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What are good sources to read It has been suggested in other
questions on this site that my
spiritual leanings are towards
pantheistic paganism. The
question where this has been
suggested is still open, if
you'd like to chime in or read
more fully what my leanings
are.
So, my question is: what are
good sources (books, articles,
websites, anything) to begin
researching this branch of
paganism?
Alternatively, if you've read
the open question about my
spiritual leanings and
disagree with this
characterization, what
alternate sources would you
recommend?
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Go to Pantheism.net |
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How does one generally Can one consider themselves
pagan without believing in
deities, as long as praising
nature/Gaea and simply being
spiritual?
I understand Wicca more than
general paganism but what else
is there, or what site can I
get to understand the branches
more? Are the four
corners/chanting for Wicca, or
others, since it involves
multiple deities, I believe?
Perhaps any books to
recommend?
Sorry for the vague and
multiple questions, but thanks
in advance!
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For some good basics on paganism, witchcraft, and wicca, and various traditions try www,witchvox.com. There are many essays there explaining various traditions and paths. As for believing in deities, there is variance in paganism. Some believe deities are archetypes rather than actual beings, some just recognize a life force rather than any particular personification. As far as praising nature, pagans seek to align themselves with the cycles of nature, and give honor to that which gives us life. Note: While Scott Cunningham books are good as an introduction to the genral "feel" of paganism and include some good basics, some of his books are somewhat mis-titled. His books on wicca are more about general witchcraft/ folk magic, and paganism than about wicca. Many pagan traditions incorporate the four quarters, but the outward expression or symbolism utilized may vary. Calling the quarters isn't about multiple deities. The quarters are about the elements of life and creation, although some people call forth deities as representatives of those qualities. I hope that helps. |
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Why do Christians never (Please don't think that I'm
talking to all Christians
here. I know that some of you
don't do this. But a lot of
you do)
Many Christians call Atheists
and Pagans close-minded, while
in fact, they are the ones
that are close-minded.
You never even CONSIDER the
possibility that the bible is
false and Paganism is the true
religion. Most of you never
even take time to research
Paganism before making your
claims about how we're
obviously controlled by the
Devil and we know it.
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They probably are afraid to face the facts that their religions borrowed a lot of Pagan ideas when Constantine made Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire. |
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Would the world be different What I mean is ok, in ancient
times, people worshiped many
different Gods. Then somewhere
along the line the big
3(Christianity, Islam,
Judaism) came and took over.
Lots of pagan temples were
destroyed. Yeah i know that we
have paganism now but its not
a clear line back from then to
now. How would the world be
different if those ancient
temples were never destroyed?
Would it be better, worse,
about how it is now?
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All I know is I have never been more at peace, understanding, and accepting of the things around me since I left Christianity. I still believe a deity exists, for my own peace something bigger than me created all this and the way things work so "automatically" that I choose not to deny that fact. However, and this is the funny part, for me the Bible is a book of ethical and moral lessons that one should live there life by and Jesus, a man, choose to show how important "faith" by laying down his life for his fellow man. The problems come in that for the most part the only two faiths getting in our faces about converting are Christians and JW's. I don't condemn anyone's belief structure and I don't appreciate it when mine is condemned either. With out the devoutly structured monotheistic faiths, MAYBE mankind would be more adept at practicing religious tolerance instead of hate, injustice and war, all in the name of the deity they professor to worship. |
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What are the gods and It seems like I can't find one
decent book on the ACTUAL
religion of Paganism/Wiccanism
because they all focus so much
on the magic aspect. I have
learned enough through the
internet to see that some
follow Freya or Diana, but I
want to know what is the
mainstream belief today. Who
are practitioners today
following?
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Pagan is an umbrella term that covers many religions, this is why you can't find which god or goddess is worshiped. As for Wicca, the most simple way to say it is Lord and Lady, or God and Goddess. One of the primary points here is that the Immortals can choose how they represent themselves to each of us. In a lifetime, a Wiccan may call to the same Lady several times under different names. To Artemis when she is a lost child, to Demeter when she is carrying a child, Hera when her marriage has problems, Morrigan when she enlists in the military, Athena when she plans a mission and so on. At the end though, it is the female essence that is being called to. By using the different names and images, the person makes it clear to the Deity where she stands and what manner of help she needs. Dance to the rhythm of Fire |
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