Paganism and the Search for Truth and Proof
Paganism. When asked what it is, most people will not be able to give you an accurate definition. In fact, in preparation for this article, I asked several random people to define “paganism” for me. Most people honestly admitted that they did not know. Those that did know admitted they knew because they had dabbled in the earth religions.
I went to the dictionary to find the definition of “pagan,” and found it to be defined as one who is not a Christian, Muslim, or Jew, especially a worshiper of a polytheistic religion, one who has no religion, or a non-Christian (The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition). I have to admit, this was not quite the answer I sought.
Witches in our midst
Whether you are aware of it or not Paganism is very much alive today as a religion. Perhaps you might recognize it under a different name? Witchcraft. Does that sound too harsh? How about Wicca?
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Wicca is the name you might recognize best. I was almost entirely ignorant of Wicca until eleventh grade, when a good friend of mine informed me during an in-depth discussion about religion that she was a pagan. This girl was from a good Christian family, so my first question was how her parents felt about this decision. They didn’t mind, she claimed. It’s not like she was walking away from the church. It was, she claimed, entirely possible to follow paganism and be a Christian at the same time.
If so, my only remaining question is, why does a secular, non-Christian dictionary define “pagan” as simply “one who is not a Christian”?
My contact with any practicing witches was cut off until my first year at university, when I met a young man on the bus. He lived on my street and took the same bus as me every morning. He is a witch, actively involved in the practice of the religion Wicca. Like my friend from high school, he refers to himself as a Pagan, in the religious, if not, moral sense of the word. It was through this friend that I discovered how active witchcraft is today.
When you first read the word “witch” perhaps the first mental image is that of an old hag and her cauldron. Thinking about teenagers practicing witchcraft, one first tends to think about angsty Goths dressed in near-shredded black clothes, with black finger nails and black lipstick. But Goth is a subculture, not a religion. One does not need to be a witch to be a Goth than one needs to be a Christian to attend church. One decision may influence the other, but they can be mutually exclusive. On the contrary, both my friends who were Pagans dressed quite normal, though the girlfriend from high school admittedly leaned towards long flowing skirts and ribbons.
Modern Day Halloween
In today’s world, there is an undeniable lure towards spiritualism. What is the root of this lure?
It is now October, and my friend from university is preparing for Halloween. Among practicing pagans, Druids and Wiccans, it is said that that there are two days in the Celtic calendar when the veil between the spirit world and the physical one is thinner. Halloween is one of these two nights, as it is the midpoint of the Fall and Winter equinoxes. Because the veil between the spirit and the physical world is believed to be thinnest on this night, the Druids and Celts would communicate with the dead through seances. Modern Wiccans still engage in this practice.
The question remains, what is the pull of Wicca? Why are so many people drawn to Wicca?
A recent study finds that only 12 per cent of Canada’s population of more than 30 million is atheistic. The remaining 82 per cent believed either in God or in some “higher power.” In the United States this number is even lower, as only 0.3 per cent of the population is entirely atheistic. These studies suggest that people gravitate towards believing in some kind of supernatural power, rather than denying the spiritual aspect of existence. It takes considerably more work for the average person to disbelieve in God than it does to believe in Him. I think this coincides with the Biblical teaching that God created humankind with a spirit, and humankind is aware of this.
So if humankind is inclined to spirituality, why and how do people choose the kind of spiritual practices they follow? Why do people chose witchcraft and paganism? Is truth found in this form of religion?
The Truth About Paganism
It is said that the best deceptions are made believable when mixed with a grain of truth. There is a tiny grain of truth in Paganism, and this, mixed with the sweetness of the lie, makes for a palatable religion that is gaining increased popularity.
What’s the truth?
The truth is that there is a spiritual realm to the world. It is an undeniable fact. However, despite their inner knowledge of this fact, people want proof. They want to see and touch and feel and know. They want to know the future, and so some turn to Tarot cards and astrology. They want to know the past and the fate of their deceased loved ones, and so turn to spiritualism and psychics. They see the beauty of nature and so instead of worshipping the God who created nature, they worship nature itself, calling her a goddess. The followers of this religion, aware of their own spirit, have made their own spirit out to be “like a god.”
