evil witch craft...? or harmless nature worship...? none? both?

hi, i grew up... no im growing up in a strictly christian family. i want to learn about paganism because i don't see whats wrong with it. according to the bible it is wrong because your putting another thing (the planet yourself idk what) before the christian god. i dont understand, however why paganism, in the bible, is viewed as an act of satanism if its a totally differant religeon.... apparently its satan who lets ppl do magik etc...? anyway if someone could put it in perspective that wwould be great.

 

This is the crux of the problem in Christianity. It is designed to replace anything else and then ensure that what it has replaced is destroyed. That was the outcome of the Council of Nicea.

First, the root word of Pagan is paganus, a greek word that means "country person" or "bumpkin" and only came to mean polydeists after Christians made it so.

Paganism doesn't have a "Satan" per se. There are recognized demons in some sects but the only evil is that which men do to themselves and to others.

Most sects believe in a Goddess (whether it be the moon, the earth or a specific deity) and multiple gods. We celebrate the traditional holidays of old: The Spring and Autumn equinox, the Summer and Winter Solstices, the planting, the harvests, the thinning of the veil between life and death, the preparation for the long, dark winter and the shearing. I never saw what was so "evil" about these. They are inevitabilities.

The biggest and best thing that paganism has taught me is a love for all things and above all, a tolerance for everyone and their beliefs. Christianity may teach that but it doesn't necessarily practice it. And we do not recruit others. We don't go looking for people to convert, we don't knock on peoples' doors and tell them they should join us or face the flames of retribution from a jealous God. If you want to join a Pagan group, you just go ask.

 

Go to a patch of nature nearby your dwelling. The more secluded, the better.

Walk, sit, just roam through the patch, and listen. Let the land talk to you. Listen closely. Will your sense evil? You may see, if you simply listen.

Listen to the wind, the trees, the broad earth, the animals, and your inner self.

 

Going out on a limb (pun not intended but I like it, so I'm keeping it) but by the look of that tree and that street, I'm gonna take a guess.

Check out these guys http://londonpaganjubilation.com/
As I recall they are a family oriented group so they should not be put off if you contact them for information. (Some group won't go near a minor with a 40ft pole) At the very least someone there should be able to point you to good resources in your area.


Edit: And for the love of any God/s - stay away from those Llewellyn books
Mystic bookshop up on Dundas and the Mandala on Central are good places to go book learning.

 

http://www.spiralgoddess.com/Pagan101.html

This site really helped me when I was new to paganism.

Enjoy your journey

Blessings
xxx

 

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Even the visual representations of Satan are based on Pagan Deities. The "horned one" was Cernunnos, Pan, The Sun God. Using those pagan images to vilify Satan was just another way to in turn vilify anyone and anything that did not follow the gospels.

 

Pagans don't believe in Satan, any more than they believe in Santa or the Easter Bunny. I believe in human error, and see Satan as a scapegoat theory for when we do bad thing. I never saw the point in humans being born sinful, but I do see the point in humans being born...well....human. In Norse mythology (once again predating Christianity), the goddess of the Underworld was named Hel. If people accuse me of being Satanic, I simply give my reasons for not believing in Satan, and having no reason to worship something I don't believe in.

Also the pentacle....yeah, its been turned upside down and used as a symbol of evil. But the cross has also been turned upside and used as a symbol of evil. And imagine if you were placed in this world with NO knowledge of any religion, whatsoever. No biases. What image is scarier - a dead man nailed to a cross, or a star in a circle?

Stigma is the hardest thing for some people to get over. Hollywood fills our head with biases. Native American spirituality is usually represented in a positive light, with medicine men and protecting animal spirits and whatnot. But then Pagan spirituality (accompanied by witchcraft), and certain African spirituality (accompanied by, voodoo) are considered bad and evil?

It's hard to get over prejudices when you don't even know you have them. Be patient with people who don't understand your spirituality and help them understand. I often tell Christian friends that in my eyes, we're all celebrating the same thing. We're celebrating our creator, and the lifeforce that lets us keep living. Different religions just dress up that creator in different clothes. Magic is my way of contacting the divine to ask for change, just like prayer is theirs.

Once people see past the words, the ideas aren't that terrifying...