Some General Pagan Concepts

As they would apply to me...

Belief in Deity
Some believe in a Supreme Being. Many believe in God and Goddess--a duality. Many believe there are countless spirit beings, gods and goddesses, in the cosmos and within all of nature--God is all and within all; all are one God.

I'm Agnostic.

Incarnations
No human incarnations are worshipped in particular, as all of nature and the universe are considered embodiments of God and Goddess, or of gods and goddesses, worthy of respect, reverence, or worship.

I don't quite understand this one...

Origin of Universe and Life
Generally, there is no conflict between observations revealed through science and Neo-Pagan beliefs on origins of the physical universe and of man

Yes - I guess you could say that's how I am. There is no science-religion/beliefs conflict with me.

After Death
Many believe in reincarnation after some rest and recovery in the "Otherworld." Some believe in various spiritual resting places. Many say we don't or can't know what happens after death.

I 'knew' about reincarnation although my 'belief' in it wasn't really there. But reincarnation is the only thing to explain what has happened to me with regards to the soul exchange. Other than that, I do not know (and feel that none of us can know) what happens after death - as it's all individual.

Why Evil?
"Evil" is imbalance. Most believe there is no evil but rather that people sometimes make mistakes. Wrongdoing results when we forget we are one with the universal spirit.

Yes - I'd have to agree for the most part with that.

Salvation
The concept of "salvation" is essentially irrelevant; rather the belief that people can attain spiritual balance and harmony with each other and nature.

Yes - but harmony mainly within oneself first...the rest follows.

Undeserved Suffering
Most do not believe in Satan or any spirit being as the cause of suffering. Some believe in a karma-like principle, that choosing to live a life of wrongdoing and pain will naturally result in suffering in this or later lifetimes. Many view suffering as a result of spiritual imbalance in one's life or on the planet or in the universe. The focus is generally on healing suffering rather than answering definitively why it exists.

I don't believe in Karma, or Satan, but suffering due to an imbalance in one's life...and my focus has been on healing the suffering rather than all the pointless 'why' questions. I guess that's a part of my pragmatism - focus on healing the suffering, who cares about the 'why'.

Contemporary Issues
Abortion is not condemned, as there is no official doctrine; beliefs about abortion range the full spectrum. Views on divorce, homosexuality, and gender equality are generally very supportive of human differences, equality, and personal choice. Many believe that involvement in community action, especially regarding environmental concerns, is integral to the belief in human interdependence and worship of the Earth Mother.

Yes.

Hi Kapitan :)

>>>No human incarnations are worshipped in particular, as all of nature and the universe are considered embodiments of God and Goddess, or of gods and goddesses, worthy of respect, reverence, or worship.<<<

That one is referring to people like Jesus who walked on the Earth. Pagans don't usually (there are Christian Witches who identify themselves as Pagan who might disagree but generally speaking) single out for worship anyone who had a lifetime here as their god. Everything is considered to be God/Goddess/Universe...including nature.

Ah Ok - thanks. Now I understand. That would be a definite No for me then.

Originally Posted by EmergingPath

Undeserved Suffering
Most do not believe in Satan or any spirit being as the cause of suffering. Some believe in a karma-like principle, that choosing to live a life of wrongdoing and pain will naturally result in suffering in this or later lifetimes. Many view suffering as a result of spiritual imbalance in one's life or on the planet or in the universe. The focus is generally on healing suffering rather than answering definitively why it exists.

Does this mean that there are Pagans who believe that someone who endures a lot of suffering from the beginning to end of their life, be it through disability, illness, events or a combination, does so because of wrong-doings in a previous life, even if that person is a very spiritual person in their current life (assuming that that is what is meant by "spiritual imbalance")? And what is actually meant by "spiritual imbalance"? I know, as you said, that the focus is mainly on healing rather asking why but since beliefs as to why suffering happens were mentioned, I'm curious about this one.

thank you for this post EP.
i have been very interested in wicca and trying to learn more about it but with your post i can definitely see that i am pagan despite being brought up as a christian.

[LadyVirgoxoxo]

That's very interesting, thank you for posting EP. I've been pondering whether becoming a pagan would be a right path for me and this has helped a lot!

that's a good list.

Can I offer an addition for consideration?

Viewing the cycle of the seasons as an important influence on life?

Would many consider this a common thing?

[norseman]

The Wheel of the Seasons is a prime rule of Life , the Master Clock !

I tend to call myself a Buddhist since that has been the most of my spiritual influence when it came to reading and learning, but I am spiritual throughout, believing that all religions contain pieces of a much bigger puzzle. I would also consider myself Pagan, according to your list anyway. Nicely written

Did you get this from belief.net ? Sounds like the questions and answers from their quiz!