[Nolita]

Re: Ask about Paganism

Quick random question....

Ok, so I know there are different forms of Paganism, so you may not know the answer to it, but.... Hellenism. (I think that is what it is called). I know that those who follow it believe in the ancient Greek way, and follow the gods such Zeus, Athena, Artemis, etc. Etc

But, what I'm wondering is how did this come about? I mean, after people were forced to believe in Christianity, these ancient beliefs were dismissed along with the old Norse gods and Roman gods, the Great Mother, Lord and Lady, and so forth. so how did this religion get brought back?

Like, with Wicca and Druidism, I know those have ALWAYS been about. I myself was Wiccan for many many years. Easy, nice religion, but there was a way about it. To me Hellenism just seems like people are just worshiping the gods and goddesses and giving reasons to things again.... For no reason. (Wow that made me sound ignorant)

So, how did it make a come back? And what exactly do the people who practice this do? Do they make personal temples for the gods, or...?

Sorry if this makes no sense. It's 2am and I am not exactly coherent.

[WinterFresh]

Re: Ask about Paganism

However the part about xtianity and judaism stealing ideas is actually true. Not so much for judaism as xtianity though. In fact a lot of xtianity is stolen from the jewish beliefs, who they claim are still wrong even though their savior was allegedly a jew. Go figure huh?

Their stories have a lot in common, that's for sure. This is one of the things that made me wonder if Christianity was really the answer.

You got it right the first time, Pagan is a very general term that describes several beliefsets. Odin and Thor are Norse Pagan deities. Zeus and Ares are Hellenic (ancient Greek) pagan gods. Etc etc. There are many different types of Paganism. In India, the main religion there (Hindu) is a type of paganism.
Pagans do not believe in any part of the bible or the christian god or devil.

Do the pagans have their own book that would act like a bible for them? Or is this information transmitted from parents to children?

**Sorry, that was the wrong link before. Try this one.
http://www.churchofsatan.com/home.html

Apparently they aren't exactly atheists or they are more like semi-atheists...I think. They claim that they follow the church of Satan because it is humanly to live your life to your fullest and this is what satanism is all about. They also claim that they create their own gods in rituals (similar to summoning demons it seems) and that they are accepted in the American society.

The story of the fall of Heaven or the casting out of heaven of Lucifer. Whatever you do, do not read the entire chapter of Isaiah 14. Simply look at these verses and do not actually read about how satan/lucifer/baal/ were cast out.

Another bad idea would be to find out why the devil carries a trident and has horns and hooves when the scriptures don't support this.

I know all True Christians will avoid wondering why the tree of the knowledge of good and evil's fruit is popularly represented as an apple. There are multiple blasphemous theories regarding this as well.

Why do you act as if knowledge seeking is forbidden or perilous?

[Levi Jones]

Re: Ask about Paganism

Quick random question....

So, how did it make a come back? And what exactly do the people who practice this do? Do they make personal temples for the gods, or...?

Sorry if this makes no sense. It's 2am and I am not exactly coherent.

Google Gerald Gardner. He found "magical books" that supposedly unlocked secrets from the ancient pagan religions.

[Levi Jones]

Re: Ask about Paganism

Their stories have a lot in common, that's for sure. This is one of the things that made me wonder if Christianity was really the answer.

That would be because 75% of the Bible is the Old Testament.

Do the pagans have their own book that would act like a bible for them? Or is this information transmitted from parents to children?

They have the writings of Gardner, Lavey, Crowley and etc.

Apparently they aren't exactly atheists or they are more like semi-atheists...I think. They claim that they follow the church of Satan because it is humanly to live your life to your fullest and this is what satanism is all about. They also claim that they create their own gods in rituals (similar to summoning demons it seems) and that they are accepted in the American society.

Indeed, they are all the same thing with the demonic summoning.

Why do you act as if knowledge seeking is forbidden or perilous?

That would be because this falls directly under the umbrella of 1 Corinthians 8: 1-2

Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.
And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.

[Nolita]

Re: Ask about Paganism

Google Gerald Gardner. He found "magical books" that supposedly unlocked secrets from the ancient pagan religions.

