Want To Know, What is Paganism???

yep That would be Wicker Man with Richard Harris

I have yet to see the movie. does any one now how I can get a copy of it???

I always KNEW being a virgin was bad for you.......

Hmmm, makes you wonder why the Christians push for staying virginal until your married (human sacrifice going to resurface?) LOL I'm just kidding!

I didn't mean to open this big can of worms see all previous posts complete with qualifications and explanations. plus reasons for bringing these others up.

Using the Judeo-Christian meaning for Christian as defined by the new/old testaments combined (hence Judeo-Christian) one who follows Christ not just believes in. Although I do agree that Mormons do call themselves Christians - Mainstream Christianity(see before mentioned group) does not classify them that way. That's all I'm saying. I didn't make the classifications but I still believe there are more than 2. i.e Pagans/Christians - and probably as a whole pagans have more of a comonality between themselves than Mormons, Presbytirians, Catholic .....oh my the list goes on

But what I think Peckary was really asking is what do the individual people/pagans on this board believe?

I'm interested also....sorry that my comments have sidetracked this so much.

Peace

Mikel - My uncle is a Mormon

Ok what do I believe? This could take a while.


Blargh I am having trouble explaining this.


I will start with deity. I do not "worship" deities like most Chrisitans do with the Christian God. Instead, I see them as friends and guides. I honor them as I would honor an elder. I have not come to a concrete belief on whether all deities are aspects of the same, or are completely separate entites. Either


I believe in reincarnation. I believe that all living things are connected. I believe in spirit guides and divination. I believe that spirituality is best practices by the way you live your life, rather than setting aside a day to practice.


If anyone needs clarification, please feel free to ask. Also, if anyone as a specific question please feel free to ask. I will be happy to explain.

I know the film *very* well! And, it stars Christopher Lee, as Lord Summer Ilse.

Getting to your "Jabbing"s of sacrifice that taunt yer brain. Yes, it *is* something that happened. There is no hiding that fact/reality. And yes, in voodoo, Sasante'ri and other religions it happens. But most of the time the sacrifice its self is taken out of context. Just that there was a sacrifice using an animal. No, more information is usually ever given. But, in the case of the former practices listed these animals are prayed over( ie the ritual) then sacrificed ( killed) then (8 out of 10 )times prepared to be eaten. Not so scary when you break it down. Just a different progression of things, most christian beliefs are used to. Which is-- Go hunting for food, killing food, cooking said food and then praying over food.... Not really to different when it is put like that.

There have been sacrifices all over the world for religious purpous'. Some human, some animal.... it is not a large practice anymore. Those that I have meet over the years that have/do sacrifices use the animal as an offering to their god. For what ever reason..... (and why let a perfectly good chicken go to waste.....eat that thing ) But you are asking god for what ever, thanking the animal for its life, then using it to feed yourself, and others. There is nothing wrong with that. I find that far more respectable to the animal than going to the market and buying it in a styropfoam container. We have seperated ourself as a culture from the land so much that these practices seem so foriegn. When people today go and buy meat at a market, the animals sacrifice is never even thought of. Heck, most people today haven't even been on a farm....... Sacrifice used to be a daily occurance in that aspect..... Look at the appreciation the Amish have for their livestock. They know that with out it, they could not provide for their families...they are still connected to the land.

And human sacrifice we as a race have learned it is not nessesary. One would hope anyway....


But, I am starting to ramble.....

That was very well stated, Jason.

You hit the nail on the head, deary!!!!!
Going to church/ritual/temple etc....( worshiping services that's non denominational!!!!!!) every week doesn't make you a religious person if you are a jerk the rest of the time... And are concernd with only your self.

Thank you Mary, mary....

I did a whole 2 hour radio program on this topic years ago! The info has always stuck with me. Thankfully...

The wicker man is a great film.. I watched it when I was about 14 or something and it really frightened me...

Anyway, Jason, weren't there human sacrifices done in Europe (Teutons & Gauls) in really bad times?

I know that shortly before Thera was blown up by a vulcanic eruption the Islanders actually sacrificed their own children.

Thank you bardas. You have put it all into perspective for me.

having read the bible for a number of years thought I would mention the following.

Abraham was prepared to sacrifice his son isaac (scollars belive issac to have been a man rather than a young boy at the time) to god. He finally sacrificed a ram that was caught in a bush.

The Jews were commanded to sacrifice animals to atone for their sins.

Mary and Joseph made a sacrifice after the birth of Jesus, on his behalf.

Mary made a sacrifice of doves after her giving birth in order to be cleansed.

and the ultermate sacrifice Jesus. Put to death in order to fulfill religious prophesy.

I think I must have joined cloud cuckoo land to turn a blind eye to those sacrifices and find difficulty understanding pagan sacrifice.

How my eyes seem to see clearly now that I am approaching it from a different view point.

I apologize for any earlier blindness on my part.

Oh and by the way Christians still sacrifice every year. its called Harvest Festival in Britan. Food and produce are layed at the alter in the church to be offered up to God in thanks.

How easy it is to be blind to the churches history and origins.

Jax

hehe, I'm definitly not blind to it, I had to go to "Ernte Dank Fest" mass every year (that's the harvest festival, it's not only existing in Britain but also in Germany and other parts of europe) and the things given are called "Opfergaben" or simply "Opfer" which translates to both "Sacrifice" and "Victim"

Maybe we should start our OWN festival and have revelry and sacrifices of beer (after passing it through our kidneys) and virgins .

Just as long as no harm comes to any monkeys

You quote" want to pass beer thought our kidneys and virgins "... what is with that? Let it go through my kidneys only... let the virgins get their own !!!

Honestly ..what is with this virgin thing anyway? In all my experiences with virgins they lacked any knowledge of the act and made it very difficult to arrive at a agreeable conclusion for all involved! Give me a good old lady with experience anytime!

This is being added minutes after my original post:

Why do we as men feel we need to be the First through the gates?
I was a virgin until an older experience woman lead the way... I am not ashamed to ay that either... long live the experienced!!!