What is a Pagan?
According to the MSN Encarta dictionary:
pa·gan [ páygən ]
noun (plural pa·gans)
Definition:
1. an offensive term that deliberately insults somebody who does not acknowledge the God of the Bible, Torah, or Koran
2. an offensive term that deliberately insults somebody's nonbelief in religion, way of life, or degree of knowledge
3. polytheist or pantheist: a follower of an ancient polytheistic or pantheistic religion
[14th century. < late Latin paganus "heathen, non-Christian," in classical Latin "villager, civilian" < pagus "rural district"]
pa·gan·ish adjective
pa·gan adjective
pa·gan·ism noun
Of course these definitions are both right--and wrong depending on the persons point of view.
For many, everyday, Christians it can be, from their viewpoint, a perfectly acceptable way to describe those who follow a different path from their own.
For most Wiccans and other non-Judeo-Christian believers it can be either a definition of who they are and what they, proudly, believe or a description of those of non-Christian/pre-Christian belief, historically.
I doubt we will all reach a consensus on the meaning but as Pagans/Neo-Pagans we must always remember that it isn't enough to label ourselves when communicating with others, both those who share our path and others, we have to define those beliefs within the Pagan umbrella in order for them to truly understand where we are traveling on our path.
In this section of Instant Magick we will try to provide the information, history and present views on what and where Paganism has been, is today and where it may be tomorrow.
