Medieval Apple Pie

 

New Moon New Me

Are the Spiritual but not Religious People Attracted to Paganism?

Yes, we've heard it over and over again, "I'm spiritual not religious."

While it may seem so overused, we understand it, we get it.

Critics however feel that this "spiritual-but-not-religious" movement is nonsense.

They feel Pagans who are claiming they have a deeper, more profound understanding about the world we live in are only deluding themselves and should be sitting in a church somewhere.

The critics believe that being a Pagan offers no positive understanding or explanation of belief in any shape or form.

It is believed that unless you have rules and regulations combined with dogma you can't possibly be spiritual.

When we see the increasing number of younger people coming into Paganism, trying to escape the bleak judgements of religion, it's easy to understand why they have had enough of teachings that are dominated by hatred, bigotry and guilt.

Paganism, with the ancient festivals, rituals and belief of a self empowered individual is a real escape from the soulless, stressed-out, non-spiritual traditions of religion.

Paganism honors feminine spirituality, why? Because we are all connected with nature.

In the standard religious world there is little room for the feminine. 

Women have fared very badly in religions throughout history.

Most religions have been run by men, who have suppressed women.

Religions have decided the rights of women, owning property, being able to speak up in the church, even women’s procreation.

All spiritual people (women and men) seek to elevate themselves, maybe with a higher power, but definitely with a higher self. 

While most religions guarantee the path to a spiritual and rewarding destination, keep in mind it was men who invented religion and along with that, a lot of religious baggage.

Somewhere there is a rule that we must rely on a male deity to get things done, if we give ourselves over in worship we are somehow more spiritual.

Pagans, at least our brand of Paganism, teaches getting things done is a do it yourself job, that's because the power always has been within you.

All you have to do is develop the confidence that's inside and channel your own solutions.

As you spend more time understanding nature you begin to realize the answers to many of life’s questions are right there.

For us that is spirituality.

But if a person believes they are helpless and have to ask their higher power to fix things for them (let go, let God) they remain weak and that may be religious, but it isn't very spiritual.

While critics say that paganism lacks understanding and philosophical teachings, we say it's the simplicity of Paganism that makes it beautiful and available to all.

Beliefs don't have to be complicated, threatening or contradictory to be true, we like simple.

How wonderful to be spiritual and to believe in yourself and without all the religious hoopla.

Do Pagans Have a Moral Code of Ethics?

Pagans are accused of ignoring the Ten Commandments and not accepting any kind of moral code of conduct in general.

Many Pagans are accused of having no morals because we don't subscribe to the traditional dogma preached from pulpits and as a result, they we will all burn in Hell, or something like that.

So, how to respond?

We believe that this indoctrination of religions in general make a deliberate effort to eliminate independent thought, and that's not a good thing.

One thing that we disagree with is the assertion that the Bible is a good example of morality.

It's just our collective opinion, but the Bible is full of ‘holy’ actions that are absolutely counter to our sense of moral behavior. 

If we really want to be morally upstanding people, it's our obligation to thoughtfully consider how our actions might affect others, the earth and ourselves.

This is what ethical and moral people do, that's how we learn.

Discouraging the ‘thinking’ part in decision making and blindly following the ‘ethics’ of a religious doctrine leads to many of the destructive actions that are common today.

Trying to force someone’s morality and ethics on people is like a fart…

So how do we know what's right and wrong?

How do we figure out the morality/ethics question? 

For most Pagans we learn through trial and error.

We hopefully keep doing what works and stop doing what doesn't.

When we make decisions, we need to take a good look how those decisions and actions have influenced our lives and that of those around us. 

We decide if it was the right thing to do, or if we need to make changes.

Through experience and education we learn, develop, adjust and become better people.

Regardless of the Paganism you practice, we can agree on the Wiccan Rede: 'An it harm none, do what ye will'. 

For us it's an affirmation of our freedom to act, combined with the requirement of taking responsibility for our actions.

The Wiccan Rede is known by Witches, Wiccans and Pagans, and it it's a pretty good moral code.

Here is a list of "Nine Noble Virtues" as used by some Norse Pagans:

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