An Open Letter to the Eclectic Pagan Community

First let me start out by saying this is not an attack on your beliefs, I am a firm believer in religious freedom and the ability to express said freedom, and I am of the position that a person’s path will come to them and no matter what that happens to be no one has a right to judge you, I am a bit of an Eclectic myself as I am a neo-Pagan who is influenced by several Pagan religions (ancient and Modern) and am also influenced by the ideas and philosophies found in Gnosticism and I find wisdom and knowledge in the Gnostic teachings of “The Christ” Yeshua.

So obviously I have no problem with eclecticism in and of itself, my problem lies with how some people express their eclecticism. Like I said, I am a firm believer in religious freedom and peoples right to express it how they so choose, I also think that people should be a little smarter about how they present it.

So let’s take for example the most noted modern day Neo-Pagan religion, as it has currently flooded our culture, Wicca. When I think of Wicca, I think of Wicca circa 1950’s Gerald Gardner style. While I respect people and their right to practice their eclectic style of Wicca, and follow what ever path and tradition their heart desires. Be it Dianic Wicca, or “Celtic-Tradition” Wicca, or “Egyptian Wicca”….or whatever else is out there that you can come up with. It is a deviation from what was originally intended. When I think of Wicca I think of a Modern pagan religion that is influenced by older religions and by occultism and esoteric and mystical magickal orders such as Crowley’s O.T.O, The Golden Dawn, and Free Masonry. Wicca has its own unique tenets, philosophy, rituals, hierarchy, and gods. As far as I know to be a Wiccan you still have to be at least 18 years of age (Or whatever your local laws are governing the age of consent) and you must be initiated by a High Priestess or Priest of a coven with an established lineage. Now you can follow a Wicca-inspired path. As in you are a Pagan who is influenced by the outer-court Wicca 101 style information that is freely available in the public domain. It’s really okay to be a Wiccan-Inspired Pagan. As you can be a multitude of religions, and still be a Pagan, you can be an Eclectic and still be a Pagan, you can follow a path completely made up by you to suit your personal growth and needs and still be a Pagan. As to my base understanding to be a Pagan is to follow some type of Earth Centric Path. The term Pagan is actually an umbrella term that encompasses many different religions, paths, and spiritual traditions, that is typically Earth-Centric. A Pagan path is also typically polytheistic and duothestic, worshipping one or more Gods and/or Goddesses. However a Pagan can be monotheistic as well, choosing to worship only one particular god or goddess from a chosen pantheon or choosing to see each god or goddess and attributes as smaller parts that when combined makes up a Universal-Divine, an all knowing all powerful deity…or God.

So just because you follow a Modern Day Pagan path that is influenced by Wiccan Teachings, just because what you do in ritual is similar to what a Wiccan does. It does NOT make you a Wiccan. As such you should not call it that. You should call it something else, such as “wiccan-Inspired Paganism” it’s okay, really.

Another thing that is a pet peeve of mine is the mixing of two religious ideals, Yes I admit I am guilty of it, as I said in the opening paragraph I am a Neo-Pagan with Gnostic and Mystical Christian Influence. I follow a Path of my own devising, but I call it what it is, not something else.

I would like to come to a phenomenon known as “Christian-Wicca” or “Christo-Wicca”…..

Now this is a touchy subject for me, as I will admit once upon a time I called myself by this term, because I did not know of any other way to describe it, I followed a heavily Wiccan-Inspired Pagan path mixed with my Christian upbringing and admiration for the teachings of Jesus both of the mainstream Variety and from the Gnostic Teachings.

I do not rule out the possibility of eclecticism, as I said I am an eclectic, though I like to say im a “Universalist” though I have no connection or involvement with the “Unitarian Universalist” movement in any manner whatsoever, I like to classify myself as a Universalist. Because I enjoy studying all the different world religions and I am able to gain wisdom, and knowledge in my studies. I am a firm believer that each religion, each spiritual tradition, no matter if it is established or made up from someone’s eclecticism, when being peeled to the core really all have the same basic truths to them. I tend to regard each god and goddess from each religion and spiritual path as being a unique entity unto their self; however, I do believe they are connected as I believe them to be facets of a Universal-Divine force. I believe that each philosophy, each world view, each religion, was a way for this Universal-Divine to reach out to each individual culture in a way that each culture would be able to understand. I believe that the only way to be able to heal our wounds is when we come to this realization and recognize this. When we are all able to awaken to this possibility only then is Unity able to be reached and this world can find some form of solace and peace.

