Guest guest Posted March 2, 2002 Report Share Posted March 2, 2002 Simon Paganism is an umbrella term, and I don't think any one description will fit more than one person. I know that Ian will be grinning because you did not use a capital for Paganism but did for Christianity. >>I think the main difference between paganism & Christianity is one worships nature >> & the other worships that which made nature, Not quite. If Pagans accepted that there was a creator who had made nature they would probably worship that creator, but if you don't accept that there is a creator, then you can't worship it. Personally I am not easy with the word 'worship'. I prefer 'celebrate' or 'acknowledge'. >>one worships the seen & the other >>the unseen,c We definitely deal with the unseen - the supernatural. >>correct me if I'm wrong,does not paganism except the cruelty of nature >>as well as the beauty and Christianity tryst to tackle cruelty and defeat all evil to >>make a more Godly existents; I mean the teachings of Christianity not the way >>some people have used it! Pagan Gods are characters with good and bad characteristics. We do not pretend there is no bad in the world, or that a God would claim to be 'all good' while appearing to behave otherwise. All of our workings are for the healing of individuals, situations, or general world healing. Presumably Christian prayers have the same good intent. Bright Blessings Jo ---Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).Version: 6.0.324 / Virus Database: 181 - Release 14/02/02 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 2, 2002 Report Share Posted March 2, 2002 although I've always considered myself an atheist in the past (was brought up as one), increasingly I've been drawn towards some sort of paganism, as in respecting and celebrating the earth and her cycles and ecosystems. Not the same as worshiping.. all the ancient celtic festivals seem to make sense, eg, imbolc, samhain, etc and seem to be all about getting atuned to the rhythm of the year as it were. At present I seem to be some kind of anarcho-pagan-taoist, if that makes any sense?? as to whether thesre's a 'creator' behind it all, does it matter? but there is certainly a 'creation', a constant cycle of birth, life, death, decay and rebirth- just look at the cycles of the soil for evidence. To deny that is to deny nature itself.... Cheers Graham , " Jo " <Heartwork@b...> wrote: > Simon > > Paganism is an umbrella term, and I don't think any one description will fit more than one person. I know that Ian will be grinning because you did not use a capital for Paganism but did for Christianity. > > >>I think the main difference between paganism & Christianity is one worships nature >> & the other worships that which made nature, > > Not quite. If Pagans accepted that there was a creator who had made nature they would probably worship that creator, but if you don't accept that there is a creator, then you can't worship it. Personally I am not easy with the word 'worship'. I prefer 'celebrate' or 'acknowledge'. > > >>one worships the seen & the other > >>the unseen,c > > We definitely deal with the unseen - the supernatural. > > >>correct me if I'm wrong,does not paganism except the cruelty of nature > >>as well as the beauty and Christianity tryst to tackle cruelty and defeat all evil to > >>make a more Godly existents; I mean the teachings of Christianity not the way >>some people have used it! > > Pagan Gods are characters with good and bad characteristics. We do not pretend there is no bad in the world, or that a God would claim to be 'all good' while appearing to behave otherwise. All of our workings are for the healing of individuals, situations, or general world healing. Presumably Christian prayers have the same good intent. > > Bright Blessings > > Jo > > > --- > Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. > Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). > Version: 6.0.324 / Virus Database: 181 - Release 14/02/02 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 2, 2002 Report Share Posted March 2, 2002 Graham > although I've always considered myself an atheist in the past (was > brought up as one), increasingly I've been drawn towards some sort of > paganism, as in respecting and celebrating the earth and her cycles > and ecosystems. Not the same as worshiping.. all the ancient celtic > festivals seem to make sense, eg, imbolc, samhain, etc and seem to be > all about getting atuned to the rhythm of the year as it were. That's how I feel. > > At present I seem to be some kind of anarcho-pagan-taoist, if that > makes any sense?? It does indeed. I think that is a good mix to be. I'm not sure what I consider myself to be - just eclectic, which means borrowing from lots of different paths. While definitely nature based I also am very interested in Oriental spirituality -hence the meditation Tai Chi and liking for Dragons :-) > > as to whether thesre's a 'creator' behind it all, does it matter? Not at all. BB Jo > > but there is certainly a 'creation', a constant cycle of birth, life, > death, decay and rebirth- just look at the cycles of the soil for > evidence. > > To deny that is to deny nature itself.... > > Cheers Graham > > , " Jo " <Heartwork@b...> wrote: > > Simon > > > > Paganism is an umbrella term, and I don't think any one description > will fit more than one person. I know that Ian will be grinning > because you did not use a capital for Paganism but did for > Christianity. > > > > >>I think the main difference between paganism & Christianity is > one worships nature >> & the other worships that which made nature, > > > > Not quite. If Pagans accepted that there was a creator who had > made nature they would probably worship that creator, but if you > don't accept that there is a creator, then you can't worship it. > Personally I am not easy with the word 'worship'. I > prefer 'celebrate' or 'acknowledge'. > > > > >>one worships the seen & the other > > >>the unseen,c > > > > We definitely deal with the unseen - the supernatural. > > > > >>correct me if I'm wrong,does not paganism except the cruelty of > nature > > >>as well as the beauty and Christianity tryst to tackle cruelty > and defeat all evil to > > >>make a more Godly existents; I mean the teachings of > Christianity not the way >>some people have used it! > > > > Pagan