paganism which was not a "nature religion" but an EVERYTHING religion.
Absolutely.
Thinking of this in terms of paganism touching every aspect of a single life - I think I can get there sometimes, probably more often now than in past years. When I do - the world is a much more enchanting astonishing place.
One worships the Gods one chooses and to whom one feels called, and it is understood that while ethnic pantheons have value, they are instruments through which the Gods work, not structures upon which the Gods are dependent for their existence.
I think I may needlepoint this on a pillow if I can find one big enough. Loverly.
But not only is a paganism that leaves out the Gods not going anywhere, IMO, but the whole movement is going to be tarnished by an ethnocentrism with no counterbalance aside from a flabby ecocentric universalism.
Are the gods "quaint" or is rejection of deity a knee-jerk against Christianity. I know which one I think it is.
I wonder, too, about the impact of myths "written down" to a child's level. On the one hand, groovy introduction, on the other, it can be hard to break away as an adult from the idea of myths being stories that have as much to do with one's life as do the three billy goats gruff or Rose Red. I think that the "problem" here is that, unlike in Christianity with the Bible for instance, the myths aren't encountered within a framework of the faith itself.
Were there many pagan religions where outsiders weren't allowed to worship because of their ethnicity? Honest question, I don't know. My first guess is no.
My environmentalism came first, then got wrapped up in neopaganism, and now it is a part of an encompassing belief in the importance of balance, healthiness, and interconnection.
You know what's odd? The very idea of pagan movements. I know they exist, certainly, and have for ages, but sitting here in my house in Marana, Arizona, it's hard to imagine. Reading about academic progress is thrilling, but it also seems surreal. I guess because for well over a decade the idea of a well-written, well-researched, thoughtful treatise on paganism (in any era) seemed like an impossibility - a pipe dream. Well, until I met you, then it became a possibility. Reading that it's happening... it's wonderful and weird.
I am rather ignorant about the history of neopaganism anyway.
mouthwatering giant deluxe edition of a late Egyptian text called "The Book of Thoth". No, not the one by Crowley but what appears to be a mind-melting 30 page ritual text straight from the sacred library of Hermopolis. I think it's $160 with the AAR/SBL discount?
Oh man
Greece is a scary country because it's illegal to worship the Olympian Gods EVEN IN YOUR OWN HOME.
the hell?
she thinks it's okay to worship the Olympian Gods "as long as you're Christian."
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timeasmymeasure
in which my mind skips around from thought to thought
Date: 2005-11-24 12:56 am (UTC)Absolutely.
Thinking of this in terms of paganism touching every aspect of a single life - I think I can get there sometimes, probably more often now than in past years. When I do - the world is a much more enchanting astonishing place.
One worships the Gods one chooses and to whom one feels called, and it is understood that while ethnic pantheons have value, they are instruments through which the Gods work, not structures upon which the Gods are dependent for their existence.
I think I may needlepoint this on a pillow if I can find one big enough. Loverly.
But not only is a paganism that leaves out the Gods not going anywhere, IMO, but the whole movement is going to be tarnished by an ethnocentrism with no counterbalance aside from a flabby ecocentric universalism.
Are the gods "quaint" or is rejection of deity a knee-jerk against Christianity. I know which one I think it is.
I wonder, too, about the impact of myths "written down" to a child's level. On the one hand, groovy introduction, on the other, it can be hard to break away as an adult from the idea of myths being stories that have as much to do with one's life as do the three billy goats gruff or Rose Red. I think that the "problem" here is that, unlike in Christianity with the Bible for instance, the myths aren't encountered within a framework of the faith itself.
Were there many pagan religions where outsiders weren't allowed to worship because of their ethnicity? Honest question, I don't know. My first guess is no.
My environmentalism came first, then got wrapped up in neopaganism, and now it is a part of an encompassing belief in the importance of balance, healthiness, and interconnection.
You know what's odd? The very idea of pagan movements. I know they exist, certainly, and have for ages, but sitting here in my house in Marana, Arizona, it's hard to imagine. Reading about academic progress is thrilling, but it also seems surreal. I guess because for well over a decade the idea of a well-written, well-researched, thoughtful treatise on paganism (in any era) seemed like an impossibility - a pipe dream. Well, until I met you, then it became a possibility. Reading that it's happening... it's wonderful and weird.
I am rather ignorant about the history of neopaganism anyway.
mouthwatering giant deluxe edition of a late Egyptian text called "The Book of Thoth". No, not the one by Crowley but what appears to be a mind-melting 30 page ritual text straight from the sacred library of Hermopolis. I think it's $160 with the AAR/SBL discount?
Oh man
Greece is a scary country because it's illegal to worship the Olympian Gods EVEN IN YOUR OWN HOME.
the hell?
she thinks it's okay to worship the Olympian Gods "as long as you're Christian."
Hee!