So my problem does not lie in the idea itself, as I firmly think it is possible. My problem lies with the term itself.

I think that the term "Christian-Wicca" is an Oxymoron, as Wicca as its own gods, tenets and set of beliefs and Philosophy.


And so does Christianity.

Of course, let me reiterate I do not think it is impossible to be open minded, and able to have a Universalistic approach to religion and spirituality. to be able to garner wisdom and comfort from studying word religions, and if you feel so inclined, to incorporate aspects of the religions that call to you into you’re own brand of spirituality.


but when you do this, you should not call it by a title already in use of another religion, (of course I don’t like titles and labels much to begin with) but to call something "Christian" or "Wiccan’ When it really is neither, is really stupid, what you should do is find another title for your beliefs.

Or don’t go with a title at all.

I call myself a Pagan because most of my belief is centered around neo-Pagan Philosophy, and when I do ritual it is based on how modern Neo-Pagans might conduct their ritual.

Being a "Pagan" encompasses many things, there are a multitude of religions and spiritual traditions that fall under the term "Paganism"

in modern times "Paganism" typically denotes someone who isn’t a Muslim, Christian, or a Jew and who usually almost always follows some type of earth based spirituality.

I think it might be okay to be a Pagan-Christian, as in the practices are Pagan, ritual etc. but you use Christian concepts and names for your deities.

I mean hell Christians have been practicing paganism for years, on Easter when they paint, or hide, or hunt Easter eggs, when they send out Valentines day cards, when they celebrate Christmas, they are celebrating not only the birth of Christ (Who if any one has done any bit of study would know that Christ was not born in December, and it was decreed that it would be in DEC. by a Roman Emperor who wanted to incorporate the followers of Mithras into Christianity as it was already a holiday they celebrated.) but they are also celebrating the Winter solstice.

So you know if a Christian can practice Paganism, then I am sure it can go the other way around.

Of course the purist from both sides might argue that point, and not be happy about it, but that is what I think.

But I do not think one could be a "Christian-Wiccan" or at least should not call themselves as such. As Wicca is a specific religion and spirituality under the umbrella of Paganism, with its own unique tenets, rituals, beliefs, and philosophy. – but I guess you certainly could be a “Wiccan-Inspired” Christian, just like you can be a “Wiccan-Inspred” Pagan, or try this one on for size, a “Christian-Inspired” Pagan…hmmm?

My ideas of Jesus Yeshua are also heavily influenced from Gnosticism, which I readily admit is a different entity all together than mainstream Christianity, in my studies and Understanding Gnosticism takes on a more mystical and hands on approach of self-study, self-realization, and self-achievement which is why I personally think it meshes so well with Modern Neo-Paganism.

Again, this essay is not an attack on Eclectic Paganism, or those who blend ideas from Pagan paths with those from Gnostic, and Christian doctrine together, but a simple plea to sit and rethink our position and the names we give to our chosen path.

Thank you very much, and I look forward to any feedback, comments, or critiques I may get for writing this. It is always much appreciated, and I always try to come to these discussions with an Open mind, heart, and soul and hope my readers will do the same.

