Now, may I ask you a few questions about your beliefs?
I know next to nothing about Paganism except that it is similar to New Age beliefs.
Sorry to do the copy and paste thingy, but you asked a question that could lead to a complete new thread, especially since it would lead to a very wide ranging discussion, starting with definitions and developing into the basic structure and understandings of so many separate religions. The different denominations of Christianity as an example could take years to properly address. So I'll start with a basic definition.
The Latin word paganus is often misrepresented as an adjective meaning "rural", "rustic" or "of the country". Paganus actually was a noun derived from the word pagus which originally meant 'something stuck in the ground as a landmark'. The root pag means "fixed" and is also the source of the words "page", "pale (stake)", and "pole", as well as "pact" and "peace". In later years it was metaphorically extended to 'rural district, village'. Later the noun paganus was coined to mean 'country dweller. villager' and was not meant as an insult at first. As the Roman Empire strengthened paganus came to mean 'civilian'. It was only after the Roman introduction of the aqueduct system of transporting water throughout the Roman cities that it began to have negative connotations, and did not actually become a slur until it was adopted by Middle English speaking Christians to refer to those who would not embrace Christianity.
So we see that Pagan (paganus) was originally a position or landmark era representing the local people and their beliefs that metamorphosed into, with time, "rural people", "village people", and "civilian" all denoting people that did not live in a city and would be looked upon as the uneducated country dweller, until Christians added the slur as to those that would not embrace Christianity.
A new age belief could be a belief that has just begun, one without a foundational background in an older belief.
It could also be one that is being resurrected from an older structure/system, such as Wicca.
It could also be an older belief structure that is and will be handed down from Mother to son and Father to daughter verbally as in the tradition of old.
I am curious about the following:
1. Do you believe in a god or do you have many gods?
I believe in a Godhead... a Goddess and a God, how you wish to portray that is a personal decision. It is difficult to develop a personal relationship with a deity that you cannot relate to, one that cannot be visualized, so in order for humans, at this stage of their intellect, to attempt this relationship it is necessary to put a face on their God. Hence the Christian belief, possibly the development of the Trinity, Jesus is that face.
How do you communicate with your god or gods?
The same way most people do, through prayer and ritual.
Are there any written autographs or copies of autographs that give some explanation of the essence of your god/gods and how they interact with man?
No, as I said my belief has been passed down verbally. At one time there was, but due to events of the past they where sent underground so as not to be lost, but alas that is not what happened.
You will understand this as the growth of certain religious beliefs, during a period that has become known as the "Dark Ages" possibly "the Crusades" it was dangerous to be found with materials that where not Christian, so, many of the Pagan beliefs have been lost to antiquity.
What is the explanation your belief system gives for the spiritual "immaturity" that you spoke about earlier?
Time! Maturity comes with age, living and learning from others as well as life's experiences. The way man is at 18 years of age is not normally the same as when he is 50, why? Now look at mankind, has he changed in the last 2000 years? 20,000 years? Man is progressing, albeit slowly, but he is learning and changing, and one day will evolve into the thinking, reasoning, compassionate man that he is destined to become.
Why is man so self-centered and so violent?
It is the nature of the beast, man is animal, with attributes that the lower animal kingdom was not given, the ability to learn from experiences and reason out why we need to change.
Why does man create war and kill each other?
To impose dominance over others that are seen as being incorrect in their way of life, their beliefs, it is this misplaced animal instinct to rule!
What is the mechanism or force by which man is to grow spiritually and "get better"?
Time and mans ability to learn and reason out what is just and right for his species, is this not what you God Jesus teaches?
Unfortunately man has not evolved to the point to understand this, he is still caught up in various communities or specific beliefs that categorize others into different colors, nationalities, religious doctrines, etc. etc. , all considered prejudices towards heretics!
So why are we heretics? Immaturity of the knowledge that we are of the same species with the same desires, but being afraid that we as a group are not correct and superior to others!
Animal: pertaining to the physical, sensual, or carnal nature of humans, rather than their spiritual or intellectual nature: animal needs.
Namaste : "I honor the place in you in which the entire Universe dwells, I honor the place in you which is of Love, of Integrity, of Wisdom and of Peace. When you are in that place in you, and I am in that place in me, we are One."
Namaste: "That which is of God in me greets that which is of God in you.
I am sure that this will not suffice as an explanation to your questions and will be cause for more in the future. You see, we are similar in our beliefs, but also separated by a vast ocean of difference, simply due to what we call religious conviction!