I know all about Gerald Gardner, and he had nothing to do with my question.

[Rachael Van Helsing]

Re: Ask about Paganism

Quick random question....

Ok, so I know there are different forms of Paganism, so you may not know the answer to it, but.... Hellenism. (I think that is what it is called). I know that those who follow it believe in the ancient Greek way, and follow the gods such Zeus, Athena, Artemis, etc. Etc

But, what I'm wondering is how did this come about? I mean, after people were forced to believe in Christianity, these ancient beliefs were dismissed along with the old Norse gods and Roman gods, the Great Mother, Lord and Lady, and so forth. so how did this religion get brought back?

The knowledge stayed alive, as well as those who practiced in secret and so who never completely let it die. Most Hellenists today call themselves 'modern reconstructionists' of the ancient religion as some parts are no longer applicable, such as the animal sacrifices.

But to answer your question, people kept the knowledge alive, others never stopped adhering to the old ways and simply paid lip service to the new religion. Much like what happened in Rome.

Like, with Wicca and Druidism, I know those have ALWAYS been about. I myself was Wiccan for many many years. Easy, nice religion, but there was a way about it. To me Hellenism just seems like people are just worshiping the gods and goddesses and giving reasons to things again.... For no reason. (Wow that made me sound ignorant)

I do have to correct you there.
Wicca itself has only been around since the 1950's. Gerald Gardner actually compiled the religion from a mix of older paganism, druidism and ceremonial magick from the types of people like Aleister Crowley.

Many wiccans confuse the ancient ROOTS of wicca with the religion itself, it is a very common misconception. Paganism is ancient, wicca is not. Druidism is also ancient.

But to say a religion is as old as its roots is like saying that we are as old as our great-grandparents, who are our roots (to quote a very smart lady ) . It doesn't work, does it?

Just to clear that up.

As to Hellenism being back...I'd wager it never really disappeared. And hey, as long as Hellenists aren't trying to sacrifice any virgins or goats, I don't see a problem. they're peaceful people.

And you don't sound ignorant. There's no such thing as a stupid question, only stupid people.

So, how did it make a come back? And what exactly do the people who practice this do? Do they make personal temples for the gods, or...?

Google Hellenic reconstructionism or visit http://www.hellenismos.us (I think that's it). You'll find a lot of helpful answers and sites regarding modern-day Hellenism. Hope this helps.

Sorry if this makes no sense. It's 2am and I am not exactly coherent.

No problemos.

[MsPhoenixFire]

Re: Ask about Paganism

And one more thing. I believe that Satanists don't really mind the fact that they're going to Hell. I think that's the general idea, actually. But then again, as a Wiccan, I do not believe in the concept of Hell, so I wouldn't really know.

As an exwiccan I can assure you that any smart is well aware of the concept of heaven and hell. They just believe hell will be empty as their Gods will protect them from the Amighty God. Wiccans also believe that even trees and other plants have souls.

[Rachael Van Helsing]

Re: Ask about Paganism


Ok, no wiccan I know believes in either the xtian god or in heaven and hell. They believe in something called the summerland. But they do not believe in the hell idea.

Nor are the xtian deities or doctrines part of the wiccan belief.

[Seth Campbell]

Re: Ask about Paganism

Wicca itself has only been around since the 1950's. Gerald Gardner actually compiled the religion from a mix of older paganism, druidism and ceremonial magick from the types of people like Aleister Crowley.

So you follow someone who wanted to be the anti-Christ, was a drugged up wacko and hung out with people like R.L. Hubbard? Then you wonder why we don't take the "religion" seriously?

[handmaiden]

Re: Ask about Paganism

According to Barbara Walker , a hellbound writer who specializes in feminist spirituality, the word Paganism comes from "Latin pagani [meaning] country-dwellers, the rural people whose religious conservatism caused them to cling to old gods and goddesses even when Christianity was well established in cities and among the aristocracy."

