What are atheists' objections, if any, to pagan religions and its followers? (Anyone can reply)

[PoetPhilosopher]

If you look back through the last 10, 20, or 30 pages of Debates, you'll probably read enough posts to get an idea of what atheists might think of people of Abrahamic faith, their objections to the ideas and certain involvements of its followers, etc.

But it makes me wonder... what do atheists think of paganism and followers of pagan religion in general?

Paganism - Wikipedia

...

By the way, I posted this as a debate.

 

[LuisDantas]

I'm generally ok with them.

Paganism tends to value both practice and individual inclinations. I respect those traits.

 

[Audie]

If you look back through the last 10, 20, or 30 pages of Debates, you'll probably read enough posts to get an idea of what atheists might think of people of Abrahamic faith, their objections to the ideas and certain involvements of its followers, etc.

But it makes me wonder... what do atheists think of paganism and followers of pagan religion in general?

Paganism - Wikipedia

...

By the way, I posted this as a debate.

Imm unfamiliar with pagan stuff.
I'd probably think it's silly.

 

[PoetPhilosopher]

I had to edit the thread title a couple times, but finally got it to what I wanted it. I was kind of struggling with the character limit.

Anyway, I'll leave the thread title alone now.

 

[ChristineM]

If i wasn't an out and out atheist i could probably take a look at paganism as a way of life. I'm probably part way there already with my love of nature

 

[VoidCat]

If i wasn't an out and out atheist i could probably take a look at paganism as a way of life. I'm probably part way there already with my love of nature

Theres secular paganism that is paganism that is atheistic. I dont know if youd be interested in it but I figured I'd point that out to you

 

[fantome profane]

My lack of belief in Pagan religions is essentially the same as my lack of belief in Abrahamic religions.

But generally Pagan religions do not proselytize in the same was as Abrahamic religions (Christianity and Islam more so than Judaism).

I don't see legislation being passed that denies human rights in the name of Thor. I don't see a frightening rise in Pagan nationalism that is threatening to end democracy.

And when you look back at those 10, 20, or 30 pages of debates, how many of those threads are started by adherents of Abrahamic faiths literally inviting criticism? (probably half or more)

 

[PoetPhilosopher]

And when you look back at those 10, 20, or 30 pages of Debates are started by adherents of Abrahamic faiths literally inviting criticism?

Mostly, yes.

 

[ChristineM]

Theres secular paganism that is some paganism that is atheistic. I dont know if youd be interested in it but I figured I'd point that out to you

You wouldn't be the first to point it out. I think nature is important and beautiful and harsh and deserving respect but i couldn't consider anything sacred

 

[VoidCat]

You wouldn't be the first to point it out. I think nature is important and beautiful and harsh and deserving respect but i couldn't consider anything sacred

That makes sense. I just thought I'd point it out just in case as some think all paganism is polytheistic or pantheistic when not all is.

 

[F1fan]

Atheists tend to live and let live. If you notice atheists tend to respond to religious claims, and don't have any dogma to argue themselves.

Back in the early 2000's I was part of the debate community on Beliefnet, along with RF members Rider and Blu. It was an interesting dynamic. Tyically atheists debate ay theist that posts their dogmas and beliefs. These posts are invitations to assess and critique, afterall this is a debate forum. The theists who were not interested in debating their beliefs were seldom the targets of critism, but we knew what they believed. We saw the more fundamentalist believers attack their fellow theists and atheists alike. Oddly this caused an alliance between the liberal and moderate theists and atheists against the numerous fundamentalists, some outwardly anti-Simitic. I characterized this as the reasonable versus the unreasonable. Wiccans and pagans were defended by atheists against fundamentalist Christians who considered them evil.

The take away was a lesson who well we can live together and even work together when we mind our own business where it comes to religion. My gripe as an American is how the fundamentalist Christian influence has become conjoined with the republican party, and it has influence into secular governing and judicial practices that seem unconstitutional, and anti-democratic.

