What is paganism? Sometimes that is difficult to define. Modern paganism probably encompasses the most diverse sets of belief systems and spiritual practices that exist today. Paganism is not a traditional “religion” because it has no official doctrine. However, it does have some common characteristics that span a wide variety of traditions. One of the common beliefs is the Divine Presence in nature and reverence for the natural order in life. Spiritual growth results from observing the cycles of the Earth, the cycles of each season.
Paganism has probably been around in one form or another since the Stone Age. But the word itself is derived from the old Latin term paganus, which means “dweller of the country.” Peasants and commoners were generally the last to convert to Christianity, so when Christianity became the dominant religion in Western Europe, people who still practiced ancient religions were commonly known as pagans. And that is where paganism finds its deepest roots, since those who lived in non-urban areas were more in contact with Mother Earth. Most pagans feel a deep connection to all things in nature, and most avoid going to a specific building to worship. They find a closer connection with the Divine in natural settings such as oak groves or rivers.
Unfortunately, some more restrictive modern religions view pagans as unbelievers, or mistakenly think that pagans worship trees rather than God. The perception is that if you are not following that same “one true path” as defined by that other religion, then surely you are doomed for eternity because obviously you are being misled by Satan. Well, being a pagan doesn’t necessarily mean that you don’t believe in a divine being (whatever you choose to call it), but rather that you revere the divine energy found within every rock, every river, every tree in the forest, every animal, and every other human. , because all these things were made by the Creator.
Modern paganism seldom fits one model and thus great diversity results. Many pagans believe in reincarnation, but some do not. Druids are heathen. Wiccan practitioners generally consider themselves pagan. You also get followers of belief systems based on Native American spirituality that can also be classified as pagan. Some environmentalists call themselves pagans. Some pagan practices have their roots in ancient Celtic, Norse, or Egyptian beliefs, and those rituals are being revived today. Some pagans celebrate certain festivals such as the solstices and equinoxes, and other pagans do not follow any particular ritual or practice. Some pagans believe in a Supreme Being, while others are polytheistic, honoring several different gods or goddesses for different aspects of the natural world.
Modern pagans are people who have made a conscious decision to follow a path of individual spiritual growth that is in harmony with the Earth that gives us life, a path that also encourages social and environmental responsibility. Each individual has the right to worship in their own way. Pagans believe in the sacredness of all things, reverence and respect for all life. There really is no “right way” to be pagan; all roads are the right way.