Ask the pagan

[Aesjn]

I did say almost always. Not always always. IMO, mystery traditions weren't the norm, they were 'additional'. They may have been popular in some places but they weren't state or city religions. They were something people went out of the way to become a part of and it was something "notable".

In my experience the only people that use the word or ideas are Wiccans and people who are trying to revive particular cultus like the Eleusinian mysteries...

But, that isn't what I was even talking about in my post.

 

[Aesjn]

What you describe in the last couple sentences isn't Christian vs. Pagan, but dualist vs. monist. Dualism is good/bad, black/white, moral/immoral; there are traditions outside of Christianity which uphold dualism. Monism would state that all things are the same, but intent and effect determine morality - nothing is inherently bad. Thus would come a rejection of the idea that the earth/body is inherently evil.

Actually I'm talking about the difference between worldviews that say this world is fallen or broken and those that don't. Nothing to do with dualism or monism in what I'm talking about... Some monistic systems (Gnosticism) for instance do say this world is evil, while others like Stoicism are like how you say.

 

[Gardenia]

Which then actually brings me back to my first question? Why identify as just "Pagan" in the first place? Why not narrow it down a bit.

Well, there may be a few reasons why some do this. First, although it's vague, it does bring some ideas with it - sometimes wrong, yes, but it's a starting point. Second, not every pagan identifies with a specific tradition, so perhaps they're searching for one, or they pull from several traditions for their own spirituality.
However, many do go by more specific names.

Like I think Wiccan is a pagan religion and I'm sure there are others..

Wicca is the religion, a Wiccan is a practitioner of said religion, but yes it is considered a pagan religion. There are many others.

Certainly...Controling?
In the sense of your practices and in relationships

Hmm.. do you mean, am I controlled by my religion in these areas, or do I control others through it? (Or am I totally misunderstanding?) In either case, I would say no, then.

 

[sidhe]

Actually I'm talking about the difference between worldviews that say this world is fallen or broken and those that don't. Nothing to do with dualism or monism in what I'm talking about... Some monistic systems (Gnosticism) for instance do say this world is evil, while others like Stoicism are like how you say.

Ancient Gnosticism was highly dualistic; the very idea of a Demiurge (evil, false god) opposing a real, good God is dualism. The idea that matter is bad and spirit is good? Dualism.

Modern Gnosticism (like Thelema) is monistic - there is no difference between one thing and the opposite, to paraphrase Crowley.

I should mention that some monistic viewpoints do take the idea that everything is bad, but they tend to be in the minority.

 

[sidhe]

Questions:

What is witchcraft?

A practice. I tend to refer to my low magick practices, like sympathetic magick, kitchen magick, direct energy work, etc., as "witchcraft".

What is Sin?

Restriction!

Are you (as a pagan) a leaglist?

Oddly, yes. I'm pretty legalistic about the Law - I think people should actually follow what's meant by it, and not start creating systems to get around the profound implications of three simple sentences.

Are you (as a pagan) a Liberalist?

What? I'm a liberal, but I haven't a clue what a liberalist [sic] is.

Why do you believe in the God(s), god(s), and/or G(g)oddesses, beings, energies, etc.?

Well, my standard response is "Why do you?", but in this case, I believe in my Queen and my Lady because I'm radically in love with Love itself.

Is there an afterlife? How do you know if there is or isn't one?

I think there is, but I don't worry about it that much.

 

[Völuspá]

Do you believe that one's ancestry has any significance in determining their connection with specific gods?

I'm mostly in agreement with the others, but since my path is in line with my ancestry I'll chime in too. I have an almost entirely Scandinavian heritage and live very near to the first Swedish settlement in America. I'll say that for me it's much more about heritage than bloodlines. I'm very interested in the ways of my ancestors and have very fond memories of Yule-like Christmases growing up. And since ancestor veneration is a big deal in Germanic Paganism then it just seems to all fit. Sure, I always could wander into another path, but I'd always feel like I was blatantly ignoring Odin, Thor, Frigg, etc. Sometimes we operate better on something that's given to us rather than of our choosing--that's how I feel about my path. I just don't want to choose any different. But that having been said, just because someone feels drawn to a certain path because of their heritage doesn't mean that someone else can't join in. It just so happens that Germanic Paganism has had a large revival and maybe some just want the community. I'll welcome anyone to join regardless of their ethnicity.

