What are common pagan practices?

Definition and Scope

Pagan practices refer to religious or cultural rites that deviate from the worship of the one true God revealed in Scripture. Throughout history, these practices have included reverence of multiple deities, veneration of the elements or nature, involvement in magical arts, and other observances that contradict biblical commands. The term “pagan” typically denotes customs found outside the worship of Yahweh, often promoting syncretistic or idolatrous elements.

Earliest References in Scripture

Scripture depicts paganism as emerging soon after the Fall (Genesis 3). After the Flood, Genesis 11 presents the rebellious construction of the Tower of Babel—a united human endeavor that introduced confusion of languages and contributed to varied idolatrous worship expressions across the early world.

• Genesis 11:4 records the people saying, “Come, let us build ourselves a city with a tower that reaches to the heavens.” Archaeological finds in Mesopotamia, such as ziggurats, reflect similar structures connected to various deities.

• The Ebla tablets (dated to around 2500–2250 BC) reference multiple ancient deities in Syria-Palestine, lending insight into early polytheistic contexts that the patriarchs confronted.

Idolatry and Polytheism

Idolatry stands at the center of pagan practices. Images or statues representing false gods—Baal, Ashtoreth, Molech, and others—appeared frequently in the ancient Near East (1 Kings 18:19).

• Exodus 20:3–4 proclaims: “You shall have no other gods before Me. You shall not make for yourself an idol.”

• Archaeological excavations at sites like Megiddo and Gezer have uncovered cultic altars and standing stones, illustrating widespread idol veneration in Canaanite religion.

Child Sacrifice

One of the most grievous pagan rituals involved the sacrifice of children, notably to deities like Molech:

• Leviticus 18:21 warns: “You must not give any of your children to be sacrificed to Molech.”

• In 2 Kings 23:10, King Josiah destroys sacrificial sites in the Valley of Ben Hinnom, where such horrific offerings occurred.

Witchcraft, Divination, and Occultism

Consulting mediums, practicing sorcery, and interpreting omens stand among pagan rites expressly forbidden in Scripture. These resume reliance on spiritual forces apart from the living God.

• Deuteronomy 18:10–12 says, “Let no one be found among you who … practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft… Anyone who does these things is detestable to the LORD.”

• In 1 Chronicles 10:13, King Saul’s downfall is tied to consulting a medium, reflecting clear biblical condemnation of occult pursuits.

Sacred Prostitution and Sexual Immorality

Some ancient cults involved temple prostitution or sexual rituals in an effort to invoke fertility from deities like Baal or Asherah.

• Hosea 4:14 laments the involvement of Israel’s daughters and brides in sexual immorality tied to pagan worship.

• Archaeological discoveries in the Canaanite region show fertility symbols and figurines used in religious ceremonies, corroborating such sexual cultic rites.

Astrology and Nature Worship

Elevating the sun, moon, and stars to deity status appears in various cultures. This practice is a recurring theme in biblical warnings against worshiping the “hosts of heaven.”

• Deuteronomy 4:19 cautions Israel not to “be enticed to bow down to them and worship the sun or moon or any of the host of heaven.”

• Historical records of Babylon detail advanced star charts used for astrological purposes, in contrast to Scripture’s focus on God as the Creator of all heavenly bodies (Genesis 1:14–16).

Syncretism and Blended Beliefs

Pagan practices sometimes found their way into Israelite worship. This blending, or syncretism, introduced compromises that turned hearts away from the commands of Scripture.

• In 2 Kings 17:41, it is observed that “these nations feared the LORD, yet served their idols.”

• Evidence from excavations around Samaria (capital of the Northern Kingdom) reveals altars that possibly mixed Yahwistic elements with idol worship.

Modern Expressions of Pagan Practices

Though forms vary, modern adaptations include eastern mysticism, New Age spiritism, witchcraft revivals, and practices exalting nature or self above God.

• Some adopt practices of divination, tarot, or astrology, echoing ancient attempts to gain hidden knowledge without reliance on the Creator.

• Others pursue spiritual power through mediums or occult rituals, replicating the same patterns Scripture warns against (Galatians 5:20).

Consequences and Warnings

Scripture consistently reveals that pagan worship leads to spiritual bondage, moral corruption, and separation from the true God.

• 2 Kings 17:15 recounts how Israel “followed worthless idols—and themselves became worthless.”

• From a behavioral perspective, adopting pagan beliefs can shape moral frameworks and decisions, often to destructive ends.

Encouragement and Redemption

The biblical narrative repeatedly affirms God’s desire for purity of worship and offers redemption to those who turn from pagan practices.

• Acts 19:19 records believers in Ephesus burning their magic scrolls in large numbers, demonstrating complete repentance.

• Romans 12:2 admonishes: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

Conclusion

Common pagan practices—past and present—include idol worship, child sacrifice, divination, occultism, ritual prostitution, and nature worship. Scripture warns against each and consistently underscores the sole worship of the one true God. Archaeological finds and historical accounts align with biblical descriptions of these dangerous customs and highlight the reliable testimony of Scripture itself.

Turning away from paganism to embrace God’s revealed truth is a cornerstone of biblical teaching, inviting all people into relationship with the One who alone is worthy of worship.