<BGSOUND src="//www.oocities.org/vampyre_rosaline/TheCelts.mid" LOOP=INFINITE>

			What is Paganism?
		Paganism is technically defined as "a heathen; someone with no religion" according to the Webster's New World Dictionary (1988).  This dictionary term is inaccurate, for paganism is refered to today as a religion not of Christian decent.  Paganism is generally the term used describing any belief coming from the old religions before that of Christianity.  Christianity is defined as any religion formed on the basis of the bible, whether Jewish, Protestant, Catholic, or Islam. Old religions prior to Christianity were primarily based on revering the earth, sky, space, and their cycles.  Probably the greatest known pagan religion is that of Rome, which is currently refered to as "Roman Mythology", but in truth, was not mythological; rather, it refers a religion that was practiced prior to the introduction of Christianity by the Romans, hence the Roman gods and goddesses' temples, still of which some exist today.  Zeus, Hera, Apollo, Aphroditie, Athena, Hermes, and even Cupid, were all Roman gods and goddess, each standing for different aspects of human life.
	There are hundreds of religions considered Pagan.  However, they all have the same thing in common: a female and a male divine being.  Some pagans believe in many gods and goddesses, such as the Romans did, others believe in just a twin divinity; the goddess and god.  Most believe in the mix of the two, with a goddess and god being the only divine beings, but parts of the personalities of the goddess and god being called upon by different names.  For instance, you would call and thank Athena for bringing a child in your life, even though she is just a small part of the goddess.  Since Athena is the part of the goddess that focuses on hearth and home, you would call upon that aspect. Sounds confusing?  That is because of the very beauty of Paganism: there is no book or one text that defines a pagan's beliefs.  As long as one believes in a dual diety (goddess and god) and honor the cycles of the year in relation to the earth, one is considered pagan.  After that, one decides what to "take in" as truth.  For instance, if one was to come across the concept of reincarnation, one would ask themselves, "Do I believe in reincarnation?".  Based on their answer, one would either embrace reincarnation into their beliefs, or reject the idea while respecting the beliefs of others. Paganism is generally a "pick and choose" religion, taking in what seems to be truth to the believer.  An individual chooses what to believe, rather than being told what to believe.  This way, the beliefs of the individual are truest to the heart of themselves.  This "pick and choose" philosophy is even used in Christianity; that is why there are so many denominations and outlooks on the subject.  For example, some Christians choose to accept homosexuality more so than others in spite of it being highly forbidden and a sin in the Bible. Pagans can follow any form of old religion such as Celtic, Roman, Aztec, Native American, Norse, and many others.  It depends on what the individual's preference.  Most pagans concentrate on one of these, while taking in some of the others.  For instance, one can support most of the beliefs of the Celts, but use a sage blessing to purify the body, which is Native American.  Still others use parts of two or three of these old world religions equally.  The choice is up to the individual.
				Home