What’s the lie?
The religion of Wicca is such a palatable and beautiful deception. It begins with certain basics which even cause some Christians to do a double take and consider it.
Part of the “Pledge of Pagan Spiritualism”, the sort of “believer’s creed” held by Wiccans reads as follows:
May I always remain strong and committed to my Spiritual ideals in the face of adversity and negativity. May the Force of my Inner Spirit ground out all malevolence directed my way and transform it into positivity. May my Inner Light shine so strongly that malevolent forces can not even approach my sphere of existence.
There is a basic acknowledgement of malevolent forces. There is an understanding of Good and Evil, common to all of mankind. There is an awareness of dark forces. There is, however, no concept of how sin originally began. There is no acceptance of humankind’s imperfections and our inability to save ourselves.
The pull of Wicca, Paganism, and Spiritualism as a whole is the search for solid proof of something most people already know to be true. We do have a spirit that longs for a spiritual connection with God. God made us that way. But God also made us to have connection with Him through Jesus Christ. And that is the difference. Paganism, Spiritualism and Wicca deny the power and authority of Jesus Christ over their lives. Their way of finding spiritual connection and fulfillment involves using their own human wisdom and strength to find answers by invoking dark powers, which are antithetical to Jesus Christ.
In a letter written to the early Christians in the Greek merchant city of Corinth, around 50 A.D., a man named Paul observed that God used the foolish things of the world to shame the wise and the weak things to shame the strong, because His “foolishness” is wiser than our wisdom and His “weakness” stronger than our strength. He did this so that no one can boast about their own strength or wisdom before Him.
In Paganism there is a basic search for truth and proof of this truth. However, they try to prove God without ever looking His way. There are many tangible ways in which God proves Himself to His people. Nature is one of these ways. However, there are times when God calls us to simple faith, without total exhaustive proof. They will not believe in Him because they have not seen Him. But blessed, Jesus says, are those who have NOT seen and yet believe.
What about you? What is it that you are looking for? One can spend a whole lifetime searching for perfect proof. One can create proof to satisfy a desire. One can also look at the proof that exists and accept it as it is. Instead of worshipping nature, worship Jesus Christ, the God who created nature.
Instead of seeking self-enlightenment and self-fulfillment through dark knowledge and powers, worship Jesus Christ the God who died for humankind so that we could find fulfillment in Him. In doing this, in finding faith in the love and forgiveness that comes through Jesus Christ can one can be satisfied.
Joel,
I was brought up as a Protestant. I then switched to an assembly of god church and found that that wasn’t much better. I switched to paganism because a nature religion just kind of made sense to me. I understand the seasons and it just made sense to me that it would be based upon that. Thanking the gods for having an easy transition into the seasons. Odin is indeed thors father. And yes Thor is the one from the avengers movie. He carries a hammer of justice. Of course the cape and other accessories are false but the idea is pretty accurate. I switched from Christianity to paganism because the elements of Christianity didn’t make sense to me and their ideas were different from mine. In order to get to the pagan heaven one must obey mother nature. You just have to be good to the earth and all it’s beings and you will be granted a place in the pagan heaven
Wow I know many people of many different religions but I have never met someone who quite believes the same things you do. Please excuse my ignorance but is this the same Odin that is Thor’s dad in mythology, as in like from Thor the movie. Obviously, I realize a movie is not likely to have an accurate depiction of him but I am wondering if there is a connection between the two.
As someone who is really fascinated by why people choose the religions they do, you have peaked my interest and I am really wondering what made this religion more meaningful or appealing than Christianity?
I am also really interested what your Christian upbrining was. I know friends who have walked away from Christianity because of past experience. I certainly would not want to paint you with the broad brush of others, so this is why I am interested in what lead you in searching for a more meaningful religion.
