Contemporary Paganism:
Questions & Answers
What is Paganism?
The term "pagan" comes from a Latin word for "country dweller" first used in early Christian times to refer to those not yet converted to Christianity. Like the earliest use of "Unitarian", "pagan" was an epithet that cast aspersions on those seen not to be "true believers". Today, Paganism refers more generally to the faith of those whose spiritual center is drawn to native and natural religions, usually pantheistic or polytheistic, and almost always earth-centered.
What then is "Contemporary Paganism"?
Contemporary Paganism, or Neo-Paganism, is a modern Earth-centered religious perspective which borrows and adapts from the best of pre-Christian Paganism, as well as utilizing the though of contemporary religious thinkers. And while reconnection with ancient wisdom, it speaks eloquently to the needs and concerns of the present.
What is meant by "The Old Religion"?
The term "The Old Religion" describes the pre-Christian religion of much of western and northern Europe which was based on the agricultural cycles and the rhythms of the Earth. This Old Religion coexisted with Christianity for centuries, from the so-called "dark ages" up until the Inquisition and the "Burning Times" (witch burnings) of the late middle ages. It also refers more generally to native and tribal religions around the world.
What is the difference between Paganism and Witchcraft?
Some Contemporary Pagans call themselves Witches. A term with many meanings (and often carrying some rather heavy baggage), Witchcraft (or "The Craft"> is most properly applied to three broad categories: descendants of the European witches of the middle ages;
practitioners of the "reconstructed" Witchcraft of the 20th century; and "feminist Witches" whose religion (and politics) center in
the contemporary women's spirituality movement. It can generally be said that all contemporary Witches are Pagans, but not all contemporary Pagans are Witches, although
at least one writer 1 has begun to use the term "Neo-Pagan Witchcraft" to describe the largest portion of the Contemporary Pagan community.
All of the Witchcraft traditions focus on divinity as primarily imaged in the Goddess; often (but not always) there is also a male aspect of the divine in the form of her Consort, the God. In Witchcraft, magic -- the art of changing consciousness at will -- is a frequent focus.
What is meant by the term "Wicca"?
Often used as a synonym for Witchcraft, Wicca is derived from an Anglo-Saxon word meaning to "bend" or "turn". It is more properly applied only to those Witchcraft traditions that originated in or derive from practices in the British Isles.
What about Shamanism?
"Shamanism" is not a religion, but rather a set of spiritual techniques used for healing and the acquisition of knowledge through forays into "non-ordinary reality." 2 Now gaining increasing attention in the counseling profession, this "journeying" is usually aided by sonic driving (such as repetitive drumming), and often involves interactions with "power animals". Shamanic techniques, found in virtually every "pre-civilized" culture, are widely used by contemporary Pagans.
What do Contemporary Pagans believe?
The central beliefs of Contemporary Paganism include the emphasis of immanence over transcendence, reliance on experience rather than doctrine, and the assertion that there can and should be multiple paths to the divine. Like UU's, Pagans have no "creed", but there are a number of beliefs held by most Contemporary Pagans (summarized at the end of this discussion).
Isn't this Humanism by another name?
Yes and no. Like religious Humanists, contemporary Pagans have a "this-worldly" focus and affirm the importance of the rational. They also, however, place great emphasis on the intuitive and generally believe that the physical and spiritual worlds are equally real, and interconnected, manifestations of nature. This means that spiritual work, whether called meditation or prayer or magic, and whether done as ritual or worship or celebration of life, is efficacious, and can result in changes in the physical world. The majority of contemporary Pagans (although not all) also believe in the survival after physical death, in one or another fashion, of the consciousness or the soul.
How do Co
ntemporary Pagans Worship?Some groups among contemporary Pagans have formal worship services or meetings. Others conduct rituals that are free and without set forms and some Pagans worship by themselves without formal ritual. Most contemporary Pagans hold rituals according to the turning of the seasons and the phases of the moon. Rituals are performed in a sacred space defined by the casting of a circle, within which celebration and worship take place. Celebrations include eight major seasonal holidays, sometimes collectively referred to as "Sabbats". These Sabbats, as most frequently observed by North American and European pagans, follow the agricultural cycles of the northern temperate zone, and include the solstices and equinoxes, as well as four intermediate festivals, sometimes called the "cross-quarters", which fall midway between.3 (Regular public Sabbat rituals, reflecting a variety of contemporary Pagan styles, can be found in many communities.) Rituals may include meditation, Chanting, drumming, myth and story-telling, ritual drama, song, dance, and so forth. Deeper ritual work is often practiced at private gatherings, sometimes called “Esbats” which coincide with the phases of the moon. This work may include more intense raising of energy, healing work, and personal spiritual development.
What about Satanism?
Contrary to the claims of some ill-informed Christian fundamentalists, the practices of Contemporary Paganism are in no way connected with Satanism -- indeed, most Pagans, like Unitarian Universalists, do not even believe that Satan exists! As a profanation of Christian symbolism, Satan worship is Christian heresy and not Pagan religion. (Historically, it has not been uncommon for the gods of older religions to be labeled as the devils of newer ones in order to encourage conversion.)
Do Contemporary Pagans proselytize?
No. Like Unitarian Universalists generally, Pagans do not proselytize. However, most contemporary Pagan traditions welcome newcomers. Paganism does not discourage its adherents from following other religions.
How does Contemporary Paganism fit in with Unitarian Universalism?
It is clear that contemporary Paganism shares many principles and methods with Unitarian Universalism. And it is becoming more and more evident that a great number of Unitarian Universalist are becoming sympathetic to the contemporary Pagan world view, as well as to Paganism’s approach to ritual and its imperative for ecojustice and the healing of Mother Earth. As Unitarian Universalism itself continues its development as a major world religion transcending its Judaeo-Christian historical roots, it will no double become an ever more conducive religious home for today’s modern Pagans.
-- Lesley Phillips & Linda Pinti
WHAT CONTEMPORARY PAGANS BELIEVE
While there is no set of beliefs shared by all Pagans, most would agree that their similarities are greater than their differences, and there are a number of beliefs held by the vast majority of contemporary Pagans. Some of these are:
Divinity is immanent in all nature.
Divinity is just as likely to manifest in female form, as “the Goddess”, the interconnectedness of life.
Multiple paths to the divine, as symbolized by many “goddesses” and “gods”, often viewed as archetypes or gateways to the unconscious.
Respect and love for Mother Earth as “Gaia”, a living being of which we are a part.
The goodness of creation, in which all beings are meant to live in joy, love, and harmony.
An ethics and morality based on the avoidance of harm to other beings and to the Earth, which mandates environmental activism as a religious responsibility.
The knowledge that human interdependence implies community cooperation.
The importance of celebrating the solar and lunar cycles, and the cycles of our lives, leading to the revival of ancient customs (and the invention of new ones!).
A strong commitment to personal and planetary growth, evolution, and balance.
The awareness of making one’s lifestyle consistent with one’s beliefs (“the personal is political”).
A minimum of dogma and a maximum of eclecticism.
A health skepticism and a reluctance to accept an idea without personally investigating it.
A distrust of would-be messiahs and gurus.