~ NEO-PAGANISM ~

Contents

Introduction

What is Neo-
Paganism?

Definitions

Common Beliefs

Divisions/ Traditions/ "Denominations"

Further References

Introduction

I don't believe in reinventing the wheel. So while I may also write articles of my own in the long run to awe and amuse you, I bow to those who have gone before with these links. Most of them have said what I would say, but in many cases have said so much more eloquently than I ever could. There are links to some pretty famous Pagans and Pagan groups on this list :-)

Many people ask, what is the one thing you would want us to know about Neo-Paganism, if we didn't know anyhing else. It is this:

We are not evil. We don't harm or seduce people. We are not dangerous. We are ordinary people like you. We have families, jobs, hopes, and dreams. We are not a cult. This religion is not a joke. We are not what you think we are from looking at T.V. We are real. We laugh, we cry. We are serious. We have a sense of humor. You don't have to be afraid of us. We don't want to convert you. And please don't try to convert us. Just give us the same right we give you -- to live in peace. We are much more similar to you than you think.

-- Margot Adler, Drawing Down theMoon,p.453.

What is Neo-Paganism?

First, a clarification. "Neo-Paganism" is an "umbrella term" for a group of faiths with certain commonalities, much like the term "Eastern Religion", and in a more narrow sense, like the term "Christianity". There are variations in beliefs and definitions as well as many different groups within Neo-Paganism. Below are some of the definitions and beliefs of Neo-Paganism as explained by some of the elders and most respect members of the Neo-Pagan community.

Definitions

Defining Paganism: Paleo-, Meso-, and Neo-  by Isaac Bonewits

Neo-Paganism as defined by the Church of All Worlds

Paganism/Neo-Paganism as defined by the Pagan Educational Network.

NEO-PAGAN RELIGIOUS TRADITIONS as defined by the Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance (an amalgamation of information gathered from people within Neo-Paganism by people outside the faith.

Alt.Pagan FAQ, has a large amount of information concerning Paganism and Neo-Paganism, compiled by a large group of diverse people identifying themselves as Pagans.

Common Beliefs

What Neopagans Believe by Isaac Bonewits

Divisions / Traditions / "Denominations"

Within Neo-Paganism we generally refer to the different groups of religions in our community as "Traditions" rather than, denominations, but the idea is essentially equivilent.

Wicca - The largest Branch of the Neo-Pagan Tree is Wicca. Wicca is, like Protestantism, a whole category of traditions in and of itself.

Asatru is considered by some to be among the Neo-Pagan community, but practitioners of the Norse recreation religion consider the term Heathen more accurate than Pagan. This OCRT site has information as well as links to Asatru groups. Please Be Aware! Some white supremists practice their own form of Norse religion, but the larger Asatru community does not consider them to be in harmony with Asatru beliefs. Just as many white supremist who claim that they are practicing a form or Christianity have nothing to do with mainstream Christians, these renegade "Asatru" have nothing to do with modern Heathenism.

Druidry - is both a part of Celtic Reconstructionist religion and a is a group of faiths seperate from Celtic Reconstructionist religion. There are several groups within Druidry. This OCRT site has links and references.

Further References

The Church of All Worlds Homepage

Isaac Bonewits' Homepage

Goddess Spirituality

Copyrights, Credits, Disclaimers and other "legalise".

Unless otherwise noted, all graphics and artwork on all pages of this site are assumed to be in the Public Domain or are used with the artist's permission. Graphics credits and source information for all graphics can be found on this page. All written materials are copyright by Catherine Deville, 1999, unless otherwise noted. Please notify me immediately if you have any copywrite concerns.

Parchment graphics including the background and buttons for this page and all parchment pages are compliments of RSDMSPT@aol.com . This collection can be downloaded from AOL or you may contact the artist directly.

~Goddess 2000 Project~ graphics including Willendorf banners and buttons are courtesy of Abby Willowroot

This page was designed with the help of Microsoft Front Page Express ver. 2.0.2.1118.

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Last revised: August 06, 2006 .