Why do you call youself Pagan?

[Jembru]

Re: Why do you call youself Pagan?

I'm still using the term pagan, although it does feel 'tired' now somehow. I mean, it feels like I've been using this term for so long, and through so many changes in my core beliefs that it lacks the luster the term had when I first started calling myself a pagan.

The reason I don't feel I could drop it is that trying to define my beliefs any other way is just a headache. I honestly don't know what would best describe me, especially as right at this point in my life I'm going through quite rapid changes of perspective. Shamanism might describe my current theology, but this is possibly even more loaded a term than pagan, and the debates generated even more intense.

So for now. I'm pagan. Just pagan. It tells you very little about me, but it will do.

[Arianna]

Re: Why do you call youself Pagan?

Good question. I consider myself pagan because the main definition of Pagan, to me, is something more Earth-related and related to the old paths before Christianity came along (polytheism, greek and roman and celts and vikings and all of those awesome people). But, on my daily life, I consider myself more of a Witch than a Pagan, but both names for me are okay honestly. I think it's a term that, even though its roots and origin are different than what it means now, kinda of defines an universe of paths and roads that have some (not all) aspects in common.

[Näre]

Re: Why do you call youself Pagan?

I don't even know, I remember when I heard it for the first time, meaning "non-Christian" and I sort of adopted it back then.
But nowadays I somehow associate it with metal music and such things that don't even interest me anymore. But as a concept it covers pretty much everything I am and what I believe in. I am not a Witch and definitely not a Shaman (some folks have used that as my nickname though) so Pagan be it then.
I actually don't even like the word so much. Perhaps that's only a good thing, then I must get serious in order to use it, instead of something that would sound fancier to my ears.

[Thorbjorn]

Re: Why do you call youself Pagan?

I don't call myself Pagan, but rather, Heathen. If someone asks me my religion, barring the somewhat rude "none of your damn business" response, I say "Oh, I'm a Heathen". Let them think it means I don't believe in God (I don't), and it really does express my religion. And the person is none the wiser. The way I do it may be a little deceptive, however... Seriously, most people simply don't understand, and I really can't be bothered explaining (or defending) my beliefs, unless they are genuinely curious and respectful. Then I'll talk a blue streak.

[SleepingCompass]

Re: Why do you call youself Pagan?

I prefer solitary witch to pagan, though pagan will do in a pinch Usually though, I'll just tell people that my family isn't religious, which technically is true. I have to trust someone a great deal before I'll share the truth with them.

Back in college, a friend found one of my witchcraft type books in my dorm room. After that, I would sometimes randomly come into my room to find her praying. It was both funny and annoying, until it just became annoying. It's just easier if people in general don't know.

[Raphaeline]

Re: Why do you call youself Pagan?

The word Pagan fits me perfectly, so I still use it although it seems to be describing a more New-Agey type lately that I'm not at all similar to. But then I haven't been active in the Pagan online community enough lately to be sure of what's going on and how things have changed; it just seems like I'm hearing the term fall out of favor and it seems to be because it's gaining a reputation as kind of hippie or dreamy.
I use Pagan because of it's rural meaning as well as the tendency to indicate polytheism.

[Lyric_Cerridwen]

Re: Why do you call youself Pagan?

Merry meet! I am new here, and this is my first post.

This is a great question. I had to think about it for a few minutes (and still didn't come up with a complex analytical answer, LOL!)

For me, I prefer the term Pagan over Witch or Wiccan. For me, it's just fitting. I feel 'at home'...

[Ash Branch]

Re: Why do you call youself Pagan?

It's a convenient label. It is a reclaiming, as it were, of a term that was originally intended as an insult, and that can only be a good thing.

[October]

Re: Why do you call youself Pagan?

I feel like just the fact that it means 'non-Christian' or whatever, doesn't take any power from it. It doesn't bother me that my religion is defined in terms of Christianity. History is written by the victors, and historically, the literate victors were Christians. They would naturally refer to everyone else as different.

Labels exist for a reason, to make life easier. There are some labels who are harmful because they come from a time of hate and fear. But I feel like nowadays we are reclaiming the word 'pagan' just as we are reclaiming 'witch' and what was once a harmful and fearful word can soon be just another word of many to describe who and what we are.

Personally, it doesn't bother me. I embrace it.

[Cynica the Ageless]

Re: Why do you call youself Pagan?

It's something I just call myself when I can't be bothered to explain everything, or when I have and the person doesn't get it and I would like to summarize it one word in a way that they'd understand immediately.

[DragonsFriend]

Re: Why do you call youself Pagan?

Pagan, from the Latin; pagani
It means someone who doesn't follow a "civil" code of religion.
It has the connotation; "one who is backwards" or "uneducated" in the civil sense.

Being Pagan in a world of established religions the definition fits. If Christianity is the "civil religion" then I don't follow. I would rather lead. As far as being uneducated, well, I am better educated than 70% of the population. I hold two doctorate and two masters degrees. My IQ is more than 40 points higher than the national average. I fit the Pagan norm; pagans are brighter and better educated than the average person.

[Medusa]

Re: Why do you call youself Pagan?

Pagan, from the Latin; pagani
It means someone who doesn't follow a "civil" code of religion.
It has the connotation; "one who is backwards" or "uneducated" in the civil sense.

Being Pagan in a world of established religions the definition fits. If Christianity is the "civil religion" then I don't follow. I would rather lead. As far as being uneducated, well, I am better educated than 70% of the population. I hold two doctorate and two masters degrees. My IQ is more than 40 points higher than the national average. I fit the Pagan norm; pagans are brighter and better educated than the average person.

I know quite a few dumb ass pagans.

[DragonsFriend]

Re: Why do you call youself Pagan?

I know quite a few dumb ass pagans.

Not everyone can be in the same place on a curve.

On the other hand I know some that are smarter than I.

[Gleb]

Re: Why do you call youself Pagan?

Maybe another reason for calling myself a pagan because I AM one. Pagan - is a general term.

[MaskedOne]

Re: Why do you call youself Pagan?

I fit the Pagan norm; pagans are brighter and better educated than the average person.

Citation Needed