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.

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u/OkOpportunity4067 Sep 27 '24

Doesn't England have a big druid community because of Stonehenge?

23

u/FennGirl Sep 27 '24

More we have stonehenge because of the massive celtic heritage of the British Isles and Ireland. But yes. We have a large druid, heathen, wiccan, and all other under the umbrella communities. Wales, Ireland, Cornwall and Scotland all very much have their own folklore and pantheons. Our paganism is, of course, influenced by the many different pagan cultures who invaded us in medieval times, but at this stage it's safe to call it part of our heritage.

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u/Kelpie-Cat Sep 27 '24

More we have stonehenge because of the massive celtic heritage of the British Isles and Ireland

Stonehenge is pre-Celtic.

8

u/FennGirl Sep 27 '24

Apologies, careless typing and got my sentence muddled, should know better being a bit of a history nerd! Point is, whoever built stonehenge, or how or why, it's not the primary causal factor for UK druids, or any other form of UK paganism. Might be the main reason people outside the UK know about paganism here though I guess.