Although
the New Age movement has brought into current awareness a wide
selection of ancient arts, it is evident that religions which
are not recognised as one of the six main worldly beliefs, that
is Christianity, Muslin, Hindu, Buddhism, Judaism and Islam, are
still considered as having little or no credibility, with their
practitioners viewed with suspicion.
It
is also disappointing that as we, the human race, have stepped
into another millennium (well, according to the general populace
of the Western world anyway), this superstition and fear of the
unknown (the occult) is based on what can only be perceived as
narrow mindedness.
Strong
words? Maybe, but isn't it time for people to try opening their
minds in order to respect another person's beliefs, even if we
do not fully understand them ourselves? When we open our minds
to listen to what another person believes in we are often be surprised.
Putting aside the fact that different names, and even sexes in
some cases, are used when talking about divinity, it appears that
most spiritually minded people believe that one day they will
meet their ultimate source - their God or Goddess, Universal Spirit,
Divine Light, Holy Guardian Angel - all different names referring
to the same thing. It can therefore be said that we are all heading
in the same direction, only on different paths.
The
main reason I have decided to write this article is to hopefully
dismiss the prejudice which surrounds what is my spiritual path,
that as "Paganism". This prejudice, based on centuries old misinformation,
does not seem appropriate for this age of spiritual progress.
Despite Paganism being a "recognised" religion in many countries
including Australia, it still saddens me to see and hear the consistent
prejudice towards this belief system.
What
is Paganism:
Paganism is the world's oldest known religion. Its origins, though
obscure, are believed to date back to Palaeolithic times and arose
from man's desire to explore the unknown and to seek unity with
the Divine Force. This is evident in ancient cave paintings and
statues like the Venus of Willendorf. These early beginnings were
based on a form of ancestor worship and were shamanic in nature.
The
word "Pagan" itself is derived from the Latin Paganus, meaning
"a civilian", people who were country-dwellers as opposed to the
Roman military. When Christianity was certified as the official
religion in Rome, Pagans were a title given to people who clung
to their pre-Christian beliefs, those of their ancestors. The
term today describes various spiritual paths that have a common
affinity with nature. Concepts that were once vital to sustaining
life are still revered today, and their principles retained, albeit
adapted to suit life in the modern world.
Describing
what Pagans believe in is difficult as there are a variety of
differing belief systems, just as there are a number of Christian.
Each have their own way of worship, perception of the Divine,
and philosophy about the afterlife. One thing in common is that
Pagan beliefs are not bound by dogma, having strict guidelines
by which all must follow. This does not mean however that Pagans
have no morals or ethics either. Pagans tend to live their lives
probably more closely to the Universal Laws as opposed to the
man-made laws. We believe that each of us has the right of free
will to walk our chosen path, that is to worship in the way we
wish, as long as that path does not infringe upon the free will
of another. Most religions in fact have a guideline along these
lines - "Do unto others as you would have do unto you", "As it
harm none, do what thy wilt". How many of us actually abide by
such guidelines though?
As
opposed to monotheistic religions like Judaism, Christianity and
Islam, Paganism is polytheistic in its worship and gods, many
Pagans consider that all of their gods are manifestations of a
single Divine Force. This Divine Force does not reside "out there",
detached and separate from nature and the material world, but
is immanent in the world and permeates nature. Paganism is, in
this sense, also pantheistic, fusing the Divine with nature and
abstaining from any dualistic notions of matter and spirit as
separate and distinct.
To
Pagans, the Earth (the Great Mother or Gaea) contains the vital
creative energy that gives life to and makes sacred all creation.
Within Paganism divinity is often perceived as both male and female,
masculine and feminine, which is similar to the view held by psychologist
Carl Jung who believed we all have a masculine and a feminine
self within us. This divinity is seen in many ways and expressed
in the worship of the male principle as the God, and the female
principle as the Goddess. This dualistic viewpoint of absolute
opposites extends to the general belief that all things exist
in their own place - we cannot therefore have light without darkness,
or good without bad.
In essence, Pagans strive for balance and harmony both within
ourselves and the environment in which we live. Paganism is not
about "Devil/Satan worship" (as perceived by the Christian faith)
as there is no such being, and therefore it would be ludicrous
to expect people to worship something that has nothing to do with
their own belief system. There are however what can best be described
as, the "darker" Gods which are revered, but as everything happens
for a reason, sometimes upheavals are necessary to break stagnation
and create growth. Paganism is not about sacrificing children,
brain washing its members and the like either. Many Pagans believe
in the Universal Law of Karma - what you give out comes back,
everything has a cause and effect - as well as endeavouring to
raise the consciousness of humanity.
Not
all Pagan traditions however follow the New Age "white light"
belief - but again, with every action having a reaction, Pagans
need to be sure that they are prepared to handle the responsibility
of their actions, whether perceived as "good" or "evil". People
today, who have become aware of the spiritual void in their lives,
have discovered that Paganism is a religion of joy and love, which
allows self-expression as well as encouraging social and environmental
responsibility - something that unfortunately seems lacking in
today's society.
The
Pagan path is often viewed as a spiritual journey which is, in
itself, similar to many other religions which focus on the journey
of the soul, the evolution of the human race, the coming together
of different identities to form one powerful mindset for the good
of all. Slowly the tide is beginning to turn with people opening
their minds and listening without prejudice to what Pagans really
believe. We cannot deny the fact that sometimes unstable or completely
self-centred people are attracted to this path for the empowerment
one can gain, but we ask is that you do not judge all of us by
the actions of a few. After all the whole of Christianity cannot
be judged upon actions those such as David Koash.
The
majority of us who follow the Pagan beliefs do so because we want
to, and like all others following other spiritual paths, try to
act without judgment. After all, we are working together for the
greater good, that being for the evolution of humanity and preservation
of the planet which we all share.
