[WitchWomon]

I partially both agree and disagree with both Al and K. I believe that what Al is trying to describe as not necessarily having a belief in a God or Supreme Being, but rather that all things have spirits (plants, rocks, rivers, etc.) is what is commonly referred to as animism. It is the native belief system of many indigenous peoples. I would not use the word superstition to describe it. For most people, 'religion' tends to be what I believe; 'superstition' is what you believe.

The type of paganism described by K is what is commonly referred to in the U.S. and Europe as neo-paganism. This would include Wicca, Druidism, Asatru, and similar earth-centered religions. K's description would be what most Americans mean when they say pagan.

However, in the broadest scope, dictionaries often define a pagan as someone of any religion that is not Christian, Jewish or Muslim, does not have as its roots the biblical God of Abraham. This would include Shinto, Hinduism, Buddhismt, Jain, Taoist, Confucian, Santeria, Yoruba, Voodoo, Shamanism, Zoroastrianism, most African, South American, and Australian native religions. Whether those people following those religions consider themselves pagan is another matter. I always considered the dictionary definition rather elitist -- kind of 'us' vs. 'them' in it's tone.

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Name : WitchWomon, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Lesbian, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Wiccan, City : Southfield, State : MI Country : United States, Education level : 4 Years of College, Social class : Middle class, 

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