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Paganism - What Is It

Paganism encompasses a wide variety of non-Christian religions and beliefs. Historically, pagan religions were polytheistic and worshipped many gods associated with nature. Today, some forms of modern paganism celebrate earth, nature, and practice traditions from ancient cultures like Celtic, Egyptian, and Norse. Paganism differs from Christianity in that it does not profess a single God or follow one holy text like the Bible. While some pagans revere Jesus as a god, they do not view him as the central figure that Christians do. Due to these fundamental differences, one cannot truly be both Christian and pagan.

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78 views

Paganism - What Is It

Paganism encompasses a wide variety of non-Christian religions and beliefs. Historically, pagan religions were polytheistic and worshipped many gods associated with nature. Today, some forms of modern paganism celebrate earth, nature, and practice traditions from ancient cultures like Celtic, Egyptian, and Norse. Paganism differs from Christianity in that it does not profess a single God or follow one holy text like the Bible. While some pagans revere Jesus as a god, they do not view him as the central figure that Christians do. Due to these fundamental differences, one cannot truly be both Christian and pagan.

Uploaded by

Green Light
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Paganism What is It?

? Paganism has been broadly defined as anyone involved in any religious act, practice, or ceremony which is not Christian. Jews and Muslims also use the term to refer to anyone outside their religion. Others define it as religions outside of Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, and Buddhism, while some simply define it as being without a religion. n the strictest sense, paganism refers to the authentic religions of ancient !reece and "ome as well as surrounding areas. t originated from the #eolithic $%tone &ge' era. (he term, pagan, is derived from the )atin word, paganus, which means a country dweller. (he pagan usually has a belief in many gods $polytheistic', but only one is chosen as the one to worship which represents the chief god and supreme godhead. &s Christianity progressed into the present age, a pagan became referred to anyone not being a Christian, and paganism denoted a non*Christian belief or religion. f the religion did not fit into the Judeo*Christian* slamic or +astern mould, then one practicing that religion was said to be involved in paganism. Paganism What is the history? History records that worship of many gods, goddesses, and deities was viewed by people as important in worship. t was thought that everything had a spirit and was polytheistic, so people had gods and goddesses of the forest, sea, and all aspects of nature. ,hen the civili-ations began to change and develop, the gods grew and changed with the people as they began to ac.uire gods of their occupations, or gods relevant to their village life. (he old gods remained, but were changed or conformed to the changing lives of the people. !ods played an important role in every aspect of society influencing everything from laws and customs to general wor/ings of the community. "eincarnation $rebirth of the body into another bodily form' was believed by the people, but they did not believe in the e0istence of heaven and hell. (oday, Paganism $neo*paganism' celebrates the +arth, living creatures, nature, and so on. Most modern* day pagans believe in more than one god, while others are atheistic. Paganism What are some pagan systems and religions? &merican pagans practice a variety of forms of traditions, but the most popular are Celtic, !reco* "oman, #ative &merican, ancient +gyptian, and #orse. 1abbalah2 3uring the Middle &ges, this Jewish mystical and magical system developed. %hamanism2 (his tradition is practiced by the #ative &merican cultures. 3rumming is the techni.ue used, and in traditional societies, the shaman travels to the spirit realm to gain information regarding the community4s needs li/e healing or spiritual growth. +gyptian2 (his is very popular today, and involves comple0 spiritual and magical systems centering on death and rebirth. t developed in ancient +gypt when priestesses and priests became /nown for their level of /nowledge and s/ill in magical arts. 3ruidism2 (he original 3ruids were priestesses and part of the 5udicial class of the ancient Celts. 3iscordianism2 (his began as a Buddhist practice with the main idea being 6e0istence is orderly chaos.7 Meditative procedures, confusion and enlightenment, chaos and order, pain and pleasure are revealed as inseparable parts of a total vision of reality.

Paganism How does it compare with Christianity? t is difficult to compare paganism with Christianity since the term pagan can be used to identify many different sects and beliefs. (hese are the ma5or differences, out of many2 Biblical Christianity professes one !od, where paganism often teaches many or no god. Biblical Christianity teaches that the Bible contains !od4s words and message to man/ind. t is infallible and inerrant. Paganism does not have one main religious te0t or set of beliefs to follow.

Biblical Christianity teaches that Jesus, !od4s %on, came to earth as a baby, died on the cross as an adult for the sin of the whole world, and rose to life again. %ome pagans believe in Jesus as one of the gods, but do not put significance in Him as Christians do.

3ue to these differences and many more, a person cannot be a follower of Jesus Christ $a Christian' and a pagan at the same time. 6&lthough they claimed to be wise, they became fools and e0changed the glory of the immortal !od for images made to loo/ li/e mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles. (herefore !od gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to se0ual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another7 $"omans 8299*9:'.

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