i have been a baptist all my life. i am learning all about different religion because i feel that i am lacking knowledge and the altoment truth. is a pagan a christian or cult or witch. i know this a stupid question. but i have been to one church and one way of teaching. so i am trying to find my way. thankyou.

The dictionary says a Pagan is any person that is not Christian, Jew, or Muslim. That leaves a lot of other choices including Wicca, Witchcraft, Buddist, etc.

Cedarsticks, let me add a bit more information, just to elaborate on what Connie has said above. Actually, Paganism is quite diverse. Here is a more in-depth description at The Pagan Educational Network, which is found at this URL
http://www.bloomington.in.us/~pen/mpagan.html/[/URL]
They have a great deal more information than what I have posted here, but the following should give you a pretty good idea of what Paganism is about. Here it is, in a nutshell, so to speak:

Blessings,

azspirit =)

___________________
MODERN PAGANISM:

Paganism today Paganism is a collection of diverse contemporary religions rooted in or inspired by indigenous traditions worldwide. Pagan religions are characterized by Earth- centered spirituality, belief in the interconnection of all life, personal autonomy, polytheism, and immanent divinity. Pagans value diversity, good works, living lightly on the Earth, individual freedom, personal responsibility, community service, gender equity, and spiritual development.

While the largest segment of the Pagan population is Caucasian, highly educated, and middle class, Pagans come from all walks of life. Most are avid readers with interests in ecology, creativity, and personal growth. Many work in scientific and computer- related disciplines. Since Paganism is not an organized movement, it is difficult to determine the number of practitioners. Estimates range from 100,000 to several million in the U.S. alone.

Pagan religions may draw on ancient historical practices or be entirely new. In the case of the former, Pagans look to the beliefs, practices, gods, symbols, lands, music, and myths of a particular historical culture and adapt them for contemporary needs. Anachronistic elements, such as ritual violence, are rejected. Elements such as reverence for the natural world, honoring of the ancestors, and responsibility to the community are retained. Pagan religions which are not historically based take their inspiration from visionary, artistic, and libertarian traditions to create vibrant spiritual systems centered in Pagan values.

Characteristics of Pagan faiths
Paganism as a movement grew out of the growing environmental awareness in the 1960s, though it encompasses some traditions from the Middle Ages and earlier. Consequently most Pagan religions are nature-centered. Pagans rethink the way in which we relate to the Earth. Rather than seek dominance over the environment, Pagans work to live as a part of Nature, finding a balance between the self, the biosphere, and society. Part of this rethinking goes along with the resurgence of Goddess-worship, which is widespread in the Pagan movement. Many Pagans look to the fertility Goddesses of old and find vibrant, dynamic models for ecological balance. The myriad Goddesses from the past also provide Pagans with a vision of powerful feminine divinity which is missing from other Western religions.

Unlike many mainstream religious traditions, Pagans view Divinity as immanent rather than (or in addition to) transcendent. Rather than pray to some form "out there," Pagans view all living things as sacred. Diversity is seen as an expression of the divine order. People are viewed as essentially good and holy, although still capable of acting unethically.

Because of this, Pagans view the relationship with Divinity as a deeply personal calling. It is up to each individual to develop a relationship with Divinity as s/he defines it. Because of this, there is no institutionalization within Paganism. There is no single holy book, common creed, or hierarchy of religious representatives. Spiritual communion, even when in groups, is direct and immediate. Each congregation is autonomous, as is each individual within that congregation. While leaders are respected for their wisdom or service, there are no charismatic gurus within the movement. There is no one spokesperson for Pagans. All Pagans value choosing one?s own path and beliefs and consequently do not seek to convert others. Pagans self- identify; there is no one body or rite which confers membership in the Pagan community. However, almost all Pagan organizations require members to abide by specific guidelines and principles.

Pagan culture
This emphasis on personal exploration and development creates a highly dynamic culture of diverse people who share values of intellectual and spiritual freedom. Rather than conform to a specific set of beliefs or practices, Pagans participate in a vibrant marketplace of ideas, where people contribute and take away what resonates most deeply with them. Community is created through regular gatherings and festivals, numerous publications, and an extensive Internet presence. While specific ethics are discussed at length within the Pagan community, the most common summation is "If it harms none, do what you will." This combines personal freedom with responsibility to the community.

Pagan religions are dynamic, changing systems based on timeless values of faith, freedom, justice, honesty, responsibility, creativity, caring, courage, and respect. Specific beliefs and practices vary as people adapt concepts to their particular needs. Pagans celebrate rituals to mark the Wheel of the Year (see below), as well as life transitions such as marriage, moving, birth, or death. Some traditions celebrate rituals to commemorate specific historic events, while others celebrate natural transitions such as lunar phases or the first snowfall of the year. Pagan religions are a way of life, affecting choices from how we pray to where we shop. Pagans believe religions must change to meet the needs of people on an everyday basis, while connecting them to their most deeply held spiritual beliefs. While some Pagan religions can be quite esoteric, most Pagan beliefs and practices are rooted in everyday, natural experience.

The Wheel of the Year
Most Pagan religions follow the Wheel of the Year for celebrations and holy days. Names and exact dates may vary. Some traditions celebrate only the solstices and equinoxes. Others include holidays not shown here.


Some Pagan religions
Most American Pagans practice adaptions of ancient ethnic traditions, the most popular of which are Celtic, Greco-Roman, Native American, ancient Egyptian, Baltic, and Norse.

Asatru: Norse Pagan religion based on the principles of courage, truth, honor, fidelity, discipline, hospitality, industriousness, justice, self-reliance, and perseverance.

