learn more about paganism

PAGANISM
+ Wiccans, Druids, Shamans, Sacred Ecologists, Odinists and Heathens all make up parts of the Pagan community.
Some groups concentrate on specific traditions or practices such as ecology, witchcraft, Celtic traditions or certain gods.

+What do Pagans believe in?
Pagans have a deep respect for nature and their religion is based on that.

+Nature- Pagans are deeply aware of the natural world and see the power of the divine in the ongoing cycle of life and death. Most Pagans are eco-friendly, seeking to live in a way that minimises harm to the natural environment.

+Pagan theology- Many pagans believe ‘if it harms none, do what you will’. Pagan ritual being to make contact with the divine in the world that surrounds them.

Where can I meet like-minded people? There’s plenty of churches though :\ I will get a book for my birthday…maybe.

I’ve been practicing Wicca for about… 5 years? Yeah, so I know most of the basics and such. However, being a solitary is quite frustrating at times, and I’d like to define my beliefs and at the same time get to learn more about other pagan religions.

From the minimal (mostly online) research I’ve done, paganism really interests me, but it keeps conflicting itsself! One site will reccomend a few books, and the next one tells me all those books are terrible and gives me a different list – it’s hard to tell what’s right for me.
There also seems to be different “branches” of paganism – I’d like a bit more clarity on these, again so I can work out what is right for me.
I’m quite a solitary person, more into the more ancient aspects of paganism – anyone know a good online resource to check out to get started?
Thanks :)

On December 22nd 2006 (winter Soltice), I was initiated as a Pagan.
Having realised in January 2006 I was a Pagan and didn’t even know it, I went about reading up on Paganism and by the Autumn decided to make it official.
At the moment I’m reading about Druidry and this seems likely to be the path I eventually choose, especially as it is the native spirituality of the British Isles.
Blessed Be!

boring, full of itself, nonsensical

I am (I guess) an ecclectic pagan…. as I subscribe to many pagan beliefs that I have conglomerated over time. I find this is common for many pagans, as there are so many dogmatic strains to pull from. I have learned a lot about myself, my community, and my path along the way. I encourage the learning of other religious practices, not nec. to convert people… but to aid in the opening of their minds so that they can understand those around them. I don’t think that should go for just studying paganism either.

I was brought up as a rather fundamentalist Christian, and abandoned that faith for good and all due to the gross hypocrisy and corruption that was obvious in so much of the higher ranks of the church. I determined that if these people, who called themselves good Christians, were going to heaven, I didn’t want to be there.

Since then I’ve drifted into paganism, and now I’m an agnostic pagan. I can’t see worshiping a deity right now. I think I need to learn how to be myself, stand on my own two feet in the world and know where I am in it.

So I’m definitely not going to end up Wiccan.

I do believe in reincarnation (even when I was a Christian I believed that my soul existed before my life), and I’m strongly drawn to the theory that I chose the way my own life would go before I began it.

That probably means I should get with the program and keep working on making myself a better person, asap.

I’m not sure I am willing to practice it…..........but the concepts are interesting and have merit….....I have great respect for this religion….......

“Rebirth of the Goddess” by Carol Christ. A book among others suggested by the most beautiful woman I’ve been communicating with. I must say, what I have read so far intrigues me very much. The information is very straightforward and logical. I am continueing on my quest for knowledge.

I’m curious, I think this has just as much validity as any other religion. The hidden power of earth and nature is just unimaginable…...