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About Paganism (This is an edited extract. Click this link to read the full article)
Paganism is the collective name given to Pagan religions (more than one!), which are based on honouring and worshipping nature and nature-related deities. Most ancient tribal religions and spiritualities can be said to be pagan, as they have and do worship earth, sky, stars, elements and natural forces. Pagan deities are male or female (god or goddess) and equally of importance and reverence. .
Pagans believe that there are many spiritual paths to the divine, and divine worship, and by this belief understand that all other religions and spiritual practices are equally valid. Thus it can be said that it is within the pagan belief to accept all other religions.
Life essence and beliefs of Pagan religions: Paganism is any path that honours, worships and respects nature and the divine in its many forms, and within all things.. animate and inanimate. As such, Pagans believe all living things such as people have divinity within. Hence, Pagans spiritually connect directly to the divine. As such humanity and being human is cherished and celebrated, so are human qualities, needs and wants- such as fertility, sexuality- which is seen as a natural and most powerful force of nature. As well as leading to creation of new life and births, life must and does lead to eventual death. Thus pagans accept, honour and respect death, and the connection to those who have lived and died- our ancestors, whose essence and energies flow in our own physical bodies and emotional makeup.
Examples of Pagan religions around World- past and present: Egypt of the Africa, Hinduism of the Asia, Aztec & Mayas of the South Americas, Shamanic and native Amerindian traditions of the north America & Canada, native Aboriginal traditions of the Australia, Mauri traditions of the New Zealand, Nordic ones of Northern Europe (`Vikings’ ), Druids and Celts of the old Albian (now known as United Kingdom; ) Greek & Roman cultures of the middle-Europe; (c) M.Navasothy.2011
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