(Pagan) News of Note

My semi-regular round-up of articles, essays, and opinions of note for discerning Pagans and Heathens.

The Utne Reader gives a favorable review to Pagan publication PanGaia magazine. Specifically, reviewer Nick Rose is impressed with Archer’s look at human sacrifice in ancient pagan cultures.

“The June/August issue of PanGaia — a journal of pagan-oriented commentary, poetry, and fiction — contains as much historical background as it does current perspective. Ranging across disparate and distant cultures, the commentaries inevitably pose the question: How can the practices and beliefs of long-gone pagans influence and inform the pagans of today? Dangerous ground, when those past practices often involved human sacrifice, as did those discussed in Archer’s “Gifts to the Gods,” in which Archer looks at the “Bog People” of Northern Europe. But the discussion proves rewarding: Neither for nor against the practice, Archer approaches the topic with curiosity and reverence — which ultimately is exactly what these bog-preserved bags of bones deserve”

Columnist Audrey Manning displays her ignorance of Roman history and culture by claiming that the violent and ignorant Christians of today are really the spiritual heirs of ancient pagan priests forced to become Christian priests “overnight”.

“Overnight, the pagan priests had no choice but to call themselves Christian. The emperor had decreed and the priests were forced to obey. If one thinks about it, our culture stems from this decree of Constantine. How many of us do you think are descendants of the true Christians? How many of us are descendants of the pagans who were forced into Christianity? Yes, you can lead a horse to water but you can’t make him drink.”

It seems you can lead an opinion columnist to a concept but you can’t make them think (or do any research).

The Willamette Week Online uses Google Trends to take a look at Portland’s brain. In a surprise to few, it seems that Portland is quite keen on modern Paganism.

“Hello, esoterica. Portland’s searches for mainstream denominations don’t even make the national charts. But we’re sixth in the U.S. for “wicca,” fifth in the nation for “voodoo,” second for the Norse pagan movement “Asatru” and third for “Baha’i.” Though we may not be well-churched, Portlanders are uniquely interested in joining the ministry: We rank No. 1 in the U.S. for searches on the quickie-ordination factory ‘Universal Life Church.’”

Over at his blog, Chas Clifton makes the case for dropping the “neo” from “Neopaganism”.

“In Pagan Theology, Michael York (who does not capitalize the term) argues for both the existence of Pagan religion as a category, whether ancient or contemporary, as well as for Pagan elements (pilgrimages, veneration of shrines, etc.) in the bookish religions. In a future post, I can discuss his definition. But buy the book anyway. To me, “Pagan” has value as a term defining polytheistic, nondualistic religions whether ancient or present-day. Eventually even the pope will realize that.”

Astute readers of my blog will notice that I don’t use the term “Neopagan”, but instead refer to “modern Paganism”.

Finally, Dave Haxton confronts his faith’s internal politics, the politics of race, and his religious identity within modern Asatru and comes away much stronger for his trials.

“I, Daithi MacRae Haxton, do swear to serve the Shining Gods and Goddesses of the North, and the Folk who follow them, for so long as my spirit strides the plains of Midgard. I swear to serve the Troth in whatever religious capacity you deem fitting, for so long as you deem me fit to hold such position. I hereby forswear ever seeking any elected or other political office within the Troth or any other heathen organization. By Freyr and Njord I swear this oath, and ask all the Holy Powers and Assembled Folk to witness and mark my words! Hail the Shining Gods and Goddesses of Our Folk: long may they ward our steads, long may they guide our paths!”

May your gods bless you this day!