An Inclusive Definition of Paganism

[el_sharra]

So most of us have heard the quote "ask 10 pagans to define paganism and you'll get 13 answers". Anyone who tries to define paganism fully will fail; even the most commonly accepted definitions will have some who disagree (i.e. 'I'm not earth-based' or 'I don't practice magic' and I'm pagan

Comments

[el_sharra]

I would agree with the first and the third actually, but I don't agree with the second. It would exclude those who follow near eastern based practices (such as the Natib Qadesh community who practice Canaanite recon or my path of Kug Giri which involves Sumerian based practices).

What about modern pagans who sample from, follow or are influenced by Asiatic, African or North American religions?

I still think the idea of 'belief in the existence of magic' would be an important part of any definition of paganism. I never claimed that all pagans practice magic or consider it important, but I can't think of any pagan path that does not believe in magic or any root mythology for any modem pagan path that does not hold to its existence either.

[el_sharra]

*Modern not Modem

[pinkpolarity]

Leaves out we Kemetics as well.

And AFAIK, magic isn't really part of the Hellenic Recons' path.

[nowheresark]

Yes, I prefer interactive. But my gang of "Gods" have very different ideas about it, too. They seem to regard our interaction as little more than a friendship between species. (yikes, that sounds fluffy) They have no interest in magic, so its not part of my Pagan practice and I keep it separate as far as is practical.