Pagans on Catholic answers

[Timi_Celcer]

Probably not Timi Celcer, because it is inferred in Scripture that God spoke and then BANG. So something had to be Created FROM nothing. In any case a void could probably best be described as the absence of SOMETHING.

Also, the whole thing is held together by the WORD, so from a Non-Christian point of view the whole Universe could be looked upon as an illusion. Don’t think I wanna go down that path!

Protector.

Yes God did create something from nothing, but no something could exist without being first created, except if that something is timeless.

 

[Skadi]

Interesting discussion.

Question, Skadi…

Do you have a personal God/Goddess you prefer? I know and know of, a lot of pagans, reconstructionists or not, who have “favorite deities.”

And are children in the Asatru religion allowed to be named after a particular deity or is that considered to be disrespectful? I know a kid that is named Odin----he is not being raised Asatru, though. Is it Ok to do that in the Asatru religion?

Just asking.

Like I said, fascinating discussion. Thanks in advance.

Yes I am personally devoted to Ullr, who is a hunting diety associated with archery, skiing ,iceskating, and generally everything winter related. He is today considered the god of athletic competition in general but winter in particular. He’s also sometimes called the “shield god” and is a considered one to call on before a duel or contest.

Historicly he seems to have been very important in ancient times, particularly in germany, and they have found temples dedicated to him. But by the Viking period the Germans had been christianized and the Norse shifted their focus to Skadi, a female Godess with mostly the same atributes.

I’ve never encountered anyone with a diety name except Thor (pronounced Tor) which is still a comon Scandinavian name but I’ve never met an Asatruar with that name. I guess it would be the equivalent of naming your kid Jesus.

I do know that my surname (which equates to “Son of Walter”) has an old linguistic link to the god Tyr.

 

[Skadi]

@ OrdinaryMelkite -

I can not speak for Asatru, but in the Wiccan tradition it is not uncommon to take on a “magickal” name - a name one would use in ritual. It does not need to be a particular god or goddess, but many people will incorporate the name of their favorite deity in their ritual name. I do not adhere to this practice myself.

I don’t know that it’s common to name one’s child after a aprticular deity in Wicca, but many common everyday names are actually names of pagan gods and goddesses - Dianne, Rhiannon, Brigit, Astrid, Dennis, Denise, Dylan, Irene, the list goes on…

There is often a similar practice in Asatru. I resisted this as a Wiccan and for a time as an asatru as I considered it a disrespect to my ancestors, particularly if on replaces their surname. Eventually I was convinced to chose a religious first name sense mine is from the OT but I will die before I dishonor my ancestors by claiming another family name.

 

[Medawlinno]

Wês þu hâl, Skadi,

I should have added to my post that said ritual name does not replace one’s given legal name - unless of course, I guess, you want it to (and have your name legally changed), but I don’t know anyone personally who has ever done that. Most of these ritual names of people I know are more or less intended as first names.

 

[PaulDupre1]

Continued…

As to why……

As to what drew me to this path, I can not say with any degree of certainty. I do know that I have been drawn to it ever since I was a little kid which might be a bit odd to some, but I never gave it a second thought – certainly not because it was around the house in any way (I was baptized Catholic and grew up in a fairly conservative Catholic environment – went to parochial school, the whole nine yards), but I was always very strongly drawn, in a way I can’t really explain, to the cycles of the seasons and the year and the cycle of life in general (life death and rebirth). What I know now to be the Quarter and Cross-Quarter days of the year were always very special to me as a kid, but I really didn’t know why; I just knew they were special days in some way. I don’t know why I knew that, I just did.

It’s definitely not something I just picked up in high school or college, etc. It’s always been with me, or a part of me, if that makes any sense. Now that I’m writing this, I realize that it’s really difficult to put on paper and try and explain it! I think mainly because I feel it’s always been a part of me and it’s just not something I’ve ever questioned.

This is a spiritual path that one does not seem to choose; rather, it chooses you. That said, it’s entirely your choice whether or not to follow it. I really believe it’s something you must be drawn to – one of the reasons you’ll never see Wiccans, Druids, Asatru, etc. proselytizing; I strongly believe it’s a path you must come to on your own. Considering I was drawn to it at such an early age has occasionally made me wonder why or even at times how, but it’s not something I’ve ever really delved that deeply into; like I said, I’ve never really questioned it in any great detail, it just seemed/seems “natural” to me. I have always felt more at ease on this path, perhaps because as I mentioned earlier, in some odd way, it’s always been a part of me, despite my Catholic upbringing.

I consider myself Celtic Wiccan, but I do not necessarily hold to all the tenets of “modern” Wicca per se, as I incorporate into it some of my own beliefs, if you will (for lack of a better way of putting it), from when I was younger, long before I knew what Wicca actually really was. Many, indeed if not most, are exactly the same, some not so much. For example, the elements of nature, particularly wind and fire, are very strong in my personal path, but I couldn’t tell you exactly why; it’s just the way it’s always been.

So I guess in short, why am I on this path? The answer may not make much sense, but simply put, it’s a path I’ve always been on literally as far back as I can remember.

