Virtues

[ns_kumiho]

Sorry I haven't posted on here in the past couple of weeks - I was moving and had difficulty getting internet.

What values and virtues do you believe should be universal for all pagan paths - not just your own - and why are these virtues/values important? How should they be practiced?

Comments

[kivawildrose]

"harm none" And that should definitely encompass the Earth.

Simply because, from what I understand, alot of pagan paths are earth centered. If we're harming the Earth then we aren't really honoring it and therefore we can't call our practice Earth centered.

Even something as simple as recycling can help that way. You don't have to do elaborate rituals or spells to heal the earth but just recycle, do a small part. Anything that honors the Earth is bound to bring an earth centered practice more into focus.

Aside from that...I'm not one to preach about being a vegetarian but i will mention it here just because it does benefit the Earth. And again--I believe harm none should encompass all of the earth's critters. It does for me. Again I'm just saying the veg thing is for me and part of my practice--not something everyone has to do or should do. It's a personal decision for everyone :)

[trip_tych]

"harm none"

I really couldn't disagree more.
Even if it were possible for humans to survive (let alone thrive) without harming other living things, it would necessitate removing ourselves from the natural world completely.
Part of life is death, part of creation is destruction.
I certainly advocate the idea of informed choices and I think utilitarianism would go far to bringing society to a more pleasant place but some things will necessarily be harmed in the process.

Even vegetarianism depends on the death of plant life (not to mention the many small field animals and insects that die as a part of farming).

[kivawildrose]

Hmmm what I mean when I say "harm none" is "don't deliberately harm anyone or anything". I understand that death is a part of life and that even vegetarianism/veganism relies on the death of something. I simply meant don't go out and punch someone just because you're upset at something else. Or don't go out and kill something just because you feel like it.

Perhaps I should've made that more clear.

Actually on second thought, a more precise answer for me would've been "compassion", not really "harm none".

[trip_tych]

I should add - this isn't to say I don't think it's a good virtue for you to follow if that's what you wish. I just disagree with is so much that I would hate to see anyone try and apply it universally.
As I wish to not follow such a virtue, I also wish for you to follow the virtues you see as necessary.

[leeneh]

Pluralism

Edited to add link

[trip_tych]

I don't think any virtues should be universal for all Pagan paths. I think there are too many, too varied paths to expect that all of us will agree on one morality.

I guess I would have to agree with Leeneh a bit, the only virtue I could get behind is probably pluralism - I want the freedom to be able to follow my own virtues. As soon as we start trying to push a specific type of morality onto the big bad umbrella of Paganism, I do think we will lose the religious freedom that so many of us desire.

[briar_witch]

Honesty, along with respect and consideration for others.

[miss_c_twist]

I think this is the only right answer to this kind of question. I'd like to take "and their beliefs" onto the end though.

[kobarot]

My answer is here.