Fred Buys, 77, who looks like any other friendly grandpa is a practicing pagan.
Buys turned his back on orthodox religion when he was in his early 60s. Tired of the dogma and what he perceives as nonsensical and cruel, he turned to the age-old system of belief known as paganism.
He is quick to point out that it is not a religion but a way of life.
“We do not worship anything or anyone. We pay respect to our gods and goddesses, the elements of nature (earth, wind, water and fire) and talk to them,” says Buys.
“It is logical that our first love is towards those things that we can not do without – the sun and the moon. Please tell the people we do not worship satan or the devil. Those are Christian concepts so it makes no sense that we would worship it,” Buys explains.
Pagans also celebrate various festivals such as high summer, mid summer, solstice and winter, and claim Christmas and Easter (Ishtar) as their own.
According to Buys there would be no need for law enforcement and a judicial system if everyone were pagans.
“Our creed reflects the simple notion of ‘do unto others what you want them to do to you’. We do not believe in taking from others or harming any human being or animal,” says Buys.
For this reason 95 per cent of pagans are vegetarians and vegans. Buys also showed his garden and explained that Mother Nature always supplies humanity with something to eat. Herbs and herbal medicine have a special role in paganism.
“My problem with religion is that it dismisses individuality and tells people what to do. We respect individuality. I have great children who are all Christians but still respect me. My one son is even a preacher,” says Buys.
Buys says that one can not become a pagan but that it is something you find yourself to be on the inside.
“To quote the charge of the goddess: ‘If you can not find it inside of you, you will not find it without’.”
For more information visit https://www.facebook.com/SouthAfricanPaganCouncil or https://www.paganrightsalliance.org/.
Alternatively Buys can be contacted on 084 429 2228
