Folk artists who are pagan

Subject: RE: Folk artists who are pagan
From: GUEST,26 Apr 05 - 03:03 PM
Date: 26 Apr 05 - 03:13 PM

And I wasn't being judgmental--just playing the game of "labelling what I am". I am an artist, but I wouldn't label myself as a "folk" artist, as I find the word folk to be much too limiting.

Subject: RE: Folk artists who are pagan
From: GUEST,26 Apr 05 - 08:25 AM
Date: 26 Apr 05 - 03:03 PM

I guess I tetched a nerve with those Merriam Webster definitions.

I define myself as heathen because:

a) I don't believe in a/the Christian god;
b) I don't believe in the Bible;
c) I am irreligious.

In other words, I don't "believe in" what pagans/neo-pagans believe in, including Wicca, New Age stuff, etc.

I do believe a whole lot more is happening in the universe than I can possibly comprehend, but I also don't spend an inordinate amount of time worrying about it.

I have no problem with being sensual either.

Subject: RE: Folk artists who are pagan
From: PoppaGator
Date: 26 Apr 05 - 01:42 PM

Pagans are not, as I understand it, "nonbelievers" or athiests ~ they are definitely believers, perhaps (but not necessarily) polythiests. Not to be equated with "heathens."

Am I a folk artist who am pagan? My answers are: yes-and-no.

"No" answers first:

I'm not a "folk artist," not really: folk (and blues, and rock, and jazz) hobbyist, yes. And I'm not a member of any pagan group, neo- or otherwise, and I don't use any of that neo-pagan terminology (e.g., my wife and I got married, not "handfasted," etc.)

And then on the other hand, my "yes" answers:

I definitely believe in something beyond human understanding, and I don't believe that any of the clearly-defined concepts of God served up by the various major religions are adequate. Paganism's spiritual appreciation of creation as manifestation of the "Creator" or the "Life Force" or whatever makes lots of sense to me.

And as far as being an artist goes: I may not be a professional performer anymore (and may not have been pazrticularly successful during the years when I gave it a shot), but hell yes, I'm an artist ~ in everything I do!

Subject: RE: Folk artists who are pagan
From: treewind
Date: 26 Apr 05 - 01:39 PM

I just found (via Google) a range of definitions for heathen and pagan, including one that said they were basically the same thing, but to me heathen is a derogatory term used by Christians implying that if you aren't Christian then you don't have any religion, wheras paganism is definitely a religion in its own right even though it takes many forms in different parts of the world.

It was a real revelation to me when I discovered that what witches practice is a religion, not previously having known much about the subject.

Anahata

Subject: RE: Folk artists who are pagan
From: Haruo
Date: 26 Apr 05 - 01:23 PM

infidel?

Haruo
Liberal Baptist (neo-Christian)

Subject: RE: Folk artists who are pagan
From: open mike
Date: 26 Apr 05 - 01:12 PM

now what's the difference between heathen and pagan?
and if you use a term that assumes you mean heretic,
or non-believer does it have to come complete with
judgemental over tones or under tones?

and no - it is never too late to learn...i have an
80 year old friend who has just taken up mandolin!

perhaps i am a neo-theist?
neo-agnostic?

Subject: RE: Folk artists who are pagan
From: Emma B
Date: 26 Apr 05 - 09:34 AM

Pan? - nice piper........

Subject: RE: Folk artists who are pagan
From: Blackcatter
Date: 26 Apr 05 - 09:31 AM

I'm Pagan, and a folk artist.

And isn't it interesting that non-Pagans are always trying to define the words we use to define ourselves?

As for "Neo-Pagan" - yes, technically, we mostly probably are - but please get over the need to put the "neo" on it. I've been Pagan for 15+ years and have very rarely heard anyone describe themselves as Neo-Pagan. Think how silly the term actually is:

Are Protestants "Neo-Christians?"
Reformed Jews "Neo-Jews?"
Folk musicians who play current stuff "Neo-Folkies?"

Subject: RE: Folk artists who are pagan
From: Barbara
Date: 26 Apr 05 - 09:07 AM

Some of her songs make it sound like Eliza Gilkyson is pagan.
Blessings,
Barbara

Subject: RE: Folk artists who are pagan
From: treewind
Date: 26 Apr 05 - 08:52 AM

"one who has little or no religion and who delights in sensual pleasures and material goods"

That's a very interesting and restrictive combination that says more about the person who wrote the dictionary than about the meaning of paganism or any other religion.

