Jason on May 31st 2004 Neopaganism
A Perceptive Note
Chas Clifton makes a perceptive point after listening to the NPR spot on Wiccans.
“A thought struck me: Is Wicca still the only religion that requires a rebuttal? In this case, Bradley Hagerty goes to some teens at some big evangelical church in Colorado Springs for quotes about falling into Satan’s clutches and that sort of thing.”
Something for people who bemoan the unfair coverage of Evangelicals to keep in mind. While conservative Christians may be covered in the press with mocking or a lack of depth at times (something Wiccans and other pagan religions suffer all the time), it’s a rare thing indeed for a Christian of any stripe to get a quote from say an expert on cults or a competing religious faith after the interview.
Jason on May 30th 2004 Neopaganism
Changing the Culture?
Bush recently sat down with nine Christian religion writers and editors (note: only Christians) and gave a rare personal interview. Here are some of the money quotes.
“At home, the job of a president is to help cultures change. The culture needs to be changed.”
“That’s why I took the position I took on the sanctity of marriage. I believe it’s a very important issue for America. I think it?marriage?has worked. It’s the commitment between a man and a woman. That shared responsibility is the cornerstone?has been the cornerstone?will be the cornerstone for civilization and I think any erosion of that definition by itself will weaken civilization as we have known it, and as we hope to know it.”
“The religion I know is not one that encourages killing.”
Jason on May 29th 2004 Neopaganism
Equal Time For Pagans?
I wonder how Christian Churches who stumped so hard for The Passion are going to react to the fact that Mel Gibson is now producing a new film about famed Celtic queen Boudicca called “Warrior”. Boudicca as we know was pagan through and through who fought against Roman pagan soldiers under the Emperor Nero. The movie promises “Braveheart-esqe” action,
“The story of Boudicca has the same potential for gore and machismo that Gibson so successfully exploited in The Passion and Braveheart. Myth has it that Boudicca was the wife of the leader of the Iceni tribe, living under Roman rule. When he died, she succeeded him. The Roman governor saw her succession as a sign of weakness and an opportunity to weaken the tribe. The Romans attacked, defeating Boudicca and raping her two daughters. She fought back, eventually uniting other tribes to defeat a Roman legion before she was finally defeated.” –
Dan Glaister
Another question is how graphic will it be? One thing that typifies Gibson historical epics is the abundance of human suffering and gore, which makes me wonder how scenes like the rape of Boudicca’s daughters is going to be handled, and if Gibson will go with the full Roman account and have Boudicca severing the breasts of Roman women to sacrifice to the gods. Will he portray the mass-killing of Druid priests on the Isle of Mona?
One thing is for certain, “Take any figure where there’s been emotional investment and you’re going to annoy someone. We know so little about her and yet she has been turned into a meta-historical icon.” – Dr Juliette Wood (folklorist)
Jason on May 28th 2004 Neopaganism
Yet Another “Troy” Post
Yes, yes I know, but look it’s the top story at Beliefnet today! It’s seems the “where the gods go” meme isn’t dead yet.
Jason on May 27th 2004 Neopaganism
Church and State and Activists
Cross-Posted to The Juggler
Cliopatria has an amazing one-two punch on the role of religion in progressive movements and society. Much of this is prompted by the withdraw from blogging of Allen Brill from the Village Gate (a politically progressive religious site) who are trying to build a coalition of those on the “religious left”. While I applaud Brill’s efforts (I visit the site often) and while I also believe that religion does have an important role to play in social change I also think it’s somewhat odd to be put off by secular progressives like Atrios who don’t see the point.
Maybe it’s because I’m not one of the big three but I never expect secularists to take my faith and the role it plays in politics seriously. I have been involved in local activist groups and my faith is usually the last thing that I mention, but that doesn’t mean that my faith isn’t important in social change or that I don’t find religious leaders who work for social change truly inspiring.
The important thing about sites like The Village Gate is that it creates a safe place for lefty people of faith to hammer out ideas and the chance to get inspired to take their personal values beyond the pew and pulpit (not to convince secularists of our importance). If you are doing that, then have done enough. Eventually secular lefties and progressives will have to approach those of us who are motivated by faith to build their coalitions and we can tell them in truth, that we have been there all along.
Oh, and building a truly inclusive faith coalition means making room for those of us who reject the trappings of monotheism and have found greener pastures elsewhere.
Jason on May 26th 2004 Neopaganism
A Rather Political Reversal
It looks like the State of Texas has reversed it’s decision that the Unitarian Church isn’t eligble for tax-exempt status. Considering the fact that the case against the UU’s was going to fall apart the reversal seems a bit self-serving and smacks of damage control.
Thanks to Wren’s Nest for the link.
Jason on May 26th 2004 Neopaganism
The Link!
What links Troy with The Passion? They are both participants in the wail fad.
Jason on May 25th 2004 Neopaganism
The Kids Are Alright (for now)
This weeks Nation reports on that pesky youth culture and who they will vote for, complete with heavily tattooed and pierced guy on the cover to let you know that these people are one the fringe (some of them even voted for Nader)! But they MAY vote for Kerry so therefore worthy of attention. But beware, young people are angry! Grrr!
“Anger at Bush may only get Kerry as far as Election Day. “On the first Tuesday of the month, we may be voting for you,” warns Lazu. “But on the second Tuesday, it’s your ass.”
“As Lazu tells pissed-off nonvoters, “If you want to be an anarchist, that’s fine, but then we’ll all still be here. Could you just not be an anarchist on voting day?”
Rar! Grrr! Young voters! Will they calm down long enough to enter the voting booth?!?
Jason on May 25th 2004 Neopaganism
One Less Star?
Calling the approval of same-sex marriage in Massachusetts “the straw that broke the camel’s back,” a group of Christian activists is in the beginning stages of an effort to have one state secede from the United States to become its own sovereign nation.
“Our Christian republic has declined into a pagan democracy,” says Cory Burnell, president of ChristianExodus.org, a non-profit corporation based in Tyler, Texas. “There are some issues people just can’t take anymore, and [same-sex marriage] might finally wake up the complacent Christians.” – Joe Kovacs
You say “pagan democracy” like it’s a bad thing!
Jason on May 24th 2004 Neopaganism
Starhawk in the news
There is a new piece by Starhawk on the ZNet website about the situation in Rafah.
A quote:
“To make the lives of those more hopeful, and to safeguard the lives of Israeli children, it is vital that we understand the true thrust of Sharon’s current policies. Sharon is the sleight-of-hand magician, saying ‘Look here!” while the real action is somewhere else. Sharon says, “Look over here! We’re pulling out of Gaza!” and Bush says, “OK, and in return, we’ll stop looking at what you’re doing in the West Bank.” But Gaza and the West Bank are related, and unless we keep our eyes on both, we’ll be victimized by the shell game.” – Starhawk
Starhawk is one of the modern pagan communities most vocal activists and leaders and as such I feel it important to give a “heads-up” whenever she pops up in the news. This doesn’t mean I always agree with her 100%, but I do completely respect her dedication and commitment.
