I have been interested in pagan religions since I was a kid: Greek, Norse, Celt being the most interesting, IMO.
All this talk about wicca (does it get a capital "W"?), paganism, & such has got me wondering about pagan religions in the contemporary world.
Specifically:
1. How does your particular religion reconcile itself to the contemporary, Western Civilization we inhabit?
(Most important of the three questions, IMO)
2. Does your religion date back a ways? Has it been continuously practiced since then, or is it a revival of an older religion? Is it a relative newcomer to the world?
3. Is the catch-all term "pagan" OK with you? Do you dislike being lumped in with most every non-Abrahamic religion?
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#1 interests me because some of the practices described by the older pagan religions would be nigh impossible to perform in, say, Peoria, Illinois. Some examples:
Norse
It seemed to be pretty darned important to be a warrior and to expire in battle after sending many enemies to their next plane of existance. I suppose an adherent could, today, enlist in a military organization or police force to fight the good fight and risk death in battle. Maybe even mercenary work would qualify.
Aztec
Warring on one's neighbors and then torturing them to death is not the way to get elected to be pres of most HOAs, though some HOAs might welcome such in their leader.
Celt
Capturing some poor schmoe, disemboweling him, draping his viscera on an oak tree's limbs, and then dancing around is sure to be frowned upon by the local constabulary, even if the chief's name begins with "Mc."
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I'll answer #1 for my faith, Christianity:
Pretty easily, as Christianity makes it relatively easy.
Christians are to be law-abiding citizens, to include payment of taxes:
Matthew 22:21 They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's.
Mark 12:17 And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's. And they marvelled at him.
Luke 20:25 And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar's, and unto God the things which be God's.
Christians are to leave to God the judgment of those who won't accept Him and we are not to force conversion:
Matthew 10:14 And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.
Mark 6:11 And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.
Luke 9:5 And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them.
(Of course, there are/were those who manage to gloss over the "no forced conversions" part. Historicaly, those folks were members of the state's established religion.)
Also, there are many writings by Christian philosophers who write on this very subject, Thomas Aquinas being only one of the most prominent who were able to reconcile faith with reason.