The difficult question is: why are the beliefs of the ancient Slavs called paganism?

Have you ever thought about why the beliefs of the ancient Slavs are called paganism? To answer the question, you need to analyze the available historical information. It is known that there are not many reliable sources, except legends and legends. It so happened that Christianity conquered the souls of believers with sword and fire, from which not only people died, but also monuments of ancient culture. But something remains.

Why are the beliefs of the ancient Slavs called paganism: a short answer

There are special methods for studying historical events. To understand why the beliefs of the ancient Slavs are called paganism, it is necessary to consider the meanings of terms. In our case, we should pay attention to the last word of the question. "Paganism" is translated as "people" or "nation". That is, beliefs were based on traditions that existed in those days.

Pagans are people who spiritualize everything that is on earth, from things to phenomena. They were sure: they are surrounded by living objects, possessing a will similar to that of a person. That is why the beliefs of the ancient Slavs are called paganism. Their views were contrary to the Christian. Monotheism was alien to the people, who saw the highest forces in everything that surrounded him. The pagans worshiped lightning and thunder, water and wind. That is, they believed: there are many gods. Each man directs his own phenomenon and helps or punishes a person. People are at the mercy of many higher beings. In order not to die and continue the race, we need to negotiate with them.

By the way, pagans were, by today's standards, not only Slavs. Polytheism existed throughout Europe. These included the ancient peoples of England and Germany. In those days, people tried not to conquer nature, as now, but harmoniously fit into its eternal rhythm, to respect its laws.

Alternative point of view

We will not say that the following version is scientific, but it should also be remembered when you find out why the beliefs of the ancient Slavs are called paganism. The fact is that the first Christian priests faced many gods of these peoples. And each tribe had its own. Some worshiped Jaril the sun. This god was especially revered by farmers. The tribal nobility, who traded with a sword, that is, protecting the village from raids, was considered to be Perun. So called the god of thunder. It was believed that he had a powerful military force against which you can not resist. There were tribes, worshiping Svarog or Veles. In every village the Slavic pantheon had to be studied anew. This seriously complicated the task of those who carried the teachings of Christ. So people began to call people pagans, which meant "many incomprehensible words."

Later this term acquired a different meaning. Pagans began to be called barbarians who had no idea of civilization. They were accused of sacrifices that are not inherent in a developed person. Perhaps eradicating polytheism has allowed society to make a leap in development. But the beautiful images that lived in the minds of our distant ancestors, you will agree, are now not enough. Imagine, go to a nearby line for berries, asked the local kikimoru for help - and there is no need to bow to each bush. The crop itself jumps in a jerk. A joke, of course.

Another theory

There is an even more fantastic version about the name of the beliefs of the ancient Slavs. Today we know that they worshiped fire, they worshiped it. Many rituals and traditions were associated with a flame. This is logical, since in the northern latitudes the presence of heat, heating gave life. And how is the fire burning? The process generates flames. This version intersects and somewhere is confirmed by drawings that have survived to this day. The main god Jahr was depicted in the form of a circle, along the edges of which there are tongues of flame or light. And now the illustrations in children's books with fairy tales are stylized under this image. From the sky on people in the daytime looked affectionate deity, giving the opportunity to grow food, collect and store them. The Slavs lived in harmony with nature. Their beliefs were closely related to her powers. In the scientific literature there is no confirmation of these arguments. But no one refutes them. Therefore, they can be used in the study of the question "why the beliefs of the ancient Slavs are called paganism."

As in paganism reflected the lessons of the Slavs

The peoples lived in agriculture, gathering and hunting. Their existence depended on natural phenomena. People believed that higher beings can be appeased by a victim, attracted to their side a special ritual. For example, to make the harvest rich, you need to ask Dazhbog about this. To lightning did not destroy the fields, they sacrificed Perun. The Slavs had many smaller gods. Almost any glade, forest or river was guarded by a higher being. Before going after the beast or the fish, collecting the fruits, it was necessary to ask for permission. This has given rise to many traditions and rituals, some of which have survived to the present day.

For example, Maslenitsa, which is celebrated today, is a pagan holiday. It was believed that between winter and spring there is a period when the forces of darkness live among people. They need to be driven away from houses and barns, so as not to make mischief. For this, a straw beast was burned. Or take a picture of the relationship between the sexes. Old Slavonic philosophy in this matter is a bit like the Indian one. In the world there are Yav and Rule. At their energies, the fates of men and women are built. They coexist harmoniously, forming a single whole. One is impossible without the other. And their life forces can not be sprayed, otherwise it will not turn out to be a strong kind. Hence loyalty to the chosen one, characteristic of ancient peoples.

Conclusion

We will not insist that there are no other versions that logically reveal why the beliefs of the ancient Slavs were called paganism. The question is very interesting and profound. To fully cover it, it is necessary to learn more about the peoples who inhabited the present territory of Russia. Or maybe it's better to go to an ethnographic expedition to the villages. Many inhabitants of the remote place keep sacred traditions, retelling incomprehensible stories from mouth to mouth. In general, scientists still have something to work on. The history of the ancient Slavs is full of mysteries and surprises. It is interesting how many more discoveries need to be made to the inquisitive and persistent descendants of ancient peoples. What do you think?