Modern paganism has been going through a identity crisis. This post should help those identify within the two paganism's. In my opinion I have narrowed this down to two groups. Broadly you can tell the difference from the rituals. Being a pagan is not a self identifying label, but by what a person does within a ritual.
Humans have a habit of ritual, it makes us fell secure. Like leaving your cars keys in a certain place or switching the kettle on in the morning. This is the different from a cult ritual.( see cult ritual
Classic pagan ritual or cult ritual.
Community
Fertility
Harvests
Security
A gift as a thanksgiving to a spirit, god or ancestor.
A advanced payment for a service that a god and/or ancestor and/or spirit of place.
Or to make a request and offer a gift in return.
European classic paganism is in essence polytheistic, spirits of place and ancestors.
NEO-PAGAN RITUAL
Is described as a religion of immanence or of the mind.
This can include medieval literature.
Reverence for nature.
Reverence for spirits of place
Platonic elements of earth, air, fire and water.
For further reading of neo-paganism click http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=PguGB_uEQh4C&pg=PA271&lpg=PA271&dq=anthropology#v=onepage&q=&f=false
Saturday, 1 August 2009
Wednesday, 29 July 2009
Serious pagans doing serious things
Why don't pagans get taken seriously in the newspapers?
When I saw in newspaper that the police force now have a pagan association, I thought great something a bit more 'pagan'. Well I couldn't have been more wrong. I have looked at a web site of PPA http://www.policepaganassociation.org/ and thought it was a spoof and two days later it has been confirmed it is the actual site. A very tacky greenman, oh dear! They we want to be taken seriously? Do the Christian police have something tacky? NO http://www.cpauk.net/
Maybe Mr Littlejohn has a point http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-1200220/Wheres-PC-Pagan-Hes-Summer-Solstice-Sarge-.html
If we want be taken seriously then we need to act serious. I'd rather be known for following my Gods and spirits of place than someone who just wants to get my kit off.
When I saw in newspaper that the police force now have a pagan association, I thought great something a bit more 'pagan'. Well I couldn't have been more wrong. I have looked at a web site of PPA http://www.policepaganassociation.org/ and thought it was a spoof and two days later it has been confirmed it is the actual site. A very tacky greenman, oh dear! They we want to be taken seriously? Do the Christian police have something tacky? NO http://www.cpauk.net/
Maybe Mr Littlejohn has a point http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-1200220/Wheres-PC-Pagan-Hes-Summer-Solstice-Sarge-.html
If we want be taken seriously then we need to act serious. I'd rather be known for following my Gods and spirits of place than someone who just wants to get my kit off.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
