Posted on 02/17/2005 3:06:35 PM PST by LurkedLongEnough
We really do live in a wonderfully open society. However, if this group starts beheading people as part of their rituals, opinion could change.
Now we can start restricting THEIR freedom of religion!
What exactly is a pagan? I'm not trying to be flip, but how would I distinguish a pagan from an atheist?
"What exactly is a pagan? I'm not trying to be flip, but how would I distinguish a pagan from an atheist?"
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Well, pagans make an attempt to adhere to a belief system that is based on old, pre-christian european spirituality. The drawback is most of that information was probaly lost so, without being disrespectful to them, I have to say that they are basically 'winging it'.
A pagan does not believe in no deity or "higher being" as an atheist does; they believe in the deity of all things or the deity of nature. I once knew a wiccan woman who talked about how we are all gods or goddesses and she worshipped the earth. An atheist believes humans are the highest being but not in quite the same way, as I understand it.
And wicca is a religion. Many people consider it a wrong or evil or silly religion, but it is a religion.
Everything old is new again in Beantown.
"What exactly is a pagan? I'm not trying to be flip, but how would I distinguish a pagan from an atheist?"
As a graduate of a nearby university, I can explain.
An atheist wears black, has a pale face, and moans on about the unfairness of life. They are generally very skinny and drink coffee. They seldom have sex.
Pagans, in contrast, wear black, have pale faces with dark make up, and moan on about the unfairness of life to animals. They are generally kind of heavy and drink anything with vodka. They often have sex and then follow the guy around for months.
Now, if they could just get around to recognizing AmishDudeism.
"Interfaith"
So, wicca's a faith now is it? Faith in what? Who? Trees and frogs...?
"A pagan does not believe in no deity or "higher being" as an atheist does; they believe in the deity of all things or the deity of nature. I once knew a wiccan woman who talked about how we are all gods or goddesses and she worshipped the earth. An atheist believes humans are the highest being but not in quite the same way, as I understand it.
And wicca is a religion. Many people consider it a wrong or evil or silly religion, but it is a religion."
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It is interesting to note the fusion of paganism and christianity during the early years of roman catholicism. They did a pretty good job of adapting christianity to suit the belief systems already in place in northern europe. Of course, you do the same thing in the carribean and you get voodoo!
"What exactly is a pagan? I'm not trying to be flip, but how would I distinguish a pagan from an atheist?"
More, atheists don't believe in God. They quote Niche out of context and are proto-communists.
Pagans generally believe in some sort of earth-mother-goddess. This leads them to read Henry David Therough. They also sometimes dabble in lesbianism, but this ends at graduation when they go try to marry someone from Conneticut.
You've got to get into AmishDudeism, man. I mean, the precident of worshipping a jolly fat man with a sense of humor has already been set.
The latter neither believe in, nor worship, any higher or supernatural power. The former seem to place an inordinate amount of faith into such things as trees and rocks.
They gotta check out AmishDudeism. I eat rocks for breakfast.
"As a graduate of a nearby university, I can explain.
An atheist wears black, has a pale face, and moans on about the unfairness of life. They are generally very skinny and drink coffee. They seldom have sex.
Pagans, in contrast, wear black, have pale faces with dark make up, and moan on about the unfairness of life to animals. They are generally kind of heavy and drink anything with vodka. They often have sex and then follow the guy around for months."
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Don't forget a link to zoth ommog http://www.zothommog.com/main.htm in their 'my favorites' ie tab.
LOL.... You forgot the "Trekkie" part.... HAHhahaha... That was GREAT.
Wiccans, D&D, and Trekkies kinda hang out together.
Don't worry, Freepers, pagans aren't a threat. I can't think of a single pagan sect that actively proselytizes or recruits. They mostly want to be left alone. I know, because I am one of them.
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