Religion or a "way of life?"

Reading Thorn Mooney's article called Wicca: Not as Stupid as You Think, reminded me of my studies in the history of religion. Many have said informally that Christianity is Judaism light. Whereas Judaism has 632 commandments, Christianity only has 10. Orthodox Judaism developed a ritual for every Friday night - at home - Saturday services at the temple, every week, prayer groups every day. Christianity lost its house worship as it developed and only requires adherents to attend Church once a week for Protestants. Catholics can attend Mass every day, but still must go to a church. Still, Sunday is the day for going to a Protestant or Catholic church. As much as Christianity does not like talk about it, it does follow a direct line from Judaism and good arguments have been made for some aspects of Roman paganism as well.

I bring this up because Thorn is talking about Traditional Witchcraft and the form of Wicca that does not require initiation, can be "learned" from books and practiced without a coven, if wanted or necessary. To me this sounds like Traditional Witchcraft sees Wicca as Traditional Witchcraft light. Just as Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and other faiths have organizations that oversee theology, practices, spiritual issues and practical issues, it may be time to consider such organizations for Pagans. I do not see Pagan organizations telling people how to worship or what to worship or how to practice or what to practice or what to believe. Rather, I see such organizations finding out from those who identify as a particular tradition what makes that tradition a "tradition." What is the definition of a "tradition" in paganism? How can those who are seekers and others in our pagan communities know if the materials they are studying are truly part of the "tradition" they claim? Could such organizations provide the common understandings for Traditional Witchcraft, Wicca, Heathenism, Druidism, Hellenic reconstruction, etc?

As we mature as a religion, some organization seems to be needed. I absolutely appreciate how modern Paganism started and developed, including the freedom many felt to create their own practices and even change those lineages from which they started. After 60 years of modern Paganism development, it might be time to take a step back and consider whether some sort of meta organization or group or existing organization might take up this task, being inclusive and attempting to build consensus within a tradition, to help us define what a tradition is in modern Paganism and help seekers truly understand each tradition. This organization could be in an excellent position to help with interfaith work and be an advocate for Paganism in the religious sphere and the public. Since we now have a seminary, Cherry Hill, that is working towards accreditation and we have scholars in Pagan Studies, we have trained clergy and academics to also help with this endeavor.

Perhaps I should admit that I like theology and theological discussions and would like to see Paganism grow more thea/ologically and this may color my argument here. However, as a student of religious history, I think these ideas are worth a discussion at the very least.

Another perspective would be to look to Buddhism, which many do not see as an organized religion, but more a way of life or a spiritual tradition. However, many Buddhists would agree to a number of ideas or principles. The ancient pagan world did not have such overarching organizations because they did not see the need for them. We can't always bring ancient beliefs and practices into the modern world without reflection, though. Our modern world does not have temples to our Goddesses and Gods in every town or city. We cannot dedicate ourselves to the temples to become priestess or priests of a particular deity. We do not have itinerant priests traveling around offering healing or amulets or talismans for our homes or problems. We do not have the "infrastructure" of the ancient pagan world. Do we want to be a religion or a way of life, a spiritual tradition? Certainly, these are not mutually exclusive. I would argue that Judaism is a religion and a way of life, absolutely. Judaism has also branched out into four avenues - Orthodox, Reform, Conservative and Reconstruction. I've always wondered why modern pagans don't look more at Judaism for ideas about how to be a religion rather than Christianity. As different as these approaches to Judaism are, they do link back to the fundamental basis of the Torah.

Since Pagans are not "people of the Book,' but rather "people of the books"is there a fundamental basis to Paganism that all traditions can point to? Do we all see the Earth and nature the same way? Do we all practice some sort of magic? Do we all meditate? Do we have any rituals in common? Do we have any virtues in common? What holidays or festivals do we have in common? Are our ritual years similar? How do we view clergy, priests and priestesses? Do we even use the same titles? How do we view inclusion in our traditions? What should children be taught and at what age? How do we view the life cycle? What is purpose of marriage, sex, intimacy? How do we view death and the afterlife?

The origin of the word pagan actually denotes how it was different from something else, but not what is was. It's our job to decide what it is.

Here is John Beckett talking about this issue from a bit of a different perspective, but still part of this conversation. I hope solitaries will keep in mind that my pagan ministry is to assist you in any way I can and remember most of my services are free of charge.