Also one final question, I am really interested on how one can get to pagan heaven?
Thanks for enriching my life and expanding my horizons,
Joel
We are best known as eclectic pagans. An eclectic pagan is one that takes their beliefs from many pagan traditions.
Joel,
Of course I can share my beliefs. What I think is confusing for many is the concept of paganism. Paganism is not one religion. It’s a term meaning many religions. So under paganism you have Wicca, odinism, Celtic, Norse, Germanic, and many others. My beliefs are actually a mixture of odinism, Germanic neo-paganism,and Norse neo-paganism. ( neo-paganism is just a fancy way of saying modern pagans)I was not born a into a pagan religion… I was actually born a Christian but found that most elements of Christianity didn’t match my beliefs or just didn’t make much sense to me. So about 2 years ago I made the switch to paganism. Pagans do call themselves pagans and it does get a little confusing because under that there’s many other religions. When I was learning about my religion I was told to pick one god or goddess as my main higher power and then the other gods/goddesses fall behind that. I chose a god named Odin from the Norse paganism. Each god or goddess is different, they mean different things and do different things. Odin for instance protects one who goes out into battle. Battle could be any form of war or dangerous environment so myself having a law enforcement career in the making chose him as a main higher power. Our religion is based on nature. We thank mother nature for what she gives us everyday in hopes we will end up in the pagan heaven. Our year runs by the seasons. There’s a festival for every change of the season. It’s probably way more confusing for someone who isn’t practicing such as yourself but any pagan you ask would most likely be more than happy to help explain things.
Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts Bri.
“Yet most world religions don’t like Christians because they’re bigots who say they treat everyone with love and respect.”
You make a very good point here Bri. It is very sad that there are many people who misrepresent Christianity and give people like yourselves a bitter taste for Christianity. I promise you not all Christians are like this. I once felt exactly like you did but then I discovered true Christians who loved and accepted me for who I was. This lead me to meet the person of Jesus Christ and my life has never been the same since.
I used to think I knew alot about world religions and Christianity but I was wrong. I humbly admit there are many things I still do not know. I have really good friends who are atheists and of many different religions and I aboslutely love learning what they believe and sharing ideas back and forth. I would really like to hear more about what you believe and your life story, if you would ever like to share it.
Once again thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and I hope to hear from you in the future.
I find it funny that as soon as we pagans even say one word Christians are so quick to try and shoot us down. The person that said Christians stole everything from pagans is 100% correct. For instance Halloween is actually all hallows day or Samhain ( pronounced sowen) for us. The ancient pagans would pray to the gods and goddesses so they would survive the winter with a good harvest. They gave small cakes to children who begged for food. Christians turned that right around, made it about candy and shoved the devil into it. It has also been proven that shortly after your Jesus was executed millions of pagans were murdered because Christians saw pagans as standing in their way. That’s right even thousands of years ago such hatred caused Christians to kill millions of pagans because they wanted to be the superior religion. Do you ever notice the only religion that has a problem with paganism is Christianity? Yet most world religions don’t like Christians because they’re bigots who say they treat everyone with love and respect yet turn around and say I can’t live a certain way because a bunch of people back in 12 b.c. Sat down and made up a story about a talking snake and a bush that magically caught itself on fire. Tell me how it’s possible for a dead human being to magically come back to life after 3 days of being dead? With no medical attention? I think not. So before you judge our religion and tell us our religion doesn’t make sense examine yours. Because all it sounds like is a bunch of crap made up by people who drank just a little too much wine.
How has the author misunderstood Paganism Kelly? What corrections would you make?
I really hate when Christians try to talk about and explain something they really have no idea about.
Ghaladh,
I really like what Jamie said in an earlier comment on this thread, that ‘Christians speak with certainty because that is the way that Jesus Christ spoke. It was He who said, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father [God] except through me.” (John 14:6) For a follower of Jesus who accepts His claim to being Emmanuel (which means “God with us”) it stands to reason that he/she will have a lot of confidence in the uniqueness of their faith. ‘ So it’s not about being more mentally flexible at all but about being certain. You are right that we will have to agree to disagree.
