As a pagan that walks in the world of religions that never accepted any other forms of belief and considering us as anti to their lord, it is hard for me to say that “I am a pagan”. If I say so, questions will arise such as, “Do you sacrifice humans?”. I am human as well, in fact I could say that this belief has been raised during the times that the Catholic church - through their servants- spreads their gospel and demonised our belief and those who ceased to follow their path has been tortured and burned. Being a pagan for me is being one with God. Of course we do believe in God and all forms of divinity I believe - and others might also blieve that same way- is part of one Deity.
How do I came to this? Well, it is like finding what course you should take or what job you should consider for your own happiness and fulfillment. I can say, I am more fulfilled in my path.
Paganism vs Satanism
Satanism is just an opposite of Christianity and Pagans are not opposing Christianity. I myself believe that Jesus Christ must also be respected. Jesus Christ himself is a master of all magick (I wish some pagans are open to this as well). However, there are certain dogmas that doesn’t work for us. Satanism in other way is completely as I said, against Christianity and Paganism doesn’t work in same way. I can say that Satanism has been created because of the needs to be accepted by their origins which is Christianity but Christians has closed their minds believing that they are the only path that should be followed and denying other beliefs and called it a “cult” so that fear will arise from people and to keep their churches stand and the myth of demonising paganism served them well.
Paganism vs Morality
What is morality? According to http://www.allaboutphilosophy.org/definition-of-morality-faq.htm, morality is the quality of being in accord with standards of right or good conduct or a system of ideas that fall into those same categories.
We often hear words about religious morality or the phrase Christian morality in society. Items that fall into the morally sound category are qualities like good, goodness, rightness, virtue, and righteousness.
When talking about a moral quality involving a course of action, we think of ethics. To define morality, a person will use the rules or habits with regard to right and wrong that he or she follows.
It is a complex system of general principles and particular judgments based on cultural, religious, and philosophical concepts and beliefs. Cultures and or groups regulate and generalize these concepts, thus regulating behavior. When someone conforms to the codification, you consider this person to be moral.
And yet, the notion of how we ought to behave and the reality of how we do behave are varied and real morality behaves in accordance with one's perception of morality. Often, doctrines or moral duties that support the quality of an action which renders it good, is moral.
And so a system of standards used to produce honest, decent, and ethical results are considered moral.
Then, morality is based from social standards and what is moral from one society might be immoral for other society and vice versa. I often hear that I am immoral for being a pagan because I am against what they call “norm” without thinking that paganism is the “nom” during the old days. Then, I can say that morality sometimes are based from ignorance and wrong judgement about certain things. Of course, as a pagan, we also follow some set of beliefs depending on what tradition a pagan belongs to.
Christian God vs. Pagan God
There are two levels to the Wiccan and Pagan understanding of Deity. The first is Personal, the second Universal.
On a personal level we approach Deity as an entity with Which we interact through words and actions and with Whom we maintain a personal relationship. At this level we give Deity many names and faces, and interact with Deity through these. Most Wiccans will use a variety of names and faces for Deity in this personal sense, and will have one particular form which they perceive as their PATRON. They will interact with this Patron Deity, or in some cases Patron Deities, in a very personal way, seeking guidance, inspiration, and practical help in both daily life and esoteric matters.
Some wiccans even chosed Jesus Christ as their patron deity more to say, paganism is really not against your Christian religion it is just that we follow different patterns of worhipping the Divine.
Some things that you should know:
The wiccan rede
This rede stresses that you should not and you must not harm none.
The law of three
Often refer as the law of return wherein in every deed that you do, their would be a consequence and it will return to thee. Or in other words, what you send will come back to you.
The Law of Power
1. The Power shall not be used to bring harm, to injure or to control others. But if the need arises, the Power shall be used to protect your life or the lives of others.
2. The Power is used only as need dictates.
3. The Power can be used for your own gain; as long as by doing so you harm none.
4. It is unwise to accept money for the use of the Power, for it quickly controls its taker. Be not as those of other religions.
5. Use not the Power for prideful gain, for such cheapens the mysteries of Wicca and Magick.
6. Ever remember that the Power is a sacred gift of the Goddess and the God, and should never be misused or abused.
7. And this is the Law of the Power.
The Four Powers of the Magus
The Four Powers of the Magus are the personal attributes traditionally necessary and required for the successful use and practice of magick. These are - To Know, To Dare, To Will, and To Be Silent. Without these four attributes combined, the individual will never be successful in magick.
The reasoning is quite simple; none of the attributes mentioned are enough in themselves, as all four attributes must be present to balance each other out. For instance:
To Know - Knowledge is no good, without the will and audacity to see magick done.
To Dare – Audacity is no good, without the knowledge and will to see magick done.
To Will – Will power is no good, without the knowledge and audacity to see magick done.
To Be Silent – What good are the above, without the discretion to remain silent until the magick is done? To reveal your magick before it is done, dissipates it’s power and effectiveness.
So, anyone aspiring to use magick, he/see needs a knowledge of what he/see is doing, the audacity to use it, the will power to control it, and the discretion to remain silent till the work is done.
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