FFR Pagans

[Lady_D]

I've met about 2 pagans on FFR, and I was wondering if there are anymore here =)
That is of course, you are open to talk about it. This includes thoughts about it, and comments, etc. about Paganism. (this includes those that follow alternative religions)

[NFD]

Yeyeyeye sacrifice.

[Flaming_Dingleberry]

Originally Posted by NFD

Yeyeyeye sacrifice.

Do you know what a Pagan is? Retard.

[NFD]

I'm going off of what my -apparent- biased teacher was telling us. She didn't go into detail, just told us that that's what it revolved around, so if it's wrong, sorry Lady D. :3

[Lady_D]

Originally Posted by NFD

I'm going off of what my -apparent- biased teacher was telling us. She didn't go into detail, just told us that that's what it revolved around, so if it's wrong, sorry Lady D. :3

Ah, its okay. I wasn't sure if you were serious or not. But hey, no worries and, it happens. =)

[Tokzic]

"Pagan" is kind of unspecific. You're talking about a very large group of religions.

But judging by your signature, I'm going to go ahead and guess you're Wiccan. I don't understand why Wicca feel the need to call themselves Pagan - it's like saying that your species is "mammal".

[Cats_Go_Meow]

I dont have a religion, but if I did, I guess being a Wiccan would best fit me :]

[Lady_D]

Originally Posted by Tokzic

"Pagan" is kind of unspecific. You're talking about a very large group of religions.

But judging by your signature, I'm going to go ahead and guess you're Wiccan. I don't understand why Wicca feel the need to call themselves Pagan - it's like saying that your species is "mammal".

I realize that the term "Pagan" can be very vague. Pagan basically means a person who is not a Christian, Jew, or Muslim. I don't really understand the whole "species" thing you are getting at. Can you explain what you mean, please?

[-KIDTHONG-]

What's pagan?

[MechDreams]

Originally Posted by Lady_D

I realize that the term "Pagan" can be very vague. Pagan basically means a person who is not a Christian, Jew, or Muslim. I don't really understand the whole "species" thing you are getting at. Can you explain what you mean, please?

I think what he is trying to say is that, there isn't a need to generalize the term. Humans don't normally say, look at that mammal (human) over there, but eh, I say pagan is fine, prolly neopagan for Wicca.

[Flaming_Dingleberry]

Originally Posted by Tokzic

"Pagan" is kind of unspecific. You're talking about a very large group of religions.

But judging by your signature, I'm going to go ahead and guess you're Wiccan. I don't understand why Wicca feel the need to call themselves Pagan - it's like saying that your species is "mammal".

She doesn't just want to find Wiccans, she's really looking for anyone within the Pagan community, and since there are so many different types of religions within Paganism, it's just easier to say. And what's wrong with calling yourself a mammal, you make it sound like it's wrong. It might sound weird but it's not inaccurate, so there's no reason why someone shouldn't call themselves a mammal. Also, I don't think that's a proper comparison, because your species is set in stone, while anyone can change their religion.

Originally Posted by MechDreams

I think what he is trying to say is that, there isn't a need to generalize the term. Humans don't normally say, look at that mammal (human) over there, but eh, I say pagan is fine, prolly neopagan for Wicca.

She only generalized it, because she's actually looking for Pagans. The fact that she, herself, is Wiccan, has nothing to do what she's looking for.

[MechDreams]

I never said she couldn't use the term Pagan. I was just trying to make sense of what Tokzic had to say, that wasn't my opinion.

[Flaming_Dingleberry]

Originally Posted by MechDreams

I never said she couldn't use the term Pagan. I was just trying to make sense of what Tokzic had to say, that wasn't my opinion.

Then share your opinion, that's what this thread is for D=

[MechDreams]

Originally Posted by Flaming_Dingleberry

Then share your opinion, that's what this thread is for D=

My opinion about Paganism? I don't have too much experience with any Pagans, since I don't know any, nor have I done any research on Pagans, so I couldn't give an honest opinion.

[devonin]

The word also only has context from inside the Abrahamic tradition. It's a word that the Abrahamic religions apply to anybody who isn't a follower of their religion. Why anybody who -isn't- of that tradition would ever apply the word to themselves is beyond me.

It's the same way that the Greeks referred to anybody who didn't speak greek as βάρβαρος (bárbaros) which basically means "Someone who doesn't speak greek" (Actually it's onomotopaic for the 'bar bar bar' sounds that "the primitive non-greeks" made when they tried to speak to greeks.

If you aren't a christian, muslim or jew, the term 'pagan' should have basically no significance for you any more than 'heathen' should, and you should call yourself what you actually are.

"Paganism" as has been mentioned is such a ludicrously broad label that it doesn't even make sense to use it without being more specific anyway. And if you're already being more specific, you don't need to use the term.

I mean, something like 47% of everybody on the planet is a "Pagan" Calling yourself a Pagan as a distinguishing term is rather like me calling myself "Non-chinese" as a distinguishing term. Accurate yes, helpful or informative? no.

[Flaming_Dingleberry]

The problem is, she DOES call herself Wiccan, and is looking for Pagans. Pagan, of course, being used as the vague term it is.

[devonin]

So what are your thoughts and opinions on people who aren't the chinese? Do you have any comments regarding athletes who don't play soccer? What about people who live in North and South America as well as Europe?

How can anybody have particularly useful or insightful thoughts and comments about such a large and internally disconnected set of people?

Wiccans are pagans, Buddhists are pagans, African tribal peoples are Pagans, Jedi are Pagans. These groups have so much entirely not in common that looking for a discussion or thoughts or opinions about "pagans" just makes no sense.

[Lady_D]

So, would you rather have me say/address all of those that follow the many different types of the "earth based" religions? And have me name all of them? Why is everyone focusing on just the term "pagan" and not the effort of trying to communicate with people in general? All I want to do is learn from what others have learned in their religion. Whatever that religion may be. And if that means I'm addressing "Buddhists, Wiccans, African, and Jedi", then that's what I mean.

*And for the record, I have nothing against soccer athletes or Chinese xD

[devonin]

So you're specifically including every pagan religion, but also specifically "earth based religions" which doesn't actually include all pagan religions, and also excluding non-pagans.

I see.