Explain modern paganism to me?

I have used the same answer a few times now:

It is commonly held that the origin of the word ‘pagan’ is ‘paganus’ meaning ‘country-dweller’ however the French scholar Pierre Chuvin argues that the notion that the word ‘pagan’ meant ‘country-dweller’, despite the romantic imagery, could not work as when the word was coined most town-dwellers were pagan. Instead, he argues, that the word means followers of the religions of the ’pagus’ or locality i.e. the old, rooted faiths instead of the new universal one (Christianity).

‘Pagan’ and ‘Paganism’ can have any number of definitions depending upon context. Some use the word pagan to refer to anyone not of a major world religion or not of one of the Abrahamic religions.

Paganism can refer to the ancient pre-Christian religions or neo-paganism (a modern religious movement that draws inspiration from ancient pre-Christian religions). Generally neo-pagans (at least in Britain) prefer to drop the neo- and simply use the labels Pagan and Paganism; the lower case p is used when referring to the ancient pre-Christian religions and the upper-case P when referring to the modern religious movement .

Paganism is both an umbrella term covering a wide range of beliefs and practices e.g. Druidry, Wicca, witchcraft, Heathenry/Asatru, shamanism amongst others, and it is also a spiritual belief in itself (some, like myself, do not ascribe themselves to a particular ’Pagan Path’ but refer to themselves simply as Pagan). Attitudes regarding gods and the divine vary greatly Pagans can be just about anything whether it be theist, polytheist, pantheist, animist (which is arguably a form of pantheism), agnostic or even atheist (Atheism simply refers to the rejection of/non-belief in gods and as such it does not require the rejection of religion and/or the supernatural). There is also variation amongst those who believe in gods, some see gods as literal beings whereas others regard them as symbolic archetypes created by the human conscious whilst still performing acts of devotion to them. Despite all this variation there appears to be, at least in my experience, little animosity regarding gods between Pagans. Generally Paganism is nature-based or if not then at least nature revering e.g. Asatruar base much their beliefs on the Eddas and as such it would be inappropriate to call these beliefs nature-based, nature is however still revered.

Finally it should be noted that Paganism is a new-religious movement and is not part of the New-Age movement (for one thing it predates the New-Age movement by a couple of hundred years) and one can hold a scientific outlook on life and still be Pagan.

Pagans on the whole do not regard their religion as ‘the only way’ or as ‘the Truth’, they do not actively/intentionally seek to convert others and nor do they indoctrinate children, believing that choice of religion (or lack of ) should be left to the child.

Recommended reading:

Pagan Paths by Pete Jennings

The Pagan Religions of the Ancient British Isles: Their Nature and Legacy by Ronald Hutton

The Triumph of the Moon: A History of Modern Pagan Witchcraft by Ronald Hutton

The Station of the Sun: A History of the Ritual Year in Britain by Ronald Hutton

The Druids by Ronald Hutton

Shamans: Siberian Spirituality and the Western Imagination by Ronald Hutton

Witches, Druids and King Arthur by Ronald Hutton

I think modern paganism is a result of the failure of 'modern science' to answer those basic questions of what defines our conscienceness.

Perhaps the future will reveal the answers to those questions. Un till then, we humans will have an inward desire to look outward, and an outward desire to look inward. Something in us seeks connection with what we have always been. Many people perceive the pagan path as a connection.

Modern paganism does not have much historic data that gives insight to actual practices and rituals i.e rotate the magic wand three times clockwise your right hand, or 2 times with your left hand. Modern paganism in the least is reconstructed religion. Maybe that explains why many folk like to do things the old fashioned way, or what they think should be the old fashioned way.

Hard to give a good explanation when you don't specify a particular division.

Most Pagans do not go to a 'church' (some belong to groups) and we don't have a specific holy book. Each of us makes our own path. Using the guidelines given we each learn different things in different ways. We value education in all its forms.

We respect our connection with nature, it's beauty, and our connection with all other people.

Pagans can be atheists, monotheists, polytheists, or pantheists.

It's tough to define beyond that since each sect can be so different from one another. I myself am an Eclectic Pagan, meaning I draw my ideologies from many different sects or even religions. My main influence is Native American spirituality while I also have a great respect for Buddhism. I also draw ideas from literature and philosophy, both of which I am constantly emerged in being an English major. I am also a Pantheist which means I believe that the universe, nature, and all things make up God. I believe we are all connected.

Of course, another Pagan may completely disagree, but that's kind of the beauty -- we can talk to each other and expand our ideas as well as be shown where the flaws in our ideas lie. In this way, we can grow.

For most of the Pagans that I know, including myself, it is mostly, to purely, spiritual and spirituality is where the emphasis is placed. However, I suppose it depends on why an individual is interested in Paganism to begin with. I would say that the majority of those who have been Pagan for some time are Pagan for spiritual reasons. Many of the newer individuals to Paganism are there for spiritual reasons also. But we have to be honest, at least a few of "newer-to-Paganism" individuals are there for material gain, but these type of individuals do not stay within Paganism for very long. It has been my experience that even when some have come to Paganism because of the "payoff" they stay because of the spirituality that they find and their personal spiritual growth becomes more important than anything material. Generally speaking, a spiritual-minded person isn't a materialistic person. They have wants and needs like anyone else, however, they do not lean towards materialism. If a spiritual-minded person has money, you will see them putting the money to good use not just for themselves, but for the environment, good charities, finding cures, research, and helping others. Their concern isn't always the bottom line or how much they get out of life, but how much they give. And that is what I have found from my personal experiences to date.

A lot of it is rediscovering the beliefs and practices of our ancestors. Many people mix many ancient beliefs together. There aren't really any rules, it's just kind of a way of life. Put two Pagans together and you'll generally see a respect for the environment and other beings and an awe of nature, but practices vary.

EDIT:

Dr. Socks: It's an umbrella term. It's like saying, "What is Christianity?". There are few things all groups of Christians have in common.

I personally see the force of the universe as God, with many different manifestations. I learn from other species, and respect their place in the cycle. I don't see myself as better or worse than any other creature (well, humans in general have been very destructive so in a way worse). I use herbs to cleanse my body and spirit, as well as my living space and work area. If you have any more questions I'd be happy to answer, but I'm not sure what you want to know.

Paganism includes any of the pre-christian religions. Today’s pagans are technically Neo-pagans as we are reconstructing what our ancestors believed/worshipped etc. Although they have their roots in ancient practices, this cluster of religious beliefs has been refigured in modern times, often in association with an interest in eclectic New Age practices.

KB, Pagan

Modern Paganism is either.....

#1: Someone following (or reconstructing) an indigenous cultural religious path (ie: Celtic, Norse, etc....etc...)

#2: Someone following an indigenous religious path that has not been completely suppressed by modern culture (Native America, Hindu, Hoodoo. etc....etc....)

#3: Someone who follows a path that incorporates the wisdom from either number one or two (Wicca for example).

Pagan is an "umbrella" term, just as christian is.

answer: a spirituality that connects with deities that are not Jewish, Christian or Muslim. Many pagans focus on one pantheon of deities to work with: Greek, Egyptian, Celtic, etc. Fewer pagans chose to work with a variety.

Some common beliefs in "most" pagan religions: reincarnation * karma * harming none * a belief in deities (male and female) * protecting animals and children * a reverence for life and nature * celebrating the cycle of the year and life with 8 major holidays and full moons * no devil * no eternal torment * no savior

Yes, but What IS it @ first 2 answerers.

Damned Hippies

more of a scientific revival thatn spiritual. Pagans nowadays just want to practice it cause of the historical and cultural significance. they dont necessarily believe it