Excuse the intrusion...quick question.

[Earthy]

I don't usually come into Paths forum,and I have never come into this section..but for some reason i was attracted to it...and then i was like OH Wow! because it was like i was reading about all the things i believe in.

I grew up as christian but could never fully embrace it,my beliefs are definitely more pantheist.

My question is, and i know this may sound really stupid..but is there a difference between pantheism and animism?

Please be kind :lol:

[Silverfangs]

Greetings! :)

Animism and Pantheism are really similar concepts, yet they are distinct in its essence. Animism, is the belief in souls, that they are present in almost everything - rocks, plants, animals, etc. Each element would have their own soul.
As for Pantheism, it is the belief that the Universe is the equivelent to Divine. Every rock, tree, animal, is just a reflex of God itself.

So as you can see, both beliefs admit the sacred in all things, yet with a little diferent views. I don't know if I made myself clear, so I will post to links that maybe can be more precise:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animism
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pantheism



Peace!:hahugh:

[Windsmith]

I don't usually come into Paths forum,and I have never come into this section..but for some reason i was attracted to it...and then i was like OH Wow! because it was like i was reading about all the things i believe in.

I grew up as christian but could never fully embrace it,my beliefs are definitely more pantheist.

My question is, and i know this may sound really stupid..but is there a difference between pantheism and animism?

Please be kind :lol::wave: Hey, *~Oak_Angel~*. Good to see you wandering about our corner of the woods. You're certainly not intruding; we love questions of all sorts here.

I see the difference between animism and pantheism as a difference of where you point your eyes. Animism tends to focus on the spirit of each individual thing, while pantheism tends to look at the system as a whole. There are people who are both animists and pantheists.

Here's another link that might be helpful: Paul Harrison's Pantheism FAQ (http://members.aol.com/Heraklit1/faqs.htm)(Harrison founded the World Pantheist Movement).

[Kylie]

I don't usually come into Paths forum,and I have never come into this section..but for some reason i was attracted to it...and then i was like OH Wow! because it was like i was reading about all the things i believe in.

The same thing happened to me today!! I identify with Buddhism quite a bit, but I have always respected Nature in a huge way.
I also respect magic/magick, but I don't use it myself, so I could never really call myself Wiccan..
But this is really interesting to me, and Buddhism and Pantheism "fit together" well too, which is super cool to me! =P

[Earthy]

Thankyou for the answers.
I've never really felt wiccan,or a witch and just used to say pagan as an umbrella term really..but that never really sat right with me either.

I think i have finally found a place for myself as a pantheist/animist.It feels right.

[Silverfangs]

I'm glad you found your way :) Now is just giving time to explore it... :hahugh:

[Windsmith]

The same thing happened to me today!! I identify with Buddhism quite a bit, but I have always respected Nature in a huge way.
I also respect magic/magick, but I don't use it myself, so I could never really call myself Wiccan..
But this is really interesting to me, and Buddhism and Pantheism "fit together" well too, which is super cool to me! =PHi, Kylie! Good to see new faces in our neck of the woods. Feel free to wander around as much as you'd like. We're pretty darned awesome people around here, if I do say so myself.

[Earthy]

You certainly do all seem pretty awesome :)

[Kylie]

Hi, Kylie! Good to see new faces in our neck of the woods. Feel free to wander around as much as you'd like. We're pretty darned awesome people around here, if I do say so myself.

Thanks!

[Eleisawolf]

Me toooooo! I was just browsing around the forums recently when I came in here to figure out what Pantheism is... and wow! It's so interesting. :)

I'm glad you appreciate it, Lunaine. I have yet to meet a Pantheist who isn't relieved when they find there's a name for what they've believed all these years...

Please, all our new visitors, feel free to check the FAQs and ask any questions and explore all our threads! We look forward to having you contribute!

:wave:
Peace