I know alot of pagans worship the acients Gods of Greece,Germany,Egypt and cutures like that. so... how exactly do pagans view the myths or should I say tales? How literally do they take them? Are they just stories that teach a lesson? Do pagans sacrifice to the Gods like they did back in Greece? Is it really up to the iniviual pagan or what? I'm sorry if I sound ignorent.
Paganism is a broad term, as repeated over and over in here. Paganism basically means anything other than Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. Some pagans mix gods and goddesses from different pantheons, they might worship Isis(egyptian), Zeus(greek), Danu(celtic), and Vishnu(hindu). I dont really agree with this. I think it is somewhat disrespectful to the gods. As for my path, I stick as closely to Celtic Polytheism as I can, but I also have certain Cherokee beliefs as well. That is because I am a quarter Cherokee and feel the need to honour that side of my bloodline as well. To answer your question, everyone views them differently. I see most of the myths as more than likely actually happening, just exagerated over time. However, most of them are there in order to teach a lesson, or explain an unknown. Some pagans believe in sacrifice, some do not. There is a thread about animal sacrifice that is very interesting, you should check it out. As far me, I practice sacrifice but, mainly plants, incense, and flowers. I dont see myself sacrificing an animal, but if I were to go on a hunt, or raise my own livestock, I would see it as needed if I killed one of them for my use.
Do totally agree (though am personally of Germanic extraction rather than Cherokee). At this stage I'm a little agnostic about the myths. The creation myths are probably more metaphorical than accurate (might just be preconditioned by Christianity there). The Celtic myths about actual people, those might well have more truth but have been 'lost in translation' over the years. Maybe one day I will figure it all out, but until then I use them more as a way to understand the Gods and my ancestors*. *you can discover a lot about a culture through their mythology, in a psychoanaltical sense.
I have Germanic roots as well. My great-great grandfather came here from Germany. I agree, as far as creation myths go I think they are metaphorical in a sense and partly a way to help describe an unknown. I support science in things of that sort, like evolution.
I would say that a lot of the questions you have asked depend for the most part on the individual pagan and his or her beliefs. But I'm pretty sure, or at least I've never heard of a pagan in this day and age that sacrificed an animal as they did in ancient Greece. Pagans for the most part are against unnecisary animal killings and I can't say I've ever met one who would say otherwise. But as for views on the myths, personally, I take myths as great storys (possibly inspired by true events of a less grand scale), told to teach lessons, and inspire others. I believe the same about a number of religions writings. But again, I think it depends on the individual person.
The myths are many things..."not literal" being one of them...Unlike the Judeo-Christian religions, we accept that the bulk of myth is human interpretation. As to my myths, I read them for the lessons they serve, and for the spiritual elements in them...I look for recurring themes to compare and learn, and to find the truths buried deep within them...You can hear the story of our people by shedding away the cultural additives, and read down to the core of them. There are many things that are in Germanic, Celtic, Italic, Hindu and Hellenic myths that are all born from a common ancestor that goes way back to the Paleolithic origns of our people. SO, mosty I read and study to know "what means what" as far as cultural archtypes and symbols go, and to learn the story of my people as they would have known it.
Actually...the myths dont bother me...people will believe what they will..and as long as I and those I love know the truth....I allow others to think and believe as they choose.
You cant open a closed mind that doesnt believe....so I leave them to themselves...and their views on how I choose to worship.....I dont even try to argue my point of view...i wish them well..and move on.
What does that have to do with myths? Are you saying those who worry with myths are somehow stepping on your beliefs and appear closeminded? Or are you saying that people who actually study their history and cultural faith challenge your beliefs somehow?
Im saying that there are those that think those we worship are nothing but myths...that our gods..if you call them that , arent real , and that we are wrong and follow false teachings...I leave them to their beliefs...let them think our gods are nothing but myths....Im sorry if Ive upset you...that wasnt what I meant to do.
Is ok erzebet...that is why i kept asking...didnt want to go off for no good reason lol...just digging into your point to understand...=)
Thank you....I would never want to hurt any on accident....you have been verry patient ...you are so kind.
Being open minded is a very noble thing, but I try not to be so open that things fall out and scuttle away into dark corners. For the most part I don't really know or care what people think of my beliefs, I've no call for their validation. That said if they are going dismiss or attack my beliefs well then hell yeah I'll call them on it. Would do the same for them, it goes both ways.
I consider myself very open minded but I think there is a point you can reach when you are so open minded you have no opinions of your own.(not that I am saying anyone on here is like that, just my thoughts)
one culture's myth is another culture's religion - they are all valid, for all provide access to our higher being, Godhead, etc. although the myths vary from culture to culture, the themes tend to remain the same - in those consistencies lie the message of spiritual evolution and connection with the whole
I see "God" as something personal to everyone, and that we as humans need archetypes to be able to relate and better understand the Divine. Therefore, I don't believe that there are separate Gods. "God" is waaaay too vast to have a certain distinct personality, but by worshipping a certain myth it's like incorporating a certain piece of that personality into our paths. Make any sense? Hell, I tried. Wildflowerlove
makes perfect sense - even the gods (archetypes) themselves realize they are part of a greater whole. there is one single source from which everything emanates - absolute, uknowable, without personality or will as we recognize it - as its vibrational level slows, it is broken down into masculine/feminine, yin/yang....from there it diversifies into the different gods/goddesses/archetypes i see you can dig it, wildflowerlove!
I think myths are sympbolisms. iam from greece and i believe in the anciend gods. I think all the pagan cultures (greek teutonic etc..) are believe in the same forces of nature (gods) but with different names and from a different point of wiev. So the myths about the heracles for example are symbolic and they show us how a human can evolve.
