When Paganism Ends...

[kevyn]

My deep philosophical question for the season:

Is it possible to be an Atheist (or Agnostic), and be a Pagan at the same time?

I don't have an answer, I'm just mulling it over in my mind. I used to think "yes," and identified as such, but since then I've had Pagan friends I trust and respect tell me I can't be both at the same time.

Sorting out belief...

-Hagrid

Comments

[kevynjacobs.livejournal.com]

> ... but voudon exists alongside Christianity as a means of a subjugated people "mapping" their religion onto the religion/god they were allowed/made/forced to worship

This has parallels in what happened in Pagan Europe, when the pre-Christian religions of Europe were mapped onto early Christianaity. Things like most of the supernatural parts of the Jesus mytology, the celebrations of Christmas and Easter, the Blessed Virgin Mary (a mythology that has played a major role in my life and spirituality), the intercession of saints... all of these were mapped onto the early church, and became ppart of what is now today "Christianity" (and especially Cathoicism.

> Sorry, I am speaking because I don't know if folks understand how certain things exist alongside Christianity... respecting that there is something really horrible that happened and understand how what happened was an act of a people being crafty and smart in order to survive.

You are speaking, of course, about the slave trade and it's impact on the transplanted religions of West Africa, and I think you make a very good point.

[kyooverse.livejournal.com]

Not just the religions of West Africa, but also the religions of the Aztecs (re: Catholicism), and even ethnic Europeans, like Celts, who worshipped goddesses.

My words were vague and hesitant because I don't really feel like arguing with anyone and sometimes, the way I word things get people all in a wad.

[kevynjacobs.livejournal.com]

Am I being argumentative? Ah. I'm sorry.

[kyooverse.livejournal.com]

No... something else... yer fine.