Heidi:
What you say can applied to your God as well. Can you ask to your God to make it rain right now? Honestly I have a intimate relationships with my Gods, as I am sure you have with your God. I respect your opinions: what I would like to see, is more mental flexibility amongst the believer of the monotheistic religions: as long as people do like you did (stating to be part of the only true religion…), there will never be a constructive exchange of ideas. We can only agree that we disagree.
look there telling the truth chirstans has one only powerful GOD ask your gods to make it rain right now they cant hear you speak to them they wont listen,they have eyes but they cant see,they have mouth but they cant speak,they have a body but they cant move,they have ears but they cant listen they just do nothing!!!the GOD who created you was named JESUS he is the son of god!!!I will pray for you GOD BLESS YOU—————–i’m a Christan—just saying not get you mad.
I know this is an old article but, yet, is important to correct the wrong information about paganism anytime, everywhere.
1) Paganism and Wicca are not synonyms. A Wiccan is considered a Pagan, but a Pagan is not necessarily a Wiccan. Not all of the Pagans do practice witchcraft.
2) Paganism do not only worship the creation. We believe that behind the creation there are Gods. No, not YOUR all-mighty God. OUR Gods. Period. You can disregard our way, but you can’t give for granted that your God is true while ours are not. You have no more proofs about your God that how I have about mines.
3) You can’t fairly explain Paganism through the narrow-minded vision of a monotheist. As long as you believe your God is the only true one, do not spread your lies about us, like you be the holder of the Ultimate Truth. Is your right to be so delusional, no one can prevent that, but please, respect our dignity of individual thinkers and state your opinions as such, not as absolute truth.
4) Although I appreciate the noble initiatives taken by the members of the monotheistic cults (charities and such), I despise people that want to impose their vision to the “infidels”. Pagans are in first line when it comes to protect the environment and promote peace. We are not a bunch of power-hungry witches that meddle with satanic powers. Satan, indeed, is a Christian invention.
5) There is good and there is evil, and a Pagan is usually called to make his/her own choices about that, expecting consequences after is actions. We are not mindless evil-doers. We take full responsibility of our actions, without hiding behind a nondescript external evil-influence.
6) Jesus might be really existed, but there are no proofs that he was the miracle-maker that your holy book describes.
7) May the Gods bless you with health and love, despite of your narrow-mindedness.
Ailora, Christians speak with certainty because that is the way that Jesus Christ spoke. It was He who said, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father [God] except through me.” (John 14:6) For a follower of Jesus who accepts His claim to being Emmanuel (which means “God with us”) it stands to reason that he/she will have a lot of confidence in the uniqueness of their faith.
For me, not only am I convinced because of the claims of Jesus but because of the way that the Bible describes humanity. When Paul writes in the Bible about the struggle within his own heart over not doing the things he knows he should do and doing the things he knows he shouldn’t do (Romans 7:14-25), I recognize myself in that. The Bible also describes the problem of humanity that we want to be independent of authority and be free to establish our own standards and purpose in life. As I look at the world around me and the conflicts and troubles that we have, that really fits.
What secures it for me though is the unique way that Jesus transforms that human condition. All other religions and world views that I have looked at put the onus on humanity to make the change. Sometimes that is through setting up rules to govern actions, or rituals that appease God, or attaining a level of enlightenment that transcends the human condition. Jesus’ unique solution is that He, as God, could only provide an escape from that condition we all are slaves to. He had to leave His life in Heaven and humble Himself to become one of us, only to then die to pay the penalty for our rebellious nature against God (our desire to be independent and self-determined). He was the solution, not anything we do or say. The Bible says that He who knew no sin [Jesus] became sin so that we who had only known sin and rebellion could be transformed into His perfection. It is an amazing story of self-sacrifice for the ones that He loves.
