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What is a modern Pagan?

Question: What is a modern Pagan in 2011?
To me, a Pagan is someone who derives their spiritual power from nature. A Pagan is not necessarily an environmentalist. Please argue or discuss or not.

Tags: meaning, pagan

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Permalink Reply by Rachael Sue Rubin on November 13, 2011 at 8:09pm

just what you said, but i am afraid to answer,lol, unless someone doesn't like my answer and takes their anger out on me.:)

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Permalink Reply by Endrick on November 13, 2011 at 8:14pm

A Pagan is what is has always been. Pagan is an umbrella term to cover those that follow a non- Abrahamic path.

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Permalink Reply by Carolyn Suman on November 13, 2011 at 9:38pm

I've never actually looked at the exact definition of Pagan but I always considered it to be any religion or spiritual path which honors the universe and her natural energy. That being said, before I followed this path myself (yes I was quite stupid & naive lol) I thought Pagan and Athiest were the same!! I know I'm not alone in that way of thinking for I picked up that assumption from others & have heard it many times since. I'm not sure if what I've seen is widespread, but I've really felt more & more lately that others are more accepting & have more knowledge & understanding of Pagan beliefs (even in the media etc), so I feel & hope the stereotypes placed on Pagans, Wiccans etc etc will start to dissolve in times to come.
I think for the Modern Pagan in 2011, we are the most ancient of beliefs & the direction for the evolution of Man :-)

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Permalink Reply by Phoenix Rising on November 14, 2011 at 9:07am

I think part of the definition of a Modern Pagan in 2011 is knowing in your bones that you are only a part of the interconnected Web of Life. We humans are no more valuable to the Whole than earthworms or rocks. That said, even though many Pagans are not environmental activists, I think we are all environmentalists by definition, as injuries or imbalances to/in the Earth are felt by us all, and affects us all. I think we all try, ideally, to walk lightly on this planet, our Mother and Only Home. So simple a thing as recycling makes us environmentalists, after all~~

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Permalink Reply by Michael Kinsella on November 15, 2011 at 6:06pm

Interesting discussion. I think that being a pagan is as varied as the people on the earth. For myself, I derive my power from nature and the earth. I consider myself an environmentalist, however I do partake of the gifts that nature has to offer. I have no problem hunting or fishing and so on. I only take what I can use and even clean up the trash when I am in the woods. We need to take care of our earth as it is the only one we have.

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Permalink Reply by Phoenix Rising on November 16, 2011 at 12:13am

I have never seen anything 'wrong' about hunting or fishing or any other use of the fellow inhabitants of the Earth that we coexist here with, as long as it done with respect and reverence and thanks. After all - even the plants that we eat must die for our benefit - it's not that THEY don't want to live... I think that because they're not 'cute and cuddly', or anthropomorphized by Disney, most people, including Vegans, never consider that plants are beings with a will and desire to live full lives also.