As for what defines a Pagan, I once read a religious scholar's view that a Pagan was anyone who fit into at least one of the following: pantheist, animist, and polytheist. Whether you're literal or metaphorical about any of those things doesn't matter to me, but I think that probably covers most Pagans (though I'm always open to exceptions.) Things like how you practice or the holidays you celebrate almost always differ from person to person. I think that's where it looks really confusing. The thing to keep in mind though is that even if there are some things that tie us together, those things might not be the most important to an individual. You could be a part of a very openly polytheistic path and not care much at all about the gods. It's quite hard to explain, but perhaps Neo-Paganism is more of a sub-culture in a way than a well-defined religion.

Why identify as just "Pagan" in the first place? Why not narrow it down a bit. Like I think Wiccan is a pagan religion and I'm sure there are others...

First of all I like the term Pagan because it evokes a lot of ideas that I agree with and I have a lot in common with most other Pagans. But you're right that we can narrow it down a bit, and often do. There are many different traditions under different names. For example I follow a Germanic Pagan path, which the most common name for is Ásatrú. There are other variations too, but it probably starts to look a bit confusing to outsiders. I often just say I'm Norse Pagan because, even though it's confusing in itself, it's more well-known than some other terms one could use.

 

[Caitlin.ann]

Why identify as pagan? Actually, what exactly does it mean to be pagan today? From my understanding a pagan is an old term for someone who was not a Christian (or rather, someone who was not a follower of any Abrahamic religion) . And whenever I think of pagan today, I think of old Celtic races living in the woods with flowers in their hair and spirit magic or whatever... which I think is mostly cause movies paint pagans this way and books like Mists of Avalon. So I'm kind of confused by what exactly people mean when they identify as pagan today.

Just something I've always been curious about.

I think its all subjective, a common saying is "ask ten pagans the same question get eleven different answers". Since "pagan" is an umbrella term for many different religions I can't tell you what it means t be a pagan today, its so diverse there is no one answer, its different for everyone.

Now there are "pagans" which does mean "anyone of a non-abrahamic path" and who are usually viewed as practiced in ancient times. "Neo-pagan" is the proper term for today's pagans however for simplicity most of us just call ourselves "pagans".

I identify as simply "pagan" because I fall under that umbrella term. Its much simpler to say "pagan" than "eclectic neo-pagan with heathen leanings influenced by Green and Cottage witchery" if we're going to be exact. Its simply a simplicity issue.

Pagans almost always are people that think this life and how you life it is most important rather what you say or believe. They value real knowledge, wisdom and truth, rather than "mysteries", foolishness and the idea that what seems true is really just a lie and what is fantastical is true....

Its different for all of us.

 

[Caitlin.ann]

Questions:

What is witchcraft?

Witchcraft is simply a practice or a "craft". It is the manipulation of natural energies/forces to obtain a desired result. Not all pagans practice witchcraft and witchcraft does not belong to any religion specifically. Indeed, any one of any religion can practice witchcraft as long as you can reconcile its use with your personal beliefs. I've known Christian Witches, atheist witches, etc.

What is Sin?

Sin is a Christian concept, however it may also be a part of other Abrahamic religions, I haven't studied those other religions extensively. Sin is going against YHWH's will and breaking his "laws".

Are you (as a pagan) a leaglist?

I'm sorry, I don't know what you mean here.

Are you (as a pagan) a Liberalist?

I have liberal views, but I also have conservative views. I suppose I'm an independent. I'm not opposed to conservatives as most of my family is conservative, so are several friends and my fiance. I've read somewhere that many heathens are conservative, maybe thats why?

Why do you believe in the God(s), god(s), and/or G(g)oddesses, beings, energies, etc.?

Because it rings true to me just as others deities ring true to them.

Is there an afterlife? How do you know if there is or isn't one?

I don't know, however I don't think anyone of any faith knows until they meet with death themselves.

 

[Caitlin.ann]

Not familiar with it...


Certainly...Controling?
In the sense of your practices and in relationships

I am not controlling in my relationships. If I ever tried to be my boyfriend would give me a quick, swift kick in the ass. I have no desire to attempt to control anyone else outside of myself, however I am someone who often needs to feel like they are in control. If I'm not, I panic. However I do not use magic to gain this control, I use practical, logical means. Example: If I have a paper due in a week I start research right away. That way I am in control.

 

[Wicked Willow]

What is witchcraft?