Not really sure if the above makes any sense – this is really the first time I’ve tried to explain it to someone else (great exercise!)

A very clear explanation. Thanks.

Paul

 

[Protector]

Timi Celcer;11749847]Yes God did create something from nothing, but no something could exist without being first created, except if that something is timeless.

Can’t argue with that Timi Celcer! We seem to be drifting into the stomping ground of Stephen Hawking.

Protector.

 

[Tzimisce]

I saw some pagans on this forum, and i would like to ask. Why are you pagans? How do you reason your faith in multiple gods?

Most tribes were at one time polytheistic. I believe even the Jews were once upon a time.

The Jews never denied the existence of other Gods, they just promised to worship one.

 

[Tzimisce]

Who created the Universe?

It doesn’t really matter does it?

 

[FrankLJ]

Greetings, I am indeed a pagan, a follower of the old gods of the north in particular, the Aesir and the Vanir, also known as the Germanic pantheon. My particular devotions are to the Gods Ullr, Skadi, and Tyr/

I have always wondered what belief in the Pagan Gods amounted to. Did the ancient Greeks really believe in Aphrodite and the rest, or just worship them as aspects of humanity?

For yourself: You believe there is someone called ‘Skadi’ somewhere (even if you don’t believe all the myths about him)?

How did he come into being? Or was he always there?

Does he require any kind of ethical behaviour of his devotees (or must he be propitiated just because he is bigger than you are and might throw a rock or something at you)?

Do you have to be a certain race to worship him, or can anyone do it?

This apples to the others in the pantheon, I mentioned Skadi because you say he is one you have a special devotion to.

I am only looking to learn, not start a flame war of the type that led to the posting of the ‘A Reminder on Inter-faith Dialogue’ sticky at the beginning of this section.

 

[Skadi]

I have always wondered what belief in the Pagan Gods amounted to. Did the ancient Greeks really believe in Aphrodite and the rest, or just worship them as aspects of humanity?

For yourself: You believe there is someone called ‘Skadi’ somewhere (even if you don’t believe all the myths about him)?

How did he come into being? Or was he always there?

Does he require any kind of ethical behaviour of his devotees (or must he be propitiated just because he is bigger than you are and might throw a rock or something at you)?

Do you have to be a certain race to worship him, or can anyone do it?

This apples to the others in the pantheon, I mentioned Skadi because you say he is one you have a special devotion to.

I am only looking to learn, not start a flame war of the type that led to the posting of the ‘A Reminder on Inter-faith Dialogue’ sticky at the beginning of this section.

I cannot speek for all the ancient Greeks, though in general they believed the gods were very real and personal beings. While the uneducated masses saw the Myths of the gods as fully true (much as biblical literalists do with the 7 day creation) but philosophers and the educated came to see them as myths which illustrated divine truth.

I personally believe in Skadi, Ullr, and all the other Germanic Gods. I do not believe their story’s are entirely literal (the world does not sit in a tree) but they illistrate universal truth.

The gods are said to come from a myrade of sources. Skadi is a giantess who’s father stole from the gods and was killed. In return she was allowed to marry into the tribe of the gods, and married the god Njord for a period before they divorced. Again that may just be allegorical myth.

I do believe all beings are part of the “is all” which is a Panthiestic entity transcending time and space.

The morals for those who honor my gods are the nine noble virtues, which we must strive to live by.
Courage
Truth
Honour
Fidelity
Discipline
Hospitality
Self Reliance
Industriousness
Perseverance

A mans fate is fixed from the night of his birth so being a honorable person is more about reaching a favorable afterlife destination than avoiding the wrath of the gods here in the world of men.

I believe that people will have a stronger connection to the gods of their ancestors, however anyone can dedicate themselves to my gods if they wish. With dedication to the gods however does come a certain dedication to the culture aswell.

Unfortunately my religion has been tainted by the black stain of national socialism, which has corrupted the sighns and symbols of the gods to help spread its message of racism, fascism, and hate. There is no evidence from the Eddas to support their racist beliefs, they are heretics, and I dispise them. Their herasy is why the gods abandoned our people to utter ruination in the Second World War.

 

[Phalanx]

Skadi- Just curious, what happened while you were experimenting with the Wiccan practices that made you feel like they were truthful or “worked”?

Bumping this post as it was overlooked, I want to know the answer aswell

 

[Skadi]

Bumping this post as it was overlooked, I want to know the answer aswell

Oh I apologize I must have missed this.

I had several instances of overwhelming… Energy, fealing, I can’t REALY describe it, however they were alwase followed by a deep and prolonged fealing of peace.

Another instance involved the most terrifying moment of my life, after using a Ouija board in my bedroom with my friends. That night I awoke to a sound I can only describe as a mix of a massive insect grinding its mandables and the wallpaper being riped off of the walls. I am extreamly arachnophobic and my room had no wallpaper so I was absolutely terrified. I cowered in bed for what seamed like an eternity (probably not more than a minuet or two) and finaly when I had convinced myself there was no giant insect in the room causing the noise I reached to my nightstand for my lighter, summoned up my memory of banishing spell terms, sat up and spoke with as much energy and conviction as I could find, and flicked the lighter on. The sound stopped but in the light I saw my homemade paper and shot glass Ouija board on my chair where the sound had originated. It was as if something had tried to rip its way out of the paper. No sounds were heard the rest of the night and the next day I promptly disposed of the board in the proper fashion. I have never had any such events sense.

