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I would suggest you go to your public library and look up a copy of Margot Adler's book "Drawing Down the Moon." It's basically a summary of modern Pagan religions as practiced in the United States in the 1970s (and later editions have updates with developments since then.) It's hardly a...

Hi there. (Sorry for the delayed response -- I always forget to check these little notices.)

I won't answer the Theosophical questions as I don't know enough to comment intelligently. I can, however, respond about how English names are given and what they tend to mean. Traditionally in English cultures (the UK, Canada, the US, and I assume also in Australia) children usually take...

Moderator note It's pretty sad how what could have been an informative discussion has fallen into nothing more than highly inappropriate attempts at humour. This thread is now locked. Let's try and do better next time. Ben Gruagach a moderator in "Alternative"

I seriously hope that was meant to be sarcastic humour. Otherwise, the condescension and misogyny is just plain shocking -- and underscores how men can and do let their gender-egos get overblown.

I take it you haven't heard of Kevin Carlyon then. Or TV preachers (any one -- take your pick.) There are lots of guys out there who have used religion to prop up their overinflated egos.

There is abundant documentation of whole religions and societies structured around the concept that the male is "in God's image," and the female is merely a companion (or even property) created for the male's use. Some religions even teach that men in particular can become God. Women have only...

Perhaps for some, but for most I doubt it does.

Paganism and Neo-paganism are umbrella terms that refer to a large range of diverse religions and philosophies. No matter what philosophical outlook we are talking about, there will be some (but not all) Pagans and Neo-pagans who agree. Even within a specific Pagan group such as Wiccans there...

Some western Pagans include a concept they sometimes call Wyrd which is sort of similar to what you are talking about. It is usually described more as fate, or the sum total of all events past present and future, rather than as a transcendent ultimate godhead. Some western Pagans, particularly...

Personally I think it was introduced as a way to try and explain things in a scientific way. However, using scientific sounding terms doesn't make a theory valid science... testability and reproducibility does.

If you read back through this thread you'll see we mentioned where Cunningham talks about "the One" -- it's in his popular book "Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner." If you look on page 123 at "The Blessing Prayer" it starts off with: "May the powers of The One, The source of all...

***Moderator Note*** This thread is closed since there seems little point in continuing as the discussion has devolved to bickering rather than discussing. Please note that the button that looks like a triangular red "caution" sign in the bottom left area of each post is a "Report This...

I've not encountered any parents who have encyclopedias in the house who don't also read to their children. Kids who are read to see the words at the same time they hear the words being spoken and tend to be quick to make the connection. Here's a question that the "genetic knowledge" thing...

I'm an elementary school teacher (kindergarten through grade 6). Children are amazing sponges, absorbing all sorts of information and learning all the time. Language, particularly written language, is around us constantly in most English-speaking communities. It's on TV, it's on product...

If you do a Google search for the words pagan and the phrase "not earth-based" you'll get some links. One group that I understand does not consider itself to be earth-based is called FlameKeeping -- their site is at Keeping the Sacred Flame Various reconstructionist Pagan groups also tend...

Path-of-one explained the difference best. One little detail though -- the religion is called Wicca, and a person who follows it is a Wiccan. Neopaganism, or Paganism, are blanket terms that refer to a large number of religions. Wicca is just one of those religions. Edited to add: and...

Not that I'm aware of. I don't think he ever went to school. (He was home-schooled and largely self-taught.)

I'm not sure anyone was saying they were not one and the same thing. (I consider both terms to refer to the same idea.)

When learning about a controversial topic it's always wise to keep an open mind and listen to all the different sides of the issue. Don't go by just one critical or supportive source either -- there are lots out there to peruse which make valid points that need to be addressed.