it to others at all. However, there are also plenty of folks who are happy to answer questions. I live out of the broom closet and am always glad to answer sincere questions as best I can.

Margot Adler wrote a very interesting book about the modern neo-pagan movement, Drawing Down the Moon. It's been updated several times (my copy has been around a while) and it's quite a fascinating read. You might drop by your local library or bookstore and browse the 'New Age'-type section for other books that catch your fancy, and most sizable cities will have at least one New Age/magic-type shop that will carry books and supplies. There are also plenty of places to look online.

Good luck in your research, and if I can help, please just let me know.

 

[Diva of Dragons]

This might sound weird but "The Idiot's Guide to Paganism" is pretty informative.

The word "pagan" simply means country dweller. It was turned into something negative by "the church" to describe any belief system that did not jibe with theirs. Whenever a new frontier was found and conquered, the native beliefs were villified and lumped into the pagan label.

So, as fifnella said, "Paganism" in and of itself is not a religion, but a generalized term used to refer to various indigenous beliefs and practices that are outside the major world religions.

 

[bicker]

One good resource may be the Unitarian Society of Northampton and Florence, located near you. Their website is a little out-of-date, but one past offering in the Adult Enrichment program was this:

Karen Shelley on Paganism. Karen says that what is called "paganism" is really the
original religions people have created for time out of mind and the modern versions thereof.
The word really represents about 400 known earth-based traditions, many of which are still
practiced today all over the world. We will explore paganism as background to the world's great
religions and as earth-based practices continue today - AND – we’ll have an overview of some
“minor” religions of the world with Marybeth Bridegam, plus a hand-out summary of most of
the world’s religions.

220 Main St,
Northampton, MA 01060
413-584-1390

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

Drawing Down the Moon. I'd forgotten all about that book. I read it several years ago. It was very interesting, well written for the most part and did a good job of explaining many things.