Gods are characters with good and bad characteristics. We > do not pretend there is no bad in the world, or that a God would > claim to be 'all good' while appearing to behave otherwise. All of > our workings are for the healing of individuals, situations, or > general world healing. Presumably Christian prayers have the same > good intent. > > > > Bright Blessings > > > > Jo > > > > > > --- > > Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. > > Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). > > Version: 6.0.324 / Virus Database: 181 - Release 14/02/02 > > > > To send an email to - > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 2, 2002 Report Share Posted March 2, 2002 Hi Simon > I think the main difference between paganism & Christianity Or should that be Paganism & christianity? > is one worships nature & the other worships that which made nature Depends on who you talk to. Heathens worship pantheons of gods & goddesses. Wiccans worship at least one god and one goddess. Quite a lot of "eclectic" Pagans also worship gods and goddesses, and a few of us are atheists (in the true sense of the word). The one thing that tends to unite Pagans is a respect for nature (very different to worship). > one worships the seen & the other the unseen Not really - the real difference is that Christianity worships a single male godhead, while Paganism recognises balance in all things - therefore every male aspect is balanced by a female aspect (or, some of us don't accept that divinity has any gender at all). In terms of modern practice, there is also a major difference in that Christianity works through mediators (i.e. priests), while Paganism is very much a personal spiritual path. And then you've got the fact that Christianity follows set scriptures which lay down a host of rules and regulations, while Pagans have no set writings (although we do generally agree on a few which are good!) > does not paganism except the cruelty of nature as well as the beauty I can't answer for all Pagans, but for myself, I would agree with what you say here. I see it as being all to do with balance. > and Christianity tryst to tackle cruelty and defeat all evil to make a more Godly existents, I mean the teachings of > Christianity not the way some people have used it! If "evil" includes anyone who differs from the official belief, homosexuality, shaving, wearing garments of mixed fabrics, etc. then yes! BB Peter ---Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).Version: 6.0.324 / Virus Database: 181 - Release 14/02/02 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 2, 2002 Report Share Posted March 2, 2002 I've never known christianity (or any religion ) try to tackle cruelty !! But as you said maybe thats the people who call themselves christians. Thats why I am so grateful not to be one ! - Simon pJones Sunday, March 03, 2002 11:21 AM paganism I think the main difference between paganism & Christianity is one worships nature & the other worships that which made nature, one worships the seen & the other the unseen,correct me if I'm wrong,does not paganism except the cruelty of nature as well as the beauty and Christianity tryst to tackle cruelty and defeat all evil to make a more Godly existents; I mean the teachings of Christianity not the way some people have used it! Sp, To send an email to - Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 2, 2002 Report Share Posted March 2, 2002 Is there a web site which would explain things ????? Angie - Jo Saturday, March 02, 2002 3:56 PM Re: paganism Simon Paganism is an umbrella term, and I don't think any one description will fit more than one person. To send an email to - Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 2, 2002 Report Share Posted March 2, 2002 In a message dated 3/2/02 3:45:15 PM Pacific Standard Time, shelloid writes: << Sorry if this a thick question but do any of the pagans on here celebrate Christmas? Just aking coz most of the people I know do even if they are not Chistian (I know lots of Muslims at uni and it seems to be only the very strict ones that don't celebrate it) Shelloid >> christmas is " pagan " holiday anyways that got grafted on to the christian list... i've known many pagans who celebrated christmas, in a variety of ways.. i would hazard a guess that in america, christmas is only partially about religion, its all about shopping here....capitalism run rampant... i " celebrate " it in me own way, and refuse to call it christmas, have more fun callin it sol invictis day, or mithra day, or somesuch..... cheers fraggle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 2, 2002 Report Share Posted March 2, 2002 Sorry if this a thick question but do any of the pagans on here celebrate Christmas? Just aking coz most of the people I know do even if they are not Chistian (I know lots of Muslims at uni and it seems to be only the very strict ones that don't celebrate it) Shelloid Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 3, 2002 Report Share Posted March 3, 2002 Hi Shelloid, I am Pagan, not christian, and I celebrate christmas. But only as far as getting a few days off from work goes, and we exchange gifts within the family. But then again, I am the only Vegan Pagan within the family .... (-; I sometimes think my wife is Pagan too, because of her love for nature and animals. In health ... Werner. - shelloid Saturday, March 02, 2002 5:57 PM Re: Re: paganism Sorry if this a thick question but do any of the pagans on here celebrate Christmas? Just aking coz most of the people I know do even if they are not Chistian (I know lots of Muslims at uni and it seems to be only the very strict ones that don't celebrate it) ShelloidTo send an email to - Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 3, 2002 Report Share Posted March 3, 2002 I think the main difference between paganism & Christianity is one worships nature & the other worships that which made nature, one worships the seen & the other the unseen,correct me if I'm wrong,does not paganism except the cruelty of nature as well as the beauty and Christianity tryst to tackle cruelty and defeat all evil to make a more Godly existents; I mean the teachings of Christianity not the way some people have used it! Sp, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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