Ah, a good question, as the term is used quite differently by different people. Anthropologists usually employ it to refer to a community's belief that its misfortunes are caused by a malevolent sorcerer or the like (often resulting in the typical "witch-hunts").
The term is not exclusively associated with evil deeds, however. In England, there exists a long tradition of so-called "cunning men/women" who supposedly engaged in "white" magic, deflecting malicious spells, healing the sick and so on and so forth.
Ceremonial magicians, in turn, would use the term "witchcraft" to describe "low" magic (as opposed to their own elaborate rituals).
Some neo-pagans, in turn, tend to refer to their own magical practices as "witchcraft" indiscriminately, even if their rituals include bowdlerized versions of the Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram and so forth.

In short: there are many answers to this question, depending on whom you ask.

What is Sin?

A concept that is mostly associated with the Abrahamaic religions, where it denotes disobedience to the rules laid down by YHVH. (Including such arbitrary prohibitions as gathering firewood on a Saturday.) The term has entered colloquial usage as well, however, and is often employed to describe any sort of moral transgression.
In some other religions, there exist vaguely corresponding concepts, but they are usually quite distinct from the Abrahamaic conception of "sin": in Hinduism and Buddhism, for example, unethical deeds are not problematic because of some divine authority acting as a law-enforcer, but because they generate negative consequences for all involved parties (i.e. "karma").

Are you (as a pagan) a legalist?

Short answer: no. It would take belief in a holy book that includes a supposedly divinely authored legal code to be a legalist. Ethics are an important matter, and far from arbitrary (courtesy of the inherent consequences of certain actions), but they are an exclusively human concern.

Are you (as a pagan) a Liberalist?

A what now? I'm socially liberal, but economically speaking, I favour a moderately regulated system that makes it possible for the people to resist the machinations of a monetary elite, rather than watching helplessly while the richest of the rich form a new sort of feudal system.

Why do you believe in the God(s), god(s), and/or G(g)oddesses, beings, energies, etc.?

Short answer: because of Love.
The long answer would take too long right now.

Is there an afterlife? How do you know if there is or isn't one?

Based on what happens to Alzheimer patients, or people suffering from amnesia, I tend to doubt that the more simplistic conceptions of the afterlife could be true: as our personality is inextricably tied to our central nervous system in the form of memories, patterns of behaviour and emotions (i.e. biochemical reactions), I cannot see how anything that might be identifiable as the person we are right here, right now, might survive our physical demise. Heck, some people even cease to exist while their body is still alive - just look at dementia in its final stages: it totally obliterates the individual.
I consider it possible that there is some part of us that is immortal; but it lies on a level that is quite distinct from our conception of self.

 

[Steezie]

Yay someone brought one of these threads up

I love these threads

Why identify as just "Pagan" in the first place? Why not narrow it down a bit. Like I think Wiccan is a pagan religion and I'm sure there are others... I don't know it seems like just saying "Pagan" is like if I or anyone else were to just say "we're Abrahamic" but never getting more specific than that... and that really could mean a whole bunch of beliefs and practices. So not very helpful to identify by. Do you each have a more specific pagan religion/culture you identify with and if so, why not use that to identify by than just the general pagan.

For the same reason we dont introduce ourselves the way the Samurai used to.

When two Samurai met, especially on the battlefield, each would list out their names, the names of their family and ancestors, their deeds, their families' deeds etc etc.

Most Pagans technically have long, complicated classification names. I would, in the technical speech, be an Eclectic Hellenic Pagan. However it's far easier to say I'm simply Pagan and elaborate as necessary.

Oh and sorry, last question, if it's more of a cultural thing, were these kind of traditions passed down to you or did you just pick them up and pick which pagan culture/traditions you wish to identify with?

Questions are always welcome

Me personally, it was something I came to and interpreted on my own.

This sort of goes along with people who say that their beliefs are ancient. Certain aspects of certain Pagan beliefs are indeed very old. However much of what we today consider Paganism is very new. The term "neo-Pagan" is popular to describe this, but I dislike the term as it sounds more like a fad to me. No one calls modern Christianity "neo-Christianity"

 

[praisehimalleluia]

I read the thread and it kind of seems interesting because the Bible does speak about Pagans in which I was always wondering what they were, their beliefs, etc... and since they existed from ancient times, I just need to know. I've grasped a basic picture of paganism from the thread.

How do pagans view these;

1. The suffering of innocent people in the world

2. The wicked who always prosper and live happy, whilst the poor and righteous (I would call it good people as in act of charity, kindness, loving and caring attributes they apply to all mankind despite of religion and race) often suffer and are victims of cruel incidents to them. What are your views on these?

