Hi Everyone, I'm New to Pagan Mystics

[Lady Libra]

Hello Everyone,

I just joined Pagan Mystics today, and I'm looking forward to meeting like minded pagans. I recently discovered a new path in my life that brought me to Paganism. I've discovered that you can be an atheist and a pagan at the same time so I guess you could say that I'm a Atheist Pagan. I love nature and everything about nature and how we are from nature and its surroundings.

Cheers,
Lady Libra

[Breandán]

Welcome to Pagan Mystics.

[Coyote]

An atheist and a Pagan?...How exactly?

[Blackbird]

Actually, under the most vague definition of "pagan" (i.e. non judeo-christian or muslim)...calling oneself an atheist pagan is redundant...then again so is using the term "wiccan and pagan" which irks my nerves, but is used quite frequently used so....ah well...

[Gorm Sionnach]

Well, once again the broad definition of Pagan in action...

So when you say Athiest, do you also discount pantheism as well?

[Coyote]

I think the most rounded off definition is someone who didn't convert to Christianity, but kept the old gods of their ancestors, which was why the term was kept to denote simple folk, apparently not smart enough to make that transition (lol). So being 'Pagan' IMO means that you would need to believe in at least two gods, in the most modern sense, (i.e. Goddess -n- god Lord -n- Lady what have you) or pantheism. I thought Atheism was not believing in anything of a spiritual nature?

Blackbird said:

Actually, under the most vague definition of "pagan" (i.e. non judeo-christian or muslim)...calling oneself an atheist pagan is redundant...then again so is using the term "wiccan and pagan" which irks my nerves, but is used quite frequently used so....ah well...

[Vagabond]

Perhaps that makes this Noongah an "Atheistic Pagan" then? lol

but then ... I'm probably only "pagan" using the broader definitions ...

Gorm Sionnach said:

Well, once again the broad definition of Pagan in action...
So when you say Athiest, do you also discount pantheism as well?

[Lady Libra]

An Atheist Pagan is someone who are individualists, and have no central holy book, prophet or church authority. They draw insight and inspiration from nature, tradition, the arts, science and personal experience.

[Coyote]

Well all that is well and good, if you are giving a broad definition of modern Pagan (though the nature part is depending on the path I suppose). I still don't see how Atheist and Pagan should be in the same term though, it would be like (for example only) calling yourself a Christian Pagan, or a Christian Atheist..IMO anyway. :)

Lady Libra said:

An Atheist Pagan is someone who are individualists, and have no central holy book, prophet or church authority. They draw insight and inspiration from nature, tradition, the arts, science and personal experience.

[Vagabond]

So ... now I'm curious ...

Which "tradition" do you draw your "insight and inspiration" from???

Lady Libra said:

An Atheist Pagan is someone who are individualists, and have no central holy book, prophet or church authority. They draw insight and inspiration from nature, tradition, the arts, science and personal experience.

[Moonsmith]

Sounds a lot like mine...

Lady Libra said:

An Atheist Pagan is someone who are individualists, and have no central holy book, prophet or church authority. They draw insight and inspiration from nature, tradition, the arts, science and personal experience.

[Blackbird]

While those who spoke Latin were aiming their insults at those who honored the old religions (i.e. the country dwellers/the backwards rednecks who know or follow "the one true way") - the term really did (and still does) mean anyone who didn't honor "Christianity." From there it became anyone who didn't honor an Abrahamic faith as they all follow the same deity.

In the philosophical sense of the term an atheist is someone who is absent of belief or denies belief...as opposed to "believes in nothing" which would be a belief in itself. I think most "atheists" now a days would fall more into the skeptic category rather than a true atheist, but that would be my opinion.

Coyote said:
I think the most rounded off definition is someone who didn't convert to Christianity, but kept the old gods of their ancestors, which was why the term was kept to denote simple folk, apparently not smart enough to make that transition (lol). So being 'Pagan' IMO means that you would need to believe in at least two gods, in the most modern sense, (i.e. Goddess -n- god Lord -n- Lady what have you) or pantheism. I thought Atheism was not believing in anything of a spiritual nature?

[Blackbird]

No, that would be an eclectic - not an atheist.

Lady Libra said:

An Atheist Pagan is someone who are individualists, and have no central holy book, prophet or church authority. They draw insight and inspiration from nature, tradition, the arts, science and personal experience.