NeoPaganism VS Paganism
Many times in out history Paganism has been confused with Neo-paganism.
The differences are vast and yet still they are used interchangeably.
So my dear friends as my goal is to both educate and to teach
here is the differences and a little history to boot.
Pagan is a derivative of the Latin word
pagnus, which means simply "country dweller".
As Christianity moved through the West
the last people to convert from prechristain
religions where the country folk.
Later, during the Middle Ages/Renaissance period,
the word would be used as a
derogatory term to mean uncultured and
uneducated beings and, those who worshipped
false gods.
Neopaganism on the other hand is the reconstruction of
the pre-chistain religions.
It means different things to different people.
from a way of life for some to a phislophy
to others.
As a whole Neopagans are not organized nor
are they one set of beliefs, rules gods or gurus.
This is why it has appealed to both solitary
practioners and organizations alike.
(Margot Adler, Drawing Down the moon. not direct quotes)
There are three principles that classify neopaganism,
these are Polytheism, Pantheism and Animism.
However not all prescribe to all three.
Polythesim The divine force has not one but many faces
personified by different gods and goddesses.
(for my version of polytheism see entity.html although I do believe
in it.)
Pantheism Is the belief that the Divine force is not only
transendant but also immante in nature.
(that the gods and goddesses live not only outside and above nature
but
are also within it.)
Some believe that Mother Nature herself has a persona
and to some she is a living sentient being.
To view all life as sacred and interconnected.
Celebrates life fertility and the cycles of nature.
Seeking harmony with all life
and the forces of the elements.
Animism All things even inanimate objects
are inbued with a life force.
(For a very good reference book get
The Encyclopedia of Witch's and Witchcraft by
Rosemary Ellen Guiley) (It should be in my books page
if you would like to view it or buy Please do so there.)