What Is A Pagan

[nailit]

Many times in the Bible (thinking primarily New Testament) Pagans are 'demonised'.
Just curious here, (and honestly, Im NOT looking for an argument here) just what ARE your interpretation of a Pagan?
Trying to get perspective.
Heard everything from evangelical Christians that Pagans are Devil worshippers to Pagans are simply unbelievers in the God of the Bible.
Have heard that muslims are Pagans, Buddhists are Pagans etc.

Personally don't think that Modern Religionists have any idea of what Paganism really is.
Anyone enlighten me?

[Tilly2]

Look up Wicca.

[Baldric]

Have a read of this, it will save me the bother,

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paganism#Pagan

[Cloverjo]

I don’t think I can enlighten you, but can give you my interpretation of Pagan.

I think it’s someone who believes in a higher ‘spirit’ in some way - Mother Nature, say - but not God in the Biblical sense.

[Old_Geezer]

Any non-Christian in a wider sense, but specifically those who follow some kind of nature mother type religion which was about before the Christians arrived and started evangelising/dominating.

[Buenchico]

From the Pagan Federation's website:
https://paganfed.org/index.php/paganism/introduction-to-paganism

[Theland]

Hi Nailit. I am 68 and very ill.
I love you and N and pray for you to be enlightened.
Very bad today. Need to sleep soon.
I know you have been through the mill and would be honoured if you considered me a friend. XXX

[douglas9401]

A functioning alcoholic and crossword solving crime fighter, now dead.

[Theland]

Budgerigar! Blue!

[nailit]

//Hi Nailit. I am 68 and very ill.
I love you and N and pray for you to be enlightened.
Very bad today. Need to sleep soon.
I know you have been through the mill and would be honoured if you considered me a friend. XXX//

Theland, All the years of debates between us on here how could I consider you less than a friend? (albeit an internet 'friend')?
Sorry that you are ill at the moment and hope that there is something that can help. Can't say that I pray for you obviously, but do hope that you can get well m8.

[naomi24]

Theland, //I love you and N and pray for you to be enlightened. //

How patronising.

[Khandro]

Inspector Morse was a pagan.

[douglas9401]

Good morning Khandro, may I direct you to 18:49 yesterday. :-)

[THECORBYLOON]

TILLY, you should have said "Look up Wiccapedia"

[Khandro]

Douglas; Ah. Actually it was his name only at University - he had a lot of troubles with his names.

[luciustool]

OP what are you want to be enlightened with? Its an easy search to find all the different types of Paganism, are you asking people who ARE Pagan what it means to them? Good Luck with that one m8.

[xenoblast]

Poem for the OP:
I am a Pagan.
I am a part of the whole of Nature.
The rocks, the animals, the plants, the elements are my relatives.
Other humans are my sisters and brothers, whatever their races, colors, ages, nationalities, creeds, or sexual preferences.
The earth is my Mother and the sky is my Father.
The sun and moon are my Grandparents, and the stars my ancestors.
I am part of this large family of Nature, not the master of it.
I have my own special part to play and I seek to play that part to the best of my ability.
I seek to live in harmony with others in the family of Nature, treating others with respect, not abuse...
I am a Pagan.
I pay attention to the seasons within myself - of beginnings, growth, fruition, harvest, endings, rest, and beginnings again.
Life is a Circle with many cycles...

I am a Pagan.
I acknowledge that the Divine is everywhere in the energy of life.
I am Animistic. I sense the life force in the oak tree on the hill, in the herbs in the garden, in the birds singing at my window, in the boulders on the hill, in myself, and yes, even in "things"such as my car and computer.
I understand that everything has its physical and non-physical aspects. The physical and spiritual are deeply intertwined, not separate, and one is not better than the other.

I am a Pagan.
My worship is one of communion, not groveling.
I share my views with others when I sense it is right, but I do not proselytize - there are many ways, not one way, of spiritual growth.
My holy places are under the open sky ... in the Stone Circle in the oak grove on the top of the mound ... on the Vision Rock on the high cliff ... in the Garden in the fields ... in the Sweat lodge by the stream ... by the clear pool of the Sacred Spring ... in the Rainbow Cave in the valley.
Yet my worship can be anywhere ... my magick circle is portable.
I can call to the four quarters, to the earth and sky, and to the central spirit point wherever I may be.

I am a Pagan.
I journey to the Otherworld in my dreams, my meditations... I fly with my consciousness through time and space.
I return with insights.
I go between the worlds for healing, growth, and transformation.
Psychic perception is a natural, not supernatural, part of my daily life.

I am a Pagan.
I attune myself to the four elements of Nature - Earth, Air, Fire, Water - and to the fifth element, Spirit, which is the force that connects all.
I see these elements as parts of my self - my physical body is my earth, my intellect my air, my will my fire, my emotions my water, and my inner self is my spirit.
I endeavor to keep myself healthy and in balance in all these parts of Self.

I am a Pagan.
I hear the cries of Mother Earth.
I see the pollution of the air, the soil, and the waters.
I see the games being played by nations with the fire of nuclear weapons.
I see spiritual pollution, too - selfishness, hatred, greed for money and power, despair.
I sense these things, but I sense, too, a cleansing, healing energy manifesting on the planet at this time.
I know that I can help bring the planet into greater balance by seeking balance in my own life.
I know that my attitudes and my way of living can make a difference.
I endeavor to be a channel for healing and balance.
I am a Pagan.

[Khandro]

xenoblast; You should try writing for Hallmark, I believe they are hiring at the moment.

[Theland]

Xenoblast- How thoughtful.
However very subjective.
But if it comforts you, well, that's good.

[Theland]

N - "How patronising."
Yes it might appear so.
But I want nothing from you, and am only concerned that both you and Nailit are both without answers, and can, if you try, find them.