What is Paganism? Ask the average person in the street what a Pagan is and they will probably reply "a non-Christian" or "a Heathen". The first is a somewhat parochial view and stems from the popular Christian (and Victorian) attitude that they are "right" and everyone else is "wrong"; the second, whilst technically correct, is often used pejoratively suggesting someone who is rather uncultured or uncivilized. The original literal definition of Pagan comes from the Latin "paganus" meaning country dweller (see glossary). Although this meaning is largely irrelevant today, the implications regarding agricultural cycles and Nature are still vital to the concept. In modern terms, Paganism is a Nature based animistic and pantheistic religion in which the individual, either alone or in communion with others, recognizes that she or he is a part of Nature and the natural cycle of life. To a certain extent, this is borne out by a modern definition of Pagan as given by the Oxford English Dictionary (2nd full edition 1989) which states that a Pagan is: One who is nature worshipping - pantheistic. This is perhaps a little simplistic as Pagans do not actually worship Nature but the forces that manifest through Nature, which are aspects of the ultimate Divine Force that Christians recognize as "God". Modern Paganism is a coherent and valid spiritual path that sees Divinity in all aspects of the natural universe. It has its roots in the pre-Christian religions and myths of Europe when humankind lived closer to the cycles of Nature. The Divine is seen, not as separate from creation, but as manifesting through it. All of Creation, both animate and inanimate, is therefore seen as containing a spark of the Divine Force. In short, to a Pagan, all natural things are sacred and to be treated with reverence and care. A major way in which Paganism differs from the monotheistic religions is that it sees the Divinity as manifesting as Goddess and God, a divine pair. The feminine Goddess is often personified as the Earth Mother and the masculine God as the Sun Father; but Paganism has no set dogma and these principles will be differently personified at different times of the year or to reflect particular preferences or concerns of individual or groups of Pagans. Paganism, like Hinduism(1), is thus polytheistic. Pagans are not idolaters. They do not worship trees, stones, rivers or animals any more than Christians worship statues of the Virgin Mary or Crucifixes. As with Chris- tians, Pagans worship that which is behind these things, what they symbolize and represent. Pagans try, within the confines imposed by modern life, to live in harmony with the natural forces of the world around them. They do not accept the biblical attitude that states, "God gave man dominion over the world"; they regard themselves as parts of a very much greater whole and that the parts of the whole are interdependent upon one another for survival. Pagans are thus extremely ecologically conscious; much of their magical work is concerned with healing the Earth. But in addition many put considerable effort into recycling, energy saving, avoidance of adding to pollution and animal welfare. It is this deep feeling for the way in which the living Earth is suffering that has led people to call Paganism "Green Spirituality" and is one reason for its widening appeal at this time. Paganism is essentially a joyous celebratory religion involving a great deal of mirth and merriment together with an underlying reverence and respect for Nature in all Her many forms. The emphasis is on what is good in life rather than what is bad or sinful. Paganism is highly principled with three main tenets: Love & kinship with Nature: rather than the more customary attitude of aggression and domination over Nature; reverence for the life force and its ever renewing cycles of life and death The Pagan ethic: "Do what thou wilt, but harm none". This is a positive morality, not a list of "thou-shalt- nots". Each individual is responsible for his or her true nature and for developing it fully, in harmony with the outer world. Acceptance of the polarity of the Deity: the concept of both Goddess and God: active participation in the cosmic dance of the Goddess and God, female and male, rather than the suppression of either the female or the male principle. Given that Paganism is an open, non-secret, life affirming religious system, there is no reason why children should not be brought up as Pagans. There is nothing in its beliefs, ethics or practices that is inappropriate for children. Pagan parents have the same rights as do those of any other religion to teach their children their beliefs and values. Notes 1 In fact European Paganism and Hinduism share a common ancestry, both being from the same religious source in the Indus Valley.