On the topic of the pagan label….
Yes, it’s a label used to identify an aspect of me to other people. However, I find it not even remotely accurate in any form of describing me. My reason is that I don’t see various N.A. paths, Hindu, Shinto, or other cultural paths (with the exception of various Norse paths, though an acquaintance would probably disagree with me), being described as pagan. Yes, it’s a latin word used to refer to the country folk the Romans lived and came into contact with. Yes, I’m from the country, and thus pagan. However, my spirituality is not from the country in the lands it originated, because it was just as much from the local cities. It’s a folk religion, pure and simple.
In the modern use of the word pagan, I’m no where close. The broader base I draw from, in my spirituality, is very naturalist at its base. My foundation is not Celtic, least, not in the grander culture history. As I read more about the pre-history religions, that have survived into the written past, I find more of a connection there. My culture connection is Celtic, my world-view connection is Celtic, my religious philosophy is Celtic, but my base is the grand ole, general nature. I’ve said before that the concept of gods in my spirituality are a new addition. Before I integrated them, it was just me and my natural surroundings. Does that make me pagan in the Roman view? Probably, because I’m not Roman (remember, the early Christians would have been considered pagan by the definition). As far as the grander culture of the US (read: Abrahamic religions) I’m a heretic. Still doesn’t make me a pagan.
At any rate, while I was driving home today, the concept of Celtic spiritualism came to my mind. Not quite accurate, but probably as close as I’m going to get. After all, my work area, to be built in the backyard, is my Shinto Shrine to the Celtic gods. If other people wish to use the word pagan to describe me, they’re welcome to. However, it’s not going to get close.
**Note: my decision has nothing to do with Wiccans, fluffbunnies, et al in regards to other “pagans”.
Freakchylde's 
You seem to be describing a very animistic world-view. I’ve known plenty of animists who claim to be Pagan. Some of them don’t believe in god(s) at all.
I agree with you about Hinduism et al not being Pagan religions. ‘Course we could get into my tried and true discussion of big P little p paganism or Neopaganism vs. paganism, but that would take a loooooooong time.
My general definition of Paganism is this: a modern religious and spiritual movement born of western esotericism, 19th century Romanticism, and the countercultural movements of the 1960s and 70s. Adherents are generally pantheistic, animistic, and/or polytheistic, seek inspiration from ancient cultures and believe in the immanence of nature.
But you know, about the only factor that I’ve ever found to be common amongst Pagans is that they self-identify as being Pagan. 🙂
LikeLike
That could be my thing, I’m not drawing on something terribly new. Though, revivalists could probably vouch for its “newness”. The neopagans just make my stomach lurch (generalist view) and some of the “old school” pagans just annoy me with the snobbery. To an extent, it’s a matter of why the word pagan was used in the first place – to separate from mainstream religion. I see no reason to separate, and at this point, Wicca could stand on its own, as well as many of the other traditions, without the use of the word.
LikeLike
I see no reason to separate, and at this point, Wicca could stand on its own, as well as many of the other traditions, without the use of the word.
I have always seen the struggle with labels in the general (neo)pagagan community as a sign of insecurity. You would think they would be content to for a reasonably cohesive theology, a set of beliefs and let each tradition stand on it’s own merits. Instead you get a lot of folks wanting to exclude people like fluffy neo pagans who deserve, however annoying they may be, to be included in that group. Then at the same time they rush to include people like Hindus who aren’t and don’t deserve to be included under that banner.
That and odd attempts at linking themselves to pre christian traditions, when they owe more to the golden dawn, theosophy, and thelema, all seem like attempts at gaining validity through numbers, age and associations with more “respected” traditions. Which in it’s own way is tragic, by virtue of their devotion to it, their path is valid. The squabbling over labels does far more harm than good in my estimation.
LikeLike
Exactly. I see Wicca as an umbrella term, at this point, similar to Christianity, Hinduism, etc. Within each you have the “denominations”, same with Wicca, Druidism/ry, etc. The umbrella terms are where the defining theology is (belief in Christ as saviour, belief in duality of deity) and there’s no real need for something like the word “pagan” to serve as an umbrella term, when all it does is describe a mishmash of belief systems that aren’t terribly related any more than their relation to the Abrahamic systems.
I agree that they’d be of more help to themselves, should they actually work on standing on their own terms than trying to hook up on the tailend of other religions.
LikeLike
For many of the reasons you’ve listed here, it’s why I prefer to call myself heathen and not pagan. While I recognize heathenry as a set of pagan religions, the denotation is purely academic. Just like I see dynastic era Egyptian practices as academically pagan, I think of them as Kemetic, not pagan. I only use “pagan” as an academic note for a classification of certain religious groups.
LikeLike
But what is the defining term that classifies them as pagan? Time era, cultural adaptation (modern Kemetics vs. Ancient Kemetics), location of development vs. location of current practice?
The term itself is similar to the view some Atlantans have, if you live outside the perimeter you’re pagan, if you live inside the perimeter you’re not. It had very little to do with religion, outside the fact that Roman culture had religion pervading from every pore, along with other cultural religions.
LikeLike