Spirituality or Religion?

The folks on Pagan Space. net are in the midst of a spirited discussion on the question of whether Paganism or "The Craft," is spirituality, faith, or religion. As you might guess, there a numerous posts on the entomology and definitions of spirituality, faith, and religion. There are contributions that point out that Wicca is the only "official" Pagan religion in the United States and and ardent protests against Paganism ever becoming a church or religion . Many contributors work very hard not to call their Pagan or Wiccan practices a faith or religion; spirituality is about as far as they will go.

Why so do many Pagans and Wiccans dance around the topics of faith and religion? Their reactions give the impression that calling Paganism a religion would water it down or turn it into just another pallid mainstream religion. Perhaps some object on the grounds that turning Paganism into a religion would erase our reputation as the "bad boy" of faith practices. Some folks do enjoy the shock value of calling themselves Wiccan or Pagan. I'd rather lose that stigma.

My reply, as always, went against the prevailing opinions. I posted: "I am a Pagan and Paganism is my spirituality, my faith, my religion, and my lifestyle.(I will leave the definitions and meaning qualifications to others. ) I have always been a spiritual person and was once a devout Catholic. After leaving that faith background behind, my seeking lead me to the Pagan path, and here I have found my home."