I have heard it often. “Pagans don’t pray” they say. But does that truly make sense? Through conversations with various other pagans I have come to the conclusion that it’s based on some misunderstandings about what a pagan is. Pagans are not atheists or we would label ourselves as such. Pagans are called pagans because they’re part of a pagan religion. A pagan is defined as “a person holding religious beliefs other than those of the main world religions.” This means that pagans are religious people by their very definition. So if we’re religious, why wouldn’t we pray? Because, again using a definition, religion is “the belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a personal God or gods.” So if pagans belong to a religion and that means they believe in a god or gods, why wouldn’t a pagan pray?
So maybe our issue isn’t whether “pagan” is a religious term or even religion in general. Maybe its with the word prayer. Well the definition of prayer is to “address a solemn request or expression of thanks to a deity or other object of worship”. It’s not specific to any one religion. It is simply speaking to the gods and goddesses. Our old ones used to pray to the gods whether that be offering supplication to Zeus, Venus, Tyr, Thor, or any other god or goddess. Our ancestors did it, so why shouldn’t we? The point here isn’t to call anyone out or make anyone feel bad. But please, if you’re part of the “Pagans don’t pray” mindset, rethink why. Because I assure you, pagans do pray.
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AuthorAldous is the High Priest of the Ancient Path Coven. These blogs represent his thoughts, insights, and studies. If you read something here you believe to be in err, please contact him at [email protected] and let him know. Archives
May 2018
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