Namaste~

And,

Blessed Be!
Paul

Start your own Religion - real and joke versions

RealReasons to create your own real religion.1)You cant find a single religion that works for you.2)You and a group of people you know all agree on spiritual issues but you cant find a single religion that works for you.3)You recieved a message from a divine being.4)You think the religion you're already a part of it corrupted or wrong and you have a way to fix it.5)You think you figured out something no one else has.
Things you'll need (to do) for your Religion.1)A world Philosophy2)A structure of Core Beliefs3)A structure of Rim Beliefs4)A view on Divinity5)A Code of Conduct6)A system of Organization7)Continuity8)A system of Training your priests or members9)A Goal for Followers10)A view on Afterlife11)A view on the Human condition12)A name13)Do research of established religions.14)Make it feel like you've always been a part of it.15)Be completely honest about your beliefs, avoid justifications.
1)A world philosophy. How does your religion view the world and/or life? Is it bad, good, a learning experience, etc. What are the problems? what are the Solutions? What is your religion's role or the role of humanity in the world?
2)You will need a structure of core beliefs that dont change. If there are no core beliefs then your "religion" is really just a group of eclectics with the same title.
3)You will need a structure of rim beliefs. There are beliefs that are completely individualized. If your religion has no rim beliefs then there will be no growth or branching, all you will have is sheep following what you told them to do. Rim beliefs allow members of the religion to alter their personal beliefs without changing the religion they follow because they still have the same core beliefs as the religion.
4)You will of course need a view on Divinity. Does it exist? Is it singular or divided? Several systems are...Animism -belief systems that attribute souls to animals, plants, and other non human entities in addition to humans.Deism -supreme god, takes no roll in universal events.Duotheism -two gods, complementary and equalDitheism -two gods, oppose each other and are equalHenotheism -devotion to one god with belief in existence of other gods.Monism -belief that everything can be taken down to one thing. ranging from the mind is not real to the physical is not real.Monolatry -recognize existence of many gods, worship only one.Monotheism -only one god. may have multiple facets of being. Christian -father, son, holy ghost.Pandeism -god precedes the universe and is the universes creator but currently the universe is god but it will one day return to being only god and no universe.Panentheism -god is the universe, plus extends beyond the universe. all nature is a part of god but god is not solely nature.Pantheism -all gods are one god; god is nature, Polytheism -worship of multiple godsTranstheism -an Absolute exists in trancendence over the gods.Fideism -faith unaffected by reason, reason and rationality dont matter. only faith and revelations matter.Fetishism -belief that an object has powersNaturalism - everything labeled 'supernatural' really isnt supernatural.Pluralism - the universe is made up of several substances. -ex: greek -earth, water, fire, air.Dualism -philosophy that some mental phenomena are non physical and related directly to the soul.Shamanism -spirits effect the world, relationships can be formed, animals can bear omens, spirits can be good or bad.Theism - deities exist, immanent yet trancendant; they are omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresentNontheism -reject possibility of deities, atheism and agnostism are nontheistic. Not the same as irreligion.Immanence - divine being acts within the universeTrancendence - divine being is beyond the physicalMisotheism -hatred of godsPolydeism -multiple gods, none of which are interested in the universe anymore.Humanism -religion should not effect human affairs
5)You will need a recommended Code of Conduct. What are things that people shouldnt do? What is wrong? What is right? What actions will eventually lead to your being a better person?
6)You will need a system of organization for your members. Whose a priest? Who does what in services and rituals? Whose incharge? How do people get different tasks?Several systems are...Hierarchical - different people are in charge or above other people; whether by education or power.Council - all members of a defined grouping of religious members have a say in a council to decide what the entire group does.Autonomous - there is no organized connection between groupings of religious members.Electoral - leaders are elected by the group.Rotary - members take turns with the different positions in the group.Chronological - Members get positions based on who has been a part of the group the longest.Degree -members with higher educations and training get more responsibility.
You will also need to distinguish who is a member of the Priesthood and who is not.There seem to be only three systems...Everyone is Laity (no one is a priest).Everyone is part of the priesthood (no laity).Or a mixture of both.
7)You will need a method of ensuring continuity. How does one person learn about the path? How do they teach it to someone that wants to learn?
8)You will of course need a method of training priests or informing members.
9)Obviously you will need a religious goal for Members of the religion. If there is no goal what is the point of being a member of the religion?
10)You will need a view on what happens after this life.Systems seem to be...Reincarnation.Perminent Afterlife Location (heaven and hell).Temporary Afterlife Location.Oneness with the Universe.Deification.And 'nothing'.
11)Your religion may need a view on the condition of Humanity.Several systems are...Humanity is Innately Flawed.Humanity is flawed by action.Humanity is fine.Humanity can grow.Humanity is flawed but theres no problem with that.Humanity is small and insignificant.
12)And you will of course need a name that hasnt already been taken. A name should be based on something important to your religion, be it your name, something profound, a tenant, a deity, or something symbolic. Technically you may need two names, one for the religion itself and one for the members of the religion.Several suffixes for religions and groupings are...ism -act, practive, doctrineary -group ofation -concept ofcity -practiceSeveral suffixes for the members or a group or religion are...ad -groupan -membershipent -ian - pertaining toier -ist -personite -member of a groupling -smaller or cuter version of the noun, shares a quality or identity eg as a followeror, er -personster -personacea -belonging toary, ory, ery - relating to, qualityid ,ide -belonging toine -having the characteristic of
13)If you're going to make a real religion you need to be completely honest about your personal beliefs. You also need to avoid making justifications for your flaws.
14)To help in the construction of your religion do research of established religions and organizations.
15)Remember the main goal of every religion is personal relationship with the divine and personal betterment. If you construct it right it should feel like you're just giving yourself a name for something you've been all along.
----------------------------------------------------FakeReasons to make a Fake religion.1)you're bored2)you're broke3)you're a meglomaniac
Things you'll need (to do)1)Find a good name. beware acronyms.2)Blame some entity for everything bad.3)Completely remove peoples need to think for themselves.4)Find something that will make people flock to you.5)Make your authority absolute.6)Make something in the afterlife terrible.7)Forgiveness only handed out by your group.8)Keep it easy to remember.9)Organize it.10)Only you know whats wrong.11)Make up something stupid as a gimmick.12)Only your group gets a good afterlife.13)Dont take it too seriously.14)Make up some commandments.15)Make up a list of good entities.16)Make a few myths.17)Be skimpy on what your actual beliefs are.18)Tell everyone you're persecuted.19)Create a logical fallacy to protect the religion.20)overlay the beliefs with real religions.21)keep it ambiguous22)Always refer to your god(s) with special names like "The Great God" or such.23)Write a bible in a fake language and make up meanings for symbols and 'words'24)make a few rules and beliefs that contradict so followers can pick and chose25)make them feel guilty26)make a bunch of fake rituals27)pretend its really really old.

