Pagan and paganism

Which are the most common definitions?
Conclusions. Recommendations. Books

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How common are the various meanings of "Pagan"?

Various secular news sources attributing unusual meanings to "Pagan":

The vast majority of references to Pagans and Paganism in the secular media relate to Wiccans and other Neopagans. Some exceptions were:

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Conclusions:

Recommendations:

We recommend that the terms "Pagan" and "Paganism" never be used in speech or written form, unless:

Otherwise mass confusion will occur. Even if it is carefully defined, listeners or readers' interpretation of the text will probably be distorted. They will carry over some of the baggage associated with their own definition of "Pagan." In place of "Pagan," we suggest that you use the actual name of the religious group that you are referring to: (e.g. Animism, Asatru, Buddhism, Druidism, Hinduism, Native American Spirituality, Wicca, etc.) to avoid ambiguity.

The term "Neopagan" has a unique definition and can be used without confusion among those who know its meaning. However, not everyone is aware of what it means.

A search of the Amazon data base for "Paganism":

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A highly recommended book with stories by over 50 Pagans:

Laura Wildman, Ed., "Celebrating the Pagan soul," Citadel. (2005). Read reviews or order this book safely from Amazon.com online book store

Caroline Tully, one of the contributors to the book, writes:

"Gardnerian High Priestess and Cherry Hill Seminary instructor, Laura Wildman, has collected amazing stories from a diverse set of practitioners, each with their own individual perspective on what it means to be Pagan in the modern world. With over fifty contributors - including famous names like Starhawk, Macha NightMare and Oberon Zell-Ravenheart, as well as a plethora of less well-known but just as gifted writers - this book has something that will appeal to everyone. The book is divided into five sections; Earth: Community - the roots that nourish, the families we create, the coming home; Air: The learning process - teachers, mentors, students and inner guides; Fire: magical transformation - from Wow! To Oops!; Water: the seasons and the cycles of life; and Spirit: The God and Goddess in our lives. The reader can dip into the book anywhere - you need not start at the beginning - and find honest, creative, thought-provoking stories about joy, awe, triumph, failure, consternation, love, loss and sorrow, that stand out as being written by deeper-than-average thinkers. A ripe collection of wisdom-fruit from people who really live their Paganism. Highly recommended."

References used:

The following information sources were used to prepare and update the above essay. The hyperlinks are not necessarily still active today.

1. The Google search engine had indexed 1.06 billion web pages in the year 2000. They have indexed many billions by 2010. See: http://www.google.com/ 
2. The Goshen search engine appears to have moved to: http://forums.crosswalk.com/ 
3. "Pagan sun worship and Catholicism: The Pagan sun wheel, the obelisk and Baal," Michael Scheifler's Bible Light Home Page, at: http://www.aloha.net/~
4. Steve Hancock, "Who says Christmas is wrong?" at: http://web.wt.net/
5. David Keating, "Boo...Who?," at: http://www.osiem.org/community/ 
6. Rev. Paul Howden, "Annunciation to the Virgin Mary, 2000," at: http://www.stlukesrec.org/ 
7. David Rivera, "Controlled by the calendar: The Pagan origins of our major holidays," at: http://members.tripod.com/
8. John Silber, "Anti-Christmas stance isn't rooted in fact," Boston Herald, 2000-DEC-28. See: http://www.bostonherald.com/  

Copyright © 2000 to 2010 by Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance
Originally written: 2000-JUL-28
Latest update: 2010-JAN-10
Author: B.A. Robinson

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