photo by B. T. Newberg
Humanistic Paganism (HP) is a naturalistic way of life rooted in nature, myth, and wonder. It hybridizes Humanism and Paganism to yield a path grounded in modern science and enriched with mythic texture. Values include curiosity, responsibility, courage, and wisdom. The chief goals are self-knowledge and celebration of this earth, this body, and this life.
The Fourfold Path, introduced in detail here, offers a broad rubric for defining and/or creating an HP way of life:
- exploration of the Five +1 (five senses, plus one introspective sense)
- relationship with mythology
- responsible action
- a sense of wonder
Further defining features of HP may emerge as it grows and evolves. As with all living traditions, the structure is but a scaffold for organic growth in new and unexpected directions.
No organization to join, no initiation to undergo
If you feel your way fits the Fourfold Path and the general values and goals of HP, then you’re a Humanistic Pagan. You can say hello in the comments section of posts. Challenge others to reflect, post questions or constructive criticism, or share experiences. If you like posts, share them on Facebook or Twitter. If fellowship is what you seek, check out the Community tab which includes links to groups following similar paths.
If you don’t feel your way fits HP, that’s fine too. Other paths are affirmed and celebrated. Constructive criticism and debate is always a feature of healthy interfaith/inter-philosophical conversation.
There is no organization to join and no initiation to undergo in order to live as an authentic Humanistic Pagan. However, initiations can be meaningful for those who desire them. As this site grows, ways to mark an HP life may emerge. For example, a Humanistic Pagan retreat has been experimentally undertaken.
Are you a Humanistic Pagan?
The term may be new, but a wide variety of lifestyles and practices fit under the description of Humanistic Paganism. There is no one official way; any path that fits the values and goals can be described as an HP path. The Fourfold Path is the common soil from which a diversity of lifestyles grow.
HP shares much with many other philosophies and religions. Examples include some forms of Neopaganism, Wicca, Druidry, Heathenry, Stoicism, Epicureanism, Pyrrhonism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, and Confucianism, as well as varieties of Pantheism, Naturalistic Paganism, Religious Naturalism, Existentialism, Skepticism, Secular Humanism, and Spiritual Humanism (the latter is so close that HP may be considered a variety of Spiritual Humanism). These traditions may overlap partially or completely with HP. Many forms of Humanistic and Transpersonal Psychology are also closely aligned.
Things HP does not share with certain other paths include literalism, fundamentalism, dualism of spirit and matter, a view of humanity as “fallen” or impure, a claim to Truth with a capital “T”, environmentally-irresponsible ideologies, or an overly- exuberant need to convert others to the same viewpoint. Ultimate authority is not placed in scriptures, prophecies, revelations, psychic or magical visions, or charismatic leaders of various kinds.
What makes Humanistic Paganism unique is its particular combination of science and myth. HP rejects neither scientific method as a valid means of obtaining knowledge, nor spiritual metaphor as a valid way of enriching quality of life. Rather, it affirms empirical science as the best source of knowledge currently available, and spiritual endeavors as practices yielding psychological benefits. Tension between the two, if there is any, is taken as impetus for investigation and self-discovery. Two aphorisms from the ancient world may aid in explicating this view:
- From the strain of binding opposites comes harmony. – Heraclitus
- In the absence of compelling evidence for or against a proposition, the rational thing to do is suspend belief either way and carry on in the spirit of inquiry. – Pyrrhonist principle of epoché
Multiple conflicting perspectives
Readers may disagree on many or even all issues that emerge on this site, and this is not a bad thing. It is rare and suspicious for any reflective thinker to agree 100% with another. The hope is that site content may inspire reflection, not agreement. Conversation, including constructive criticism, is welcome in the comments section of posts.
The perspective of each author is but one out of many. Perspectives are put out there to challenge and provoke, to inspire and empathize, and to share. By including personal perspectives, HP is grounded in real life. At the same time, it is greater than any one perspective, and may (must!) be debated and developed to truly become a living path.
More
For a more detailed explanation, see What is Humanistic Paganism? and C Luke Mula’s Of Consequence and Wonder. Check out specific topics using the search tags. Participate in the comments section of posts. Explore the links and resources. And enjoy!
About the editor
B. T. Newberg is an author, editor, teacher, and husband. For eleven years and counting, he has been practicing meditation and ritual from a naturalistic perspective. After leaving the Lutheranism of his raising, he experimented with Agnosticism, Buddhism, Contemporary Paganism, and Spiritual Humanism. Currently he combines the latter two into a dynamic path embracing both science and myth. He headed the Google Group Polytheist Charity, and organized the international interfaith event The Genocide Prevention Ritual. In 2009, he completed a 365-day challenge recorded at One Good Deed Per Day. As a Pagan, he has published frequently at The Witch’s Voice as well as Oak Leaves and the podcast Tribeways, and has written a book on the ritual order of Druid organization Ar nDriocht Fein called Ancient Symbols, Modern Rites. Several of his ebooks sell at GoodReads.com, including a volume of creative nonfiction set in Malaysia called Love and the Ghosts of Mount Kinabalu. Professionally, he teaches English as a Second Language, and also runs an SEO writing business at www.BTNewberg.com. After living in Minnesota, England, Malaysia, and Japan, B. T. Newberg currently resides in South Korea, with his wife and cat. Follow their Korean adventures at Bibimbap Litterbox.
