Article Analysis Essay on Pagans Among Us by Vanessa Rush Southern

You virtually on no occasion will hear about the paganism in national news programs, local news, magazines or newspapers. Paganism is hardly ever a subject of casual conversation. And nevertheless, pagan and paganism religions linger among us. Paganism is derived from paganus that means civilian or country dwellers. These religions are amongst the fastest spreading religions in the world presently. Alone in the United States, research polls confirm that pagan religion is a total of an eighth largest group of worship. It is forecasted to be top three largest denomination by 2020. With such projections, it is mirrored that paganism will outpace religions of Islam and Judaism. Pagan Among Us is an article done by Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern. She talks of the pagan religion. How she came to know and get attached to it. Thus, this study centers on the reflections of this article, "Pagans Among Us" by Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern.

People who care and choose paganism over other religions believe in several gods. But in some instances, a pagan can be monotheistic. In life, six sources draw the traditional living of pagans. According to Vanessa Rush Southern, the existing traditional sources are underwritten on the hymnal principles and help in supporting them in communicating. It is clear that pagan abides by the following living rules. Most importantly, paganism religion ascribes to traditional living include; the transcending direct experience of wonder and mystery. Secondly, they observe humanistic teachings that help them heed to science and reason. Thirdly, they obey deeds and words of prophetic men and women. Fourthly, they ascribe to the world's religion which is wisdom. Fifth, they adhere to the living rules of Christian and Jewish teachings that particularly centers on loving the neighbors as we love ourselves. Finally, paganism also draws spiritual teachings from earthly centered traditions that instruct them to stay in harmony with nature's rhythms. Hence, from this article, it is evident that it is the six traditional living sources that make them hold together as a group despite most of them coming from diverse dwellings that have different perspectives in the spiritual journey. Furthermore, the pagans themselves attest this traditional living sources as to be the guiding factor to their diversity and openness.

Subsequently, paganism movement is surrounded with a lot of confusion. The confusion is attributable to its nature of being diverse. Pagans have a single umbrella that includes nature that is diverse such as Druidry, Wicca, Shamanism, ancient Norse religion and other modern creations that include goddess more and movement. But despite having these distinct natures, what unites and leads them to have faith in paganism movement is some common characteristics and commitments. The features and responsibilities recognized by pagans include kinship and love with nature. Thus, it is affirmed that pagans ascribe to love and kinship hence being the origin of the country dweller of pagans. Some other commitments and characteristics that pagans attribute to include apart from love and kinship the practice of holiness in nature abiding respect to the belief of pluralism and recognition of divine. The recognition of divine does transcend to all genders, acknowledging male and female aspects of deity.

All in all, from this article, it is evident that pagans are tied and devoted to practices of ancient religion. They too are dedicated to creative and new religious movements. It worth noting that they also honor other religions and syncretistic to other faiths that cut across the world but remain loyal and united under their single umbrella group. The unifying factor among the paganism movement is that they share a reverence for kinship and love. They equally, respect the diversified beliefs that exist within their movement. Finally, they are committed to seeing the divine as both female and male. Thus, it true that pagan live among us. We are bound to open ourselves to other people's beliefs such as the pagans do.