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Paganism: Religions
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While the largest segment of the Pagan population is Caucasian and middle class, Paganism cuts across all lines, whether racial, occupational, or class- or gender-based. Most Pagans... are avid readers with interests in ecology, creativity, and personal growth. Many come from the scientific, computer, and technical fields. Since it is not an organized movement, it is very difficult to determine the number of its practitioners, but it is estimated that there are between 100,000 and 600,000 in the U.S. alone. Some have termed Paganism the fastest-growing religion in the West.
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Paganism is a collection of diverse contemporary religions which are rooted in or inspired by indigenous and classical traditions worldwide. This faith tradition is one of the fastest-growing spiritual practices in the U.S. Pagan religions are characterized by belief in the interconnectedness of all life, personal autonomy, polytheism, and immanent divinity. Pagans value diversity, good works, living lightly on the Earth, individual freedom, personal responsibility, and gender equity. They cherish their children, their elders, and their communities, and believe that religious liberty is an inalienable human right which must not be abridged.
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Paganism is one of the so-called "Mystery Paths", where each individual has direct experience of divinity. Although it is becoming more common for Pagan Priests and Priestesses to administer rites to a group of people, individual experience of divinity remains the primary objective for most practicing Pagans. This differs significantly from most State religions, where a figure of authority performs rites, and mediates the divine force, on behalf of a congregation. In most Pagan religions, each individual is a Priest or Priestess in his or her own right.
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Paganism is a modern religion. Paganism is a new religion, even though it may borrow concepts and practices from any spirituality, including those now fading or extinct. Paganism is classified as a new religion by social scientists who report that Paganism exhibits all six features of new religious movements. These are (1) a pronounced religious individualism, (2) an emphasis on experience instead of belief and doctrine, (3) a practical perspective on matters of authority and practice, (4) an acceptance and tolerance of other religions and worldviews in general, (5) a holistic worldview, and (6) an open, flexible organizational framework.
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Paganism is a false religion of the ancient hippies. They liked to worship other deities than God and get naked under full moons. Most were burned at the stake for their obvious heresy, but apparently Paganism is starting to make a comeback.
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Paganism is a word that gets thrown around in reference to various religions and the various activities associated with said systems of beliefs. This is perhaps because some versions of the Bible refer to religious practices that are not acceptable to Christianity as pagan, meaning practices from people groups outside the Jewish sector. But, today there is a true religious movement that refers to itself as the pagan religion and some of their beliefs and practices are adapted from the religions that existed thousands of years ago; the very religions that God warned Israel about and that Christ spoke against.
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