Some of you mentioned sin phrased as "the Creator's rules being broken by His followers, e.g. Christianity, Jews, Islam". The Hindu believe in Karma where if evil is done this life, there is a next life where the soul repays the evil karma.
2.a) Based on these, do you have a sort of instinct within you or your practises that you feel guilty to do evil to others around you? What makes you avoid evil? I categorise sin as "evil" to make it easier to understand what I refer to when I think of sin. Perhaps many refer to sin as the evil that we do compared to just a set of rules set by God.

3. Is your body just a body? Do you believe you have a soul within you. What are you within the flesh? Can the Spirit live or just die when you die?

4. I still don't get the idea of afterlife in pagan beliefs. How do you view a death of your family member who is Pagan. Is it the end? Or you have some sort of hope for a future meet-up with your loved ones?

5. What exactly do you think you were born for? Your purpose on earth as mankind?

 

[Caitlin.ann]

Great questions! I wish I had time to respond at this moment, but I don't. This afternoon however I will dedicate time to mull over and answer your questions. Glad to see you find this thread interesting.

 

[sidhe]

Yay someone brought one of these threads up

I love these threads

For the same reason we dont introduce ourselves the way the Samurai used to.

When two Samurai met, especially on the battlefield, each would list out their names, the names of their family and ancestors, their deeds, their families' deeds etc etc.

Most Pagans technically have long, complicated classification names. I would, in the technical speech, be an Eclectic Hellenic Pagan. However it's far easier to say I'm simply Pagan and elaborate as necessary.

Can you imagine if pagans did that?

"So, what religion are you?"

"I'm Kemetic Orthodox, but previously was in a Gardnerian coven, and I'm 4* in the OTO, a member of the A.'.A.'., and spent some time studying with Chic and Tabatha Cicero on Golden Dawn magickal techniques. You?"

"Religious Thelemite, practicioner of New Hermetics and in an unaffiliated Open Source Order of the Golden Dawn lodge. Also, I wrote my Masters' thesis on Jungian archetypes of deity in modern psychology..."

 

[sidhe]

I read the thread and it kind of seems interesting because the Bible does speak about Pagans in which I was always wondering what they were, their beliefs, etc... and since they existed from ancient times, I just need to know. I've grasped a basic picture of paganism from the thread.

How do pagans view these;

1. The suffering of innocent people in the world

Things happen, sometimes for no reason. Sometimes, something bad happens because the result is better than if the good thing had happened. Like you lose your keys, miss a job interview for what you think is the perfect job that you desperately need, end up singing in karaoke contests to make the money needed to make ends meet, a talent agent from a record label hears you, you get signed and become famous.

Sometimes, though, life just sucks. To quote Denis Leary - "Life sucks, wear a helmet."

2. The wicked who always prosper and live happy, whilst the poor and righteous (I would call it good people as in act of charity, kindness, loving and caring attributes they apply to all mankind despite of religion and race) often suffer and are victims of cruel incidents to them. What are your views on these?

See, I don't really see that, because morality is a hard thing to judge. Someone could be "wicked" and successful, but be an incredibly kind person beneath the harsh exterior...they just don't want to play by the rules. Contrariwise, someone could be "righteous", and really be merely presenting the image the world wants to see of a "righteous" person. For instance - I think Microsoft is evil. Even though I use their products, I consider their borderline-monopoly to be bad for both the computer industry and for economics. Bill Gates set up their ruthless business model long ago, but he's a philanthropist, supporter of the arts, and I would sit down for dinner with him any night of the week.

Some of you mentioned sin phrased as "the Creator's rules being broken by His followers, e.g. Christianity, Jews, Islam". The Hindu believe in Karma where if evil is done this life, there is a next life where the soul repays the evil karma.
2.a) Based on these, do you have a sort of instinct within you or your practises that you feel guilty to do evil to others around you? What makes you avoid evil? I categorise sin as "evil" to make it easier to understand what I refer to when I think of sin. Perhaps many refer to sin as the evil that we do compared to just a set of rules set by God.

I'm a Thelemite - before any action I ask "Is this really my Will?" For instance, I LOVE potato chips and dip. When I'm sad, some Pringles and french onion dip will give me a little boost-of-spirit. At the same time, I'm also kind of a health nut - I run a mile every day, lift weights, do yoga, and try to eat really healthy as much as I can. That also makes me feel better when I'm down, and it contributes towards my goal of losing weight, and being physically fit helps in my magickal practice. When I'm sad, I have to ask - "Chips are good, but do I really want them right now, or would throwing some sneakers on and running around the block work just as well?" or, rarely, "Yes, I should go running, but if I don't indulge myself periodically I'll go crazy - I got lowfat everything, wouldn't I really rather have some chips & dip than go outside right now?"

