World Faiths & Religions

Rarely is there a "conversion" process in Paganism of the type seen in some other religions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam).  Many Pagan practitioners describe the experience of learning about Paganism in the sense of "coming home," or as finding a religion that agrees with beliefs they already hold.  There are, however, different views on how an individual officially enters a Pagan religious tradition.  Dedication usually refers to a (formal or informal) ritual or ceremony that signals a person's interest in and intent to study the religion.  Initiation, in some traditions, is necessary to receive training from others involved in the religion, and marks a formal entry point into that tradition.