If you are like me you have someone in your life you care about who just doesn't understand your beliefs or the path you have chosen to follow.
I have struggled for several years with loved ones who cling to the old "Wicked Witch of the West" image and think I am being blindly led into the chasm of hell there to burn forever in the fires of sin at the hands of a devil I don't even believe in. It is frustrating and very, very tiring at times, trying to explain my beliefs and the fact that the world of Christianity and Hollywood has it all wrong. I am not evil, I am not damned and what I believe has nothing to do with Satan.
I have tried over and over to put into words just what this path I follow is, only to fail miserably due to my inaptitude at explaining myself. When I read this this morning on Real Life Magicks site, (http://reallifemagick.com/wordpress/?page_id=5), I realized it is exactly what I have been trying to say for the past 4 years.
Pagan Manifesto
There is, within society at present, a group of people calling themselves Pagans who, feeling
that there are many misunderstandings surrounding their beliefs and practices, wish this
document to be made available to the public in order to promote a greater understanding of
the basis of Pagan belief (Pagan is a general term being used to describe many modern-day
manifestations of ancient and pre-Christian religious practices.)
The term “Paganii” comes from the Latin “Pagus”, meaning “Countryside”, and therefore
literally means “dwellers in the country”. Hence Paganism is a nature based religion,
respecting and endeavoring to understand the needs of the planet and it’s ecology as a whole.
It was handed down from ancient times.
Pagans are aware of the cycles of Nature, and observe them as festivals throughout the
changing year.
Pagans see magic in Nature manifest in balance and harmony, and try to bring these into their
everyday lives by worship of two balancing aspects of divinity i.e., the Goddess and the God in
unison.
Pagans, in their seeking of moral and spiritual development, are interested in the study of
comparative and alternative religions in order to promote tolerance of the beliefs of others,
There is no “one true way” Many paths lead to the same destination, Pagans respect the
religious beliefs of others who “harm none”.
Pagans defend and respect the right of the individual, and would hope that others show them
the same consideration, They are not Gurus, and are not looking for converts to their faith,
but will explain it if asked.
True Pagans hold all life sacred and regard the human species as caretakers of the planet
responsible for it’s well being. They would not cause harm to any living thing or condone
others doing so.
Good Pagans consider the consequences of everything they do in the belief that they can effect
changes upon the material level which will manifest on the spiritual level and vice versa. Many
Pagans believe in the Three-Fold-Effect, in that what we do, for good or bad, we shall receive
in return three-fold ~ good or bad.
The children of Pagans are encouraged to have an interest in alternate and comparative
religions, Without being forced into the beliefs of their parents, they are bought up to respect
nature, and to hold all life sacred. They are taught to respect the person, beliefs and property
of other people & to be good citizens.
Pagans see “Satan”, in the sense generally used, as a Christian paradox. The Devil as the anti-
Christ is a purely Christian concept. Pagans don’t even believe in this embodiment of evil.
They certainly don’t worship Satan.
The common tenet and Rule of all true Pagan groups is “HARM NOTHING AND NO-ONE”.
These ten points are basic to the beliefs of all Pagans. Given the above points, true Pagans are
opposed to the abuse of any individual – be they children or adult – and they are further
opposed to the abuse of nature including animals, insects, birds, aquatic creatures, trees,
plants, humankind & the planet itself This includes physical abuse, violence & mental cruelty,
psychological manipulation & power trips, sexual abuse, any abuse through others for
commercial gain, financial abuse by any dishonest or illegal activity, religious intolerance or
political abuse, the abuse of any living thing on Earth or damaging the environment.
Should anyone be persecuted for holding such moderate and harmless beliefs?
Article 18 of The United Nations. Declaration of Human Rights states: EVERYONE HAS THE
RIGHT TO FREEDOM OF THOUGHT CONSCIENCE AND RELIGION. THIS RIGHT
INCLUDES THE FREEDOM TO CHANGE RELIGION OR BELIEF AND FREEDOM EITHER
ALONE OR IN COMPANY WITH OTHERS, IN PRIVATE OR IN PUBLIC TO MANIFEST
RELIGION OR BELIEF IN TEACHING, PRACTICE, WORSHIP AND OBSERVANCE.
True Pagans should harm no-one – neither should true Christians, Jews, Muslims, Hindus, or
followers of any religion based upon basically good human values.
©Farrar/Bone 1997
Picture:
Poster for Salon des Cent
Date: 1894
by Eugene Samuel Grasse (1841 - 1917)