3. Is your body just a body? Do you believe you have a soul within you. What are you within the flesh? Can the Spirit live or just die when you die?

See my signature - I am a flawless reflection of the Divine. I tend not to worry about things like "the existence of a soul" or such. It's not a question that comes to mind. As I'm a microcosm of Divinity, I'll do whatever I want when I physically die.

4. I still don't get the idea of afterlife in pagan beliefs. How do you view a death of your family member who is Pagan. Is it the end? Or you have some sort of hope for a future meet-up with your loved ones?

I might see my loved ones again in this life if they choose to reincarnate, or they might visit on another plane in another form. I might even see them in the afterlife. Again - I don't sweat that.

5. What exactly do you think you were born for? Your purpose on earth as mankind?

To perform the Great Work of Union with the Divine. That's really what we're all here to do, each in our own way, according to our Will.

 

[Caitlin.ann]

I read the thread and it kind of seems interesting because the Bible does speak about Pagans in which I was always wondering what they were, their beliefs, etc... and since they existed from ancient times, I just need to know. I've grasped a basic picture of paganism from the thread.

How do pagans view these;

1. The suffering of innocent people in the world

Sometimes bad things just happen regardless of whether the person is "good" or "bad". As the old phrase goes "S**t happens". However I also think a lot of bad things can be prevented with proper planning. I'm a firm believer in taking responsibilities for oneself and ones actions and planning a head to form a sort of cushion when bad things happen (i.e. saving instead of spending, having a disaster readiness plan, etc.)

2. The wicked who always prosper and live happy, whilst the poor and righteous (I would call it good people as in act of charity, kindness, loving and caring attributes they apply to all mankind despite of religion and race) often suffer and are victims of cruel incidents to them. What are your views on these?

I disagree, I don't think it has anything to do with good vs. bad, but rather proper planning. There are many good, wonderful people who prosper and live happily, likewise there are a bunch of bad poor people. Its not limited to ones perception of good or bad, its about how much preparation a person does in order to be prosperous and happy. Examples: Finishing high school, going to college or trade school, finding a good job, saving up, not living outside ones means, etc. I also know of many people who can be happy without monetary wealth, so in short I disagree with your above statement.

Some of you mentioned sin phrased as "the Creator's rules being broken by His followers, e.g. Christianity, Jews, Islam". The Hindu believe in Karma where if evil is done this life, there is a next life where the soul repays the evil karma.
2.a) Based on these, do you have a sort of instinct within you or your practises that you feel guilty to do evil to others around you? What makes you avoid evil? I categorise sin as "evil" to make it easier to understand what I refer to when I think of sin. Perhaps many refer to sin as the evil that we do compared to just a set of rules set by God.

I don't hold the Hindu belief in karma. That being said, I don't do "evil" (which is entirely subjective anyways) to others around me. My parents raised me with morals, not based on religion, but based on basic human decency. There are social and cultural norms which people must adhere to in every society, these are what I follow (more or less). Morals can be a product of religion, but they are not dependent on religion. I know atheists and pagans with better morals than many Christians for example.

3. Is your body just a body? Do you believe you have a soul within you. What are you within the flesh? Can the Spirit live or just die when you die?

My body is my own, within my flesh I am blood and bone. Sure we have energy/soul, however whatever happens after death happens, I have no preconceived notions because I admit that I do not know what comes next.

4. I still don't get the idea of afterlife in pagan beliefs. How do you view a death of your family member who is Pagan. Is it the end? Or you have some sort of hope for a future meet-up with your loved ones?

Since "Pagan" is an umbrella term for many different religions you may never get a good idea of afterlife in pagan beliefs, because every path is different.

5. What exactly do you think you were born for? Your purpose on earth as mankind?

I was born because my mom threatened to leave my father if he didn't give her children. .

Actually, I don't think I have a purpose here other than to learn and enjoy life. A friend once told me "the divine is simple". I don't think divinity, religion, spirituality has to be so complicated as people want to make it out to be. When I find myself obsessing over such questions I have to tell myself "the divine is simple, this is simple, don't make it so complicated". Its worked for me.

 

[Steezie]

I read the thread and it kind of seems interesting because the Bible does speak about Pagans in which I was always wondering what they were, their beliefs, etc... and since they existed from ancient times, I just need to know. I've grasped a basic picture of paganism from the thread.

While your curiosity and honesty makes me very happy, keep in mind that the pagans of the bible are not the Pagans of today.

1.

