Poll: are you some form of pagan?

[Saerain]

I'm an atheist, but in my teenage years I called myself a druid because I was stupid enough to fail to realize that merely spending lots of time outdoors and enjoying the experience didn't cut it and that there were actual superstitions involved. I even went so far as to tell people I was an atheist druid who didn't believe in spirits or magic, either. Yeah.

I think I just really liked the word ?druid.? I blame Terry Brooks.

 

[Matt Oliver]

question to yall, is paganism the main sect then it breaks down into diff sects like christianity is the biggest sect then it breaks down into like 50000 diff sects?

**snip**

I'm a pagan. Did you want to know something specific?

that is my question.

 

[StellarViking]

question to yall, is paganism the main sect then it breaks down into diff sects like christianity is the biggest sect then it breaks down into like 50000 diff sects?

Paganism is basically a catch-all term for a huge variety of non-Christian, European, polytheistic religions. The Egyptian, Greek, Norse, Roman, Celtic, and Gallic pantheons, for example, would all fall under the umbrella of "Paganism". The word "pagan" comes from the Latin "paganus", which means "country dweller", as a lot of practitioners tended to be from rural, forested areas.

 

[Feralcentaur]

No I'm an Agnostic, not Pagan, but I have I have always found the religions with multiple gods to be more interesting to read about than the Abrahamic ones...

 

[Matt Oliver]

question to yall, is paganism the main sect then it breaks down into diff sects like christianity is the biggest sect then it breaks down into like 50000 diff sects?

Paganism is basically a catch-all term for a huge variety of non-Christian, European, polytheistic religions. The Egyptian, Greek, Norse, Roman, Celtic, and Gallic pantheons, for example, would all fall under the umbrella of "Paganism". The word "pagan" comes from the Latin "paganus", which means "country dweller", as a lot of practitioners tended to be from rural, forested areas.

thank you. and if there is anything you want to define that might of just got a ton of misunderstanding thoughout the years feel free to define it here.

 

[Bara_no_Hime]

question to yall, is paganism the main sect then it breaks down into diff sects like christianity is the biggest sect then it breaks down into like 50000 diff sects?

Paganism is basically a catch-all term for a huge variety of non-Christian, European, polytheistic religions. The Egyptian, Greek, Norse, Roman, Celtic, and Gallic pantheons, for example, would all fall under the umbrella of "Paganism". The word "pagan" comes from the Latin "paganus", which means "country dweller", as a lot of practitioners tended to be from rural, forested areas.

This.

Also, personally I worship a selection of deities from the Celtic and Greek pantheons mostly, with a few others from various other pantheons.

 

[Biosophilogical]

**snip**

I'm a pagan. Did you want to know something specific?

I do! *raises hand* I was under the impression that the term 'Pagan' was originally used (in a religious context) to mean 'non-christian' during early A.D./C.E. in Rome. Am I mistaken or has the term just developed since then (though to be honest, despite what I just said, I've always found that to be a useless word, so I've just kind of put it to use to mean pre-christian, polytheistic religions)?

EDIT: Nevermind, that's what I get for not reading the other posts

 

[mythlover20]

I am, though I don't go around waving a flag about it. I connect very strongly with Norse paganism. I am tolerant of everyone else's beliefs, though, and I don't go out of my way to try to convert people or say "Oh, you're wrong" or "Oh, Christianity is stupid", because I don't like it when people do it to me. Unless it comes up in conversation, I rarely even mention it as I try to distance myself from people who do it "because it's cool".

As do I. Although I do socialise with a lot of Christians, a fair number of them who try, (or tried, they know better now) to continually convert me, including my physician. Made it very hard not to metaphorically beat the shit out of them with their own reteric. I do truely believe that everyone has the right to believe what they like. But I do expect the same respect in return. Otherwise all bets are off, because I'm also a great believe in "an eye for an eye".

I suppose this is also the reason why the movie "Thor" is kinda pissing me off. Movies regarding Christian mytholody are treated with respect, yet we get... that? Haven't seen it yet which is rather hypocritical of me, i admit, but I am fully prepared to have my opinions changed if necessary. In that regard.

 

[Matt Oliver]

**snip**

I'm a pagan. Did you want to know something specific?

I do! *raises hand* I was under the impression that the term 'Pagan' was originally used (in a religious context) to mean 'non-christian' during early A.D./C.E. in Rome. Am I mistaken or has the term just developed since then (though to be honest, despite what I just said, I've always found that to be a useless word, so I've just kind of put it to use to mean pre-christian, polytheistic religions)?

EDIT: Nevermind, that's what I get for not reading the other posts [/quote

Chistians made paganism,wiccans,druids,etc. hide as they were killing,prosercuting anyone who wasn't a Christian at the time.

