FAQ

FAQ

1. What is a "pagan"?

Historically, Christians have called most people who believed in more than one god, or in any God other than the Christian/Jewish/MuslimYahweh by the term "pagan." That includes most pre-Christian European religions, like those of Greece and Rome . Sometimes modern Christians use the term casually to mean those who have no religion, the "unconverted," but that's not what modern pagans mean by the term. They sometimes call themselves "Neopagans" to distinguish themselves from the pagans of the ancient world. Neo- is a Latin prefix meaning "new," so these are the "New Pagans."

2. Do you sacrifice animals?

Nope. In the ancient world, animals were sometimes sacrificed to the gods, but modern pagans generally do not feel this is appropriate. Pagans actually tend to like animals and be very concerned about them. Some pagans revere them as spiritual kin. If pagans do make an "offering" during a ritual, it is probably a piece of fruit, a stick of incense, or some other inanimate object that has value to the individual. Or it may be a song, a dance, or other creative work that the worshipper has produced. When you hear of an "animal sacrifice" in the news, is it pagans? No. The followers of some Afro-Caribbean religions, like Santeria, might sacrifice an animal for religious purposes. (Generally the animal is one that will be used for food anyway, like a chicken. ) And sometimes a sick individual will torture and kill an animal in a way that seems "ritualistic." This is not paganism. It has nothing to do with paganism. It is not a part of pagan paths.

3. Do you worship Satan?

No again. Satan is a Christian idea. Pagans don't worship Satan any more than they worship Mohammed (the Prophet of Islam.) Those are totally different religions! There are a few people who think of themselves as worshipping Satan-"Satanists." It's a pretty small group, and they are not part of the Pagan world.

Many people get confused, though, because some Pagans use the term "Witch" to describe themselves, and they think of that as someone who worships Satan---an accusation left over from the days of the Witch Trials. Modern Pagan Witches have the same name, but they are simply followers of an earth-based religion. They use the term in a positive way, to indicate a wise healer who is in tune with the forces of the earth and who works magic. Satan has nothing to do with it.

4. If you don't worship Satan, why do you wear that weird sign (the star)?

Many Pagans wear a star in a circle. It is not a Satanic sign, but one that represents the four classical elements of fire, air, water, and earth. The top of the star points up, representing Spirit, which crowns all the other elements. Pagans who use this sign thus symbolize the perfect harmony of Nature with Spirit. When the star points down, it
is sometimes considered a Satanic sign, but Pagans are always careful to wear "Spirit" at the top. There are also pagans who do not use this sign, but wear different signs relating to their particular paths-Celtic knots, ankhs, and even crosses.

5. How do pagans feel about Christians? Can I be Christian and Pagan? Can I be a Christian Witch?

Paganism as a whole has no problem with other religions, including Christianity. A large number of pagans think Jesus was a very wise Teacher. Some even consider him Divine-an avatar of God/dess. Still, other pagans have had very negative experiences with Christianity and may seem defensive or hostile towards Christians. They just want to be "left alone." You will have to ask each individual how s/he feels about this. There are Witches who are Christian, and there are "ChristoPagans." There are those who see themselves as reconstructing the old religion of the Hebrews, where Yahweh was considered to have a Wife or Feminine Side (depending on your interpretation). There are those who consider that all Gods are simply different names for the Christian God. These ideas are controversial sometimes in the pagan community, but they do exist. There are also simply pagans who like certain things about Christian ceremony or celebration-such as Christmas carols or Easter services-and may participate in them out of politeness, love of beauty, family obligations, etc. Many pagans do not feel it is "wrong" to respectfully take part in the practices of a different religion.

6. Do pagans have a code of ethics? What is it like?

Many pagans follow the Wiccan Rede:
Bide the Wiccan law ye must, in perfect love and perfect trust; Eight words the Wiccan Rede fulfill; "An ye harm none, do as ye will"; Lest in self-defense it be, ever mind the rule of three; Follow this with mind and heart; And merry ye meet and merry ye part. "

Others have personal codes of honor based on specific cultural traditions. Most of these include some version of the ancient code of reciprocity: "do unto others as you would have them do unto you."

They also tend to emphasize personal responsibility for your own actions, as well as the interconnectedness of all things. For example, one Celtic pagan group states: "We believe that all things are of the Divine. Thus, we strive, to the best of our ability, to treat ourselves, and all with which we interact, accordingly."

Pagans tend to take their ethics quite seriously. Since most pagans freely choose their religions, they want to live up to them.

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