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The Neo-pagan religion is a modern faith,
which has been recently reconstructed from beliefs, deities,
symbols, practices and other elements of an ancient religion.
For example, the Druidic
religion is based on the faith and practices of the ancient
Celtic professional class; followers of Asatru
adhere to the ancient, pre-Christian Norse religion; Wiccans
also trace their roots back to the pre-Celtic era in Europe.
Other Neo-pagans follow Roman, Greek, Egyptian or similar
ancient tradition.
The terms "Neo-Pagan",
"Neopagan," and "Pagan"
refer to a collection of separate religions that share a few
common themes.
Neo-Pagans see the earth as Gaia, a single
organism that maintains conditions necessary for its survival
- everyone and everything is interconnected and interdependent.
Since we reincarnate “downstream” from where we
are now, it behooves us to take care of the planet, one another,
and to try to leave the world a better place than we found
it. Environmental concerns attract Neo-Pagan involvement.
It took millions of years of evolution and innumerable chance
events for each one of us to be here at this moment as a conscious
entity. As well as sharing this point in Space, we share this
brief moment in the vastness of infinite Time. That alone
is enough to make us treasure all the people we meet in this
lifetime as unique individuals. Neo-Pagans see as much value
in helping others on a one-to-one basis as in joining larger
“causes”.
The Creator and Creation are One and our embodiment of the
Divine can be seen in our ability to be creative. We share
in the task of co-creating the universe, one small act at
a time. Being Neo-Pagan is not about “believing”,
but about “doing”. Neo-Pagans tend to be involved
in community service that strives to change the status quo
and that is direct, personal and practical.
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Neo-Pagans are loosely organized in small
groups without a lot of resources, and do not proselytize;
thus, they participate within the community as concerned individuals
devoid of any religious banner. Since there are considerably
more women than men involved in Neo-Pagan spirituality, their
community service often is directed toward projects that aid,
shelter and educate women and children.
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To engage people of the neo-pagan community is a little challenging,
as the communities are loosely organized. Try web searches,
such as:
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