The suffering of innocent people in the world

I believe that suffering makes us stronger, it stokes our will to live, and helps bring out the best in us. If you dont suffer, then things like pleasure and joy mean nothing because you have no contrasting experiences to compare them to.

2. The wicked who always prosper and live happy, whilst the poor and righteous

(I would call it good people as in act of charity, kindness, loving and caring attributes they apply to all mankind despite of religion and race) often suffer and are victims of cruel incidents to them. What are your views on these?

The poor and righteous need to take steps to rectify the situation, but I think in the end earning stacks of bad karma will do more than any sword we have.

Some of you mentioned sin phrased as "the Creator's rules being broken by His followers, e.g. Christianity, Jews, Islam". The Hindu believe in Karma where if evil is done this life, there is a next life where the soul repays the evil karma.

2.a) Based on these, do you have a sort of instinct within you or your practises that you feel guilty to do evil to others around you? What makes you avoid evil? I categorise sin as "evil" to make it easier to understand what I refer to when I think of sin. Perhaps many refer to sin as the evil that we do compared to just a set of rules set by God.

It depends on what you mean by evil. In Christianity, there are very clearly defined rules about what is good and what is not. Often we rely on our inborn sense of right and wrong coupled with the idea that "if I dont want it done to me, then they probably dont want it done to them" to truly separate out right from wrong.

3. Is your body just a body? Do you believe you have a soul within you. What are you within the flesh? Can the Spirit live or just die when you die?

I believe our spirits go on to a place of rest after we die. There, the soul reflects on the life it has lived and then chooses to be reborn in a new body.

4. I still don't get the idea of afterlife in pagan beliefs. How do you view a death of your family member who is Pagan. Is it the end?

Or you have some sort of hope for a future meet-up with your loved ones?

I view death with sadness but also with great joy. We believe life to be cyclic, not linear. So a person passing on is simply them taking another turn on the wheel, if you will. They are starting a new life, a new existence, but that necessitates the ending of this one. I would be sad because I would not see them again, but that doesn't mean we couldn't meet up again in a new incarnation.

5. What exactly do you think you were born for? Your purpose on earth as mankind?

Gilgamesh, where are you roaming?
The life that you are seeking you will not find.
When the gods created human beings, they kept everlasting life for themselves and gave us death

So Gilgamesh, accept your fate.
Each day, bathe in warm water and wear clean clothes.
Fill your stomach with delicious food.
Play, sing, dance, and be happy both day and night.

Delight in the pleasures your wife brings you and cherish the little child that holds your hand
Make every day a feast of rejoicing!
This is the task that the gods have set before all human beings.
This is the life you should seek, for this is the best life a mortal can hope to achieve.

 

[Gardenia]

How do pagans view these;

1. The suffering of innocent people in the world.
It is my belief that there are a few reasons why people suffer. First, because we as humans have the free will to do whatever we want, really. Some people abuse that, and use their free will to harm others. Second, because some suffering and struggle is necessary for learning and growth - both individually and collectively. Third, well, sometimes people suffer just because er, 'stuff happens.'

2. The wicked who always prosper and live happy, whilst the poor and righteous often suffer and are victims of cruel incidents to them. What are your views on these?
I don't think it's necessarily the wicked who are always happen, the good who are not.. and as was said by another, I sometimes think it is hard to draw the line between who is good and who is evil. I don't really take a black and white view of the topic.. that said, the answer to this question, for me, would probably be right in line with the answer to the first.

2.a) Based on these, do you have a sort of instinct within you or your practises that you feel guilty to do evil to others around you? What makes you avoid evil?
I don't believe in karma as most Hindus do. I do, however, believe in a cause and effect of sorts, which by my understanding is slightly different than the Hindu understanding.. It's more like, well, reaping what you sow.
I live my life by a rather simple rule, which many are familiar with and call the golder rule. I believe the Tale of the Eloquent Peasant states it as "do not do to others what you would not have them do to you."
I also spoke a bit of my views of sin in post 39 (ma'at and isfet), and to pull a line out of that post, it is "sin" to do something you know to be wrong. To do something which is not within ma'at.
So, it is some mix of these three which keeps me from treating others, or myself, badly. I do not wish to harm others because I would not like that to happen to me, because I can empathize with people and do not desire them to suffer. I don't wish to live my life by sowing evil, it is not good for me, it is not good for this world. All these reasons, and probably more, are why I avoid doing such things.

