Neo Paganism

Just as the term "Eastern religions" refers to Buddhism,
Hinduism, Taoism, etc., the terms "Neo-Pagan" "Neopagan,"

clergy the right to conduct marriage ceremonies.

and "Pagan" refer to a collection of separate religions that
share a few common themes.

However, many European federal governments have
ecclesiastical affairs ministries which do formally

"Neo-Paganism" can be also described as set of modern

recognize religions. The governments of: Iceland in 1973,
Norway in 1996 and 1999, and Denmark in 2003 have

practices identified by their practitioners as "witchcraft"
have arisen in the twentieth century. However, as forms of

officially recognized Neopagan religions which worship
Viking Gods such as Odin and Thor. 2

Neopaganism can be quite different and have very different
origins, these representations can vary considerably despite

A neo-pagan hoax?

the shared name.

Daughters of Frya are alleged to be: "...adherents of the
Oera Linda...an order of women who have dedicated themselves

Contemporary witchcraft often involves the use of
divination, magic, and working with the classical elements

to the service of the goddess Frya and her divine father
Wr-alda."

and unseen forces such as spirits and the forces of nature.
The practice of natural medicine, folk medicine, and

spiritual healing is also common, as are alternative medical
and New Age healing practices. Some schools of modern

"The Daughters of Frya are a free association of women

witchcraft, such as traditional forms of Wicca, are
secretive and operate as initiatory secret societies. There

who feel that by practical action we really can make a
difference in the world today. Inspired by our devotion to

have been a number of pagan practitioners such as Paul Huson
claiming inheritance to non-Gardnerian traditions as well.

the goddess Frya, we work hard to help others and to make
our beloved earth a better place to live. We seek to show

More recently a movement to recreate pre-Christian

the world that Pagans are decent, caring folk who want to
put back a few of the benefits we have received." 3

traditions has taken shape in polytheistic
reconstructionism, including such practices as Divination,

However, there is a widespread belief that the Daughters of

Seid and various forms of Shamanism.

Freya do not exist. The one item that we found convincing
was their list of requirements for each Daughter: they must

The term "Neo-Paganism" was apparently coined by Tim Zell,
editor of The Green Egg, a publication of the Church of all

perform 1,200 deep knee-bends daily. One of the
ReligiousTolerance.org staff members who is a nurse and a

Worlds. 1

fitness buff believes that this many repeats would wreck
their knees rather quickly.

A Neopagan religion is a modern faith which has been
recently reconstructed from beliefs, deities, symbols,

A posting on Wikipedia stated that "No reliable source has

been offered for the existence..." of the group. 4 This has
since disappeared. A posting at The Cauldron, a Pagan Forum,

practices of the ancient Celtic professional class;
followers of Asatru adhere to the ancient, pre-Christian

suggests that the image on the Daughter's web site is a
cropped version of the Green Hope Women's Tennis Team.

Norse religion; Wiccans also trace their roots back to the
pre-Celtic era in Europe. Other Neo-pagans follow

Just as the term "Eastern religions" refers to Buddhism,

Hellenismos (ancient Greek religion), Religio Romana
(ancient Roman religion), Kemetism (ancient Egyptian

religion) and other traditions.

themes.

Many Wiccans and other Neopagans refer to themselves simply
as "Pagans." Unfortunately, the word has many different

Most Neo-Pagan traditions have many of the following factors
in common:

meanings -- some quite negative. The term "Neopagan" is less
ambiguous.

* their faith was almost or completely wiped out in the

past and has since been reconstructed from ancient
information sources.

Many people are confused between the terms Neopaganism and

* a duotheistic or polytheistic belief system (they
recognize a Goddess and God, and/or believe in many

deities).
* many followers are solitary practitioners.

than Judaism and Christianity are actually varieties of
Satanism. To them, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Sikhism,

* others are involved in small groups, which various
traditions call circles, covens, garths, groves, hearths,

Taoism, and the various Neopagan religions are all forms of
Satanism, or at least are led by Satan or his demons.

kindreds, etc.
* they celebrate four main seasonal days of celebrations

- To almost everyone else, Neopagan religions are simply
individual faith groups with little or no connection to

each year, associated with the equinoxes and solstices.
* many also celebrate four additional days, each between

Satanism.

a solstice and equinox.
* they prefer to conduct their religious rituals

As more Neopagans have come out of the broom closet and gone
public with their faith, more non-pagans have realized the

outdoors where practical.
* many do not practice their religion publicly because

benign nature of Neopagan religious traditions. Opposition
by religious conservatives has lessened.

of the danger of abuse from very devout but misinformed
Christians who have associated them with an evil and

non-existent form of Satanism.
* they have a minimal or no hierarchical structure.

Because of the principle of separation of church and state,

* they have a concern for the environment.
* They feel close to nature and its cycles.

the U.S. government does not formally maintain a list of
recognized religions. Both the U.S. and Canada register

* They follow a behavioral code that requires them to
avoid hurting themselves or others.