Frequently Asked Questions

   Collated by Iphegenia
   

FAQ for July-October 2006 What are the similarities/differences between Paganism & other religions? Why did you become Pagan? Do you think you would have become Pagan if your family was more relaxed about beliefs in general?            What are the similarities/differences between Paganism & other religions? All religions hold a belief in something divine. All religions have ethical and moral values that often tend to be strongly similar. Where Paganism departs from the major Judeo-Christo-Islamic faiths and some of the others is the belief that we each choose our own Path and it is independently right. Well, most Pagans hold that. There are some individuals (both individually and in groups) who are remarkably similar to the major faiths in their belief that their way is the only true way. But even then they tend not to engage in active conversion. Paganism is also very diverse in its Path - the majority of religions have a structured Path with a set dogma and text. Even when it splinters into denominations, there's still a generic thread that is common to all. That's not the case with Paganism. We range from complete Atheists to total Polytheists and everything in between. Maybe Buddhism comes close... Axiom The most basic similarity is a belief in something greater than ourselves...a spiritual entity that unites us. Also, we share most if not all of the same ethical rules. I think this is one of the reasons pantheism and panentheism are on the rise. Differences-wise, I would say (at least with regards the Judeo-Christo-Islamic triad) it's the complete acceptance of the right of others to follow a different Faith and the majority-belief amongst Pagans that there is no one right way to 'God'. I say majority-belief as there are some Pagan groups who hold that their Path is the only right one, even while they happily accept you walking what they consider an invalid Path. Bill W. I thought this would be an easy response, but it's not. We all believe in gods/God/the soul or something in that fuzzy collective of stuff. We all have rules on what's good/bed. Telling the truth is usually emphasised as is developing a relationship with the 'collective' and working on it. And we all have bad eggs - people who say they follow the religion yet don't seem to live it, people who are fundie in attitude, and people who twist it. Differences? I think Paganism is a very tolerant faith - you can believe pretty much anything, practice pretty much anyway, and follow the sacred texts that appeal to you. You can draw from a dozen different faiths and systems and still be Pagan. Josh    Do I need to be initiated/have a blood relative who is Pagan? No. You simply need to be interested and willing to learn/seek out information. In many ways, even within groups, this is a solitary Path. Being motivated gets you further in your exploration of your faith than otherwise. However certain Traditions within Paganism require that you follow an initiatory Path. Druid's Axiom Depends on your belief - I know a couple of hereditary witches who believe blood ties are crucial. And then there are the Traditions (Wiccan in particular) that require initiation. So to be a brand of Pagan you might need to, but to be Pagan in general no. Bill W. No. Josh    Can I spot a witch/pagan when I see one in the street? My instinctive answer is no. There are some that dress the "stereotypical" part and are genuine. There are many that dress the part simply because they think it's cool or different or whatever. But chances are the completely normal person down the road is Pagan or Atheist or anything except your standard big-name faith. We tend to blend in a lot. It's safer for those of us in areas that aren't friendly towards differences, and besides, we are normal people. Axiom I'd say no - I mean yes you can pick the Goth-Pagan blend, or the 'out there' witch, just like you can pick the Tammy Faye-Baker Christians, certain denominations within Judaism and Islam, and so on. But in general? No. Bill W. No more than you can pick a Christian at 100 paces...in other words, it depends on the person and how she or he wishes to display his or her faith. Josh

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