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Same would go for the scientific basis for evolution - many pagans who would consider themselves hardcore pagans believe in evolution yet technically a fundamentalist pagan, and there are those, similar to their Christian counterpart, eschews evolution theory. So when you remove belief in deities and add in belief in scientific evolution, it seems the earth-centered reverence or focused aspects are all thatıs left so is that truly pagan by definition? James On 3/26/10 10:18 AM, "A Clanton" <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > From what I understand, this is not an uncommon viewpoint among > occultists--and many who view themselves as pagan. > > On Fri, Mar 26, 2010 at 1:10 PM, jason winslade <[log in to unmask]> wrote: >> Well, in another example of how difficult definitions are, I'd disagree with >> the notion that Pagans MUST believe in a deity. I consider myself somewhat of >> an agnostic Hermetic/Pagan, in that I approach deities as archetypal, >> psychological entities that *MAY* have external existence, but they may also >> just be things we humans made up. However, when it comes to effective >> practice, that distinction is irrelevant, because I practice 'as if' they >> were external entities. Sort of like Lon Milo DuQuette's approach to the >> Goetia. >> >> --- On Fri, 3/26/10, Samuel Wagar <[log in to unmask]> wrote: >>> >>> From: Samuel Wagar <[log in to unmask]> >>> Subject: Re: [ACADEMIC-STUDY-MAGIC] Religious Topics and Personal Judgements >>> To: [log in to unmask] >>> Date: Friday, March 26, 2010, 11:58 AM >>> >>> >>>> > Are you saying that a Neoplatonist is not a pagan? I know Neoplatonists >>>> who >>>> > would say they are pagans; are they wrong? >>> >>> >>> No, just that Hypatia wasn't. There's a very good biography of her, >>> "Hypatia of Alexandria" by Maria Dzielska (Harvard U Press, 1995) based in >>> part on letters written by prominent students of hers, including a couple of >>> Christian bishops. >>> >>> I, personally, think that Paganism includes deism - one can't be a Pagan >>> without believing in a deity or several. >>> >>> Best, >>> >>> Sam Wagar >> >> >> >