I never knew there was anyone who felt as I did, who believed as I did. I really feel that I have found my people–that I have come home.
Atheopagan community member
It has been hugely beneficial for me to discover the Atheopagan community. I’ve always struggled to name my spiritual path. I love the nature reverence of modern Paganism but couldn’t subscribe to belief in supernatural entities or magical forces. Atheopaganism gives rational thinkers ways to celebrate our exquisitely beautiful planet and to live ethically.
Atheopagan community member
People don’t generally “convert” to Paganism. They find it, and find it fits. Which makes sense, because Pagans don’t proselytize. We don’t think everyone has to have the same path we have chosen. We’re not trying to take over the world; just to celebrate being a part of it.
That said, what we have to offer is pretty attractive. Better, kinder values. Joy in pleasure, instead of shame about “sin”. A life of adventure and growth. Inclusion of difference.
And what Atheopaganism has to offer is particularly attractive for many of us who have a scientific, reasoning, skeptical bent. Because it doesn’t ask us to believe anything without credible evidence to support it.
As I have sometimes said, it is the spirituality of the verifiably real.
To us, this magnificent Earth, this unfathomably vast Cosmos in all its manifold beauty is enough to inspire the awe and wonder and love that is the religious experience. To give our lives meaning and purpose and vivid color.
All that, without a scrap, a wisp of the supernatural.
Because we don’t need it.
Even if the supernatural exists, we simply wouldn’t need it to be happy, fulfilled, and moved by the experience of living.
This, material world is enough… no, is more than enough for us.
So we’ll be over here, celebrating and ritualizing and paying attention and growing and enjoying the hell out of being alive. If that sounds interesting, well…who knows?
You might find yourself coming home.
I’m so grateful for this blog! I was trying to Google non-theistic rituals, and some results with the word “atheopagan” came up, and then I found this blog! I was raised Catholic, but left the Church at 16. I was an atheist for many years but realized I needed a sense of community and a set of values or principles to live by. I tried theistic paganism for a bit, but realized that wasn’t right for me (as I don’t believe in deities or anything supernatural). I am non-binary, trans, and autistic, and often have a hard time fitting in or being accepted. So it was nice to read about the importance of diversity and inclusiveness in the 13 principles.
As I read through this blog, it hit me that I’ve been an atheopagan my entire life—the difference being that now I can define it. I connect with everything I’ve read so far and I am so excited to learn and explore more!
Welcome! I’m so glad you found us.
Good day, Mark,
I have just finished reading this blog post of yours and it absolutely resonates with me. Paganism has helped me a lot, but I have come to the the realization that the gods and goddesses, for me, aren’t real supernatural deities/beings, but rather personifications of certain aspects of life and archetypes for helping us through life’s journey.
I love nature and the pure beauty of it, and I love the mysteries of the cosmos and learning about the things out there in the universe.
I am most definitely an atheopagan and this post has cemented that for me really. Thank you, Mark.
Cheers,
Magnus
You are very welcome! Glad these ideas work for you.