As an atheist I accept theists and will defend their rights to enjoy their freedom of religion. I draw a line when their efforts try to impose their beliefs and religious values into law. I expect theists to understand their beliefs are not absolute, and if they want to present their beliefs for debate they need to understand their assumptions are not accepted by default.

 

[Father Heathen]

I'm more of an agnostic, but religious beliefs only bother me when people act upon them in ways that victimize or infringe upon the rights and freedoms of others.
Also, science denial is dangerous.

 

[icehorse]

If you look back through the last 10, 20, or 30 pages of Debates, you'll probably read enough posts to get an idea of what atheists might think of people of Abrahamic faith, their objections to the ideas and certain involvements of its followers, etc.

But it makes me wonder... what do atheists think of paganism and followers of pagan religion in general?

Paganism - Wikipedia

By the way, I posted this as a debate.

I'm concerned with any belief system that pretends to know what it doesn't really know. That said, I'd rather have a pagan baby sit my kids than most Abrahamists.

 

[lewisnotmiller]

My lack of belief in Pagan religions is essentially the same as my lack of belief in Abrahamic religions.

But generally Pagan religions do not proselytize in the same was as Abrahamic religions (Christianity and Islam more so than Judaism).

I don't see legislation being passed that denies human rights in the name of Thor. I don't see a frightening rise in Pagan nationalism that is threatening to end democracy.

And when you look back at those 10, 20, or 30 pages of debates, how many of those threads are started by adherents of Abrahamic faiths literally inviting criticism? (probably half or more)

It's mostly the same as this for me.
There are small subsets of paganism which have tights links to white supremacy though, so if certain forms of Odinism (for example) became more common or were being advocated for here on RF, I could certainly see myself arguing against them.

 

[Jayhawker Soule]

It's an ill-defined category, and I suspect that, for many, it's more affectation than serious and meaningful theology -- somewhat on the level of Dungeons and Dragons role play. Admittedly, I've never given it much thought.

 

[Subduction Zone]

They never invite me to their barbecues

 

[fantome profane]

It's an ill-defined category, and I suspect that, for many, it's more affectation than serious and meaningful theology -- somewhat on the level of Dungeons and Dragons role play. Admittedly, I've never given it much thought.

There are some Pagan believer for whom it is very much a religious belief with worship, rituals, traditions and ethical code of conduct. For some it is more like the Abrahamic religions than you might think.

And for others is a cultural identity, but basically secular.

As you say, a broad ill-defined category.

 

[Nimos]

But it makes me wonder... what do atheists think of paganism and followers of pagan religion in general?

As with all other religious or spiritual beliefs, my opinion is the same for pagans as for anyone else. I don't mind them as long as their beliefs don't hurt others. Assuming that it doesn't. It, as with the others still follows my general idea that any belief, that claim, truth, that is of such magnitude ought to be followed by evidence and proof.

If it is just a personal belief, I have, as I said no problem with it.

But honestly, I would hold this to all claims of equal character, whether religious or not. Meaning it goes for scientific claims just as much as for the supernatural.

 

[Revoltingest]

Imm unfamiliar with pagan stuff.
I'd probably think it's silly.

It's silly, but pagans are few in number, &
therefore can't impose anything upon others.
This is a wonderful quality.

 

[wandering peacefully]

If you look back through the last 10, 20, or 30 pages of Debates, you'll probably read enough posts to get an idea of what atheists might think of people of Abrahamic faith, their objections to the ideas and certain involvements of its followers, etc.

But it makes me wonder... what do atheists think of paganism and followers of pagan religion in general?

Paganism - Wikipedia

...

By the way, I posted this as a debate.

Anyone who worships nature is a god in my eyes.
I don't believe I've ever heard a pagan trying to claim they have the only truth and try to force the rest of society to also believe what they do or live by their morals.

Benign as far as I'm concerned.