Since no one seems to be asking questions, I thought I’d give this thread a bit of a bump and address some misconceptions regarding Paganism that have been coming up in this thread and others:
“Pagans can believe whatever they want to believe.”
This is actually true, in a sense. Paganism is not a single religion, but an umbrella term that encompasses many different traditions. Many Pagans are drawn to Paganism because of this spiritual openness. Some join established traditions, others (commonly referred to as ‘eclectics’) mix and match elements of different traditions that appeal to them. Often, you will hear Pagans say that a particular pantheon/deity “called to them”, that they felt drawn to look into a specific pantheon or a particular Pagan tradition.
However, while it could be said that the misconception is often (but not always) true for eclectics, established traditions (particularly reconstructionist traditions, like Asatru or Hellenismos) have standard rituals and ethical codes. It’s important to understand, however, that Pagan religions are very de-centralized. Despite what you may have heard, there is no “Witch Queen” or “Asapope” that dictates how all members of X tradition should practice it. You might wonder who does have authority, then, and the answer really depends.Some traditions (particularly reconstructionist traditions) possess a body of written lore which is given a measure of authority, but these texts aren’t seen as infallible the way that some Christians might view the Bible. The works of respected scholars and elders in the tradition might also carry weight with practitioners, but they are also subject to critique. For others, absolute authority lies with the individual. I would say that most consider several of these things to be “authoritative” to some degree, but not infallible.
“Why would you worship gods who are, essentially, humans with supernatural powers?”
I think for some, Paganism (and, I would argue, polytheism in general) is appealing for just that reason–the gods are very human-like. Different Pagans will give you different answers, but for me, the Christian understanding of God always seemed very distant, despite hearing things such as “God is everywhere” He never struck me as being as…immediate…in my life. In contrast, many Pagans directly experience their gods in their lives (without the need for intermediaries); the deities are very “active” in their followers lives. In fact, upon first making contact with a deity, the first thing many Pagans ask themselves is: “Am I hearing things? Am I going crazy? What’s going on?”
Another thing to consider is that Pagan gods aren’t seen as “role models” for human behaviour. There’s no “living one’s life in imitation of Freyr”. I have not met any Pagan who expects that their gods will be paragons of virtue all the time. Freyja does not expect that I will go out and sleep with a bunch of men, as she does in one of her myths, for instance. The notion that deities should be all-good is a dualistic concept that doesn’t have a place in polytheistic systems. In my own tradition, the line isn’t drawn between good and evil, but is closer to order and chaos.
Some other stuff to keep in mind:
Pagans generally don’t proselytize. You won’t find Pagan missionaries looking for converts (although many Pagans are “converts” themselves). Historically, polytheistic traditions tend to adopt foreign deities rather than demonize them. This does not mean, however; that Pagans were always accepting and tolerant (far from it) nor were they above making war with their neighbours.
Many Pagans have read the Bible. This is particularly a problem with certain conservative Evangelical Christians, but many Pagans, having been Christian at one point in their lives, are very much aware that “the Bible says X” about divination, witchcraft, and many other topics. The assumption that many make, I find, is that Pagans either haven’t read the Bible, or they haven’t read it “properly” (because obviously, if they had, they would be good Christians).
I pray alot and my prayers are answered in many different “voices”. These voices have shown up as a breeze, a sudden ah-ha moment, an animal that crosses my path, etc. I do know that the deities come to me in my dreams and speak that way too. Because I practice a very Afro-Caribbean path, I believe in possessions by the Orisha/Lwa. Has it happened to me personally? No not yet, but I know others who have had their Orisha/Lwa come down. I also believe through divinatory means such as the Diloggun (cowrie shell oracle) the deities can speak as well. I have also felt physical pressences next to me or holding me when I am worshiping.