Wicca, Neo Pagan, Asatru -
Examples of pagan nature oriented religious groups.
Places and
events in nature are given sacred meaning. Rituals are developed to
observe events such as the change of seasons. There are eight major
solar holidays in the pagan calendar. The cycle of the natural year is symbolic of the balance evident
in the yearly trip around the sun.
Geographic sites are
chosen for their natural beauty or historic significance and become the
location for ritual observances or sites for
meditation. Some sites have been used for apparently sacred observance since early in unrecorded human history. An
example is Stonehenge in Great Britain.
The following summary of basic principles comes from Dr. Michael
Farrell:
1. The Credo (Basic Belief): All things are part of Nature; All is One.
Nature is Deity
2. The Code or Moral Ethics:
One may do what he feel is right so long as no one,
including the active person, suffers harm of any kind, mental, physical
or spiritual
3. The Focus of Worship: The
Divine in any and all aspects (Goddesses and Gods)
Web sites giving
basic information are: www.cog.org
http://www.gladsheim.org/whatis.html
Native American
Religions -
North and South American
indigenous peoples beliefs and practices.
Traditional ways
that go beyond the usual definition of religion make these
traditions difficult to put into the western way of logical ordering. A
connection with the preliterate past is found in these
beliefs and sacramental practices.
Characteristics of these
traditions include: Local places are where detailed knowledge is
built and maintained; Participation is more important
than belief; Generosity is a religious and social act;
Oral narratives are basic.
Present revival of some of
these traditions begins to make the rich store of information
available to the wider society. Out of respect, only that
information which can be understood as "public" will
be on this page. Web sites from native traditions will be
listed here in the near future. If native peoples feel
that we include inappropriate information here,
send
an email.
Unitarian Universalist
-
Membership
ranges from Christian to Atheist
Rooted in an early Christian context, this
tradition looks to the free use of reason
in religion as well as the salvation of all
souls. In the 20 century the inclusion of certain
pagan traditions marked a broadening of the faith
group.
A site offering basic information
http://www.religioustolerance.org/u-u.htm
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Update on
January
10, 2015 |
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