Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Pagan?
A Pagan is a person who identifies with one or more philosophies of Paganism.
What is Paganism?
There are several definitions of what “Paganism” means. Typically, Paganism is used as an umbrella term for all Non-Abrahamic religions (all other religions outside of Christianity, Islam, or Judaism). Using this definition, Paganism incorporates all Eastern religions, early Pre-Judeo-Christian religions, and modern religions that attempt to reclaim these traditions or formulate entirely new ones. Since this definition encompasses so many different beliefs, some of which reject the label of “Pagan”, for the purpose of this FAQ we will disregard some of these religions (including Eastern religions) in some of the following questions.
Other definitions include:
Since Paganism is such a broad term, here is a breakdown of the different types of Paganism:
Since Paganism encompasses hundreds of religions, it is impossible to say that “Pagans believe ____.” There is an ongoing joke within the Pagan community that if you ask three different Pagans what they believe, you’ll get five different answers. This is the nature of Paganism.
However, for the purpose of education, here are some fundamental beliefs that most Pagans tend to share:
Is “Paganism” a religion?
Yes and no. It is a group of religions, but those who do not identify with any single religion inside Paganism tend to identify solely with Paganism itself (see above fundamental beliefs). Although Paganism does not have a single doctrine, the religion(s) do seek to answer common religious questions, including: what is the meaning of life, what happens after life, is there a god, and the significance of the existence of the human race.
Is there a religious doctrine?
There is no single book or text that all Pagans abide by. However, some pagan religions, like Wicca, may have something resembling a doctrine. For example, the Wiccan Rede states, "An ye harm none, do what ye will."
Do Pagans have ethics/morals?
Absolutely. Just like individuals in every other religion, Pagans have concepts of what is right and what is wrong. The noticeable difference is that each Pagan decides this for themselves instead of having others tell them what is right or wrong.
Do Pagans worship the devil?
No. The devil/Satan is a Judeo-Christian conception of their mythology in which most Pagans do not acknowledge or believe.
Do Pagans believe in God?
Pagans typically believe in: a god, several gods, that deity is present in people and nature at all times, all of these things or none of these things.
Each Pagan comes to their own conclusion about deity based off meditation, reading, and discussion. Here are some descriptions/classifications of philosophies shared by many Pagans:
Do Pagans go to Church?
If they so desire. There is no single gathering space for Pagans. Typically groups will meet outdoors, in their homes, or in public.
Why have I not heard of Paganism?
Pagans do not proselytize. You will never find one knocking on your door and asking you to join their group. If you have questions, you often have to seek them out on your own. Pagans do not proselytize because many feel that a spiritual journey is one often undertaken through one's own hard work and a spiritual path is best chosen by the individual based on the individual's experiences.
Do Pagans pray?
Depends on the Pagan. A Pagan form of prayer can include more than kneeling by the bed at night; however, it can be done through meditation, chant, songs, dance, or something else entirely.
Are there central religious figures (ie Priests, Preachers, monks, the Pope)?
There may be Priests and/or Priestesses depending on the tradition considered. These people’s word does not function as law- they merely operate as guides or mentors to help individuals along their spiritual path.
Do Pagans believe in Heaven and Hell?
Heaven and Hell is a Judeo-Christian concept which most Pagans reject. Some religions may have equivalents, however, such as the Summerland in Wicca.
What do I need to do to be Pagan?
Pagans do not really do anything to be pagan. Pagans are pagan at heart - they love nature, want to live in harmony with the world and others around them, believe that humans are one with the world and not separate from it, and see the value in every life around them. There tends to be no type of Baptism announcing your release from your former life, although there are some dedication rituals that some perform depending on the chosen path. These rituals differ for each path and there is no single one for each pagan.
Why is there a negative view towards Pagans?
Why is there a negative view towards any religious group? Sadly, stereotypes and misinformation is one of the most dangerous issues plaguing our society and can often lead to hatred and distrust.
Taking a look back to history may show some answers. In 1450, "The Roman Catholic Church created an imaginary evil religion, using stereotypes that had circulated since pre-Christian times. They said that Pagans who worshiped Diana and other Gods and Goddesses were evil Witches who kidnapped babies, killed and ate their victims, sold their soul to Satan, were in league with demons, flew through the air, met in the middle of the night, caused male impotence and infertility, caused male genitals to disappear, etc. Historians have speculated that this religiously inspired genocide was motivated by a desire by the Church to attain a complete religious monopoly, or was "a tool of repression, a form of reining-in deviant behavior, a backlash against women, or a tool of the common people to name scapegoats for spoiled crops, dead livestock or the death of babies and children." " (source).