Now I have to admit Ailora, I don’t the details of what you believe as a pagan. Does your worldview describe well the human condition? What is the solution that your faith describes for the resolution of that condition? I agree with you that in order for something to be real there needs to be an inherent feeling of confirmation, but I think there needs to be a logical foundation for your worldview as well. We see all kinds of sincere people who feel that they are right, who in reality are very misguided. That’s why I love talking to people about what they believe because I want to make sure I am not misguided.
Would you describe how your pagan faith makes sense to you? What are the things that attracted you to that world view?
I’m amazed by the Christian’s ability to speak with such surety and fortitude. When it’s a crap shoot. You’ve no more proof of your religion and God than I do of mine. I take that back, I feel it inherently. I’ve always been a spiritual person and I feel no ‘darkness’ or ‘evil’. I turned to Paganism because of my disappointment in the typical Christian. So self righteous, so willing to sing on high about how good they are, but not very willing to live it. And, so very destructive towards Mother Earth and her creatures. Good Christians, like any good person, would not live so callously and would realize that ALL life is sacred. I would not hurt another living creature. My truth is that all life is sacred. So tell me, does my spirituality originate in darkness???
Mary Elizabeth, you say that nothing in Christianity is original, but I choose to believe in the Word of God that states the following: “35Or who has first given God anything that he might be paid back or that he could claim a recompense?
36For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. [For all things originate with Him and come from Him; all things live through Him, and all things center in and tend to consummate and to end in Him.] To Him be glory forever! Amen (so be it).” [Romans 11:35-36, Amplified]
I understand that you do not believe in the God of the Bible, and that you see it as a religion of hatred, but I see it differently. I view it as a relationship with Jesus, and He says, “18Little children, let us not love [merely] in theory or in speech but in deed and in truth (in practice and in sincerity).
19By this we shall come to know (perceive, recognize, and understand) that we are of the Truth, and can reassure (quiet, conciliate, and pacify) our hearts in His presence,
20Whenever our hearts in [tormenting] self-accusation make us feel guilty and condemn us. [For we are in God's hands.] For He is above and greater than our consciences (our hearts), and He knows (perceives and understands) everything [nothing is hidden from Him].[1 John 3:18-20, Amplified]
He also says in John 8:32: “And you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free.” I believe that the Truth is Jesus Christ and He is Love. I know Him and I am free from bondage to the life of fear and anxiety and hatred that I once lived. And I am grateful. I am grateful that I found the Hope in Christ Jesus that I could not find in any other source. I pray others who are searching find Him too.
This whole page is preaching.
It’s totally great and amazing to have such a strong relationship with your savior Jesus! He was a real man, and a great one at that. No doubt about it. And it’s absolutely gorgeous when somebody has that much faith, trust me. I was raised Pagan, but I go to Youth Group, and I have a blast. People there know how I stand on relationships with deities. I don’t want to be preached to. I want to be taught actual historical facts. None of this where “Believe that Jesus died for your sins. He loves you.” There is no actual proof.
I can supply you with 50 simple facts of it all. —> http://godisimaginary.com/i6.htm
Paganism isn’t about “calling the dark forces,” because we simply don’t. It’s THAT easy. We worship Mother Nature, and do the best we can to prolong her. We absolutely do not worship any entity called/known as “Satan” or “The Devil” because we don’t believe in any such person or thing. Our religion was not taught to us by fallen angels themselves, that’s utterly ridiculous. Christianity is a snow ball that rolled over a dozen or so pagan religions. It’s true.
“Nothing in Christianity is original. The pre-Christian God Mithras – called the Son of God and the Light of the World – was born on December 25, died, was buried in a rock tomb, and then resurrected in three days. By the way, December 25 is also the birthday or Osiris, Adonis, and Dionysus. The newborn Krishna was presented with gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Even Christianity’s weekly holy day was stolen from the pagans.”
“The vestiges of pagan religion in Christian symbology are undeniable. Egyptian sun disks became the halos of Catholic saints. Pictograms of Isis nursing her miraculously conceived son Horus became the blueprint for our modern images of the Virgin Mary nursing Baby Jesus. And virtually all the elements of the Catholic ritual – the miter, the altar, the doxology, and communion, the act of “God-eating” – were taken directly from earlier pagan mystery religions.”
