The Differences Between Religious Paradigms

[Frigga]

An interesting thought that I've had for a little while. Different religions have different ideals, and thought patterns. Take Christianity for instance. I've known many over the years, and one thing that I've always noticed about them is that they have this staunch belief that their belief system is the only true one in the world and that all the rest are false. It is a very singular thought pattern in that regard.

Many heathens believe that their way is right as well, but the distinct difference is that they acknowledge that other ways are right, or could be right as well. The heathen/pagan thought pattern is pluralistic.

What else do you all find different about religious paradigms?

[Tabiti]

I've found that an intelligent person, following christianity or even islam doesn't claim that his religion is the only true one and only his god exist.

[Lutiferre]

An interesting thought that I've had for a little while. Different religions have different ideals, and thought patterns. Take Christianity for instance. I've known many over the years, and one thing that I've always noticed about them is that they have this staunch belief that their belief system is the only true one in the world and that all the rest are false. It is a very singular thought pattern in that regard.

This is the difference between exclusivistic and inclusivistic religious attitudes, and largely, the difference between (the original) pagans and Christians. Not so much the modern "neo-pagans", since they tend to be exclusivistic themselves and keep to their own worship and reject anything which is Christian or alien.

A Christian doesn't believe that other religions or belief systems don't have truth, or that they are completely false with not even a hint of truth in it. A Catholic Christian would believe a Protestant had more truth than an Arian, and most Protestants vice versa - there are "degrees" of how fully we appreciate truth. A Christian believes that other religions are false as such, by virtue of not containing the fullness of the most pertinent truth, not because they have no truth.

[Skandi]

Not so much the modern "neo-pagans", since they tend to be exclusivistic themselves and keep to their own worship and reject anything which is Christian or alien.

Where on earth do you get this from, I have never ever heard a "neo Pagan" claim that, many hold huge grudges against Christianity, but the very nature of most pagan paths inherently allows other belief systems to coexist with them.

[Tabiti]

Many of the christian customs and rituals today are just old pagan ones. Especially in Orthodox christianity...

[Lutiferre]

Where on earth do you get this from, I have never ever heard a "neo Pagan" claim that, many hold huge grudges against Christianity, but the very nature of most pagan paths inherently allows other belief systems to coexist with them.

Claim what? It's not a claim, but a religious attitude as such, which is exclusivistic.

[Liffrea]

Personally I believe there is truth in all religions but what really matters is what conclusions you reach. I decided I don’t need an intermediary to understand the divine I will arrive at my own understanding of it. I believe man was "raised up" and we have a gift of mind to understand with, use it.

As an Odinist I follow the practise of my forefathers in calling the divine by various names Woden, Thunor, Freo, but that doesn’t mean other names are not valid, other understandings and truths. How I understand the divine would probably set me at odds with other Odinists as well as other religions but that’s the difference isn’t it? Your willingness to allow others to develop their spiritual nature as they see best.

[Skandi]

Claim what? It's not a claim, but a religious attitude as such, which is exclusivistic.

The claim that neopagans have that attitude

[Frigga]

I think that what I was attempting to illustrate was the stance that a lot of Christians have where if they are told that someone rejects Christianity that their response was "Oh, you're going to Hell. I'm sorry." I have personal experince with this in real life, and on the internet. I find it interesting is all. I'm not speaking of different Christian sects being singular with each others belief systems as I am with their beliefs towards those completely against Christianity period. But there definitely is horn locking between different thought patterns of Christianity as well. Maybe that can be expanded on by those who know more.

But, Lutiferre, you are wrong about heathens. We may be exculsive towards ourselves, but we do not deny other people's beliefs as being valid. I myself think that every belief system is true, because our devotion to each belief system gives it strength and vitality. Hinduism is truth for Hindus, Christianity is truth for Christians, Heathenism is truth for Heathens, Atheism is truth for Atheists. That is a pluralist mentality, allowing in our minds and hearts that there can exist in the world different ways of thinking without there being animosity towards that which does not agree with your particular system.

[Lutiferre]

But, Lutiferre, you are wrong about heathens. We may be exculsive towards ourselves, but we do not deny other people's beliefs as being valid. I myself think that every belief system is true, because our devotion to each belief system gives it strength and vitality. Hinduism is truth for Hindus, Christianity is truth for Christians, Heathenism is truth for Heathens, Atheism is truth for Atheists. That is a pluralist mentality, allowing in our minds and hearts that there can exist in the world different ways of thinking without there being animosity towards that which does not agree with your particular system.

That is just subjectivism. It nevertheless coexists with exclusivism.

And anyway, it's a neo-pagan mentality, since the pagan mentality was highly inclusivistic of the sects, and gods of other peoples into it's own religious practice. Importations, syncretism and multisectism was like the water running down the stream in pagan religious history.