Modern Paganism Updated

Modern Paganism

J. L. Sanchez

Paganism is a belief in the natural world that man is simply a higher form of animal with no soul or spirit; when man dies, he dies absolutely. Since his existence here on earth is all he has of being, of life, and all he will ever have, he must create a value system for that being to have a meaningful existence.  The basic belief is that, if there are gods, they manifest themselves in nature, and they need no names or forms, but gods are not necessary to paganism; they simply are and need not be worshipped or named.  This pantheism negates the need for ritual and worship because gods are entities not beings.

Paganism is basically a solitary belief which does not need communalism although meeting in groups for fellowship and fraternity are encouraged for social benefits but not necessarily for worship.  Pagans avoid any organization preferring to reflect singly if at all.  Sharing beliefs is not a part of the pagan way, for reflection is personal and best done alone.

Since pagans are closely attuned to the natural world, they are keenly aware of the seasons and personally celebrate the solstices and equinoxes and especially like to celebrate with light during the Winter solstice.  They follow closely the movement of the sun, the phases of the moon and the seasons of the year and become familiar with the stars and constellations and plot their movements.  Pagans practice gardening and enjoy raising their own foods whenever possible living close to the earth.

The term pagan comes from (Middle English, from Late Latin paganus, civilian i. e., not a “soldier of Christ”), from the Latin paganus country-dweller, from pagus, village, country.  So the pagan is outside of organized religion from the beginning. Another definition is “a person who is not a Christian, Moslem or Jew; heathen”.

Nature appears to be highly ordered with an innate plan.  Human behavior has no innate plan and seems to follow the words of T.S. Eliot:  “Wipe your hands across your mouth and laugh; the world revolves like ancient women gathering fuel in vacant lots;” that is, though Nature has a plan, and the human part of that plan is humans must work out their own life plans and that is one of the joys and responsibilities of being human. 

Modern Paganism makes no attempt to incorporate historical paganism or religious beliefs from present or past religions because MP is not a historical movement built on past pagan principles or practices; it is a way of coming to terms with the modern world … without a dogma.

Pagans avoid creeds and do not form credos.  Each pagan relishes finding his own way, his own meaning in the world without proselytizing or explaining.

Paganism is a way of looking at the world and living in the world.  Paganism is inclusive not exclusive and places no judgment on other ways of looking at the world that are not pagan.  Pagans believe their views are one of many and neither better nor worse than any other – the pagan is never judgmental; he believes in living and letting live.  Pagans do not practice paganism; they simply are pagans.

 Monotheism is not an element of paganism.  Pagans believe the force that through the green fuse drives the flowers that Thomas talks about is the same life force in man.  That force that nurtures man ultimately destroyed him; it is called life and is immutable and inexplicable and ought not to be contemplated in depth just accepted.

The force that through the green fuse drives the flower
by Dylan Thomas
The force that through the green fuse drives the flower Drives my green age; that blasts the roots of trees Is my destroyer. And I am dumb to tell the crooked rose My youth is bent by the same wintry fever. The force that drives the water through the rocks Drives my red blood; that dries the mouthing streams Turns mine to wax. And I am dumb to mouth unto my veins How at the mountain spring the same mouth sucks. The hand that whirls the water in the pool Stirs the quicksand; that ropes the blowing wind Hauls my shroud sail. And I am dumb to tell the hanging man How of my clay is made the hangman's lime. The lips of time leech to the fountain head; Love drips and gathers, but the fallen blood Shall calm her sores. And I am dumb to tell a weather's wind How time has ticked a heaven round the stars. And I am dumb to tell the lover's tomb How at my sheet goes the same crooked worm.

Paganism is a way of living honestly in the world, puzzling out its mysteries individually without forcing one's beliefs on anyone else.  Pagans do not want to be part of a movement, group or force; they simply want to live their own lives, on their own terms ... privately.