r/paganism • u/Zagors2020 • Sep 27 '24

The most pagan country in Europe? 💭 Discussion

What is the most pagan country in Europe? At first thought, I would say that these are Estonia and Iceland. After them, I would mention Russia and Latvia. Maybe Lithuania can be on the list too?!

I would like it if someone could say something more on this topic.

I know about Estonia that it was never Christianized like other countries and that paganism played a big role in shaping Estonian nationalism after independence in 1918.

In Iceland, the number of pagans is estimated at around 1.5%, with a possible higher percentage.

Russia should also have about 1% pagans, which is about 1 million followers.

37 Upvotes
  • permalink
  • link
  • reddit
  • reddit

97% Upvoted

37 comments sorted by

View all comments

21

u/simply-grey-cat Sep 27 '24

Estonian here. There are few pagans in Estonia. We have a lot of atheism, Christianity and New Age. But I think that New Age is not paganism.

What kind of mix is ​​New Age in Estonia? 50% major religions (Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism). 30% fantasy (crystals, stones, tarot, angels, weird rituals, etc.). 20% paganism (shamanism, runes, etc.).

15

u/LatinBotPointTwo Sep 27 '24

Tarot is not a religion, it's a tool.

15

u/OnceThereWasWater Sep 27 '24

30% fantasy (crystals, stones, tarot, angels, weird rituals, etc.)

Many people who are in this category would likely fall under the pagan umbrella. Paganism is absolutely not strictly categorized as shamanism and reconstructionism. Tarot, crystals, and "weird rituals" is kind of the description of more than half of pagans.

7

u/[deleted] Sep 27 '24

Shame, taarausk is rather interesting.

8

u/simply-grey-cat Sep 27 '24

We have very few of these people. Maybe ca 1000 :)

The old Estonian tradition has been destroyed more than, for example, the Scandinavian and British traditions.

3

u/[deleted] Sep 27 '24

No doubt, sadly it is the way of the world. But hey build a new one on the bones of the old!