Thomas and Nanci Kuykendall

> What is the difference between being Pagan and being atheist?
>What are Pagan holidays? I do love learning things I don't know about.
>Ann

That is an interesting question. It is the same as asking "What is the
difference between being Buddhist and being Atheist, being Hindu and being
Athiest, being (Any religion) and being Atheist?" Atheism is the denial of
the existance of dieties or the existence of divine beings. Coming from a
Christian perspective, one might take it to mean that if you are not
Christian or do not believe in the Christian version of God, then you are
nothing. I will give you the benefit of the doubt however, and just assume
that you were confused as to the meaning of atheism.

Paganism is a religion, or I should say that the term refers to many
religions, with dieties, beliefs, traditions, holidays, symbols and
symbolism, a rich history and a thriving modern community. Paganism can
refer to many things, including modern Druidism, revering the Norse Gods,
Voodooism, Shamanism, Native American traditions, Native African religions,
or any religious traditions that are stemming from ancient practices.
Christianity and it's offshoots are fairly new, when compared to so many
other of the world's religious traditions. As I said, there are as many
ways to be Pagan as there are Pagans. Pagans are often said to follow the
"old religion" or the "old ways" and many Pagans combine traditions and
practices based on where they live and who they are.

Holidays would also vary based on what type of Paganism you were talking
about. Many follow natural cycles of the moon, sun, stars, seasons, etc.

For us, Paganism means following the traditions of the old Celtic calendar
and a mix of European traditions, as well as elements which have meaning
for us here in this land. We worship both the Goddess and God in equally
important roles. Balance is a key factor, and reverence for the natural
world. We respect the energy (life) in all things and in all beings.
Holidays for us are the eight Sabbats that mark the Wheel of the Year:

Imbolg (Candlemas) February 2nd: the Celebration of Lights in the Spring,
representing the strengthening spark of light beginning to pierce the gloom
of winter. Also this holiday has a fertility aspect for the coming spring.

The Spring Equinox March 21st: the celebration of the realization of
spring. The Equinox, when night and day, light and darkness are equal is a
time to remember the place that both winter and summer, birth and death,
light and darkness, male and female aspects play in our life, (think
ying-yang from Asian tradition and you'll have the idea.) It is a joyous
time full of new life as well as a reverent acknowlegment of the importance
of balance in our lives and in the world.

Bealtaine (May Day, May Eve)April 30th: the beginning of summer, and
looking forward to the realization of the bounty of summer. Rekindling the
"Bel-fire" of summer (symbolized by lighting candles or a fire) honoring
house "Lares" or house icons/spirits/etc and in general celebrating the
newly fertile and renewing world. Maypoles play into this celebration.

Midsummer (Summer Solstice) June 22nd: the time when the sun is at it's
greatest power, the longest day and shortest night of the year. This is
the apex of light and warmth, and a celebration of abundance. This is also
a time to remeber, in the warmth and abundance, that the days will be
successively shorter henceforth, so this is also the first herald of the
cold season (themes of balance are recurring in all the Sabbats.)

Lughnasadh (Lammas) July 31st: a time of symbolic death and rebirth, the
first of the two Harvest celebrations. This is the reverence and
acknowledgment of the harvest time, the bounty of spring and summer in
fuition. Fertility and the fullness of life are celebrated.

Autumn Equinox (Mabon) September 21st: like the Spring Equinox, this is the
time when Light and Dark are equal, so it is a time of balance. The Spring
Equinox might be described in aspect as the athlete poised for action after
winter, while Autumn equinox might be described as rest after labor. The
Harvest has been gathered in and is now complete. It is a time of
thankfullness for the bounty of the warm months and rest and preperation
(mentally, spiritually, physically) for the leaner months ahead. It is a
time for changing gears into cold season mode.

Rounding out the calendar of the eight Sabbats are Samhain and Yule, which
I ppreviously described.

Nanci K. in Idaho

A. Yates

Nanci,
Thanks so much for all of your words and info.
I've printed it out, and I'm going to read it when I have some time to
concentrate.