 

[Drafon]

Most people would be quick to classify me as such because of some things I believe in, but really it's a slippery slope. I was born and raised in an adamantly Catholic Italian family and I will defend a vast majority of the teachings of the Catholic Church. The thing I differ on is that while I believe God is benevolent, all-knowing and all-powerful, I don't believe He is actively engaged in the day to day running of the world. This is the Deistic worldview that God made the world as He intended, but then He popped a bag of popcorn, opened a beer and then sat back to watch the show. This is more my past experiences talking than anything, since I believe if God was actively involved with the world, then the least of His problems would have been to eliminate my problem with bullying, or at the very least send me someone who wouldn't rub salt in my wounds.
But getting back on topic, I'm a mage. I practice magic. I believe that magic exists, I believe it can be grasped by humans and I believe the average Joe is capable of it (as you can tell, I subscribe to the Cornelius Rumstuckle and Negima! schools of magic). I also believe that such things as the Force from Star Wars or the bending arts from Avatar are real and can be felt in the real world. And I actively pursue these ideals. Depending on whether or not people believe me is an entirely different story, but I don't much care about that.

 

[Matt Oliver]

I am, though I don't go around waving a flag about it. I connect very strongly with Norse paganism. I am tolerant of everyone else's beliefs, though, and I don't go out of my way to try to convert people or say "Oh, you're wrong" or "Oh, Christianity is stupid", because I don't like it when people do it to me. Unless it comes up in conversation, I rarely even mention it as I try to distance myself from people who do it "because it's cool".

As do I. Although I do socialise with a lot of Christians, a fair number of them who try, (or tried, they know better now) to continually convert me, including my physician. Made it very hard not to metaphorically beat the shit out of them with their own reteric. I do truely believe that everyone has the right to believe what they like. But I do expect the same respect in return. Otherwise all bets are off, because I'm also a great believe in "an eye for an eye".

I suppose this is also the reason why the movie "Thor" is kinda pissing me off. Movies regarding Christian mytholody are treated with respect, yet we get... that? Haven't seen it yet which is rather hypocritical of me, i admit, but I am fully prepared to have my opinions changed if necessary. In that regard.

you speak the truth, I treat sects with respect as long as they don't spew hatred or violance towards people. I don't respect the westboro baptist church for example

 

[Chainsaw_Chuck]

Everyone is Pagan in some way.

Do you celebrate your birthday? You've done something Pagan.

Did you celebrate Easter as a child by looking for eggs droped by a magic rabbit? You've done something Pagan.

But that's as far as I know on the topic, I could even be wrong.

 

[Matt Oliver]

Most people would be quick to classify me as such because of some things I believe in, but really it's a slippery slope. I was born and raised in an adamantly Catholic Italian family and I will defend a vast majority of the teachings of the Catholic Church. The thing I differ on is that while I believe God is benevolent, all-knowing and all-powerful, I don't believe He is actively engaged in the day to day running of the world. This is the Deistic worldview that God made the world as He intended, but then He popped a bag of popcorn, opened a beer and then sat back to watch the show. This is more my past experiences talking than anything, since I believe if God was actively involved with the world, then the least of His problems would have been to eliminate my problem with bullying, or at the very least send me someone who wouldn't rub salt in my wounds.
But getting back on topic, I'm a mage. I practice magic. I believe that magic exists, I believe it can be grasped by humans and I believe the average Joe is capable of it (as you can tell, I subscribe to the Cornelius Rumstuckle and Negima! schools of magic). I also believe that such things as the Force from Star Wars or the bending arts from Avatar are real and can be felt in the real world. And I actively pursue these ideals. Depending on whether or not people believe me is an entirely different story, but I don't much care about that.

I personally believe that there is aura in the world and people can train to extend their aura's reach and for magick's sake as long as you use it to help the better of mankind you are alright in my books.

 

[Farseer Lolotea]

Depends on your definition of "pagan," I suppose. I call myself a philosophical deist.

 

[Booze Zombie]

Christian majority countries are Pagan to a degree, that's where all the cake and holidays came from! That said, living in a wood hut with an "Earth Mother" wouldn't be a life I'd object to!
Heh, heh.

Anyway, I have no religion, personally; sorry to give a boring answer.

 

[Zakarath]

I'm not much of believer in anything, but if I was anything other than an athiest/agnostic, I suppose I'd be a "soft" druid as the world of nature is as close to sacred as anything for me.

Also, obligatory songs:

 

[thedoclc]

Edited to relevant point

I suppose this is also the reason why the movie "Thor" is kinda pissing me off. Movies regarding Christian mytholody are treated with respect, yet we get... that? Haven't seen it yet which is rather hypocritical of me, i admit, but I am fully prepared to have my opinions changed if necessary. In that regard.

