Welcome to Mingle.

I am a Heathen. I hang out with local pagans.

Welcome to Mingle.

Where are you from?

And there's me too :)

As for the question what paganism is:
The word pagan comes from the Latin “Paganus” meaning country dweller, rustic etc. Christianity in its early years was an urban religion and "Pagan" was an insult hurled at the country cousins who saw no need to convert to the new religion.

Paganism is not a religion, just as monotheism is not a religion. These days it is a generic term encompassing a diverse range of religions excepting the main three Judaism, Islam and christianity. There is debate as to whether or not it includes Hinduism.

Paganism includes any of the pre-christian religions. Today’s pagans are technically Neo-pagans as we are reconstructing what our ancestors believed/worshipped etc. Although they have their roots in ancient practices, this cluster of religious beliefs has been refigured in modern times, often in association with an interest in eclectic New Age practices.

Pagan beliefs can be broadly categorised in three streams – polytheism (belief in many gods), pantheism (belief that the whole of reality is divine) and animism (the belief that spirits are active in aspects of the environment). Some movements have a strong feminist/goddess orientation. Within those broad definitions, neo-pagan traditions proliferate.

Pagans can include pantheists, agnostics, soft or hard polytheistics, eclectics, druids, shamanists, re-constructionists (Norse, Celtic, Kemetic etc) or any of the generally indigenous religions (American Indian, Australian Aboriginal, African), However some atheists self-identify as atheistic pagans, and there are pagans who are monotheistic, only worshipping the divine feminine.

The main thing that I always stress is that not all pagans faiths are nature (earth) based, and that not all pagans are Wiccan’s or Witches.
Source(s):
KB, Pagan with Kemetic tendencies.

Pennsylvania.

WE ARE EVERY WHERE.....

Welcome CrystalFairy!

Thanks for sharing that definition. Very helpful.

I am very eclectic in my religious beliefs. I am a witch but do not believe witchcraft is a religion. You can practice witchcraft with any religion. Or no religion at all.

Thx and you're welcome :)

I'm not a witch, although I've been busy with witchcraft (first wicca, then hedgewitch) for a few years. For me it's a mixture of things, shamanism, crystals, energy work, Tarot, chakra & aura reading and healing and so on. I like to do workshops, mainly teaching ppl to ground, become aware of their and others' energy. Like to use my shamanic instruments, but that's still in an experimental stage. (Shaman drum, ocean drum, chimes, rattles, sound-bowls, specific type of bull-roarer that can be used indoors).
If I had to label myself, I think I'd prefer to label myself "energy worker". A pagan nonetheless :p

Hello, all. I didn't subscribe to religion threads for the longest time, so have missed this one. I certainly belong here. My spirituality is a mixture of things from tarot to shamanism to Buddha, and back again.

I'm a pagan in spokane , wa but there no pagan single guys here. Thinking of maybe moving next summer to a better area.

Welcome.

praise the god of war that there is such a area as this.