3. Is your body just a body? Do you believe you have a soul within you. What are you within the flesh? Can the Spirit live or just die when you die?
I believe that while we are in a physical existence the body and soul are one. After the body can no longer function the soul lives on, that it is eternal. The body is our means to truly interact with the physical world.

4. I still don't get the idea of afterlife in pagan beliefs. How do you view a death of your family member who is Pagan. Is it the end? Or you have some sort of hope for a future meet-up with your loved ones?
Pagans hold a lot of various views on the afterlife, so there's no single idea or view (as with most things in paganism ). Personally, I believe when we die we go through a cleansing and judgment of sorts. (I think many might know of the judgment scene from the Egyptian book of the dead.) A time to reflect on our lives, to free ourselves from the guilt of wrongs we may have done by facing them. After one is free from guilt, it is easier to truly reflect on all the actions of your life, to learn from them.
After this, we pass on to the otherworld in truth. As there are many lands and cultures in the seen world that we live in, I think this is also reflected in the unseen world. A Buddhist probably would not be happy in Valhalla, for example. Here it is possible for us to meet with people we knew in life (both this and any possible past ones). We can relax here. We can continue to learn and grow. We may choose to reincarnate (after any period of time), but I do not think it is something every soul must choose.

I view the death of a pagan as I view the death of anyone, it is not the end, only a change - for both them and those still living.

5. What exactly do you think you were born for? Your purpose on earth as mankind?
To grow, to learn, to live life, to love, to experience the physical world, to just enjoy being here.

 

[Wicked Willow]

I read the thread and it kind of seems interesting because the Bible does speak about Pagans in which I was always wondering what they were, their beliefs, etc... and since they existed from ancient times, I just need to know. I've grasped a basic picture of paganism from the thread.

Even back then, "pagan/gentile" was an umbrella term. And today's pagans (even the reconstructionists, in spite of all their attempts at being "authentic") are not the same as those who lived approximately two thousand years ago. (The same goes for every religion, of course; but with pagan religions, chances are that the line of tradition has been somewhat broken at some point.)

1.

The suffering of innocent people in the world

I do not believe that we are puppets in a deterministic universe controlled by divine beings, nor do I think that everything happens "for a reason" (determined by a supernatural authority). Sure, we can turn even the most random event into something that has immense significance for our own life, or draw connections between seemingly unrelated events (Jung called that phenomenon "synchronicity") - but that's a different story altogether.
In short, I don't believe that any gods are "running the show".

2. The wicked who always prosper and live happy, whilst the poor and righteous

(I would call it good people as in act of charity, kindness, loving and caring attributes they apply to all mankind despite of religion and race) often suffer and are victims of cruel incidents to them. What are your views on these?

For starters, ethics and morality belong to the social sphere, not the religious one. Sure, many societies (past and present) have employed religion to support their particular moral framework; but I do not think the association is binding (nor, for that matter, very productive).

My question then would be: do the wicked "always prosper and live happy", as you put it? That is hardly the impression that I get. On the whole, society is quite good at spotting the most disruptive individuals, and containing them if necessary.
Furthermore, although I'm quite suspicious of rich people, I wouldn't go so far as to equate wealth with wickedness by default - nor poverty with virtue.
As for bad things happening to good people: my answer would be the same as the one given above.

Some of you mentioned sin phrased as "the Creator's rules being broken by His followers, e.g. Christianity, Jews, Islam". The Hindu believe in Karma where if evil is done this life, there is a next life where the soul repays the evil karma.

2.a) Based on these, do you have a sort of instinct within you or your practises that you feel guilty to do evil to others around you? What makes you avoid evil? I categorise sin as "evil" to make it easier to understand what I refer to when I think of sin. Perhaps many refer to sin as the evil that we do compared to just a set of rules set by God.

What makes me avoid evil is just what makes you (and every other non-sociopath on this planet) avoid evil: a mixture of social instincts handed down from distant ancestors (that we have in common with many other social species, by the way), socialization/education, and personal reflection. There's really not that much supernatural or mysterious about basic social behaviour: you might just as well ask why we seek out food when we are hungry. Our ability to cooperate with others, to built strong communities and emotional bonds, is (and was) as fundamental to our survival as the ability to seek out sustenance when our tummies start to growl.

3. Is your body just a body? Do you believe you have a soul within you. What are you within the flesh? Can the Spirit live or just die when you die?

I AM my body. Substract my senses, my memories, my emotions, my appearance, and whatever might be left bears virtually no resemblance to anything that could be identified as "me". My "soul", or psyche, is a product of my body, not an immaterial pilot driving a fleshy vehicle.
That said, I believe that Deity manifests in each of us - and in everything else as well. We are expressions of Reality, and as such, part of the immortal, eternal Now. We are like spray on the ocean: distinct, unique, and very much transient - yet still part of the vast ocean to which we return.

