Views on Paganism

**triedit** · 03-07-2009, 05:41 PM

Much like the thread about swingers, paganism has been given a bad rap. I often talk with a Jehovah's Witness who visits and he has been taught that pagan's are devil worshipers and lack morals. He thinks witches are evil and can do magic (that's what he thinks spells are)

Im not representative of all Pagans. The word pagan is very very broad in its meaning. Satan worshipers are pagans, but pagans are not satan worshipers. Basically, anyone not a Christian, Muslim, or Jew is a Pagan. That covers a LOT of folks. Personally, I would also think it does not include Budhists.

Two words that often come up when discussing paganism are heathen and hedonistic. A heathen is anyone who doesn't believe in your God, regardless of your religion. Even in this definition things get murky--many pagans believe that there is but one holy power and everything else just serves it/him/her. That's not do different from the world's major religions. Also some pagans are hedonistic, meaning that they are motivated by sex. THis is almost right. Many pagan rites and ceremonies do involve a certain amout of sexuality, but it is more sensual than sexy. And these rites and ceremonies can be done alone or in groups, depending on what the pagan is comfortable with.

The biggest thing about paganism of today (sometimes called neopaganism) is that a person gets to choose what they believe and how they want to worship.

I am a solitary Wiccan. Because I do spells and have had some success in achieving the goals of the spells, I am also considered a witch. Gods and Goddesses for me are symbolic and I do use them as symbols in my worship of The One God.
Spells are just rituals that use symbols and are basically the same as a prayer. A spell cannot make a person into anything or do anything or have anything. A spell simply asks, with the help of various items that have deep symbolism and assumed energy, that "thy will be done".

I come from a very solid Methodist background. I was active in the church until 1982 when my son died. For several years I was lost. Christianity stopped making sense to me, and so many religions are so similar to Christianity that the same distaste was felt toward them as well.

Then I had an extraordinary experience. I was hired to canvas door to door for a city directory. One of the places in my section was Gavin and Yavonne Frosts home and school. The Frosts were at that time teaching Wicca. I was curious, and they gave me the names of some books to read. They did not encourage me, they simply supplied the information I was asking for and sent me on my way. I am so thankful to them.

Ive gotten way off the track....what I would like to know is what your opinions of Pagans/Wiccans/Witches are and how you came to have those opinions. I may respond to correct things that are not true or correct, but I will not ever try to tell you that my way is best--or in any way better than what you believe. Spirituality is a very personal thing. You do what is comfortable and best for your own soul. Ive no stake in swaying your commitment. I just want the chance to correct any untruths.

**HaVoK** · 03-07-2009, 05:49 PM

If you get something positive out of it and it has no negative effects on others, all is good.

Thank you for taking your time to share your life experiences, Triedit.

**El Barto** · 03-07-2009, 06:48 PM

I have been initiated in shamanism .....long story.
My problem is , is other than my coffee in the morning and my beer at night i don't do rituals.
What rituals do you do and how does it work for you?

**Mark** · 03-07-2009, 06:48 PM

I really don't have an opinion on Paganism, if it works for you and you are comfortable with it I say go for it. Just don't be trying serve me any bat wing soup or eye o newt roast.:blum:

**Owl** · 03-07-2009, 06:56 PM

I have no problem with any religion as long as nobody gets in my face about it eg. Jehovah Witness door to door program or those televangelists who keep quoting the bible...(thank God for remote controls)
When I want a dose of religion....I go to the church of my choice:smile:

**Kelly** · 03-07-2009, 07:00 PM

I often talk with a Jehovah's Witness who visits and he has been taught that pagan's are devil worshipers and lack morals. He thinks witches are evil and can do magic (that's what he thinks spells are)

Im not representative of all Pagans. The word pagan is very very broad in its meaning. Satan worshipers are pagans, but pagans are not satan worshipers. Basically, anyone not a Christian, Muslim, or Jew is a Pagan.

Jehovah's Witnesses are Christians but not all Christians are Jehovah's Witnesses.

:wink:

**triedit** · 03-07-2009, 07:13 PM

Bart--most of my rituals involve incense. The sense of smell is very powerful for me. Basically it is a set of words infused with intent and accellerated by the aroma. Many of them are centered around time of year--like Ostara which is when things are reborn--start new life--etc. Ritual for me for that celebration includes planting seeds and infusing the plant with intention.

Like Tam, I use lit candles to draw attention from God and his helpers to assist others with sickness, pain and death. I choose a candle of a certain color depending on what the problem is. Right now I have a blue candle going for Tam's family as they deal with the father of one of the new babies--he was hit by a truck and is in grave condition.

Each of us is free to do or say pretty much anything we want in ritual. There are only two basic rules. One is, do as you will so long as it harms none. The other is anything you wish for another person can come back to you threefold.

**Smartmouthwoman** · 03-07-2009, 07:42 PM

To each his own. I have no problem with anyone's choice of worship.

But I'm a little surprised that you have a Jehovah's Witness friend. You do know, according to his religion, he's committing a mortal sin by associating with an avowed Pagan?

Just curious... does he ever talk to you about that?

**El Barto** · 03-07-2009, 08:06 PM

Originally Posted by triedit

Bart--most of my rituals involve incense. The sense of smell is very powerful for me. Basically it is a set of words infused with intent and accellerated by the aroma. Many of them are centered around time of year--like Ostara which is when things are reborn--start new life--etc. Ritual for me for that celebration includes planting seeds and infusing the plant with intention.

Like Tam, I use lit candles to draw attention from God and his helpers to assist others with sickness, pain and death. I choose a candle of a certain color depending on what the problem is. Right now I have a blue candle going for Tam's family as they deal with the father of one of the new babies--he was hit by a truck and is in grave condition.

Each of us is free to do or say pretty much anything we want in ritual. There are only two basic rules. One is, do as you will so long as it harms none. The other is anything you wish for another person can come back to you threefold.

ok um sometimes when I am in my 'zone' (um I guess looking for incentive ) i do my housework as if it was symbolically cleaning my um ....psychie or souls or something. I guess that is as close to a ritual but not done very often . I know there was a question in there but i just got off the phone and totoally lost my train of thought. :blink:

**Muz** · 03-07-2009, 08:07 PM

Hey, we had our house blessed by a Wikkan back when we moved in!:wink:

I think sensuality and spirituality have some attachment, so I'm somewhat hedonistic.

Muz