Rabbi Wolpe declines invitation to speak with modern Pagans

Holli Emore, director of Cherry Hill Seminary, reached out to Rabbi David Wolpe for an interfaith conversation following his article “The Return of Paganism” earlier this week in The Atlantic. But Wolpe declined, claiming his article was not intended to address modern Pagans.

Here and Hereafter: a report from the Parliament of World Religions

We were all, in some way, seeking the capital-T Truth – and if we thought we had found it, it made sense to want to share that with others. I hadn’t been sure of the Truth since I was a child, and, for me, that amorphous uncertainty was the point. Having someone, however well-intentioned, try to save me, or convince me – or even to convince themself that I was already saved – felt like the opposite of helping.

Boxing with Thor

I read accounts of the Old Way in its day with love and longing. I am profoundly moved when I read the sayings of Odin, whether by myself, in communion with the kindred, or discussing them with college students. I see the lore as touchstones for righteous living, guidelines for right action, and comfort in the darkness. We can deeply care about all of this without pretending that we can go back and do like they did.