Copyright and legal notices
Guest authors retain copyright to their submissions. All other content is copyright B. T. Newberg unless otherwise noted.
Images are copyright B. T. Newberg unless otherwise noted.
Header banner credits: Photo by B. T. Newberg.
Contact
email: humanisticpaganism [at] gmail.com
twitter: @BTNewberg
[...] Re-imagining human beings as the most divine thing in the universe is cool, because we are in fact pretty amazing. I don’t doubt that the strength of the human spirit will touch my life far more on a daily basis than any spiritual discovery during this trip. Over the years I’ve developed a deep love for my fellow human beings, and it touches me to be present for people’s struggles and victories. Still, that’s not what I mean by “gods.” If that’s the most divine thing I ever find, I guess I’ll become a spiritual atheist. [...]
Just found your site from someone who posted a link to it from patheos.com. Really good stuff here. I go by the generic “pagan” label, but really “nature reverence” is the foundation of my practice which is a mix of Wicca, Buddhism and a smattering of other stuff picked up over a lifetime. I blog at: http://www.blackpagan.com and will definitely be stopping by here on the regular.
Also, about the topic of your other blog “one good deed a day,” that is a really excellent practice. Sometimes I just meditate on the mantra “may I be kind” and it sets me right for the day. I am not a Christian but I do believe that love can be a revolutionary force in the universe. Take care!
Hi Lynn. Thanks for the kudos. I checked out your site too – very interesting. I enjoyed the interviews especially. Also, it took me a second to figure it what the “aa” in “an aa solitary” meant, then that was followed by a quick slap to the forehead when I finally got it!
>I am not a Christian but I do believe that love can be a revolutionary force in the universe.
I think there was an ancient Greek theologian or two who saw Eros (Love) as the binding force pervasive throughout the universe.
Ah yes, here it is:
[In the ancient cosmogonies, philosophies, and mysteries) Eros was one of the fundamental causes in the formation of the world, inasmuch as he was the uniting power of love, which brought order and harmony among the conflicting elements of which Chaos consisted. In the same metaphysical sense he is conceived by Aristotle (Metaph. i. 4); and similarly in the Orphic poetry (Orph. Hymn. 5; comp. Aristoph. Av. 695) he is described as the first of the gods, who sprang from the world’s egg. (theoi.com)
So there is certainly a pre-Christian precedent for love being a powerful force in the universe!
Goddess only knows what label fits me but humanistic pagan buddhist might be a good one.
What I’ve done, and it hasn’t been a conscious effort so much as an unconscious sifting of ingredients, is to take a fairly typical devotional practice to the mahadevi and buddha Tara and naturalize & humanize its components. The Buddhist philosophical underpinning remains (minus the supernaturalistic and retributive understandings of rebirth and karma respectively), as does the belief that (White) Tara provides long life and healing (understood as deeply-lived life and peace of spirit).
I pray, understanding that in praying for compassion for others I become compassionate in the process. I recite Tara’s mantra thereby reminding myself that all of reality at its best is epitomized by selfless dedication. I visualize Tara’s healing techniques as an aid to my commitment to heal myself and others (see above for meaning of healing).
Anyway, it’s good to find this site.
Good to meet you, Peter. I too have an interest in Buddhism. I’ve found there are quite a few out there naturalizing their Buddhism. Gil Fronsdal and Mark Nunberg especially come to mind.
This sounds pretty much like me! I’ve described myself as adhering to what I call Nature Spirituality. I’ve studied Druidism, Wicca, Buddhism, and like some things about all of those but none of them seemed to encompass everything I do and don’t believe in.
When I was six years old I told my mother, “The woods is my church!” and I’ve felt that way ever since. I never took to Christianity or any other Abrahamic religion–they were all sexist. The Bible is violent, racist, sexist, full of contradictions, badly translated, nonsensical, and I just didn’t believe in any of it, none of it rang true to me. I never felt anything spiritual in a church. I also tend to more scientific thinking so I could never accept the “miracles” of the bible as facts. I never thought it should be interpreted literally.
I always felt something deeply spiritual when out in nature, whether it’s the woods or along a lake shore or in a meadow.
Welome, Marie! Sounds like there are many others like you here.
A fellow Pagan who liked my article on Witchvox.com When Walking The Path…. Waer Shoes by Charmed Boy, suggested this site to me. I like what I have read so far. I follow the Greek Path myself and Worship Gaia. I am a “non-magical” Pagan. I dont do spellwork or rituals. I thought I was the only one. I am glad to see there are others out there who think and believe like I do. Kudos!
Blessed Be!