Respectfully, I disagree. Movies with Christianity have often - especially when based of comic books - been laughably inaccurate regarding the tenets of Christianity. Consider Constantine and Ghost Rider. Movies featuring Christianity have often been far, far more likely to openly ridicule the religion (and Christians have been more tolerant of this than most). Please see The Exorcist, Stigmata, Sin Eater, Monty Python's The Meaning of Life, The Last Temptation of Christ, Dogma, and quite a few others. See also the large numbers of anime which completely steal Christian ideals of symbols without a clue what they mean.


I am not a Christian, yet it is obvious that compared to the hair-trigger offense taken by many others, Christians in the West are quite a bit more tolerant of negative portrayals and criticism than many other faiths. Christianity is hardly treated respectfully in movies. Occasionally, a few Christian conservatives do complain, but as a rule the offense is muted and the majority of the faithful really don't take offense at all.

Besides, really, it's a damn Marvel comic; expecting a serious treatment is like expecting kindergarteners to do calculus.

 

[Drafon]

Actually, another of my points has been brought up. When people think of magic users, one of two words comes to mind (not entirely incorrect, but the associations definitely are): wizard, which always conjures images of Harry Potter; and mage, which for some people is always associated with either The Gift of the Magi or with the stereotypical evil guy in a dark tower reading a book in a language unspoken for centuries and almost always committing world domination. It's time we cry bullshit.
Firstly, all wizards are not Harry Potter. They are ordinary people who enjoy the use of magic. That doesn't mean they'll solve all your problems. Secondly, the Magi in the Nativity story weren't actually magic users. They were astrologists! Thirldly, why to mages have to be evil. I'm a mage and I used to use my magic to commit acts of justifiable revenge and then I used it because it was my fucking job and now I use it because in all my five lives, I've used it twice in the past four and kinda want to get back into it. I use it as a problem solving tool that solves MY problems.

 

[mythlover20]

I am, though I don't go around waving a flag about it. I connect very strongly with Norse paganism. I am tolerant of everyone else's beliefs, though, and I don't go out of my way to try to convert people or say "Oh, you're wrong" or "Oh, Christianity is stupid", because I don't like it when people do it to me. Unless it comes up in conversation, I rarely even mention it as I try to distance myself from people who do it "because it's cool".

As do I. Although I do socialise with a lot of Christians, a fair number of them who try, (or tried, they know better now) to continually convert me, including my physician. Made it very hard not to metaphorically beat the shit out of them with their own reteric. I do truely believe that everyone has the right to believe what they like. But I do expect the same respect in return. Otherwise all bets are off, because I'm also a great believe in "an eye for an eye".

I suppose this is also the reason why the movie "Thor" is kinda pissing me off. Movies regarding Christian mytholody are treated with respect, yet we get... that? Haven't seen it yet which is rather hypocritical of me, i admit, but I am fully prepared to have my opinions changed if necessary. In that regard.

you speak the truth, I treat sects with respect as long as they don't spew hatred or violance towards people. I don't respect the westboro baptist church for example

Same here. Unfortunately for us the westboro baptist church and it's ilk are more like true christians than we like to admit. i mean, how many christians do you know have actually read their bible? Seriously. Not many. Not many at all. It's probably the most hate-filled book other than the maleas malificarum you'll find.

I'm not going on a religion bashing expedition here. I actually was a christian. i spent a great deal of time exploring it in depth at three different points of my life, at three differnt sects of the christian cult, while i was in three very different states of mind. and i was one of those who didn't read the bible. then i decided to read it. suffice to say i never called myself a christian after that.

 

[mythlover20]

Edited to relevant point

I suppose this is also the reason why the movie "Thor" is kinda pissing me off. Movies regarding Christian mytholody are treated with respect, yet we get... that? Haven't seen it yet which is rather hypocritical of me, i admit, but I am fully prepared to have my opinions changed if necessary. In that regard.

Respectfully, I disagree. Movies with Christianity have often - especially when based of comic books - been laughably inaccurate regarding the tenets of Christianity. Consider Constantine and Ghost Rider. Movies featuring Christianity have often been far, far more likely to openly ridicule the religion (and Christians have been more tolerant of this than most). Please see The Exorcist, Stigmata, Sin Eater, Monty Python's The Meaning of Life, The Last Temptation of Christ, Dogma, and quite a few others. See also the large numbers of anime which completely steal Christian ideals of symbols without a clue what they mean.


I am not a Christian, yet it is obvious that compared to the hair-trigger offense taken by many others, Christians in the West are quite a bit more tolerant of negative portrayals and criticism than many other faiths. Christianity is hardly treated respectfully in movies. Occasionally, a few Christian conservatives do complain, but as a rule the offense is muted and the majority of the faithful really don't take offense at all.

Besides, really, it's a damn Marvel comic; expecting a serious treatment is like expecting kindergarteners to do calculus.

kinda missing my point. most of these movies aren't ABOUT christian mythologym, just CONTAIN christian mythology. However, that said, I just realised that my argument relates to Thor as well so I do concede defeat. Like i said, i haven't seen it yet but will be and will alter my opinions regarding it afterwards.