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We have been asked, by many, questions looking for the same answer:
What is a Pagan?
What is the definition of Pagan?
Are only Wiccans Pagan?
Are only Witches Pagan?
Why is ____ included, it is not paganism!
We might start off with a few definitions of pagan and paganism. They run the gamut from
"One who is not a Christian, Muslim, or Jew, especially a worshiper of a polytheistic religion;" or
"One who has no religion;" or even
"A hedonist."*
It is often used synanymously with "heathen", and even "gentile" or "infidel" sometimes.
But just like many words, its true meaning lies in its roots. The word "pagan" comes from the Late Latin, Paganus, meaning something like "country-dweller". It was a derogative term, "hillbilly" probably being its modern equivalent. Christianity, which was primarily an urban religion, found much resistance in rural europe where people held to their natural religions well into the times of the inquisition. Hence the religious meaning of the word intensified.
The word "heathen" comes from the first gothic translation of the bible, by Bishop Wulfilas (c. 311 - 382CE). In Mark 7:26, for a woman referred to as Greek, Wulfilas used the word "haithno", which literally meant "of the heath". This might have been to mean living beyond the cities or towns, figuratively "on the heath", but in any case the meaning has come to mean disparagingly "out of the faith".
It can thus be clearly seen that the term Pagan extends over a lot of territory. In my mind, it has always meant (and will always predominantly be) someone in tune with nature, in love with nature. But it is not necessarily just that. "Not Abrahams God" covers a lot of grass, from hindu, buddhist, baha'i, zoroastrian, jainist, taoist, confucian, shaman, vodou and santeria practitioner, wiccan, witch and wizard, neo-pagan, heathen, native american, indigenous believer and even the satanist (outside of the Christian tradition). Paganism includes a large variety of religions; people of all kinds.
And now, in a time when christian witches are not few, and other christians are embracing earth-based spiritual traditions, lines are blurred and words take on different connotations. Traditions long secret, like the Jewish Kabbalah that affirms the female nature of creation, also rock the established boat. After all, some historians point to the clear pagan origins of the Jewish Jehovah as a tribal god. And some historians have found Allah to have pre-islamic pagan origins as a supreme god with three daughters, the goddesses al-Lat, al-Uzza, and Manat.
I found it most interesting how many of Jesus' parables take from nature; like of the barren fig tree and of the sowing of the seeds. It often sounds like He himself was "of the heath", talking to other "heathens".
So you see, although we have our certain demographics, PaganPages are for everyone regardless of life Path, culture or belief. What is important to us is not what God or Gods you worship or how; whether you are a part of a coven, church, brother/sisterhood, lodge, clan or if you are alone; whether you meditate, mediate, pray or chant.
What is important to us is the ability to share and receive ideas, experiences and beliefs openly and equally.
We are trying to teach, not only non-pagans, but pagans as well, consciousness, understanding, and tolerance of all religions. We are not a wiccan, a witchcraft, or a witches only magazine. We are a pagan magazine, and being a pagan magazine, we invite those of all paths to join us. To share. To teach.
Like the great visionary and Holy Man, Black Elk(Hehaka Sapa) said:
"Perhaps you have noticed that even in the slightest breeze you can hear the voice of the cottonwood tree; this we understand is its prayer to the Great Spirit, for not only men, but all things and all beings pray to Him continually in different ways."
---
* from Dictionary.com
Sources:
Dictionary.com
Answers.com
WordOrigins.org
Wikipedia.com
The Church of the Interfaith Christians