I Am Pagan [Paganism]

In northern European languages and cosmologies (Norse, Celtic, Germanic) the Moon is actually MALE and the Sun is FEMALE. But I still see Neopagans and New Agers who say they practice Celtic religion referring to the Moon as 'she' and the Sun as 'he' when even a brief bit of research will show that is not the case at all. Please, stop just cramming distinct traditions into a pseudo-Wiccan format that doesn't really fit or represent the religion's actual beliefs and practices. Just read a book written by a real scholar. I've done it before. I swear it won't hurt you. It's actually kind of fun to learn new things!

Okay, rant over. I feel better now, thank Saga.

But seriously, I've noticed a certain aversion to research in the Pagan community that just blows my mind. The Elder Pagans, the people we are ostensibly emulating, held learning and retention of information in very high regard. Druids were lauded for their meticulous memory and were living stores of religious, legal, and genealogical information. Norse skalds were looked at in a very similar way. We should be striving to regain that, not focusing on doing the least amount of reading possible.

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drymer · 56-60, M

People often dwell into, hmm, the exotic/alternative (for lack of other words) more as a way to "escape" established religions and/or social norms. They seek freedom of doing whatever they want, not necessarily "enlightenment". I agree with you, people should seek knowledge, yet most people are too lazy to study. It's much easier to believe they're "already enlightened", and act like they know it all (probably makes them feel "powerful").

I'm Christian/Catholic, but I relate more with a pagan who seeks truth and knowledge, than with Christians who believe they know it all and shy away from learning and studying... It's in the Bible: "the Truth will set you free".

MidsouthGuy · 31-35, M

@drymer The point of ancient, indigenous Polytheisms is not 'enlightenment' or any of that nonsense. The goal of Polytheisms is to keep and maintain right relationship with the Gods, ancestors, and land through offerings, sacrifices, and right behavior. Enlightenment and a better afterlife were the goal of certain mystery cults, but not of the religion as a whole. If New Agers and Neopagans want enlightenment, they should be initiated into a mystery cult, not try to frankenstein their ideas into a religion that does not contain them.