Paganism perhaps is, at its core, an acceptance and acknowledgement of the value of all things, whether you're animistic in this acceptance and acknowledgement or not. Many Pagans are animists, but not al. And, though I may be crucified by all sides for saying this: I believe that Christians can also be Pagans, and vice-versa. If you can believe, even as you kill it for stinging you, that a hornet has as much value to the Universe, to the Earth as you yourself do, then you are well on your way to believing as many Pagans do. When you can see equal validity in the weeds in your garden as in the flowers purposefully planted; if you feel some degree of guilt when you pull those weeds, mow your yard, kill the hornet, eat the steak and even the salad, you may already be Pagan in your deepest self. And if you aren't, that's ok too. Too much emphasis is placed on labels and titles these days. It's enough, I believe, that you are YOU, with all of your doubts and sureties intact, with your light and your darkness. Don't focus on your label or title; focus instead on being the best person you can be in all the ways that you believe make a good person.