I am so sick and tired of people saying that all Pagans and Wiccan’s do is sacrifice humans, worship the devil, learn from fallen angels, and play with dark forces. That would be Satanism, my friends and local fellowships. Not Paganism. Do a little more research, this is getting a little irritating.
I know I came on to this site, and it’s my fault for reading and all that. Don’t post this stuff on the PUBLIC internet, then.
Thank you, and farewell. And if by all means, Blessed be!
Cady, thank you for your comments! As I noted in one of the comments below, defining paganism, wicca, etc is quite difficult because there is no universally accepted scriptures or guidelines for what it means. Thank you for taking the time to explain certain distinctions that the author may not have made clear or wasn’t aware of.
It was interesting to hear that you journeyed from a Christian upbringing into Wicca. What were the reasons that convinced you that Christianity is untrue but Wicca is?
Your comments brought to mind the story of Marcia Montenegro, another lady who was raised in the church but eventually left, studied astrology and other beliefs generally associated with paganism and “new age” worldviews. She was heavily involved in this world for many years and it even became her occupation. You can read her story here: Marcia’s Story: A Strange but True Spiritual Journey. I won’t give away what happens but it may surprise you!
Pagans! I know they exist because my mother liked to read her fortune all the time, everyday in the house. One time when i went to Cuba for a mission trip. I saw the other side of Cuba in pagan worship, as you entered this restaurant she was there with her statue and drink for you to take. God had me go around her and when she was not there I went into the restaurant without her knowing it. She could read my spirit from what she believed and my Spirit from whom I believe. God did that for me!
if anyone doesn’t believe in God look at creation, even then on how it got made, there has to be a God, otherwise who or what made the beautiful trees especially when they are in blosoms
Pagans would do well to read The Lost Book of Enoch. Their religion was taught to them by fallen angels themselves.
anonymous, I’m sorry to hear your experience of Christianity has been that is “spurns hatred.” There is no doubt that often unfortunately happens, and when it does, the people who engage in those actions are living contrary to what they claim to believe. It’s sad, but it’s not a particularly Christian problem, it’s more of a human problem: There are hypocrites in every religion, it’s just that there are sometimes more Christians around to use as obvious targets.
Re paganism being “dark”, as another commenter pointed out, it probably depends somewhat on how a person who is pagan defines their religion. Unlike Christianity there is no official pagan scriptures that defines what it means, and so certain beliefs may indeed be classified as “dark”.
There can be truth in any religion, as the author of this article says, but obviously the author differs in their appraisal of paganism’s truthfulness. They believe paganism (in its broadest sense) is untrue and therefore “dark”. Since you believe that Christianity “spurns hatred” it sounds like you believe it is likewise untrue and might even call it “dark”. That’s your certainly right to do so, but also my right to disagree.
I would suggest that there is actually good evidence that the resurrection is not merely myth but actually did happen. When you call it myth, what do you mean? And how did you come to that conclusion?
Do more research. Nothing about paganism is “dark”, it’s beautiful and light. It gives me something that is a lot more fulfilling than an organized religion that spurns hatred for those that don’t believe or are gay/lesbian or stray from the path of perfection that the Bible asks for, and bases their religion on a myth about a man that rose from the grave three days after being executed. Just because they may have different names does not mean that there is no god, nor does it mean that it isn’t the same exact thing. A lot of holiday traditions and even some holidays are based around pagan ones, which are practiced by Christians everywhere, so it’s hard to escape from paganism in a religion that hates it so much.
yea, and some believe goddess created, not god. so…get your story str8. We do worship who created, and who is. Ask 5 pagans, get 20 answers. Don’t ask one, and think you know everything.
Pagans do worship the GOd that created Nature. Until you become one, don;t claim to know what one thinks. Uniformed people make the workd a terribhle place to live in.