How do I come out to my friends/family that I am Pagan?
Identifying as Pagan is a very personal decision no one needs to know if you do not want them to. Your religion is your own.
If you feel as though you are ready/need others to know that you are pagan, there is no specific "formula" on how to tell your friends/family. But if they love you, they will respect your decision and beliefs, regardless of how you tell them. If they are concerned that you are doing/believing something evil, educate them and show them what Paganism truly is.
Where can I go for more information?
There are several recommended sources, here are a few:
Paganism: An Introduction to Earth-Centered Religions by Joyce and River Higginbotham
Drawing Down the Moon by Margot Adler
Your local library is a great place to start, try Dewey Decimal number 133.4
Religioustolerance.org
Information directed towards eliminating stereotypes for your non-Pagan friends: http://paganwiccan.about.com/od/OurChristianFriends/tp/Ten-Things-Pagans-Want-You-To-Know.htm
A Pagan is a person who identifies with one or more philosophies of Paganism.
What is Paganism?
There are several definitions of what “Paganism” means. Typically, Paganism is used as an umbrella term for all Non-Abrahamic religions (all other religions outside of Christianity, Islam, or Judaism). Using this definition, Paganism incorporates all Eastern religions, early Pre-Judeo-Christian religions, and modern religions that attempt to reclaim these traditions or formulate entirely new ones. Since this definition encompasses so many different beliefs, some of which reject the label of “Pagan”, for the purpose of this FAQ we will disregard some of these religions (including Eastern religions) in some of the following questions.
Other definitions include:
- Pantheism or nature-worship; a set of religious beliefs or practices derived from ancient myths or religions (Oxford English Dictionary)
- Pagan beliefs or practices
- Pagan: Heathen; esp a follower of a polytheistic religion (Merriam-Webster Dictionary)
- A member of a group professing a polytheistic religion (World English Dictionary)
Since Paganism is such a broad term, here is a breakdown of the different types of Paganism:
- PaleoPaganism: any native polytheistic or animistic culture that remains mostly unpolluted by foreign influence
- Native American, African, Australian, and Asian religions, such as Hinduism, Taoism, and Shinto
- CiviloPaganism: religions of “civilized” cultures that evolved from PaleoPaganism
- Classical Greco-Roman religion, Traditional Egyptian religion, ancient Middle-Eastern religions, Aztec religion
- MesoPaganism: religions of cultures that have adopted many practices of the conquering culture, but still remain separate and distinct
- Surviving Native American practices
- SyncretoPaganism: religions that were submerged into a conquering culture and adopted those external practices and symbols
- Afro-diasporic traditions such as Voudon and Santeria
- NeoPaganism – a revival or recreation of PaleoPagan ways combined with a modern sense of morality
- Church of All Worlds, many Wiccan traditions, some Druids, some Norse Pagans, and some modern forms of Buddhism
Since Paganism encompasses hundreds of religions, it is impossible to say that “Pagans believe ____.” There is an ongoing joke within the Pagan community that if you ask three different Pagans what they believe, you’ll get five different answers. This is the nature of Paganism.
However, for the purpose of education, here are some fundamental beliefs that most Pagans tend to share:
- Interconnectedness: “Most Pagans believe that all parts of the universe, whether ‘animate’ or ‘inanimate,’ are connected at very deep levels that extend beyond the boundaries of space-time as we know them” (Paganism: An Introduction to Earth-Centered Religions).
- Blessedness: “The belief that every part of nature is blessed in its nature, and that there is nothing wrong with the universe or with you, this means that the purpose of Pagan spiritual practices differs from that of religions of focused on issues of purification and salvation” (Paganism: An Introduction to Earth-Centered Religions).
Is “Paganism” a religion?
Yes and no. It is a group of religions, but those who do not identify with any single religion inside Paganism tend to identify solely with Paganism itself (see above fundamental beliefs). Although Paganism does not have a single doctrine, the religion(s) do seek to answer common religious questions, including: what is the meaning of life, what happens after life, is there a god, and the significance of the existence of the human race.
Is there a religious doctrine?
There is no single book or text that all Pagans abide by. However, some pagan religions, like Wicca, may have something resembling a doctrine. For example, the Wiccan Rede states, "An ye harm none, do what ye will."
Do Pagans have ethics/morals?
Absolutely. Just like individuals in every other religion, Pagans have concepts of what is right and what is wrong. The noticeable difference is that each Pagan decides this for themselves instead of having others tell them what is right or wrong.
Do Pagans worship the devil?
No. The devil/Satan is a Judeo-Christian conception of their mythology in which most Pagans do not acknowledge or believe.
Do Pagans believe in God?
