Neopaganism

From SourceryForge

The term Neopagan refers to a variety of movements started since 1960 or so with literary roots going back to the 1800's. These movements were attempts to recreate, revive, or continue what their practitioners believed to be the best aspects of paleopagan belief and practice. These paleopagan practices were blended with humanism, pluralistic and inclusionary ideals, while an attempt was made to exclude those practices and beliefs that were considered no longer relevant (ie) inappropriate concepts and attitudes from monotheistic, dualistic, or non-theistic world-views).

The Church of All Worlds would be a prime example of a Neopagan movement, as would most Wiccan traditions, Druidism,Asatru, and Keltria. The term was originally coined by Oberon Zell, the founder of the Church of All Worlds.

Neopagan movements differ from one another in their attitude toward reconstructionist motivations where the effort is made to restore worship on its original lines.However,all contemporary pagan movements must deal with the same surrounding world and a faith that performed human sacrifice historically,for example,would have a hard time pursuing reconstructionist revival.Some movements of reconstructionist intent,such as the Kemetic Orthodox Church,are questioned as to whether their theology is more neopagan than original despite their claims.