Questions for Pagans Pt. 1

Mahud over at Between Old & New Moons has been asking some provocative questions about Paganism. They are seemingly simple questions, but have complex answers so I've decided to dedicate a blog entry to each of his six categories of questions.

Choosing a Paganism

Is it OK to be just a ‘Pagan?’

As I understanding it is an umbrella term used much in the same way as ‘Hinduism’ is used to represent a whole range of different beliefs and practices?

If so, is choosing a specific Pagan path essential?

The word "paganism" has come to connote a broad set of spiritual or cultic practices or beliefs of European folk religions. Contemporary Pagans may add flavors of Native American, Buddhist, Polynesian, African, or Hindu religions to their beliefs and practices, but the adherents of these groups don't generally define themselves as Pagans so neither will I.

People tend to think of "paganism" as an umbrella term, and that's not incorrect, but if you keep in mind that in antiquity, there was no distinction between paganism and anything else, that paganism was the culture, just life, then you might not find it challenging to call yourself "just a Pagan."

There is debate over whether paganism is religion at all. It's easy to recognize paganism in the state religions of ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome. It's more difficult to recognize paganism as religion in pre-Christian Britain where animism was probably foremost and later, in the Middle Ages, where planting by the moon, having knowledge of herbs, and celebrating certain changes in the seasons was just rural life. A lot of Pagans today fall somewhere in the middle. They look to the temple or clan religions of the ancient world for guidance in worship and ritual and to the earthier forms of paganism to learn how to reconnect with nature. Thus, yes, I think it's acceptable to be just a Pagan.

I think choosing a specific Pagan path is necessary at some point. It gives a practitioner a foundation and a connection to something ancient, especially if the path is that of your ancestors. I don't think it's necessary to stick to that path. Once the foundation is in place, a practitioner can explore other things, changing and adapting as he/she grows. To a degree, in antiquity, most people belonged to the religion of their culture because they didn't know much else, but as humans have traveled the world, we have adopted beliefs and practices from other cultures. Take a look at Isis-Aphrodite or the Gallo-Roman Epona. Some would say this leads to the destruction of culture, but I think it enriches it. In terms of modern Pagans and Witches, some of the coolest, wisest, and most knowledgeable ones I know have studied and adapted from a variety of paths.

For me, Paganism is like life in America. Today, I want to eat the Cuban food I was brought up on, that my ancestors have eaten for generations; it's my favorite. Tomorrow, I'll have pizza for lunch and curry vegetables for dinner. And I'll enjoy that too. Yes, I am a Recon's worst nightmare.

Questions for Pagans Pt. 1
Questions for Pagans Pt. 2
Questions for Pagans Pt. 3
Questions for Pagans Pt. 4
Questions for Pagans Pt. 5
Questions for Pagans Pt. 6