‘Pagan’ is getting a makeover. Not everyone got the memo.

[cbayer]

http://www.religionnews.com/2013/07/11/analysis-pagan-is-getting-a-makeover-not-everyone-got-the-memo/

David Gibson | Jul 11, 2013


Rev. Patrick McCollum attends a spiritual gathering in the Kumbh Mela in Allahabad, India. Photo courtesy Rev. Patrick McCollum

(RNS) Is calling someone a “pagan” a bad thing or a badge of honor? Do we even know what the term means?

Those questions were prompted by a recent speech by Philadelphia Archbishop Charles Chaput in which he lamented the decline of faith and morals in the modern world. “Even many self-described Christians,” he declared, “are in fact pagan.”

And it doesn’t sound like he meant that as a compliment.

In an email, Chaput declined to elaborate on what he meant by that line, which came near the end of a 3,000-word address delivered in June to an international association of Catholic leaders meeting in Spain. The archbishop said “the words and the context of the words speak for themselves. It is all quite obvious.”

more at link

[Hestia]

1. Proudly Pagan here - been out of the closet a long time along with DH

He even has friends at work who wish him happy Solstices and Sabbats. We don't go around "advertising" but will proudly declare when asked.

In this day and age, I don't think there are very many people who aren't aware of Paganism in this country, though we have been vastly marginalized since 9/11. There are those who are are scared of the word/idea of Paganism, but by and large most don't think about it unless they have a family member.

The Catholics really need to come to terms that their whole doctrine is Pagan based - rituals, symbols, liturgy. It seems they are the only one's who don't know.

[cbayer]

4. I honestly don't know anyone who openly identifies as pagan.

I wish I did because I would love to learn more.

The term has accumulated a lot of baggage over time, much of which it sounds like needs to be shed.

Thanks for your input.

[Hestia]

2. You ought to cross post this in Ancient Wisdom and Pagan Spirituality group n/t

[cbayer]

3. It's not a group I frequent, but feel free to c & p it from here.

[okasha]

5. Also openly pagan,

and have yet to encounter negative responses, even in a majority-Catholic Hispanic city. It's kind of like being openly LGBT--the more people know us for who we are, the less hostility there is.

[cbayer]

6. So I do know someone who identifies as pagan.

You might have said that previously, but I must have missed it.

Agree about the comparison to GLBT. Both groups not threatening at all, but felt to be so by some sectors of the population.

[okasha]

7. I have to repeat it regularly

since certain posters periodically take it upon themselves to denounce "Chistians like me" and "my skydaddy/fairy." It doesn't seem to get through the stereotype, though.

Edited to add: Had some trouble there with the square brackets.

[cbayer]

8. Interesting how it is often assumed that you and I are christians.

It's the with us or against us mentality that some hold.

I'm not much of a joiner and am happy in my little apatheist hole for the most part.

Though I would treasure a good yoga class right about now.

[okasha]

9. Yep. It's past being a binomial variable with some

and has become bipolar.

Wish I could find a tai chi class--working at a potter's wheel makes aches in all the same places riding a horse does.

[cbayer]

10. I get some pretty good core muscle exercise just from living on a boat.

The constant movement that must be accommodated is remarkably effective.

But I don't get a lot of stretching and have very limited room for doing yoga or anything like it. Although I have plenty of head room, straightening my arms over my head is out of the question, lol.

And the bottom line is that I am essentially lazy, preferring to have my feet up and laptop where it belongs.

No tai chi classes in your area?

[okasha]

11. Haven't been able to find any,

and while there's a good yoga class that some of my friends attend, there's no way to get it into my schedule.

[WovenGems]

12. You all Pagan

If at the winter solstice you comment on how beautiful the decorated pine tree is and then place presents under it. The best holidays are those dedicated to family and not some religion.

[cbayer]

13. A lot of holidays, both religious and secular, are primarily family events.

I think my favorite is Thanksgiving. If I can get all the kids together, as well as anyone else who wants to be a part of our family, I am in heaven.

[okasha]

16. No.

My Christian friends who decorate a Christmas tree are still Christian, and my Jewish friends who hang Stars of David and dreidls on the Hannukah bush are still Jewish.

The great thing is that it makes an extended holiday season for all of us, from the beginning of December until (here on the Border)Three Kings Day on 6 January followed by a final party on Candlemas/Imbolc.

We all eat way too many tamales and consume way too many ethnic sweets.

[dimbear]

14. It started out meaning "rube." Latin paganus.

Just like the word "Yankee" and innumerable others, a one time slam has become a badge of honor to those who claim it.

[LostOne4Ever]

15. I just found out one of my FB/WoW friends is a Wiccan

I didn't think I knew any pagans till she said that!

Either way, I always have found pagan myths and legends the most fun.