RE: Opinions on paganism?
November 7, 2023 at 7:50 am
(This post was last modified: November 7, 2023 at 7:54 am by FrustratedFool.)
I suspect a lot of modern neo-pagans are trying to fill the gap left by traditional religions that are seen as immoral, outdated, oppressive, boring, and false.
Many have a 'spiritual' impulse for that peculiar mixture of ritual, community, beauty, the idea of the supernatural, and a sensation of life having meaning and being part of something grander than the self. Traditional religions come at too high a price for many moderns, and there isn't much else on offer. So neo-paganism and new age stuff is the best option.
This can also be greatly connected to a feeling of regaining one's heritage (which can easily become quite racist), or ancestry, or with a concern for nature and the environment, or with an interest in history or psychedelic experiences, or with feeling the ostracisation of non-traditional sexual lives or with belonging to a minority group.
We probably shouldn't also underestimate the 'cool' and 'rebellious' factor of being a witch, warlock, Odinite, or whatever. Especially in the light of modern films & TV about witchcraft, Norse religion, folklore, magick, ancient mythologies, and the such like.
I certainly feel many of the same impulses and enjoy many aspects that new age neo-paganism offers. I indulge to a degree by playing about with placebo magick. The big difference is that I don't believe it is more than psychology and art and LARPing.
Many have a 'spiritual' impulse for that peculiar mixture of ritual, community, beauty, the idea of the supernatural, and a sensation of life having meaning and being part of something grander than the self. Traditional religions come at too high a price for many moderns, and there isn't much else on offer. So neo-paganism and new age stuff is the best option.
This can also be greatly connected to a feeling of regaining one's heritage (which can easily become quite racist), or ancestry, or with a concern for nature and the environment, or with an interest in history or psychedelic experiences, or with feeling the ostracisation of non-traditional sexual lives or with belonging to a minority group.
We probably shouldn't also underestimate the 'cool' and 'rebellious' factor of being a witch, warlock, Odinite, or whatever. Especially in the light of modern films & TV about witchcraft, Norse religion, folklore, magick, ancient mythologies, and the such like.
I certainly feel many of the same impulses and enjoy many aspects that new age neo-paganism offers. I indulge to a degree by playing about with placebo magick. The big difference is that I don't believe it is more than psychology and art and LARPing.
