The difference

[SilentDreams]

Can anyone explain the difference between agnosticism(sp?) and paganism? Cause I dont really know much about paganism and I've heard a few things like"Its a religion that is seperate from christianity muslim etc..." and the only other thing I here alot si they believe in a higher power. I mean theres probably more to it than just that but they do seem alike if you compare those to facts. I mean so is wicca but I know wiccas got lots of rituals and traditions etc...

[nvrgnabok07]

I know it's hard to be a newbie...Especially when everyone else is advanced. But, honestly sweetie, you should get some books? Or at least research them... There are tons of differences... I can't even start to begin...all i can tell you is that pagan is an umbrella term...

Like christianity is to cathlioc, lutheran, ect...
Pagan is to wicca,druids,ect...

[SilentDreams]

Yeah I know its an umbrella term. But see I hear lots of people describe themselves as 'pagan'. Like eclectic pagan, dark eclectic etc... So like if there not wiccan,druidetc..then what makes them pagan?

[GirlCalledJack]

The most common definition that I have found is that an agnostic is someone with very little belief. (I may be very wrong here though, so please forgive me.)

I have heard bits and peices about both pathways, and I've never heard much of a connection with them...

My best advice would be to read everything you can about Pagans to learn more.

[Mòrag Elasaid Ní Dhòmhnaill]

Can anyone explain the difference between agnosticism(sp?) and paganism? Cause I dont really know much about paganism and I've heard a few things like"Its a religion that is seperate from christianity muslim etc..." and the only other thing I here alot si they believe in a higher power. I mean theres probably more to it than just that but they do seem alike if you compare those to facts. I mean so is wicca but I know wiccas got lots of rituals and traditions etc...

Essentially an agnostic is one who does not deny the existence of the Divine or Heaven, but believes that it is impossible to know whether or not they do exist, and will not believe on faith alone. However, because they acknowledge that possiblity that they may exist, they will not profess atheism either.

This is very different than the various pagan religons, as most pagans believe in some sort of Divine essence, whether that be some unknowable greater power, a singular or twofold Divine source from which all others spring, or completely distinct deities.


Yeah I know its an umbrella term. But see I hear lots of people describe themselves as 'pagan'. Like eclectic pagan, dark eclectic etc... So like if there not wiccan,druidetc..then what makes them pagan?

That is something highly debated. Each 'pagan' has a completely different definition for the word. For me I would say that a pagan, though rightly we are talking neo-paganism, is one who incorporates pre-christian religious ideals into their belief system, is usually polytheistic, and does not follow the Gods of the Abrahamic faith systems (Christianity, Judaism, and Islam). Most worship at the very least a God and Goddess, though there are those who strictly worship a Goddess (Dianic Wiccans and Goddess Worshippers-see Paths forum for more info) or an over-arching Divine Force. Most also revere the earth and believe it is sacred, though this is not necessarly true for all. Some borrow bits and pieces from various paths and religions as they call to them, others follow a exact path without incorporating elements that are not specific to it. Still others make it up as the go along.

[fay]

Yeah I know its an umbrella term. But see I hear lots of people describe themselves as 'pagan'. Like eclectic pagan, dark eclectic etc... So like if there not wiccan,druidetc..then what makes them pagan?
i generally think of paganism (feel free to correct me if you think im wrong) as the umbrella term (i like that idea, nvrgnabok07) for all nature based religions