International Pagan Values Month--coming to Terms

[xi_o_teaz]

I've seen a few people posting about the International Pagan Values Month, including a very thought-provoking post by my good friend, sannion here. Despite my overall aversion to Philosophical discussions anymore, I feel myself somewhat drawn to this topic

Comments

[xi_o_teaz]

So, the defining characteristics of a pagan are

* individualism
* active spirituality
* gnosis

As opposed to most major religions which emphasise communality, passive spirituality, and faith.

Roughly speaking I think that these "could be" "a few" of the defining characteristics of what most "Pagans" believe is important in their own Path.

Although "Personal Responsibility" is connected to "Active Spirituality," I don't think they are the same. It might be a bit misleading, however, to assume that most major religions emphasize "Passive Spirituality." Many people work very actively and diligently at being "good" Christians, Jews, Muslims, et. al. The Devotional Way of Religious Expression (typified by Bhakti Yoga) is stereotypically one of the most common Religious Paths for the simple fact that (IMHO) it takes the least amount of time and effort away from the more immediate aspects of survival, family-rearing, etc.

Compare this to the eclecticism that is so often a hallmark of modern-day Pagans. The sheer amount of personal dedication, time, energy, effort, etc. that is necessary to "find one's Own Path" is exponentially more than in following an already-blazed Trail. In many ways, modern-day Pagans are rather like the cutting-edge scientists to more mainstream religions, which would be more like taking a night class on Science at the local junior college.

I also think that comparing "Gnosis" for Pagans vs. "Faith" for major religions is a bit misleading. To a degree, this is probably "true." However, no religious person I've ever met really bases their beliefs strictly on "Faith." Their experiences with Ultimate Reality have generally deeply impacted their lives via Personal Revelations. And their "Faith" is often no different than a Magickian who does a Magickal Working and "has Faith" that it will work, a fact all too many in Paganism forget all too quickly.

[catsidhe]

I think the “Good {insert religion here}” thing is about active morality. When you look at the spirituality of most Abrahamics, there is an emphasis on religious services and private religious practice as a passive act: you do what God tells you to do because God and His representatives told you that this is the way to honour Him. Even prayer is passively asking God to do something, but there is no real expectation that it will then happen. Mysterious Ways, and all that. All religions, I think, have actively spiritual branches. Gnostics, Sufi, and Qabbalists all have a more active take on the feedback between religious practice and practical effect.

Canonically, Abrahamics are supposed to rely on Faith above Gnosis for their religious inspiration. Each of them has it written in their books that it is better to believe without proof, that this is a purer form of belief. This is not universally adhered to in practice, because it's hard for even a religion to turn off everyone's brains completely, and human brains work on evidence, even if retconned. So to that extent, Christians, Muslims and Jews are supposed to believe because it's Just True, OK? Where pagans perforce must figure out what they believe through personal experience.

[xi_o_teaz]

Good points all around. There is still much swimming around in my head as I think on this...

All religions, I think, have actively spiritual branches. Gnostics, Sufi, and Qabbalists all have a more active take on the feedback between religious practice and practical effect.

Yes. They are Western versions of Mysicism. The West--in particular--has always been particularly harsh toward Mystical approaches to God, unless done within very minuscule versions. Even then, there are countless stories of Christian Mystics who were prosecuted. You don't find this in the East nearly as often, I don't think. You find more emphasis upon Mystical approaches in general (in many ways, Buddhism focuses as much upon Mysticism as popular 20th century American Christianity focused upon Devotional practices). I'm not sure I have a point right now, but I'm still thinking on this topic...

Thanks for continuing to provide thought-provoking dialogue, something missing far too often from LJ anymore, it seems.