What is Paganism?

If you ask that question of twelve of us, chances are you will get at least thirteen answers.  These are my views, as a Wiccan...

One of the features of Paganism is the tolerance of differing ideas. Some traditions (like Christian denominations) may have certain dogmas, but they will not impose their ideas on anyone outside their group. The ethical codes followed by most Pagans are some variation or other of the Golden Rule.  The Wiccan version is called a Rede.  There is a long version of the Wiccan Rede, but to save some space and ink, I'm including the short one which holds our most important "rules".

Bide the Wiccan Law ye must,
In perfect love, in perfect trust.

Eight words the Wiccan Rede fulfill:
An ye harm none, do as ye will.

And ever mind the Rule of Three:
What ye send out, comes back to thee.

Follow this with mind and heart,
And merry ye meet, and merry ye part.

Although there are so many different Pagan religions, most abide by the same rules, some just write them out differently.  Some have more tolerant rules, some more strict.  The rules depend on the person's path and what they choose to do with it.

The Pagans that I know are generally very well educated, highly literate and intelligent individuals. We are also usually well aware of Christian teachings. Most of us were raised Christian (I myself was raised Southern Baptist) and for one reason or other found that it did not meet our spiritual needs. Many Pagans believe that Jesus existed and admire his teachings. The Pagan disagreements with Christianity are not with the founder, but rather the direction which churches have taken them. I, personally, studied myself right out of the church.

Paganism is a spiritual way of life which has its roots in the ancient nature religions of the world. It is principally rooted in the old religions of Europe, though some that practice Paganism also find great worth in the indigenous beliefs of other countries. Such belief in the sacredness of all things can be found world-wide. Pagans see this as their heritage, and retain the beliefs and values of their ancestors in forms adapted to suit modern life. We celebrate the sanctity of Nature, revering the Divine in all things; the vast, unknowable spirit that runs through the universe, both seen and unseen.

Pagans honor the Divine in all its aspects, whether male or female, as parts of the sacred whole. Every man and woman is, to a Pagan, a beautiful and unique being. Children are loved and honored and there is a strong sense of community. The woods and open spaces of the land, home to wild animals and birds, are cherished. Paganism stresses personal spiritual experience, and Pagans often find that experience through their relationship with the natural world that they love. We seek spiritual union with Divinity by attuning with Nature and by exploring our inner selves, seeing each reflected in the other. We believe that we should meet the Divine face to face, within our own experience, rather than through an intermediary. Although some paths do have leaders and teachers, these people act as facilitators, using their own wisdom and experience to help guide those in their care towards discovering their own sense and interpretation of the Divine. Our rites help us harmonize with the natural cycles, and so they are often held at the turning points of the seasons, at the phases of the moon and sun, and at times of transition in our lives.

There is a great variety of traditions within the broad spectrum of Paganism. This reflects the range of our spiritual experience, for we believe that everyone is unique, and so everyone's spirituality must be equally unique. Some Pagans follow multiple Gods and Goddesses, their names familiar to all from the pages of folklore and mythology (Zeus, Aphrodite, etc.): others focus on a single Life Force of no specific gender; yet others devote themselves to a cosmic couple - Goddess and God, or Lord and Lady. We celebrate our diversity for we believe that each person should find their spirituality according to the quiet, inner voice of their own soul. For this reason we respect all sincere religions, and do not try to convert or seek converts from other faiths and from society generally. We ask only tolerance.

In these days of environmental concern and eco-awareness, Pagans are often at the forefront of Green awareness. Pagans of all paths respect the rights of every living soul, whether human, animal, plant or rock. We are ever mindful of the actions of cause and effect, whether by thought or deed, upon the creatures of the Earth. We encourage free thought, creative imagination and practical human resourcefulness, believing these to be fundamental to our spending our lives in harmony with the rhythms of the natural world. 

In parting, if you fear for my soul because that is what your religion teaches, fine. You may pray for me, but do not try to reconvert me. If you must try, the please make sure you live as a shining example of the best your religion has to offer.