Pagans typically believe in: a god, several gods, that deity is present in people and nature at all times, all of these things or none of these things.
Each Pagan comes to their own conclusion about deity based off meditation, reading, and discussion. Here are some descriptions/classifications of philosophies shared by many Pagans:
- Polytheism – the belief in multiple gods. Some see them all as separate and distinct deities while others choose to see them all as a facet of a single Divinity.
- Pantheism – the belief in the power of the Universe as the Divine. Typically this means that the Earth itself, and all of its inhabitants, are divine.
- Panentheism – the belief in the power of the Universe that is both immanent and transcendent - the Divine is in the world and yet also outside of it.
- Duotheism – the belief in two gods, the Lord and Lady. They are the "yin and yang" of Divinity.
- Deism - the belief in a single creator deity who does not continue to intervene with the world.
- Monotheism - the belief in one god. This can take the form of Pantheism or Panentheism, or even simply the worship and acceptance of only a single God or Goddess.
- Henotheism – the worship of one God or Goddess while still accepting the existence of other deities.
- Animism - the belief in animal, plant, rock, and nature spirits.
- Shamanism - linking to the spiritual realm through intermediaries between humans and the spirit world. Shamanism and Animism often go hand-in-hand.
- Agnostic or Atheist - not all Pagans believe in a deity but they might worship the Earth itself or the connection to the universe that is NOT divine.
Do Pagans go to Church?
If they so desire. There is no single gathering space for Pagans. Typically groups will meet outdoors, in their homes, or in public.
Why have I not heard of Paganism?
Pagans do not proselytize. You will never find one knocking on your door and asking you to join their group. If you have questions, you often have to seek them out on your own. Pagans do not proselytize because many feel that a spiritual journey is one often undertaken through one's own hard work and a spiritual path is best chosen by the individual based on the individual's experiences.
Do Pagans pray?
Depends on the Pagan. A Pagan form of prayer can include more than kneeling by the bed at night; however, it can be done through meditation, chant, songs, dance, or something else entirely.
Are there central religious figures (ie Priests, Preachers, monks, the Pope)?
There may be Priests and/or Priestesses depending on the tradition considered. These people’s word does not function as law- they merely operate as guides or mentors to help individuals along their spiritual path.
Do Pagans believe in Heaven and Hell?
Heaven and Hell is a Judeo-Christian concept which most Pagans reject. Some religions may have equivalents, however, such as the Summerland in Wicca.
What do I need to do to be Pagan?
Pagans do not really do anything to be pagan. Pagans are pagan at heart - they love nature, want to live in harmony with the world and others around them, believe that humans are one with the world and not separate from it, and see the value in every life around them. There tends to be no type of Baptism announcing your release from your former life, although there are some dedication rituals that some perform depending on the chosen path. These rituals differ for each path and there is no single one for each pagan.
Why is there a negative view towards Pagans?
Why is there a negative view towards any religious group? Sadly, stereotypes and misinformation is one of the most dangerous issues plaguing our society and can often lead to hatred and distrust.
Taking a look back to history may show some answers. In 1450, "The Roman Catholic Church created an imaginary evil religion, using stereotypes that had circulated since pre-Christian times. They said that Pagans who worshiped Diana and other Gods and Goddesses were evil Witches who kidnapped babies, killed and ate their victims, sold their soul to Satan, were in league with demons, flew through the air, met in the middle of the night, caused male impotence and infertility, caused male genitals to disappear, etc. Historians have speculated that this religiously inspired genocide was motivated by a desire by the Church to attain a complete religious monopoly, or was "a tool of repression, a form of reining-in deviant behavior, a backlash against women, or a tool of the common people to name scapegoats for spoiled crops, dead livestock or the death of babies and children." " (source).
How do I come out to my friends/family that I am Pagan?
Identifying as Pagan is a very personal decision no one needs to know if you do not want them to. Your religion is your own.
If you feel as though you are ready/need others to know that you are pagan, there is no specific "formula" on how to tell your friends/family. But if they love you, they will respect your decision and beliefs, regardless of how you tell them. If they are concerned that you are doing/believing something evil, educate them and show them what Paganism truly is.
Where can I go for more information?
There are several recommended sources, here are a few:
Paganism: An Introduction to Earth-Centered Religions by Joyce and River Higginbotham
Drawing Down the Moon by Margot Adler
Your local library is a great place to start, try Dewey Decimal number 133.4
Religioustolerance.org
Information directed towards eliminating stereotypes for your non-Pagan friends: http://paganwiccan.about.com/od/OurChristianFriends/tp/Ten-Things-Pagans-Want-You-To-Know.htm