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

[baxil.livejournal.com]

Not to be flip, but I think this really is one of those cases where it comes down to your definition of "pagan."

And Paganism is a much broader category than, say, Wicca, where there are a certain base set of beliefs ... I think if the category is big enough for Hellenic reconstructionists and Asatru and New Agers, it's damn well big enough for people who don't follow (or believe in) the god-concept too. There's a lot more to paganism than the name you worship.

[kyooverse.livejournal.com]

That's dumb.

No, seriously. An atheist doesn't believe in "god" -- which is monotheistic (and seemingly christian) from its onset. Being agnostic means questioning/doubting the existanance of "god" (I guess I should use a capital G, but there I go showing my colors...), again monotheistic and christian.

I hope, from here, how it differs from paganism is a given. Paganism is generally not monotheistic and definately not christian.

[kadyg.livejournal.com]

I'm falling into the No category.

An atheist is someone who believes in no higher power (to borrow an AA phrase) at all. They think that when you die, that's it. No afterlife, what you do here doesn't matter on any other plane, etc. An agnostic believes that there is a higher power (maybe), but is withholding judgement on what or who it might be.

Pagans - to me, anyway - don't tend to fall into either category. They believe in multiple, or at least dual, gods and goddesses, the Power of Three is a guiding tenent, etc. I think pagans tend to be MORE spiritual than other religions I've been in contact with, just because they spend so much time thinking about it and how they fit in.

Atheists and Agnostics don't seem to have the same concerns.

[cubziz.livejournal.com]

I would say that it isn't a problem. However, it depends on what type of "Pagan" you are.

Some views of Paganism are as a religion, others about environmentalism, and still others about a magical context.

It could conflict, but most likely it exists alongside.

Sort of like how Voodooism exists alongside Christian teachings.

[backrubbear.livejournal.com]

To spin this a slightly different way than previous posters, atheist isn't completely incompatible if your idea of the universe doesn't include God/Gods as external creator beings. Spiritual beings aren't necessarily gods.