Pagans

[CopticChristian]

Someone I’ve known for several years is a pagan. His word of choice, not mine. He is very intelligent, educated, can speak (and does) with knowledge on an array of subjects. Is very straightforward, etc. We have discussed a wide variety of things over the years. Many times, he tells much more than I ask or want to know. However, he absolutely will not discuss religion. Scratch that. He refuses to discuss hs religion, aside from the fact he is a pagan. This person is not shy or timid about anything, anyone or any subject. He is very knowledgeable about the Bible, Catholicism, Protestantism, etc. These can be discussed. His personal belief is off limits. Period. It’s quite strange considering how vocal he is regarding everything else.

I have never come across a situation like this. I’ve met Catholics, Protestants, Jewish, Mormon, Voodoo, Hoodoo, Ganesh follower, you name it. This, is just odd… For many reasons. Recently, he mentiontioned something regarding the sixth sense and an older child and said something about him having and then suddenly became very harsh for no apparent reason ( I didn’t push) and that was it.

I posted to try and understand or figure out what he believes and was talking about. . . I didn’t follow up with the post as they sometimes can be misinterpreted or akin to opening a can of worms or nonproductive.

Beliefs are filters by which we determine how we see the world. In my experience with the one Pagan I knew I did this. I humored the Pagan. I would speak of holidays that were coming up, winter solstice etc and speak of what they knew and understood. I never spoke about my beliefs because it would not have made any sense to them. The only way to figure out this person is to ask them. If they choose not to talk then so be it.

You may want to investigate the Druids or other such stuff and ask your pagan friend as you look into these things…hey I was checking out the druids and tell them what you know. If you act genuinely interested you will hear what they have to say…Your choice.

 

[Bix]

Beliefs are filters by which we determine how we see the world. In my experience with the one Pagan I knew I did this. I humored the Pagan. I would speak of holidays that were coming up, winter solstice etc and speak of what they knew and understood. I never spoke about my beliefs because it would not have made any sense to them. The only way to figure out this person is to ask them. If they choose not to talk then so be it.

You may want to investigate the Druids or other such stuff and ask your pagan friend as you look into these things…hey I was checking out the druids and tell them what you know. If you act genuinely interested you will hear what they have to say…Your choice.

Thank you for the advice. I doubt I will ask him and he is not the type who would tolerate being humored. Plus, we’ve discussed a wide variety of beliefs.

Actually, I don’t believe it’s anything anyone has listed as of yet.

 

[CopticChristian]

Thank you for the advice. I doubt I will ask him and he is not the type who would tolerate being humored. Plus, we’ve discussed a wide variety of beliefs.

Actually, I don’t believe it’s anything anyone has listed as of yet.

I did not say humor him. I said act genuinely interested. Be honest. If you want to know about something then research it and find out what somebody that is involved in that knows and understands. I never said humor him.

I know alot about lots of things and one of the things I always do is talk to people that know more about it than me as I study it.

 

[TevereNauta]

In the Middle Ages muslims were called “pagans”. Here are some lines from a song about the crusades from Walther von der Vogelweide:

Kristen, juden unde heiden
jehent, daz diz ir erbe sî:
got müeze ez ze rehte scheiden
durch die sîne namen drî.
Al diu werlt diu strîtet her.
Wir sîn an der rehten ger:
reht ist, daz er uns gewer.

“Heiden” == pagans

Well, you learn something new every day Athiest. That really is a fascinating tidbit of knowledge, and also, a very melodic song (I subsequently looked it up ). I won’t say anymore, because commenting on tis fascinating song really doesn’t belong with this thread, but I am curious, do you have a music background? How did you find such an obscure tidbit of lore? (This astonishment coming from a heavy duty Western Civ. fellow)

Edit: D’oh, I happen to see you’re a German. That might help explain, somewhat

 

[Beautiful_Epona]

I think Pagans are beautiful people.
They are earth loving, respectful people that ‘tread lightly’ on the earth.
(ok, generally speaking of course)

They are open to many of the world religions often calling themselves ‘ecclectic’, meaning they take what they feel they need to use at any given time, from where ever they like.

So, they might want to call on Archangel Michael (St.Michael, Catholicism) for house protection, but on another day, may chant Goddess names during a ritual or ask Blessed Mary for help. It varies so much, and I would say is extremely difficult to sum up ‘what a Pagan is’.

Interesting thread.
Blessings.

 

[AnAtheist]

Well, you learn something new every day Athiest. That really is a fascinating tidbit of knowledge, and also, a very melodic song (I subsequently looked it up ). I won’t say anymore, because commenting on tis fascinating song really doesn’t belong with this thread, but I am curious, do you have a music background? How did you find such an obscure tidbit of lore? (This astonishment coming from a heavy duty Western Civ. fellow)

Edit: D’oh, I happen to see you’re a German. That might help explain, somewhat

No, I don’t have a music background, though I quite naturally understand most of the medieval German. But I like that song, it has a fantastic melody, and although I won’t subscribe to the content it is historically extremely interesting.