Just having a discussion with a friend of mine. She says Pagans are still generally considered to be devil worshipers and looked upon as a fringe "freak" show by most Americans. I say that we are not and that Paganism (Wicca in particular, Paganism in general) is going pretty mainstream.

So, here is my highly unscientific survey. Let me know what you think.

Why would catholics be considered devil worshipers?

Oh you mean the other religions with multiple gods.

I THOUGHT Pagans were worshipers of earth gods and spirituality, that they worked with the earth and the environment. I know they are not all devil worshipers.

Nope...entirely untrue. Satanists and Wiccans are two ENTIRELY different groups. I have a healthy respect for Wiccans whil Satanists should be locked up somewhere under heavy meds and shock treatment. They are just SCARY people.

Sorry, feeling a little impish this eveing.

Hey! I happen to be Catholic sometimes!

Your friend must be highly uneducated. There are so many forms of paganisms. Most pagans believe that there are multiple higher powers to pray to for certain things. They believe in a form of karma called the three folds law- put an action into the universe and it comes back to you three times. They do not try to personally influence other people. Generally most of them are very peaceful people, far from devil worshippers. Go research the religion and drop some knowledge on your friend.

Please re-read the original question.

Satanists are a group of people that worship themselves. Very shallow and materialistic people, but still not evil. And you should never lock someone up for their beliefs.

Truth is I have no problem with the Pagans or Wicca. At least they practice what they preach from what I can tell. I don't know if I'd call them mainstream or not. I believe there is a larger segmant of just athiests than there are pagans so they would probably be a smaller minority, but I wouldn't call them a fringe group - they might like it.

I would have to say that paganism is getting more mainstream. Most bookstores have a large section dedicated to "spirituality" (while in the past it would have been labeled "Occult"). Most of the books there are soft sells for alternative religions and range from basic introductions to How To manuals. I believe the U.S. Army has even included training on Wicca for their chaplains.

People living in the bible belt might not realize it, but there is an acceptance of paganism that wasn't there 25 years ago.

We would.

Guess I misread you.....or your posts.

That's what I think. We still have some issues with a few of the more fundamentalist Christians where I live. But, for the most part, if you are pagan you are not discriminated against or given a hard time. I work for the city in the public safety department and I wear a pentacle necklace quite often. It's never been a problem for me at work.

LMAO! I can see where wearing a pent might be a bigger problem when some sheltered housewife maneuvers her cart close to you in the supermarket and whispers: "Can you see the future?" Or a group of teenage girls wants to know how to cast "A Love Spell".

ok.. first the basics.....
Satan/the Devil/Lucifer is part of the CHRISTIAN pantheon.. and does NOT exist in any of the Pagan (ie: poly diety) religions. There are some mono diety religions, such as Luciferians that worship the diety known as Satan/Lucifer. Again, this is NOT part of ANY pagan belief system... and you cannot worship someone/something you do not even believe exists!

as for Pagan belief systems being more mainstream? Yes... it has grown much in the past few decades... with the majority calling themselves/falling under the "Wiccan" umbrella term... the second place spot goes to those following a "Native American" path.

It's happened! More than once!

it is becoming pretty mainstream. i know 16 year olds that know nothing about it but consider themselves pagan to attempt to embody a new age hippie.

Guess I'll check back tomorrow and see if I have anyone with a different opinion. I don't mean this thread to be a debate at all about the validity of any religion. I really am just curious as to whether or not Paganism is becoming more generally accepted for what its adherents believe it to be. No debating. Just post your opinion. Everyone's entitled to that.

good point

satanism is just a aspect of chistianity (you cant have anti christians without having christians)

Hi Ms Ruth,

long time-no chat .

I'm a follower of Christ, as you may remember, but I only relate his teachings to myself and myself alone. Some may find contradiction in that because of "hell-fire and brimstone" paridigms of some self annoited gospel preachings that claim to know the mind of God.

I do NOT know God's mind. I only know what my heart percieves to be real as it pertains to my own life and ultimate destiny.

I fully admit that for all I know, I'm caught up in a myth, BUT!, then again since I trust my heart more than my mind (sue me), I find it wholly and completely reasonable and correct to percieve Christ's teachings as supernatural(FOR ME).

As long as any given individual or group is capable and willing to show compassion as well as restraint, they have my respect and my willingness to work along side of them to make this world a better place.

I certainly have never believed for even a second that someone else is eternally doomed unless they subscribe to my faith.

Again, some may think that wishy washy at best, or even heritic at worst, but simply put, Jesus was the gentle teacher. He didn't go around damning folks...He merely tried to light the way for those who choose to follow in his path.