Pagan atheist???

[Hal_Jordan]

Not sure where to post this, but since I'd like to know other's thoughts on a couple of different belief systems, thought I'd drop it here.

Is it possible to be a Pagan who is also an atheist wihtout being philosophically inconsistent?

I am not sure of the 'power' that I can obtain by drawing a circle three times clockwise, even if for nothing else than empowerment. Yet, when I sit quietly and listen (mediation), I get the feeling that wisdom beyond what I think I know gets somehow 'impressed' on me.
Is this God?
Is it my True Self/Guardian Angel/Higher Self?
Is it my Id? Ego?

All of the above? I have been struggling with this; believing in the supernatual (God(s)) without having any proof of the supernatural. Am I a Pagan poser?
When I tried to commune with the Goddess, I got the distinct feeling I was talking to myself.

Any thoughts?
Thanks in advance,
Hal_Jordan

 

[Mike182]

Not sure where to post this, but since I'd like to know other's thoughts on a couple of different belief systems, thought I'd drop it here.

Is it possible to be a Pagan who is also an atheist wihtout being philosophically inconsistent?

I am not sure of the 'power' that I can obtain by drawing a circle three times clockwise, even if for nothing else than empowerment. Yet, when I sit quietly and listen (mediation), I get the feeling that wisdom beyond what I think I know gets somehow 'impressed' on me.
Is this God?
Is it my True Self/Guardian Angel/Higher Self?
Is it my Id? Ego?

All of the above? I have been struggling with this; believing in the supernatual (God(s)) without having any proof of the supernatural. Am I a Pagan poser?
When I tried to commune with the Goddess, I got the distinct feeling I was talking to myself.

Any thoughts?
Thanks in advance,
Hal_Jordan

im affraid i can only give my oppinion on what this is, and i can not offer any evidence other than my experiences to show why i believe how i do - i think this is something you may have to discover yourself

i am happy to help though, do you think there can be a form of deity?

i think it is perfectly possible to be both pagan and an atheist

blessed be

 

[Feathers in Hair]

Part of what being a pagan is about is the opportunity to believe in things that make sense to you. So I'd say, yes, perfectly possible.

Many pagans are polytheistic (that includes me), while others might be monotheistic, and still others could choose to believe that there is no diety involved in the universe, but that the pagan approach seems like the correct path for them.

 

[turk179]

There was a time(fairly recent by the way) when I was on the same road as you were. I believed in the natural power of the world but was having problems with putting a name to deity. I have finally come to an understanding of sorts. It is very hard to explain but I will give it a shot. I believe in polytheistic entities only as an aspect of one singular non namable power that is a natural controlling force of everything. I do not know whether this entity can think or react using a consciousness but I believe that it can be accessed by ritual and magick. I also believe in the duality of all things(The Lord and Lady?)I believe in all aspects of Wicca with my own personal beliefs of what deity is. And I definitely consider myself to be a Wiccan/Pagan. I don't know if this helps or not but I hope it does.
Tim

 

[Hal_Jordan]

do you think there can be a form of deity?

Therein lies my problem; I do not know. Maybe the force/energy that is the source of all life (if such a force exists) could easily be assigned the status of deity I suppose; I just do not 'feel' that there is one.

FeathersinHair - Thanks for your reply, I do feel as if I am on my path, but another problem; how do I know that the path that I am is "right"?

turk179 - Hey, my name is Tim, as well! Anyway, I did believe at one time (and may still to some extent) that the gods are just representations of one source, one energy that may very well be impersonal, but that can perhaps be controlled....

The thing is, I cannot pray (unless you consider introspection and reflection, praying) because it just seems too much like Christianity (no offense). Ritual seems a bit silly to me, at least when I have tried it.

 

[Mike182]

Therein lies my problem; I do not know. Maybe the force/energy that is the source of all life (if such a force exists) could easily be assigned the status of deity I suppose; I just do not 'feel' that there is one.

you can believe either way:
you can believe that their are many gods which are all manifestations of one higher God, who is the force that binds all living things together

of you can believe that all living things naturally have a soul (spirit) and that all souls are linked without the aid of any form of God

FeathersinHair - Thanks for your reply, I do feel as if I am on my path, but another problem; how do I know that the path that I am is "right"?

only you can know if the path you are on is right - trust me, when you are on the right path, you will know

turk179 - Hey, my name is Tim, as well! Anyway, I did believe at one time (and may still to some extent) that the gods are just representations of one source, one energy that may very well be impersonal, but that can perhaps be controlled....

you want my honest advice, follow this train of thought for a while, see where you get

The thing is, I cannot pray (unless you consider introspection and reflection, praying) because it just seems too much like Christianity (no offense). Ritual seems a bit silly to me, at least when I have tried it.

maybe work on this later on

blessed be

 

[Feathers in Hair]

I haven't been to the thread to give you a proper welcome, Hal, but I want to thank you for raising an interesting topic!

FeathersinHair - Thanks for your reply, I do feel as if I am on my path, but another problem; how do I know that the path that I am is "right"?

Okay, I'm going to do something I'm not known for: ask a blunt question.

Is your path working for you?

The thing is, I cannot pray (unless you consider introspection and reflection, praying) because it just seems too much like Christianity (no offense). Ritual seems a bit silly to me, at least when I have tried it.

Sometimes introspection and reflection are the best forms of prayer/ ritual/ meditation. You don't have to believe that anyone is listening, except yourself.

 

[Hal_Jordan]

Okay, I'm going to do something I'm not known for: ask a blunt question.

Is your path working for you?

I'd have to say no, based on the questions that I have asked so far. For example, I know that I love my wife, and I do not question it. I cannot say the same for the path that I am on.

Sometimes introspection and reflection are the best forms of prayer/ ritual/ meditation. You don't have to believe that anyone is listening, except yourself.

You know, it's the only way that makes sense to me, and it isn't like I was performing in front of someone else, I have always looked at myself as a solitary practitioner.

 

[Darkdale]

Is it possible to be a Pagan who is also an atheist wihtout being philosophically inconsistent?

Well, I am a heathen agnostic, so I can't imagine that there is much of a difference between that and a pagan atheist. I choose to believe in the gods, but do not know that they exist. I suppose a pagan atheist would be someone that chooses a philosophy and some ritual, maybe with some metaphysical assumptions, but no belief in gods... this would differ from a philosophy only in the sense that it includes ritual, a form of action. However, a religion without any religious actions isn't a religion. It's a philosophy.

So, you can't really be pagan if you have no religious actions.