Church of All Worlds: Promotes celebration and honoring of all life and the planet as a living, divine organism: Gaea.

Druidism: Many types of Druidism are practiced, with varying emphasis on scholarly research into the original Druids, who were the priest/ess and judicial class of the ancient Celts.

Witchcraft: Also known as Wicca or simply the Craft. Honoring of Goddess and God (some traditions honor the Goddess alone), use of magic, and healing, all within the context of "If it harm none, do what you will." Pagan Witchcraft has nothing to do with and is antithetical to Satanism.

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[ April 08, 2002: Message edited by: azspirit ]

[ April 11, 2002: Message edited by: KellKell ]

Personally I tend to think that this article above expresses Neo-Paganism. Faiths that fall under the Paganistic 'catagory' have been around since the beginnings of man.
But the article aptly describes what Paganism is today. I am not a Pagan but I do ascribe to many things that Pagans cherish deeply. Of all the Pagans I have met the worst things I have heard them ever say were against oppression by other faiths and people who do harm to our enviroment. Even then their words are not harsh words. They are human too so not perfect.
I think our world is richer and more beautiful with our brothers and sisters whom are Pagans.
Cedarsticks, I know it is opposite of what most Baptists seem to hold as faith but I would ask you to keep an open mind and heart to the faiths of your fellow souls. I am in no way asking you to believe as they do or even think about converting your faith. Just to embrace tolerance. I think you already do or you wouldn't be on this board. Thank you for caring enough to ask.

I hope this doesnt confuse the issue here but I need to stress the difference between "withcraft" and "wicca". this may be a little new to most because they two have been lumped wrongly together for many years.

First- Wicca- is a new religion developed by Gerald Gardner back in the 1940'-50' out of a little of this and a little of that- I wont go into what at this point- but let's just say it is a fusion of many things- some rather old and some not. It is a pagan religion with a capital "R" complet wiht all the arguements and disagreements included with and between various christian sects.

Second- Witchcraft- it is a craft not a religion of any sort. it is the craft of using magick (i'e' spells and so forth) to create change. Period- that is all it is. It is a wonderful thing though and does not ascribe to the wiccan rede which states do as ye will and harm none.

A wiccan is more likely to send white light to heal a rapist on the loose- a witch will cause him harm. personally I do not believe in the threefold rule of wicca which says that what you send out comes back to you three times over.This is just a reworked fluffy christian idea- the golden rule- if you will.There are too many folks out there not getting their threefold return on their behavior investments for me to believe this one. Many Wiccans very often receive and deserve the title of "fluffy bunny" pagans.

It goes on and on and gets quite ridiculous!!!

Ok- now to add a little more to the confusion

You can be a wiccan and be a witch too. you can be a christian and be a witch too. you can be a taoist and be a witch too. But you can just simply be a witch and not be any of the others.

I hope this helps- but it probably didnt- but take it from a real witch- this is the way it is albeit a bit "confusticating".I just think that folks should know the difference between a Wiccan and a witch. You can be a wiccan and never ever ever perform an act of magic- that should help a little. the wiccan religionis recognized by the US Military as a legitimate spiritual path.It's in their little handbook which I have read.
Wicca is a religion- Witchcraft is a craft.

sundog

Hello and thank you for all the wonderful information put forth in the previous posts! I have learned a lot today, and appreciate all of your openess to share. Sundog actually you didn't confuse me, you made the terms wicca and withcraft much clearer to me.

Thanks again..such a wonderful bunch of humans you all are!

thank you all for answering from the heart. you did make it much clearer to understand. yes i am trying to keep an open mind to everything. i just know there is something out there for me. i just have to be patient and keep praying and be open to different religion. thanks again. cedarsticks

I thank you too, sundog. You've helped me to better understand the difference between wicca & witchcraft as well!

cedarsticks - you might like to go take this little online quiz that will show you what religion you tend toward, based on how you answer the questionnaire. It's interesting! Here's the link: Beliefnet.com - Belief-O-Matic[/URL]

Kell

[ April 11, 2002: Message edited by: KellKell ]

If you don't mind too much Cedarsticks, post the results of your Belief-O-Matic test on the post of the same name.
Some of us posted our results there. It's Ok if you don't want to. I'm just curious.

hello there nakis. i tried to send the belief-o-matic to this site but the blooming e-mail sender said url error site not listed. but i can tell you what it said 100% liberal modern protestant, 94% quaker, 87% new age, 67% jehovah witness

Hi all! I am new here, and I took the quiz that was suggested. It seems I am 100% Neo-Pagan in my beliefs. And that is fine with me. I have only started on my learning path for Paganism. But I found that interesting that I have had the same beliefs all of my life as a Christian. Thank you for all the info on this thread! Very Enlightnening! Lady Mira.( I dont consider myself a fluff bunny)Suzy's Ghost & Psychic Pages..[/URL]

Sundog,

Thank goodness there is someone else in the world who at least has some inkling of who Gardner was! In the course of a thread that appeared on another message board, I went through great lengths to offer an explanation as to the role he played in the evolution of modern "wicca" and I received quite a bit of hate mail from mentioning that his belief system was a mixture of cabbalistic, esoteric, and occult teachings that were expoused to him in all of the different avenues he pursued in his quest for knowledge.

"How dare you say that Garderner created wicca!" was the opening line of so many e-mails. "Wicca dates back to pre-Christian times! It is the first and purest of all the religions!" My personal favorite was, "Gerald Gardner is a fictional character!" :crazy:

Thank you for having the sense to mention him! ;-)