Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is Pagan?
A. There are a few different beliefs of where the name "pagan" came from. One is that the word originally meant "peasant". Nowadays, it is used to describe those who follow a usually polytheistic path. There are also many different beliefs in paganism (Wicca, Druidism, etc...) and paganism is more of an umbrella term to describe all of them. However, each path is unique and even then many believe different things even if they follow the same named path.
Q. Okay, so paganism isn't one religion, but an umbrella term for many... So what are some of the paths?
A. For the answer to this one, go look at the other options underneath the Beginnings tab. I have added a new page dedicated to this!
Q. Is Wicca and Witchcraft the same thing?
A. You will hear different answers for this, but usually the answer is 'no'. There are witches out there that do not refer to themselves as Wiccans and there are Wiccans that do not practice witchcraft. Many Wiccans do practice witchcraft, but as I have said, every path is different in how it is approached.
Q. Do Pagan worship the 'devil'?
A. You might hear this one a lot. But I must stress that we do not worship 'satan' unknowingly or otherwise as many Christians would like to believe. We do not even believe that there is such a character. Pagans do not believe that there is an "evil" god whose job is to balance out the "good" god. Instead, we believe that everything is personal responsibility. Everything we do, whether it is good or bad, is our responsibility alone and there is no outside force that can influence that. We make our own choices. Thus, the Three-fold Law. Whatever we do comes back to us times three.
Also, the belief that pagans worship the devil partly came about from the Christian figure of the devil. However, to set facts straight, when Christianity was first spreading, they had trouble knocking out the other religions that long had a hold in their native places. So, the Christians adapted some of their beliefs to make it more accessible to the native people. This is why many of the Sabbats correspond with Christian holidays. But back to the question... Nowhere in the bible is the 'devil' described as being horned and hooved. This image came about because the Christians took the image of the Horned God of ancient Pagan beliefs and corrupted it into the modern version of the 'devil'. They used it to try and get rid of the native religions, saying that the people's beliefs were 'evil' and came from the 'devil'.
Q. The Rede states, "An' it harm none, do what ye will'. Does this mean that pagans can do whatever they want?
A. Usually you will hear Wiccans use the Rede. However, these is a similar belief in most paths even if there isn't a similar wording. Basically, this does not mean that we can do whatever we want. In fact, it is very hard to follow. We can do whatever we want as long as it doesn't hurt anyone. This includes our personal being. Remember the Three-fold Law.
Q. I heard about pagans doing orgies. Is this true?
A. You have to be careful with this one. Just like anything else, some groups go around masquerading as pagans and calling themselves this in order to get more members. In a real coven or group, they will never ask you to do something like this. They will never ask you to do something that you are uncomfortable with. If they do, take caution. Also, while we have elements of sexuality (such as the athame and the chalice) to represent the God and the Goddess, things such as sex are to be done in private.
A. There are a few different beliefs of where the name "pagan" came from. One is that the word originally meant "peasant". Nowadays, it is used to describe those who follow a usually polytheistic path. There are also many different beliefs in paganism (Wicca, Druidism, etc...) and paganism is more of an umbrella term to describe all of them. However, each path is unique and even then many believe different things even if they follow the same named path.
Q. Okay, so paganism isn't one religion, but an umbrella term for many... So what are some of the paths?
A. For the answer to this one, go look at the other options underneath the Beginnings tab. I have added a new page dedicated to this!
Q. Is Wicca and Witchcraft the same thing?
A. You will hear different answers for this, but usually the answer is 'no'. There are witches out there that do not refer to themselves as Wiccans and there are Wiccans that do not practice witchcraft. Many Wiccans do practice witchcraft, but as I have said, every path is different in how it is approached.
Q. Do Pagan worship the 'devil'?
A. You might hear this one a lot. But I must stress that we do not worship 'satan' unknowingly or otherwise as many Christians would like to believe. We do not even believe that there is such a character. Pagans do not believe that there is an "evil" god whose job is to balance out the "good" god. Instead, we believe that everything is personal responsibility. Everything we do, whether it is good or bad, is our responsibility alone and there is no outside force that can influence that. We make our own choices. Thus, the Three-fold Law. Whatever we do comes back to us times three.
Also, the belief that pagans worship the devil partly came about from the Christian figure of the devil. However, to set facts straight, when Christianity was first spreading, they had trouble knocking out the other religions that long had a hold in their native places. So, the Christians adapted some of their beliefs to make it more accessible to the native people. This is why many of the Sabbats correspond with Christian holidays. But back to the question... Nowhere in the bible is the 'devil' described as being horned and hooved. This image came about because the Christians took the image of the Horned God of ancient Pagan beliefs and corrupted it into the modern version of the 'devil'. They used it to try and get rid of the native religions, saying that the people's beliefs were 'evil' and came from the 'devil'.
Q. The Rede states, "An' it harm none, do what ye will'. Does this mean that pagans can do whatever they want?
A. Usually you will hear Wiccans use the Rede. However, these is a similar belief in most paths even if there isn't a similar wording. Basically, this does not mean that we can do whatever we want. In fact, it is very hard to follow. We can do whatever we want as long as it doesn't hurt anyone. This includes our personal being. Remember the Three-fold Law.
Q. I heard about pagans doing orgies. Is this true?
A. You have to be careful with this one. Just like anything else, some groups go around masquerading as pagans and calling themselves this in order to get more members. In a real coven or group, they will never ask you to do something like this. They will never ask you to do something that you are uncomfortable with. If they do, take caution. Also, while we have elements of sexuality (such as the athame and the chalice) to represent the God and the Goddess, things such as sex are to be done in private.