Neopaganism

From RationalWiki

Neopaganism is a series of religious beliefs, often polytheist, animistic or pantheist in nature, based on pre-Christian religious traditions. Prominent neopagan faiths include Wicca, Asatru^[1], Druidism, and Celtic polytheism. Due to the extreme lack of dogma that neopagans can agree on, some have taken to referring to neopaganism as a subculture, rather than a religion.

As a general rule, faiths such as Hinduism^[2] and vodun^[3]. are not considered part of the neopagan community; rather, the term is usually understood to refer to any of a grab-bag of revivals of mostly pre-Christian, mostly European religious traditions.

Neopagans are usually pretty cool, because they have no interest in forcing you or your children (or even their children, often enough) to follow their religious beliefs. And will only turn you into a newt if you really piss them off. Not all neopagans can even do this, anyway. And you'll probably get better eventually.

[edit] Beliefs

Their beliefs tend to centered broadly around these concepts:

• The earth as mother of all life. see Gaia
• Goddess worship; or that there is both a God and a Goddess (Lord and Lady)
• Animism
• Respect for other lifeforms, including their oppressors
• Knock on wood
• Certain holidays, most notably Halloween, or as they spell it, Samhain and the Winter Solstice (Yule)
• Belief in Gaian Theory; the belief that the Earth is, itself, a living organism.

They may also choose to study or practice these traditions:

• Tarot card reading
• Astrology and the reading of horoscopes
• Sexual acts with people they like
• Numerology
• Herbalism
• Various forms of meditation
• Ritual "circles" for worship and celebration.
• Rune symbology and magic
• Reiki healing practices

Those perceived by the broader neopagan community as overly self-centered or superficial are often branded "fluffbunnies" and dismissed with the same sort of contempt often directed at people who shop at Hot Topic.

[edit] Symptoms of Neopaganism

It is often said within Neopaganism that "you don't become a pagan, you realise you are one". Therefore, in the spirit of public education, here are some warning signs:

• Your favourite films include Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter and The Wicker Man (but not the crap Nicholas Cage version). And anything about King Arthur.
• You feel inspired by trees, mountains etc.
• You feel that there's some spiritual aspect to life, but the main religions have nothing to offer you.
• You have a dreamcatcher.
• You are a vegetarian, environmentalist and/or libertarian.
• You like quite a few of the following: ancient Egypt, being outdoors, black, bonfires, cats (especially black cats), green, herbal remedies, horses, night-time, sex, silver, Stonehenge, storms, Terry Pratchett, goats.

[edit] Notes

1. ↑ Though most Asatru hate the term, and prefer "heathen"
2. ↑ Though there have apparently been some strong negotiations between Neopagan groups and the mainstream Hindu groups to form a polytheistic alliance.
3. ↑ Though Neopagans are shameless at appropriating vodoun ideas and loa, without necessarily understanding any of it