Introduction
Paganism from the Latin paganus meaning country dweller or rustic. In medieval times, pagan/paganism were derogatory terms for those living in the country, also during this time, the term began to take on the meaning follower of a nontraditional (Christian) religion. Today, Paganism is an umbrella term for religions that aren’t Abrahamic traditions (Christianity, Judaism, and Islam); therefore, any follower of Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, or other such religion is considered a pagan.
Writing anything about the nature and history of Paganism is difficult due to the fact that so many different beliefs and religions are contained under the umbrella of Paganism. In America the term Pagan has also become synonymous with Wiccan, while all Wiccans are Pagans, not all Pagans are Wiccans. Wicca is just one of many Pagan religions. Another issue to be overcome, Paganism has come to mean (in some circles) Satanic, evil, or dark. Nothing could be father from the truth. Pagan religions do not believe in the existence of a “Devil” or “Satan”, these are both Christian creations.
Research indicated that while Pagan religions do not accept the reality of a devil or satanic figure, they do embrace a duality in nature. Where there is light there is darkness, where there is male, there is female, where there is good there is also evil. This duality does not mean that Pagans worship a “devil”. While some individuals or groups may worship a God or Goddess with more negative aspects do not make them evil or Satanic. Not everything in life is always happy and positive.
History of Paganism
It is more accurate to call followers of modern Paganism, neo-pagans. Pagans are followers of the ancient religions of Europe and the Middle East. Much of the information about actual religious beliefs and ritual practices of these religions have been lost in antiquity. As such, the religions practiced today are modern interpretations of ancient beliefs. No follower can be considered a Pagan, as this belief no longer exists. Modern followers are neo-pagans because of the modern interpretations of ancient beliefs.
The following are some interesting points about the resurgence of Paganism throughout history:
· People in Europe became more aware of the art and philosophy of the ancient world during the renaissance period around 1500(renaissance means rebirth)
· Documents rescued after the fall of Constantinople in 1453 introduced people to ideas from before the middle ages
· In Britain the reformation of the 1600s transformed England from a catholic country to a Protestant one. The religions conflict that went along with this change led to the preservation of those who didn’t fit the desired religious profile.
· The name of Europe replaced Christendom in the middle 18th century
· Influenced by the expansion of trade and colonies on awareness and interest in other cultures and spiritualists grew
· This new age of reason during the 17th and 18th centuries became known as the enlightenment (BBC (n.d.) History)
· While a revival of ancient beliefs began in the 17th and 18th centuries. Modern day witchcraft did not begin until the 20th Century. This occurred after the United Kingdom and the rest of Europe replead their anti-witchcraft laws in 1951.
All forms of Paganism can be defined as nature based religions. The God and Goddess can be found in all things in nature. As such, followers revere all forms of nature; the following are all generalities that can be said for all forms of Paganism:
· Paganism encompasses a diverse community
· Wiccans, Druids, Shamans, Sacred Ecologists Odinists and Heathens all make up parts of the pagan community
· Some groups concentrate on specific traditions or practices such as ecology, witchcraft, Celtic traditions or certain gods
· Most pagans share an ecological vision that comes from the pagan believe in the organic vitality and spirituality of the natural world
· Due to persecution and misrepresentation it is necessary to define what pagans are not as well as what they are
· The pagan federation of great Britain have no precise figures but estimates that the number of pagans in the British isles between 50,000 and 200,000(BBC (n.d.) History)
Framework
All religions can be fit into a basic framework. This framework is used to ensure that when comparing and contrasting different religions, the same information is being compared and contrasted. Paganism is no different. When discussing Paganism this framework is difficult because of the many variations that exist under the Pagan umbrella. This framework is meant to be a general overview that can be said for all Pagans, a more detailed framework will be used when discussing the most common Pagan tradition, Wicca (this will be covered in its own section)
What do pagans believe in?
Again, it is difficult to be specific about the beliefs of all pagans because pagan beliefs cover so much. However, the following outline is of the basic theme that can be found in all Pagan traditions.
Nature:
Paganism is a nature based belief system. Pagans believe that the divine can be found in all forms of nature. As nature has an ongoing cycle of birth, death, rebirth (the seasons), Pagans also believe in a reincarnation cycle.
Concepts of the divine:
Pagans believe in the concept of the divine as being both male and female. Pagan traditions also recognize the equality of the sexes. Worship of a female deity is just as important in Paganism as worship of a male deity.
Pagan theology:
Paganiansm was no central ruling body. There is not a Pagan Vatican. As such, beliefs and theology will differ among traditions, and among different groups within the same tradition.
Most Pagans will a code of conduct or rede this rede states:
The Wiccan Rede
(The short version)
Bide ye Wiccan laws ye must, in perfect love and perfect trust.
Live and let live, fairly take and fairly give.
Form the circle thrice about to keep all evil spirits out.
Soft of eye, light of touch, speak ye little, listen much.
Deosil go by the waxing moon, singing out ye Witches' Rune.
Widdershins go by the waning moon, chanting out the baneful rune.
When the Lady's moon is new, kiss your hand to her times two.
When the rippling waters flow, cast a stone and truth ye'll know.
When ye have and hold a need, harken not with others' greed.
With a fool no seasons spend, lest ye be counted as his friend.
Merry meet and merry part, bright the cheeks and warm the heart.
Mind ye threefold law ye should, three times bad and three times good.
When misfortune is anow, wear the star upon thy brow.
True in Love ye must ever be, lest thy love be false to thee.
In these eight words, the Wiccan Rede fulfill
"An' it harm none, do what thou wilt."(Wiccan Prose (n.d) Wiccan Rede)
However, the actual meaning of the reed will differ between traditions. Each follower is required to decide for themselves the actual meaning of harms none and do what you will.
Conclusion
Similarities can be seen between the beliefs of neo-pagans and Native Americans and other basic religions. All of these traditions are nature based and see the divine (or spirit) in everything in nature. As concern for the environment increases and more and more individuals begin to “live green”, interest in non-traditional religions will increase.
References
BBC (n.d). Religion & Ethics – Paganism. Retrieved April 29th 2009 from http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/paganism/history/modern_1.shtml
Wiccan Prose (n.d.). Wiccan Rede. Retrieved April 29th, 2009 from http://www.mysticmooncoven.org/rede.htm#rede
