Neopaganism Is The Worst

[Razgovory]

More importantly, how is it the worst of them all? I mean, that particular article is fairly benign. No psuedo-anthropology/archeology. No truly "out there" language about the stars, gods, alternate worlds, etc. I mean seriously, if you feel that way, fine, but find something a bit more obtrusive to be hateful about if you're trying to convince others to feel the same. 

There is something to that.  But then again Christianity for all its faults did give us the Sistine Chapel and helped preserve some modicum of classical learning, and Judaism had Maimonides.  The best you can say about neopaganism is that it is "mostly harmless".

Well, the Nazi ones weren't that harmless.  It is curious that in the 19th century and early 20th several some European intellectuals promoted the ideas of neopaganism as it was in their eyes more authentically European and a robust replacement for the "weak and flabby" Christianity.  Today, it's usually promoted as softer and more understanding then the cruel Christianity.

[Maximus]

Judaism is reasonable close to the religion practiced by Hillel (around the time of the birth of Jesus), not that antiquity in itself is proof of legitimacy.

But that's my point. What makes a religion useful is faith, not historical accuracy.

There is something to that.  But then again Christianity for all its faults did give us the Sistine Chapel and helped preserve some modicum of classical learning, and Judaism had Maimonides.  The best you can say about neopaganism is that it is "mostly harmless".

Is that what religion is supposed to provide? Architecture and classical learning?

[Maximus]

Well, the Nazi ones weren't that harmless.  It is curious that in the 19th century and early 20th several some European intellectuals promoted the ideas of neopaganism as it was in their eyes more authentically European and a robust replacement for the "weak and flabby" Christianity.  Today, it's usually promoted as softer and more understanding then the cruel Christianity.

It's not that curious. People "find" the religion they need, even if it takes some interpretation to get there.

[jimmy olsen]

Twilight's influenced by the author's Mormonism.  I just think the artistic accomplishments of those faiths/cults makes them more worthwhile than this nonsense.

Heh.  It shouldn't be too hard to find some piece of art influenced by earth mother stuff.

Clan of the Cave Bear and its sequels.

[Razgovory]

Is that what religion is supposed to provide? Architecture and classical learning?

It's a nice side effect.

[Razgovory]

Twilight's influenced by the author's Mormonism.  I just think the artistic accomplishments of those faiths/cults makes them more worthwhile than this nonsense.

Heh.  It shouldn't be too hard to find some piece of art influenced by earth mother stuff.

Clan of the Cave Bear and its sequels.

Ugh.

[garbon]

Twilight's influenced by the author's Mormonism.  I just think the artistic accomplishments of those faiths/cults makes them more worthwhile than this nonsense.

Heh.  It shouldn't be too hard to find some piece of art influenced by earth mother stuff.

Clan of the Cave Bear and its sequels.

Ugh.

Indeed!

[Valmy]

Ugh.

Well keep in mind that it's competition is Twilight and Battlefield: Earth.

[Eddie Teach]

Narnia wins.

[Malthus]

Ugh.

Well keep in mind that it's competition is Twilight and Battlefield: Earth.

What do you get when you combine them all together? A prehistoric, sparkly alien and around $1 billion in royalties? 

[Ed Anger]

Since HispsterSpellus started the thread, i might as well get this off my chest.

I hate wiccans. Especially the suburban housewife in their 30-40's with their Earthmother crap.

Any particular religion/lack of religion you do not hate?

I pretty much dislike everybody.

[merithyn]

I love how all of neo-paganism is lumped together as one belief system when in truth there are hundreds if not thousands of interpretations of the concept. It's like saying that every Christian is a fundy. No, only the loud ones are. I would guess that the same is true of neopagans. The loud ones are the oddballs, while the quiet ones just sort of go about their business.

It's a new ideology based in questionable (and downright wrong) history. Does it make it any less important (therefore effective) to the people who practice it? The point of religion is, in my opinion, to give people answers, guidance, and something to believe in. This is one way for people to do it. For many, the fact that it isn't mainstream - the very thing that seems to offend some of you - is probably a huge selling point.

It just seems like a weird thing to freak out over.

[Valmy]

It just seems like a weird thing to freak out over.

It's Spellus.  He freaked out over Gnosticism.

[Ed Anger]

I'd like all wiccans publicly whipped, have a cross burned into their forehead and then sent to a salt mine.

[merithyn]

I'd like all wiccans publicly whipped, have a cross burned into their forehead and then sent to a salt mine.

I've heard you say that before. I know a few Wiccans, and yes, they're pretty annoying in general, but your unbridled hatred is intriguing. I do wonder what's led to it... I sense a story here....