Can someone explain to me the difference between paganism, neopaganism and the New Age? I am confused (easily done I know!)

Paganism and Neo Paganism are terms which are generally interchangeable. Neo-Paganism is the term used by many to describe modern day Paganism. It tends to be non-pagans who use the term in my experience, sometimes, I feel to denigrate the authenticity and validity of the belief and emphasise the more modern origins of many pagan belief practices. Paganism tends to be used more by Pagans.

New Age is, depending on your view, an understanding of the Age of Aquarius when love and peace would become the worldview and practice, or it's a derogatory term to describe the beliefs and practices of some who are, in some parlance, fluffy or hippie. Use of crystals, belief that love and peace is the answer for absolutely everything, the lightest form of pick'n'mix eclecticism.

Those're my views anyway.

think you've summed it up perfectly pomona.

Och aye.

Indeed Pomona !
In Frith
wolve

can we start a sort of UKP encyclopedia of terms; and put that explaination in it word for word.

what about 'heathen' what's that mean?

Oxford English Dictionary says

1. Applied to persons or races whose religion is neither Christian, Jewish, nor Muslim; pagan; Gentile. In earlier times applied also to Muslims; but in modern usage, for the most part, restricted to those holding polytheistic beliefs, esp. when uncivilized or uncultured.
2.The word has generally been assumed to be a direct derivative of Gothic hai{th}i, HEATH, as if ‘dweller on the heath’,

uncivilized or uncultured. ... yes thats me

a good definition of Heathen by the folks at Yahoo Group ukheathenry and posted on the BBC site.



dav

Excellent definition given on that link! I like the part:

"Heathens work to build healthy relationships with gods and godesses, ancestors, spirits of the land, and others in their communities, through holy rites and through their day to day actions."

I'd say that pretty well sums it up.

If only I could get the bit with the communities right....

I always believed that neo-paganism was associated with the "newer" versions of the Old Religion (as in Gardner's Wicca). Paganism itself is much older than that as it was originally use to name simple villagers/country folk (in contrast to "intelligent" city people) back in early medieval times, or maybe even earlier.

Johanna

How I describe myself depends on who I'm talking to. I prefer, Heathen, but if that elicits blank looks, I'll say "Pagan". "Ah, so you're a witch/wiccan (if they know a bit). Ummm, well witch, maybe, but no, not like Harry Potter. Wiccan, no, that's a different path altogether. And, actually, I keep my clothes on (usually the next question). If someone shows genuine interest I'll happily talk until the cows come home (or they fall asleep). If the next question is about crystals I tend to give up......I try to avoid Neo Pagan (although strictly correct as I don't claim that I practice in the same way as my ancestors) as I find that people tend to get confused with New Age.

That's kinda how I understand Neo-paganism. Of course one has to wonder if ancient 'Pagans' thought of themselves, or labelled themsleves as Pagans. The old 'Pagani' thing was used in a relatively derogatory fashion for those people out in the countryside who refused to adopt the beliefs of the city romans..... a bit like the notion of the country bumpkin/redneck hillbilly. So reclaiming the title and adding the 'neo' bit could be seen as a way of avoiding the old bumpkin association too.

BB

Mike

I think both Pagan and Heathen still reflect some of the original meaning. Those that worship on the heath or outside the cities in the countryside. Why add the 'neo' bit? To me it means that you are a bit like a pagan but you aren't actually one. It also begs the question that if you are like a pagan, but are not actually one; then what are you?

The more recent use of Heathen to describe one who follows the Aesir and Vanir of our Saxon and Norse ancestors is really a self imposed description to differentiate between paths. But even within that there are variations in paths. All of them stoutly defended, with battleaxes if need be! None of this peace light and fluffy pink fairies with pixiedust etc etc ad nausiam.

I'll stop now before I wander any further off topic.

Yeah, really gets on my horns!

Neo means new. So if something is a new version of something it isn't actually that something? Odd.



And all of them practised exactly as they were practised when the Eddas were first told, eh? If you believe that then I'd quite like to see hard evidence of pure Saxon and Norse life from the time. All the Heathen reconstructionists I know would say that just isn't possible, would say it's a 'best guess' in some areas. If they are including 'best guess' material in their practises then that would suggest they are potentially creating a new form of Heathenry. Or, dare I say it Neo-Heathenry.

I'm still waiting for someone to provide evidence of an unbroken line of Pagan practise from 'ancient times' to justify knocking the addition of an honest 'neo' to the title 'Pagan'.

Oh, and please don't point your accusations of pink and fluffy pixie dust in my direction. I might adopt a gentle approach to discussing and stuff. But there is still warrior in me and red in tooth and claw is very much a part of my understanding of both the world and the spirit realm.

Mike

What did I say about battleaxes? Just proves my point. Actually I think you have missed the point I was trying to make.

Your explaination of a neo pagan as something like the way it used to be done but not the same, I agree with . But the point I was making is that it is self evident and therefore un-needed. I was not trying to prove any unbroken line. I was merely saying that as we worship much of the time out doors, and have a closeness to nature then the original meaning applies as much to us as it did to the pagans and heathens 1500 years ago.

It was the pixie dust and light that I was refering to as fluffy. But if the cap fits......

As for practicing paganism as when the Eddas were first written ... er I am sure you are aware that by then the official religion practised was Christianity, so no. The paganism I practice is nothing like medieval catholicism. Thank the Gods!

Yeah, I'd agree with that. After all, today's Christians, don't describe themselves as Neo-Christians. There will undoubtedly be differences in how people used to worship centuries ago to how they worship today, but I don't see the additional definition to make the distinction necessary.

I think the main reason Neo- is applied more readily to Paganism that Christianity is that Paganism has a more distinct line between the old and the new... There are the faiths that were followed before the brahmanic religions, then a grey area for about a thousand years while they tried to stamp Paganism out, and now there is the re-emergence of the new Pagan paths… Christians however have been slowly changing over an extended period of time, so difference is noticed less.