Official Pagan Thread!

[BarkerChickens]

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edit...maybe compromise and state EVERYONE WELCOME in post #1, so no one feels left out?

 

[Paganbird]

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That is basically what's on my personal BYC page... I copied mine straight from my latin dictionary.

Many of my friends refer to the word pagan as meaning simply "not Christian."

 

[rainplace]

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edit...maybe compromise and state EVERYONE WELCOME in post #1, so no one feels left out?

Thanks for the hug!

It's hard sometimes to be inclusive...

 

[saddina]

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I get something similar. When it comes to sweet old ladies, I left it slide. To her "how christian" is most likely the best complment she could come up with. I once worked with a lady who said "I've never met a person who's not christian"... ummmm.... nevermind.

 

[saddina]

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Exactly!! Amazing description, Farmerlor! I love it!

When discussing the universe (scientific) with my son, we got on the topic that certain elements are only formed within stars, and those are found in trace amounts in the human bodies, and other living matter.. "see mom we're all made of stardust". For us there is the big bang, and we're trying to come to grips with the multiverse theory (so much easier for the kids to grasp the universe expanding than for me). I don't see science, evolution or even the big bang as a denial of the gods, but rather just new labels and a better understanding of old ideas.

 

[BarkerChickens]

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I get something similar. When it comes to sweet old ladies, I left it slide. To her "how christian" is most likely the best complment she could come up with. I once worked with a lady who said "I've never met a person who's not christian"... ummmm.... nevermind.

I just let it slide. It is usually not worth it. The only ones that DH and I will comment to about such remarks are to his parents...very politely though. They know that we are "earthy", don't define ourselves as Christian and that we celebrate both Yule; however, at their house we ALWAYS join them in prayer (we like the idea of praying before dinner...we just have different wording when we say our prayers) and celebrate Christian holidays with them (Christmas, Easter). To show respect to DHs parents as well as acknowledge the beliefs of the majority of our wedding guests, we asked DHs dad to say grace before dinner at the reception. Maybe it is just the "Can't we all just get along?" part of me that just tries to make everyone happy and avoid confrontation.

Now, if someone says something rude about my beliefs, then I will say something (or others as well!). There are a number of people that DH used to work with who have said some pretty negative comments about muslims beliefs (ill-informed comments!). Oohh! did that set me off! They may not be my beliefs, but don't be saying lies and putting someone's faith down just because someone disagrees. Everyone has their right to practice however they choose and passing judgment on others is never acceptable. As stated earlier, many share the same (or at least similar) ideas and principles...they are just expressed and explained in a different manner.

 

[BarkerChickens]

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I agree! To me, it is SO much bigger than we are on earth and heaven is above. We are all just pin dots compared to the expansive universe, yet we are all connected by a single energy that makes it all possible (which to me is God). Science and religion don't have to conflict...in fact, to me they compliment each other very well. More pantheism, I guess (For those that don't know, pantheism is the belief that God is the universe, and that the universe is God (some may describe it as the universe is divine). God is in everything as the energy of the universe is in everything. While monotheistic, it differs from some beliefs in that God is not personified).

 

[BarkerChickens]

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edit...maybe compromise and state EVERYONE WELCOME in post #1, so no one feels left out?

Thanks for the hug!

It's hard sometimes to be inclusive...

I think some people fear the word pagan. But, really...anyone who has some sort of earth-centered spirituality, regardless what religion they identify with (if any) can be pagan. Plus...this thread give a place for those interested in just understanding it to come ask questions or just read what we've wrote. Debi's comments are a good example. She is Christian and she asked lots of questions to better understand it. Many of us grew up apart of one of the major religions (Christian, etc) as well, so we aren't really "different".

It's not just for "Pagans"...but rather about it, Q&A's welcome, etc. To me (and I am not the OP, so the intention may be way off), but it provides a place for pagans, non-pagans, earth-based spiritualists, etc to come together and better understand each other. I like this thread since "pagan" is used nicely and not a dirty word. I rarely let friends, coworkers, etc. know my beliefs because so many think negatively of it without understanding it. I think that is why I hope the OP doesn't take Pagan out of the title. It's a safe place where I can comfortably say how I feel with others around who support it (or at least aren't bashing it...those people wouldn't open the thread to begin with).

It's just like the other thread...all should be included!

 

[rainplace]

I've only recently started using the word pagan to describe my beliefs, only because there's no other word that I know which allows me to convey to others in a way that they may understand... lol. did that make sense?

My beliefs evolve and grow.

Now having read the description of Pantheism it seems to fit more of what I feel.

I don't understand though why pantheism wouldn't fall under Pagan Umbrella. I must do more reading!

edit to add: I hope Reinbeau comes back and explains!

 

[Kanchii]

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That is the exact reason behind this thread

Share your experience, give advice, Q&A's, general chat about whats going on in the Pagan world, news, etc.

I also edited the original message to add: Everyone welcome.

Blessed Be