The most powerful experiences however involved my experimentation with astral travel. The second to last time I did this I encountered something… malevolent. I felt it, but did not see it, but its presence was certainly strong. Again I used a common Wiccan style of banishment and promptly left the area having no further problems. The final time was a true religious experience which facilitated my move from Wicca to Reconstructionism which I find very personal and would rather not go into detail about it, save that I am certain beyond a shadow of a doubt of the gods existence.

I honestly have never realy talked about these later two events with anyone so it is strange to express them in words.

 

[FrankLJ]

Re post #50

Thanks for the info in detail, it will give me something to think about while I research.

I should clarify one point - I was asking about race/tribe because these gods are associated with being of one tribe, or group. The Greek, or Norse or whatever pantheon all have a comprehensive explanation for the Universe, but it only seems to apply to them. I was wondering, if Thor and the rest are universal truths, whether or not a Fiji islander or something could discover him and start worshiping him. Or do these gods only interest themselves in Norsemen, or whatever it is?

I was not asking if you worship the Master Race, or something similar. I never assume anything like that unless it is explicitly stated. Incidentally, the late J.R.R. Tolkien had some of the same concerns you do. Tolkien was a Catholic, but he had a great interest in what he called ‘the Northern Spirit’, and one of the chief grievances he had against ‘that ruddy little ignoramus, Adolf Hitler’ was that he had taken this spirit and besmirched in in many people’s eyes. “Ruining, perverting, misapplying and making forever accursed that noble Northern spirit, a supreme contribution to Europe, which I have ever loved and tried to present in its true light”.

 

[Skadi]

Re post #50

Thanks for the info in detail, it will give me something to think about while I research.

I should clarify one point - I was asking about race/tribe because these gods are associated with being of one tribe, or group. The Greek, or Norse or whatever pantheon all have a comprehensive explanation for the Universe, but it only seems to apply to them. I was wondering, if Thor and the rest are universal truths, whether or not a Fiji islander or something could discover him and start worshiping him. Or do these gods only interest themselves in Norsemen, or whatever it is?

I was not asking if you worship the Master Race, or something similar. I never assume anything like that unless it is explicitly stated. Incidentally, the late J.R.R. Tolkien had some of the same concerns you do. Tolkien was a Catholic, but he had a great interest in what he called ‘the Northern Spirit’, and one of the chief grievances he had against ‘that ruddy little ignoramus, Adolf Hitler’ was that he had taken this spirit and besmirched in in many people’s eyes. “Ruining, perverting, misapplying and making forever accursed that noble Northern spirit, a supreme contribution to Europe, which I have ever loved and tried to present in its true light”.

Ya anyone may be drawn to the gods, but we tend to think there is a “tincture in the blood” as a result of ones ancestors and their deep connection to their gods. Because of sometimes thousands of years of relation with ones ancestors, one may be more open or attuned to that god or gods.

And I try to be tolerant of all religions, but for those goose stepping Neo-Nazi aryan nation heretics I have nothing but the most grevious contempt. They are worthless men who soil not only their own names and honor but that of our ancestors. There is no place in Valhalla for such men.

 

[Lokadottir]

Does that mean you don’t believe in preemptive strikes? Are you secretly a Libertarian?

Are you familiar with just war theory?

 

[cheese_sdc]

How do you reason your faith in multiple gods?

The same way you reason your faith in one god.

 

[Tzimisce]

I should clarify one point - I was asking about race/tribe because these gods are associated with being of one tribe, or group. The Greek, or Norse or whatever pantheon all have a comprehensive explanation for the Universe, but it only seems to apply to them. I was wondering, if Thor and the rest are universal truths, whether or not a Fiji islander or something could discover him and start worshiping him. Or do these gods only interest themselves in Norsemen, or whatever it is?

From what I understand, they notice you if you get their attention.

 

[Lokadottir]

Re post #50

I should clarify one point - I was asking about race/tribe because these gods are associated with being of one tribe, or group. The Greek, or Norse or whatever pantheon all have a comprehensive explanation for the Universe, but it only seems to apply to them. I was wondering, if Thor and the rest are universal truths, whether or not a Fiji islander or something could discover him and start worshiping him. Or do these gods only interest themselves in Norsemen, or whatever it is?

I know I always do this but I feel I must return this question to you. Why didn’t other nations find Yahweh and co. on their own?

 

[freeRadical]

Are you familiar with just war theory?

Yes I am familiar with just war theory. What does a preemptive strike have to do with just war theory.

 

[freeRadical]

Most tribes were at one time polytheistic. I believe even the Jews were once upon a time.

The Jews never denied the existence of other Gods, they just promised to worship one.

Yes, the Jews were polytheistic until Yahweh commanded them to only worship Him. Even then, the Jews were monolatrists not monotheists. They didn’t deny the existence of other gods but they only worshiped Yahweh.