Will the West be Pagan again?

[Rainbow Mage]

Before I continue, I think it could be argued, in many ways the West never stopped being Pagan. That being said, do you think Paganism will continue to grow to the level that it dominates the Western world once again? I read in USA Today awhile back that Paganism has 2 million adherants worldwide in just Wicca and Asatru alone, not counting other sects or cultural rites. Is Paganism going to dominate the west again?

 

[Zadok]

It is my impression that the term "Pagan" was invented long ago by Christians to describe anyone that was not a Trinitarian or Jew. It is my general impression that religious or spiritual enlightenment in general is in decline in western civilization.

Zadok

 

[Rainbow Mage]

You know what I mean when I say Pagan zadok

 

[Satans_Serrated_Edge]

What exactly does pagan even mean? Really, it seems to be a catch all term for anything that isn't a major recognized world religion.

 

[Rainbow Mage]

SSE I mean like Wicca, Asatru, Kemeticism, Druidry, Gael, all those who observe the old ways prior to the spread of Christianity. I doubt there will ever be a revival of pre-Islamic Arab folk religion, seeing as the Muslims pretty much destroyed any details about their practices.

 

[LyricalDutchess]

I believe it will. Im being to see more christian mystics every day. (those who practice magik and witchcraft). The bible speaks on the great falling away, and i believe we're well into that.

 

[Satans_Serrated_Edge]

Well Wicca is only about 60 years old or so, so it misses the mark of 'pre christian' by a couple of thousand years or so. The others also seem to be fairly recent inventions loosely based on ideas about older traditions as well. Not that I judge the worth of a belief system by how long it has been around, because I don't..just sayin'...

But to answer your question..no. Even if there were millions of 'pagans' in the west (I assume you mean north america-europe?), there are still billions of christians. We are pretty far from any sort of 'coupe'.
Honestly, if anything is to replace superstition as the primary western worldview it will probably be rational skepticism, and probably not for a few more generations.

 

[LyricalDutchess]

What exactly does pagan even mean? Really, it seems to be a catch all term for anything that isn't a major recognized world religion.

Thats pretty much what it is.

 

[Rainbow Mage]

Lyrical what makes you think Christian Mysticism is a bad thing? Christian Mysticism sees the Christian religion as was originally intended I think, and you'll find, Christian Mysticism isn't at all new. Many of the famous church fathers and saints throughout Christian history were mystics. Such as St. Basil the Great, St. Issac of Syria, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Rita, St. Seraphim of Sarov, etc.

 

[LyricalDutchess]

Lyrical what makes you think Christian Mysticism is a bad thing? Christian Mysticism sees the Christian religion as was originally intended I think, and you'll find, Christian Mysticism isn't at all new. Many of the famous church fathers and saints throughout Christian history were mystics. Such as St. Basil the Great, St. Issac of Syria, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Rita, St. Seraphim of Sarov, etc.

I didnt say it was new. I said im seeing more of them pop up. Or a least more come out about it. And im a strictly bible christian. And i believe witchcraft to be a thing from satan. (yes.....i know i'll get slammed for that one. LOL) Even rebellion is a witchcraft. And many of us are doing that as well.

 

[Wannabe Yogi]

I didnt say it was new. I said im seeing more of them pop up. Or a least more come out about it. And im a strictly bible christian. And i believe witchcraft to be a thing from satan. (yes.....i know i'll get slammed for that one. LOL) Even rebellion is a witchcraft. And many of us are doing that as well.

So any spiritual experience is of the Devil? Like when St Steven was stoned in the Book of Acts or Paul saw Christ on the road to Damascus.

 

[Rainbow Mage]

You're a strictly Bible Christian? How do you know Christian Mysticism isn't based on the Bible? I can think of a few verses-

"Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who walked not after the flesh, but after the spirit."

"There is neither male or female, Jew or Greek, slave or free, for we are all one in Christ"

"One God and Father of all, and by you all, through you all, and in you all."

"Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ, who being in the image of God, thought not equality with God something to be grasped, but took on the likeness of a servant."

"Christ is all and in all."

Is Christian Mysticism unbiblcial?

 

[LyricalDutchess]

So any spiritual experience is of the Devil? Like when St Steven was stoned in the Book of Acts or Paul saw Christ on the road to Damascus.

No. I didnt say anything about spiritual experience, save for witchcraft.

 

[LyricalDutchess]

You're a strictly Bible Christian? How do you know Christian Mysticism isn't based on the Bible? I can think of a few verses-

"Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who walked not after the flesh, but after the spirit."

"There is neither male or female, Jew or Greek, slave or free, for we are all one in Christ"

"One God and Father of all, and by you all, through you all, and in you all."

"Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ, who being in the image of God, thought not equality with God something to be grasped, but took on the likeness of a servant."

"Christ is all and in all."

Is Christian Mysticism unbiblcial?

Thats not talking about doing magik. Its speaking on living a life as Christ lived. And if we have His Spirit within us, we are His. Having the mind of Christ is having a pure and willing heart and mind to do the will of God. Which, as you said, is being a willing servant to our fellowman.

 

[Rainbow Mage]

And you compare witchcraft and mysticism as being the same lyrical?

 

[LyricalDutchess]

Maybe im viewing the word mystic wrong.



When i think mystic, i think witchcraft, and spells and such. Correct me if im wrong.

 

[LyricalDutchess]

And you compare witchcraft and mysticism as being the same lyrical?

I honestly thought they were.

 

[Rainbow Mage]

Lyrical I'd say you're half-right. I'll tell you why. Mystics take those verses from the Bible I mentioned in the most literal way. They think Christ is all there is, therefore one merely has to awaken to the Christ-nature within. Jesus said that his followers would be able to do even greater things then the things he did. What you have to realize is how the Mystic views magic. There's a very fine line between magic and non-magic. The Mystic would realize that if you even say bad things about another person, it's magic, you're cursing them. That's why the Mystic is always careful of the things he says and does. The Mystic is the direct opposite of a magician, he doesn't want to control powers, he wants to live in harmony with these energies that people who use magic manipulate to their own personal gain. There's a huge difference.

 

[LyricalDutchess]

Lyrical I'd say you're half-right. I'll tell you why. Mystics take those verses from the Bible I mentioned in the most literal way. They think Christ is all there is, therefore one merely has to awaken to the Christ-nature within. Jesus said that his followers would be able to do even greater things then the things he did. What you have to realize is how the Mystic views magic. There's a very fine line between magic and non-magic. The Mystic would realize that if you even say bad things about another person, it's magic, you're cursing them. That's why the Mystic is always careful of the things he says and does. The Mystic is the direct opposite of a magician, he doesn't want to control powers, he wants to live in harmony with these energies that people who use magic manipulate to their own personal gain. There's a huge difference.

Thanks for explaining that to me. Gives me something to think about. Hmmm hmmm hmmm hmmm hmmm.......

My apologies for the wrong interpretation of what i thought a mystic was. I think its all good to a certain point. Im too of the mind that we should guard our tongues for the power of life and death are in the tongue. And we will be held accountable for what we say.

When you say live in harmony with the energies, how do they go about that?

 

[LoTrobador]

No. I didnt say anything about spiritual experience, save for witchcraft.

How would you define witchcraft? It seems to be a broad definition, according to what you've written:

Even rebellion is a witchcraft. And many of us are doing that as well.