1)Find a good name, something not previously used and something that sounds cool. No one will want to join you if you call yourselves the "Shitters" and if you call yourselves something thats already taken you're just gonna get your asses kicked. Also beware acronyms, they can make your name look dumb.
2)Make up some entity and blame it for everything bad. This way people get to avoid responsibility for their actions, which every fluffy and idiot wants.
3)Completely remove followers need to think for themselves. Again fluffies and idiots dont like to think, so help them out by taking away the need to do so.
4)Find a gimmick that will make people come join your group.
5)Make your authority absolute. No one but you knows what the religion is really about and anyone that says something different from you is a heretic.
6)Make something in the afterlife terrible. This gives people a reason to do what you want them to. To "save" them from the terrible afterlife.
7)Make sure that everyone knows that everyone is bad and the only way to be forgiven for being bad is by asking you or your Deit(y/ies) to forgive them.
8)Keep things easy to remember. Remember these people dont want to think, struggling to remember something is thinking.
9)Organize it with your goal in mind. Want money? you're in charge or the coffers. Want power? You're at the top of the food chain. Want it to spread like wild fire? Everyone is completely autonomous.
10)Only you or your group knows what is wrong with the world, therefore only you can fix it.
11)Make up something stupid as a gimmick, people love stupid gimicks.
12)Make sure everyone knows only your group gets a good afterlife, this gives everyone else a reason to join your group.
13)Dont take it too seriously, remember you're pulling this out of your ass. If you truly start thinking a giant purple polka dot skinned octopus alien is in the sky telling you what to do you'll be locked up.
14)Make up some commandments. Give the people rules to follow. Make sure shit you like to do is allowed.
15)Make up a list of "good" entities for people to like and pray to and such. The Angel Archy for example.
16)Make up a few myths to flesh things out. Like the time the Great God Bobby Tim fought the three headed lion demon.
17)Be skimpy on what you actually believe. If no one knows what the religion is actually about you have more idiots to pick from.
18)Tell everyone your group that you just invented 5 minutes ago is being persecuted and has been persecuted since ancient times.
19)Create a logical fallacy to protect the religion. Ex: doubts are the Great God's Enemy's way of trying to lead you from the true path.
20)Overlay the beliefs with real religions. If people see similarities with religions they know about they might think you're not pulling it out of your ass.
21)Make it ambiguous. Make two gods that are enemies, dont tell people which one is bad and which one is good. They'll make shit up and fight over it on their own. 22)Always refer to your god(s) with special names and titles like "The Great God" or "The Terrible One". People hear it enough they'll start to think its true.
23)Write a fake bible in a fake language and make up meanings for symbols and words.
24)Make a few rules and beliefs that contradict one an other so people can pick and chose which ones they believe in.
25)Make them feel guilty for doing shit they do every day. Then they'll pray and ask forgiveness or come to you and ask you to forgive them. Triple points if you make them feel guilty for a bodily function like breathing or crapping.
26)Make a bunch of fake rituals for them to act silly in. Double points if you make the rituals illegal and convince others that its proof of your being persecuted.
27)Pretend that its really really old. Double points if you can find something to 'prove' it. Of course you dont need to show anyone else the supposed proof just make them believe it.

