My second and last day attending this three-day conference was considerably more hectic than the first. Lots of run-walking through hallways and catching the shuttle service between the two conference hotels. After a bit more time spent with the book publishers in the exhibition hall, and a quick coffee break with M. Macha Nightmare, I raced to the New Religious Movements Group to hear a presentation by three key figures in NRM scholarship. The group was presided over by Douglas Cowan, and featured presentations by Eileen Barker, founder of INFORM, Massimo Introvigne, founder of CESNUR, and J. Gordon Melton, founder of ISAR.

Eileen Barker and J. Gordon Melton.

It was clear that these figures, and their respective organizations, have had a large hand in steering religious scholarship away from the “anti-cult” and “countercult” mindset so prevalent a generation ago, and towards a more open-minded and fair appraisal of new religions. This hasn’t come without some criticism, and all have been accused of being apologists for various movements (most notably Melton, who has received a lot of criticism for defending Aum Shinrikyo during the investigation into the Sarin gas attack on the Tokyo subway). Despite these setbacks, and resistance from those with an investment in counter-cult thinking, it is safe to say that minority religions today, including modern Pagan faiths, owe a debt to figures like Barker, Melton and Introvigne. It was indeed an honor to hear them give brief retrospectives of their work on NRMs.

With no time to waste, I rushed to the next session of the Contemporary Pagan Studies Group, in order to hear some of modern Paganism’s best living thinkers expound on “Polytheism in Theory”. Presided over by Nikki Bado-Fralick (who happens to be the president of Cherry Hill Seminary) the group featured presentations by Graham Harvey, author of “Listening People, Speaking Earth: Contemporary Paganism”, Constance Wise, author of “Hidden Circles in the Web: Feminist Wicca, Occult Knowledge, and Process Thought”, and Michael York, author of “Pagan Theology: Paganism as a World Religion”.

Michael York speaking to a packed room.

To summarize their points would most likely do them all an injustice, so let me apologize in advance. Harvey discussed how Pagan religions are going through a process of “indigenization”, morphing from their esoteric origins into something far more animistic in practice. Wise endorsed process theology as a way to think about polytheism without creating an unnecessary mono/poly binary, or negating the beliefs of others. Finally, Michael York discussed polytheism, the anti-Decalogue stance of Pagan religions, human sacrifice in ancient pagan cultures, and how it is no longer necessary for modern Pagan cultures (though he did wonder, in our age of war and capital punishment if we have really moved away from ritual murder).

Sadly, after York finished, I had to dash to catch my train home. I also regret that some personal matters prevent me from attending presentations and talks on the third and final day of the conference, but even the small number of group sessions I attended left me with much to digest. It is impossible for one reporter to accurately summarize the vast amount of knowledge on display here, but I can say that the cutting edge of modern Pagan thought (and religious thought in general) can be glimpsed for those willing to brave the crowds. My only regret is that there weren’t two or three of me so I could have seen and heard more. Maybe next time.

For more AAR coverage, check out Michael Paulson’s article on a Harry Potter-themed session. Meanwhile youth minister Adam Walker discusses pluralism, and First Things gives a snarky acknowledgment of Wendy Doniger winning the 2008 Martin Marty Award for contributions to the public understanding of religion.

Last week the BBC announced a new religious series debuting in early 2009 called “Around the World In 80 Faiths”. The show will feature part-time Anglican Vicar Peter Owen Jones traveling the world and participating in a variety of religious rituals.

Peter Owen Jones, photo by Alan Burles.

“Part-time Anglican Vicar, Peter Owen Jones embarks on an epic challenge – to travel the globe and observe and take part in the most important rituals of 80 of the world’s faiths. On the way he’ll be exploring some of the planet’s most beautiful and holy places: he’ll be meeting snake handlers, Voodoo practitioners, whirling dervishes, horse-riding Sikhs, shaman and Taoist monks seeking immortality.”

The show is being produced by the BBC Religion and Ethics team, and is being packaged as eight 60-minute episodes. A companion book written by Jones will also be released. Initial buzz, based on Owen-Jones’ previous participation in the series “Extreme Pilgrim”, seems to be quite positive.

“This may all sound a bit dull, but I urge you to watch it – knowing Peter he’ll be throwing himself head-long into challenges and situations, be open to questioning his very essence and report back eloquently from some seriously gorgeous places.”

I’m certainly interested in seeing this series (living in America I’ll probably have to wait until it comes out on DVD), though I’m very curious as to which 80 faiths will be profiled in the series (if they do indeed profile 80 faiths). While I’m glad to see they are including indigenous faiths, I wonder if modern Pagan faiths will be explored as well. Will he hang out with Wiccans and Druids in Britain? Chat with Asatru in Iceland? Go to a Pagan festival in America? The press release does promise he’ll explore “brand new cults and sects”, but who knows what that means when there are hundreds (if not thousands) of NRMs to choose from.

ADDENDUM: It looks like he does visit some Pagans:

“As the main ritual came to a close, the ecstatic dancing ensued and Peter threw himself into it enthusiastically and unapologetically. He seemed entranced by the fire in the cauldron and was dumbfounded when the cone of power appeared, sending the flame spiralling high above the dancing Witches’ heads to excited shouts of ‘Kiss the Serpent’.”

That is a report from an eclectic Pagan group in Australia. Thanks to Frozen In Honey for passing that along to me.