Twelve Things You Probably Didn't Know About Pagans

I would like to note that animal sacrifices do occur in Asatru, and some other Reconstructionist traditions. I think this is important to mention, as well as that when animals are sacrificed, it is done in ways that are more humane than what you would find in a slaughter house.

Well, Gus, now you know someone who has participated in an animal sacrifice. Last month I helped a friend on Whidbey Island with the ritual slaughter of several ducks and a chicken. One of those ducks is in my freezer even as I type. The ritual consisted of a few simple words of dedication over the animals, with thanks for their lives and the good they will bring us.

The birds were all raised organically at home and well-cared for. They were dispatched as quickly and humanely as possible.

love that you took the time to say this! i hope it reaches all who needs to see it!!!

thanks...

However once they started writing down their thoughts, historically most Pagans believed there is one source from which everything, including the Gods, emanates.

Wasn't this a pretty late development? Like in Classical Greece? I think many of us think of ourselves as hard polytheists, and I, for one, don't see things this way. I don't see a single source for everything in the cosmos. I see the Gods and other Spirits as individuals, not 'aspects' of anything.

The exercise shows how diverse some of us Pagans are - while much of what you have written applies to me and others like me, there are definitely bits that do not. Fascinating.

Gain favor with Satan! =
http://www.filthyrichmond.com/2009/06/gain-favor-with-satan.html

watch & learn...There is only 1 gospel.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtt7LhFa_Ys&feature=channel

oh no! I saw the word "pagan" and the deeply-imprinted programming from the tunnel-visioned viral doctrine kicked-in so I gotta post a whole bunch of links to "save" you. Sigh...
Great article

Religion is a practice for respected or appointed people to provide answers and explanations to things that just didn't add up scientifically for the given time period. Humans have developed a reliable and logical method of testing and understanding the world around them. Falling backwards into the arms of religious ignorance can hinder the development of intelligent society and should be avoided at all costs. The world is not flat and is not in any means just a few thousands of years old , and people should not waste their time into understanding this ancient belief. Perhaps spend your extra time trying to find a cure for cancer, aids, or solve world poverty. Think im wrong? just remember when your slapping your offended fingers against the keys on your computer box, mans ingenuity pounded this technology out of earth and rock... The ones who developed computers and the internet probably never intended someone to explain theism in a manner other than a history lesson. Much less struggle to explain how anything like this can be "modern"

You make a nice sounding point here: "Pagans Do Not Hate Jesus, In fact, most respect him and regard him as an important spiritual teacher...however. We do not believe he was the only begotten son of God, nor that believing in him is necessary for the remission of sins, nor do we believe in sins"

I have always found it terribly perplexing, however, that people can claim to respect Jesus and his teachings, yet blatantly disregard what He claims as truth. Jesus clearly states that he is the only begotten Son of God, and that the only way to salvation is through Him. If this is NOT true, he is clearly not a good spiritual teacher, but an egotistical maniac. If it IS true, we had better believe it. We cannot pick and choose bits and pieces of Jesus' teachings to follow- if He is who He says He is, he deserves a lot more than that.

Very well done and interesting article. Loved it!

This is an interesting attempt to categorize that which most strenuously resists all attempt at categorization, Gus!

I am Wiccan, and I have to disagree with you about "Drawing Down" any god or goddess. Why would it be necessary or desirable to invite from outside oneself that which already resides within?

My gods are not separate from me. They ARE me.

Very interesting question Janus and Sarnah-
Here is a brief reply – I will make a longer reply in today’s post.

I have encountered the Goddess when She was being drawn down into the priestess. She was not in me in the way the God is when He has been drawn down into me. The experience had every dimension of encountering Someone quite different from myself: wiser, more loving, more powerful, more beautiful – and all to many orders of magnitude. And separate.

When the God was drawn down interpretations could reasonably vary, but because the experience was of a being so different from me - imagine masculinity minus any fears, insecurities, desires to control, etc., etc - that I was changed by the encounter. My teacher in these matters describes these experiences as a "tuning" where our vibrations, so to speak, are drawn into greater harmony with the Gods - a bit by bit process to be sure, but one that fits my experience.

This can only be a “Thou art Goddess Thou art God” kind of thing from a monistic perspective – and while I happen to take that perspective, using the same reasoning, you are me and I am you. There is a sense where that is true- but there is an important sense where it misses the point.

Gwyddion9-
My understanding is that the Dryghton is a term that means leader if traced back linguistically. That sheds no light on the use in Pagan circles.

It is referred to in much British Traditional Wiccan ritual - not all - some have abandoned itand I have no idea as to the content of rituals with no influence by Gerald Gardner. It is part of a saying that is essentially NeoPlatonic in tone and theological content.

As I understand it, it is NOT something a 19th century folklorist trying to recreate an ancient Pagan religion would be likely to have used, because the view then was that we 'progressed' in spiritual insight from animism to polytheism to monotheism.

Excellent post, thank you.

Not all pagans celebrate the Sabbats/Esbats. In Hellenic Polytheism, many of us follow the traditional lunar calendar beginning with the new moon (the day after the dark moon). The first day of the month is sacred to Selene and Apollon Noumenios; the second to the Agathos Daemon; the third to Athene; the fourth to Hermes, Herakles, Aphrodite, and Eros; the sixth to Artemis; the seventh to Apollon; and the eighth to Poseidon (and Theseus, but he's a hero). The final day of the month, what one would consider the real dark moon, is sacred to Hekate. Our other holidays can happen at any time during the lunar month, but it is true that many fall near the full moon. Some of us are also incorporating solar festivals (ex: Heliogenna, a winter solstice celebration).

Religio Romana, Kemetism, and other non-Celtic-derived paganisms/polytheisms also have different festival calendars.

Otherwise, great post --- you clarified a lot for people. Now if only certain people would read it and become more tolerant instead of trying to convert us in the comments.

For those of you who are looking for an explanation of the term, "Dryghton," it helps first to check the spelling. Then Google.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wiccan_views_of_divinity#Dryghten