Ajay

-isms and such

Animism -belief systems that attribute souls to animals, plants, and other non human entities in addition to humans.

Deism -supreme god, takes no roll in universal events.

Duotheism -two gods, complementary and equal

Ditheism -two gods, oppose each other and are equal

Henotheism -belief in and worship of one God without at the same time denying that others can with equal truth worship different gods

Monism -belief that everything can be taken down to one thing. ranging from the mind is not real to the physical is not real.

Monolatry -recognize existence of many gods, worship only one.

Monotheism -only one god. may have multiple facets of being. Christian -father, son, holy ghost.

Pandeism -god precedes the universe and is the universes creator but currently the universe is god but it will one day return to being only god and no universe.

Panentheism -god is the universe, plus extends beyond the universe. all nature is a part of god but god is not solely nature.

Pantheism -god is nature,

Polytheism -worship of multiple gods

Transtheism -an Absolute exists in trancendence over the gods.

Fideism -faith unaffected by reason, reason and rationality dont matter. only faith and revelations matter.

Fetishism -belief that an object has powers

Naturalism - everything labeled ’supernatural’ really isnt supernatural.

Pluralism - the universe is made up of several substances. -ex: greek -earth, water, fire, air.

Dualism -philosophy that some mental phenomena are non physical and related directly to the soul.

Shamanism -spirits effect the world, relationships can be formed, animals can bear omens, spirits can be good or bad.

Theism - deities exist, immanent yet trancendant; they are omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent

Nontheism -reject possibility of deities, atheism and agnostism are nontheistic. Not the same as irreligion.

Immanence - divine being acts within the universe

Trancendence - divine being is beyond the physical

Misotheism -hatred of gods

Polydeism -multiple gods, none of which are interested in the universe anymore.

Humanism -religion should not effect human affairs

Archetypalism - new view by neo pagans that gods are part of humanities joint unconsciousness, or ’oversoul’.

Atheism - as an explicit position, can be either the affirmation of the nonexistence of gods, or the rejection of theism. It is also defined more broadly as synonymous with any form of nontheism, including the simple absence of belief in deities.

Agnosticism - is the philosophical view that the truth value of certain claims — particularly metaphysical claims regarding theology, afterlife or the existence of God, gods, deities, or even ultimate reality — is unknown or, depending on the form of agnosticism, inherently impossible to prove or disprove.

Ietsism - An unspecified belief in some higher force , a range of beliefs held by people who, on the one hand, inwardly suspect - or indeed believe - that there is “More between Heaven and Earth” than we know about, but on the other hand do not necessarily accept or subscribe to the established belief system, dogma or view of the nature of God offered by any particular religion.

Ignosticism - the theological position that every other theological position (including agnosticism) assumes too much about the concept of God and many other theological concepts. An ignostic cannot even say whether he is a theist or a nontheist until a better definition of theism is put forth.

Gnosticism - a diverse, syncretistic religious movement consisting of various belief systems generally united in the teaching that humans are divine souls trapped in a material world created by an imperfect god, the demiurge, who is frequently identified with the Abrahamic God, called "Yahweh" or "Jahveh", for the true name of God is the ineffable tetragrammaton.

Nihilism - They claim that there is no reasonable proof or argument for the existence of a higher ruler or creator, or posit that even if a higher ruler or creator exists, humanity has no moral obligation to worship them.

Solipsism - an epistemological or metaphysical position that knowledge of anything outside the mind is unjustified.

Omnitheism- also called soft polytheism, all gods are a smaller reflection of one supreme divine being.

Spiritism - all souls are fragments of God

"ron"ism - deities are a manifestation of their believers energies.

copied from Ajay