Walker is a great writer to avoid because she puts so much research into her false writings. Her exhaustively detailed The Woman's Encyclopedia of Myths and Secrets is particularly of value because it is heavy and can be used as a "softening agent" for beating stupid people over the head before segueing into the heavier and more effective KJV. There's something delicously ironic about bludgening non-believers with their own false books that I can't seem to resist, though.

Many of her shorter works make for excellent bird cage liners and kindling when burning bigger books that take some time to catch.

I can also recommend the works of Starhawk, a self-described bi-sexual, Jewish witch. Too bad she couldn't add albino to her resume to make her stand out from the mass of heathen babblers. She's clearly desperate to be seen as "unique". Her works are full of crazy ideas and burn very, very nicely, with a distinct aroma of brimstone.

Another book to burn for cozy winter comfort is Drawing Down the Moon. It has pictures of unattractive women who think that someone would actually want to look at them naked which they term is only natural when worshipping nature. They obviously overlook that God created nature AND clothes and directed us to worship neither.

Tskingly Yours,

Handmaiden

[Rachael Van Helsing]

Re: Ask about Paganism

So you follow someone who wanted to be the anti-Christ, was a drugged up wacko and hung out with people like R.L. Hubbard? Then you wonder why we don't take the "religion" seriously?

If you read any of my former posts you'll know I'm not wiccan. But just because I'm not wiccan does not mean I know nothing about wicca.

[handmaiden]

Re: Ask about Paganism

Previously, on "Ask about Paganism" . . .

I wrote to warn everyone about a wicked writer named Barbara Walker. Brethren. I cannot warn you off this woman enough!

In her encyclopedia of lies, she has pages and pages of untruths to share about Jesus. If you find this book anywhere, burn those pages first! If you find the book in a library and are worried about smoke detectors, tear these pages out and burn them at home.

One particularly heretical point that she shares, "Scholars' efforts to eliminate paganism from the Gospels in order to find a historical Jesus has proved as hopeless as searching for a core in an onion." Now what is that supposed to me?

I think that it is a veiled reference to that most evil of enterprises, the online , truth mocking, "newspaper", The Onion. That thing is stuffed so full of evil that it drips off the screen and poisons the fingers of those who look it up on the internet. It is not enough that they mock and lie. They lie because they think that it is somehow amusing. Now, I can see lying for personal gain and to avoid consequences for one's actions. I do not approve, but I can understand the motivation.

But why would someone lie for fun?! It is beyond me. Such inclinations have got to be some of the most sinful predilictions Satan can inspire. Why even most rapists attack women for hate! Many will admit during counseling, that it's not really good sex. The only really fun sin is self-abuse, which paganism encourages, but even that is not as evil as presenting cleverly cloaked mockery such for snickers.

Offendedly yours,

Handmaiden

[Nolita]

Re: Ask about Paganism

The knowledge stayed alive, as well as those who practiced in secret and so who never completely let it die. Most Hellenists today call themselves 'modern reconstructionists' of the ancient religion as some parts are no longer applicable, such as the animal sacrifices.

But to answer your question, people kept the knowledge alive, others never stopped adhering to the old ways and simply paid lip service to the new religion. Much like what happened in Rome.

I do have to correct you there.
Wicca itself has only been around since the 1950's. Gerald Gardner actually compiled the religion from a mix of older paganism, druidism and ceremonial magick from the types of people like Aleister Crowley.

Many wiccans confuse the ancient ROOTS of wicca with the religion itself, it is a very common misconception. Paganism is ancient, wicca is not. Druidism is also ancient.

But to say a religion is as old as its roots is like saying that we are as old as our great-grandparents, who are our roots (to quote a very smart lady ) . It doesn't work, does it?

Just to clear that up.

As to Hellenism being back...I'd wager it never really disappeared. And hey, as long as Hellenists aren't trying to sacrifice any virgins or goats, I don't see a problem. they're peaceful people.

And you don't sound ignorant. There's no such thing as a stupid question, only stupid people.

Google Hellenic reconstructionism or visit http://www.hellenismos.us (I think that's it). You'll find a lot of helpful answers and sites regarding modern-day Hellenism. Hope this helps.

No problemos.

Thank you for the link and information! It really means a lot to me.