"Little or no religion" - I suspect a narrow understanding of the term "religion" here...

"delights in sensual pleasures" - what wrong with this? The converse is by definition impossible. As long as it doesn't control your life or harm others I find nothing objectionable to anyone enjoying and appreciating the pleasures that life has to offer and there's no reason for it to be incompatible with religion. Anyway all musicians are inherently in the business of enjoying and exploiting at least one sensual pleasure.

"material goods" - why does that have to be lumped together with "sensual pleasures"?

Rhetorical questions, I know...
Anahata

Subject: RE: Folk artists who are pagan
From: GUEST
Date: 26 Apr 05 - 08:43 AM

Anahata, you must be British I'm guessing, as the US census doesn't ask the 'R' question ('tis illegal to do so).

Subject: RE: Folk artists who are pagan
From: GUEST
Date: 26 Apr 05 - 08:25 AM

For the sake of argument, I'm guessing people are describing themselves as pagan, who would more correctly be described as this:

Main Entry: neo-pa·gan
Pronunciation: -'pA-g&n
Function: noun
: a person who practices a contemporary form of paganism (as Wicca)
- neo-pagan adjective
- neo-pa·gan·ism /-'pA-g&-"ni-z&m/ noun

As opposed to this:

Main Entry: pa·gan
Pronunciation: 'pA-g&n
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Late Latin paganus, from Latin, civilian, country dweller, from pagus country district; akin to Latin pangere to fix -- more at PACT
1 : HEATHEN 1; especially : a follower of a polytheistic religion (as in ancient Rome)
2 : one who has little or no religion and who delights in sensual pleasures and material goods : an irreligious or hedonistic person
3 : NEO-PAGAN

And just to be really pedantic, the above definitions are the reason I prefer to describe myself as this:

Main Entry: 2heathen
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural heathens or heathen
1 : an unconverted member of a people or nation that does not acknowledge the God of the Bible
2 : an uncivilized or irreligious person

Subject: RE: Folk artists who are pagan
From: GUEST
Date: 26 Apr 05 - 08:19 AM

Heathen, not pagan. Does that count? And I'm guessing everyone affiliated with filk has heathen/pagan leanings.

Subject: RE: Folk artists who are pagan
From: Mrs_Annie
Date: 26 Apr 05 - 08:10 AM

Debs, exactly the same for me - pagan, just love Folk and music, haven't yet learned to play anything (am I too old at 54?)

Anne

Subject: RE: Folk artists who are pagan
From: Dipsodeb
Date: 26 Apr 05 - 08:06 AM

Yes I am too, as declared on the last census. But unfortunately cannot lay claim to the Folk Artist part... Just love Folk and music ;-)
~Debs~

Subject: RE: Folk artists who are pagan
From: Micca
Date: 26 Apr 05 - 06:56 AM

Yeah, I know before someone jumps in,Hardly an Folk Artist, more a peace artist, but I write songs! but there are a LOT of pagans in Folk,

Subject: RE: Folk artists who are pagan
From: Micca
Date: 26 Apr 05 - 06:53 AM

Me too,

Subject: RE: Folk artists who are pagan
From: GUEST,Cats
Date: 26 Apr 05 - 05:40 AM

Jon and I

Subject: RE: Folk artists who are pagan
From: GUEST,Dáithí Ó Geanainn
Date: 26 Apr 05 - 05:37 AM

Me too. Wiccan as it happens
BB D

Subject: RE: Folk artists who are pagan
From: MBSLynne
Date: 26 Apr 05 - 05:17 AM

Me too.

Subject: RE: Folk artists who are pagan
From: treewind
Date: 26 Apr 05 - 04:03 AM

"pagan" with a small p, me. Sufficiently so to have declared myself as such on the last census.

Anahata

Subject: RE: Folk artists who are pagan
From: GUEST,MBSLynne
Date: 26 Apr 05 - 02:51 AM

Well I know what you mean by Pagan, and yes, I am one. Not sure what you mean by Folk artist though.....

Love Lynne

Subject: RE: Folk artists who are pagan
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 26 Apr 05 - 02:35 AM

I' a carnivorous atheist, is that any good ?

eric

Subject: Folk artists who are pagan
From: open mike
Date: 26 Apr 05 - 01:38 AM

just wondering....