ciyates Posted August 31, 2011 Share Posted August 31, 2011 Please take this in the best way possible. From my very limited understanding Paganism is a religion. It may not be an organized religion in the sense that you have church on Sunday but it is a religion correct? I am just asking because a post made on the Cub Scout thread. I always consider it a religion am I wrong? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ipsey Posted August 31, 2011 Share Posted August 31, 2011 Please take this in the best way possible. From my very limited understanding Paganism is a religion. It may not be an organized religion in the sense that you have church on Sunday but it is a religion correct? I am just asking because a post made on the Cub Scout thread. I always consider it a religion am I wrong? Hmm, I suppose some pagans might make an "organized religion" out of it, with collective groups and specific rules/beliefs/rituals, etc. Paganism is really more of an independent path, and there are dozens of types of Paganism. My understanding, and my practice, is it's more of an earth-centered spirituality. I revere nature. I make personal rituals of meaningful nature-based events. No one else participates in my Paganism. I think that Paganism is an umbrella term which might cover some religions, but is not itself a religion. I don't think paganism lends itself easily to organized expression. Sort of like the term "theism". There are religions beneath that umbrella, but they're all different except for the idea of a theistic being. Of course, other may disagree. That's part of the charm of Paganism, I guess. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WishboneDawn Posted August 31, 2011 Share Posted August 31, 2011 I'm Christian but a good friend is pagan and from what I know I'm not sure I'd label it a religion. In my mind a religion implies a community of folks with some common beliefs and practices while, as Ipsey notes, paganism seems more independent. If there's a community it's with the wider world but not necessarily other people if that makes sense. My friend can practice in solitude without a standard. I also think religion implies an aspect of the supernatural (for me that element would be God) while, I think, some pagans may not have any supernatural concerns. Their concern might be wholly with the natural world they live in. I'm looking forward to seeing responses from the pagans here! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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