4. I still don't get the idea of afterlife in pagan beliefs. How do you view a death of your family member who is Pagan. Is it the end?

Or you have some sort of hope for a future meet-up with your loved ones?

I think I pretty much answered that one already in what I wrote above: yes, we are mortal; and no, nothing is ever lost in this universe.

Death is an integral part of life - its very condition, to be precise. Without death, life would be like a cancer, exterminating itself in its uncurbed growth. People are uncomfortable with the notion because it represents the most fundamental change imaginable - a change that obliterates everything.

5. What exactly do you think you were born for? Your purpose on earth as mankind?

We have the purpose that we give ourselves; but no, that sounds far too random, and there's nothing random about it. I was born to be me, to the fullest extent of my ability. I am one facet of the immense diamond we call the universe, the one that relates to the All. I am the universe discovering itself, and reflecting upon its existance.

 

[Witchy Bee]

1. The suffering of innocent people in the world

You would have to be that person to know for sure if they are truly innocent. Even if they haven't done anything we would consider wrong, we don't know everything about them just by looking. It is my belief that people can be punished for deeds they have done in their past lives as well, so you just never know.

2. The wicked who always prosper and live happy, whilst the poor and righteous (I would call it good people as in act of charity, kindness, loving and caring attributes they apply to all mankind despite of religion and race) often suffer and are victims of cruel incidents to them. What are your views on these?

I am a strong believer in Karma, always have been. I think what turns people off of believing in Karma most of the time is that they look at one example - be it themselves or another person - and decide that, because things are not going just as they should, that Karma doesn't exist. But they forget that Karma does not only affect this planet and everything on it, but the entire universe, and I do believe in life on other planets, so that plays a role too. There is such a delicate balance within the universe that is so far beyond our own understanding that we couldn't dream of figuring it all out based on one specific example.

Some of you mentioned sin phrased as "the Creator's rules being broken by His followers, e.g. Christianity, Jews, Islam". The Hindu believe in Karma where if evil is done this life, there is a next life where the soul repays the evil karma.
2.a) Based on these, do you have a sort of instinct within you or your practises that you feel guilty to do evil to others around you? What makes you avoid evil? I categorise sin as "evil" to make it easier to understand what I refer to when I think of sin. Perhaps many refer to sin as the evil that we do compared to just a set of rules set by God.

Nothing can be called simply "evil". I don't believe in pure evil, nor do I believe in sin. All acts have some element of good and some element of bad. When one does some sort of charity work they are doing good by helping those in need, but they are also gaining a great deal of pride because of it (Ironically, one of the seven deadly sins.). Like it or not, it is in our nature to do bad things, and good things for the wrong reasons. It is all a part of the great balance that keeps this world of ours on its tilt if you ask me.

3. Is your body just a body? Do you believe you have a soul within you. What are you within the flesh? Can the Spirit live or just die when you die?

The soul is not a literal thing, like the brain or kidneys is. It is rather a deeper state of mind. One can be whole without choosing to be aware of their spirit. And if one chooses to believe that when they die they're dead and that's it. Then there is no reason why that wouldn't happen to them. However, if one chooses to become believe in the spirit, they become aware of everything around them on a new level and of their own place within the universe. That's just my thoughts on it anyway. After all, I was an atheist for most of my life and didn't feel like I was missing anything until I opened myself up to the idea of a spiritual existence.

4. I still don't get the idea of afterlife in pagan beliefs. How do you view a death of your family member who is Pagan. Is it the end? Or you have some sort of hope for a future meet-up with your loved ones?

It is my belief that what one believes in life will happen to them upon their death. Now, personally I believe in reincarnation and it is my hope that upon my death my soul will rest on the plane to reflect until such time as it is ready to begin another life. Some people believe their soul will go to heaven for all eternity, and that's fine too. Some people also believe that when they die, nothing happens, and there's nothing wrong with that. It is my belief though that anything can come back as anything, so a tree could become a person, and so forth. Which may explain population growth to some degree. But like I've said, it's another one of those intricate things in the universe that we just won't ever know for sure. This is only the best I can hope for.

5. What exactly do you think you were born for? Your purpose on earth as mankind?

I don't know yet to be honest, I could be fulfilling it without even knowing it really. Some people's purpose isn't revealed until long after there life is over, so I'm not to hung up on it.
__________________