It is interesting all the differences in us.
Last night my husband looked up Paganism in the dictionary. It doesn't
describe Paganism like this at all. It essentially "a person who has no
religion". Maybe as a person who worships many gods? Hmmmm. I'm going to
read your post, and then think some more. An atheist being one who doesn't
believe in any god, I see a slight difference.
I do think most people just kind of "move" religion around to suit themselves.
Thanks for all your info.
Ann

Thomas and Nanci Kuykendall

>Last night my husband looked up Paganism in the dictionary. It doesn't
>describe Paganism like this at all. It essentially "a person who has no
>religion". Maybe as a person who worships many gods? Hmmmm. I'm going to
>read your post, and then think some more. An atheist being one who doesn't
>believe in any god, I see a slight difference.
>Ann

A slight Difference? I would think there would be more than a slight
difference between one who believes in no religion, and one who believes in
a non-Christian religion. I would like to know what kind of a dictionary
you were using to look up Paganism. Mine, American College Dictionary
printed in 1953, is by far not the newest edition on the block. It
contains the following definitions:

Paganism: 1) The pagan spirit or attitude in religious or moral questions.
2) The beliefs or practices of pagans. 3) The state of being pagan. end

Pagan: 1) One of a people or community professing some other than the
Christian relligion (applied to Greeks, Romans, etc, and sometimes Jews.)
2) one who is not a Christian, Jew, or Mohammedan. 3) Pretaining to the
worship or worshipers of any religion which is neither Christian, Jewish,
nor Mohammedan. 4) Of pretaining to or characteristic of pagans. end.

Nanci K. in Idaho

A. Yates

Nanci,
The dictionary is Websters New World Dictionary, also old. 1951

You seem offended, and I don't mean to offend.
I don't believe in any god, or religion. I believe in humans and the good in
the human spirit.
I'm just trying to classify myself, and learn about others. Please don't take
offense.
Ann

Linda Wyatt

> From: "A. Yates" <hooperck@...>
>
> Last night my husband looked up Paganism in the dictionary. It doesn't
> describe Paganism like this at all. It essentially "a person who has no
> religion".

Weird dictionary. :-)

This is not an uncommon misinterpretation. The term "Pagan" is
*frequently* used by people who don't understand it, to mean "heathen". I
have to wonder if it is truly a misunderstanding, or something promoted by
someone with an agenda.


(Not saying you have any agenda, but the makers of that dictionary might
well have)


Linda

--
Linda Wyatt
hilinda@...
http://www.lightlink.com/hilinda
Learning everywhere, all the time.
Algebra before breakfast
"A lie, you see, no matter how often or how vociferously repeated, may be
mistaken for the truth, but it does not become the truth." - Adam Crown

Thomas and Nanci Kuykendall

>You seem offended, and I don't mean to offend.
>
>Ann

Sorry, you're right, I was a little defensive. Pardon me.

nanci K. in Idaho

[email protected]

In a message dated 10/2/99 10:12:29 AM EST, hilinda@... writes:

<< The term "Pagan" is
*frequently* used by people who don't understand it, to mean "heathen". >>

I believe this is due to the term "pagan" meaning of the country and
"heathen" meaning of the hearth, both giving the impression of simple country
folk? I might be wrong, so I hope no one gets upset by my definition! :)
Blessings, Lori in TX

Thomas and Nanci Kuykendall

>I believe this is due to the term "pagan" meaning of the country and
>"heathen" meaning of the hearth, both giving the impression of simple
country
>folk? I might be wrong, so I hope no one gets upset by my definition! :)
>Blessings, Lori in TX

Actually Pagan refers to the original or "old" people of a land (or those
who hold beliefs in modern times which are thought of this way.) So
essentially that part is correct. However, the word "heathen" is derived
from "of the heath" not "hearth" and referred originally to the inhabitants
of the british isles who lived on the heaths, and was used by the Romans.
The word heathen evolved to mean savages, barbarians and uncivillised folk
and was spread by England in their many years as the greatest conquering
power in the world. Your idea was sound however, as both refer to the
original occupants of a land, and have been used in a variety of ways with
meanings stemming from this.

Nanci K. in Idaho

[email protected]

In a message dated 10/2/99 9:32:36 AM, RRAINENJ@... writes:

<<I believe this is due to the term "pagan" meaning of the country and
"heathen" meaning of the hearth, both giving the impression of simple country
folk? I might be wrong, so I hope no one gets upset by my definition! :)>>

I got out my dictionary, too, and one of their definitions for pagan included
the implication that it was more likely to be country folk. I guess they
cling to the old ways when a new religion sweeps through the cities...

Betsy