That DHS memo is frightening. Except for the extremist part, I fit into quite a few of their "definitions," including a sympathy for animal rights. The way I read it, they didn't make any effort to differentiate between Asatruar and racists. Unfortunately for Heathens, we are in such a minority and without much understanding from the pagan community, that we could easily be scapegoated, much like "satanists." Bjorn is right to be concerned. There are, if he describes himself accurately, people who would report him as an extremist. I guess the memo was withdrawn, but the source of the memo remains, and those are the people and policies that worry me.
Nevertheless, I won't hide Thor's Hammer, and I will always proudly wear Frigga's Key.
I'm just guessing here, but I think confusion between these commenting parties rests in the difference between definitions of paganism and neo-paganism. Bjorn and Apuleius "might" concede a monotheistic "neo-paganism," but are uncomfortable with a claim of monotheism for historical "paganism."
The ideas of the exceptional (as in the exception) Akhnaten died with his demise. His was a religion of one (no pun intended), much as Kissa's may be. To this, there is no embarassment, but is an inadequate example of historical monotheistic paganism.
Hehe, that might have made Akhnaten the first neo-pagan in history!
Those founding fathers recognized the dangers in "mingling of church and state," and expressly designed a constitution that separated the two. For that, I am thankful.
You leap to false conclusions, Kn. It is "because" of pride and dignity that I am my Dad's caregiver. He suffers from prostate cancer and Parkinson's Disease, and it is I (with pride in my family and out of a strong sense of honor and responsibility) who changes his sheets in the morning, cleans his pissed-on clothes and sets him on a new start each day. I'm the one who wipes his chin and buys his Depends and does the thousand other things required by an old man who is sick and in the abyss of dementia. I claim honor for my actions, eschewing false humility. To whom or what should I be humble? To gods? No; they are gods and goddesses who inspire me. To death? I don't fear death. Eventually, Dad and I will lose our physical battle, but we will have kept our honor, standing shields up against the breath of the dragon. At the end of life, Beowulf had one companion; I am in good company.
"My religion isn't based on faith."
Aye, and that's a red flag when looking at this Barna book. Not only is Heathenism, for example, not based on faith, we (Heathens) have profound differences with some of the faith-based religions. I read a comment somewhere recently where a guy said he had all kinds of tolerance for all kinds of religious people as long as they were "peaceful and humble." In short, he would have issues with Heathens, who find no virtue in humility. Dignity, reserve, pride, these might appear as humility to him, but he would be wrong.
Utopias are fun to think about, and they make great sci-fi, but then there are real people who so INconveniently break the molds!
Safe Walpurgisnacht and Happy May Day!
We could simplify things and stick to the constitutional separation of church and state. What is this burning need to "decorate" our license plates? Surely we can find a location with more spiritual meaning or even more aesthetically pleasing than the bumper of our cars a couple feet from the exhaust pipe? Surely we can find a more meaningful venue for religious expression.
I'm not a Satanist or Satan expert, but there were a couple errors made in the comments that even I know should be corrected. First, there are groups of people who believe in Yahweh and do not believe Satan is evil. We might all be better instructed if we read up a little on the Gnostics, too. Secondly, the Satanists have a not-so-odd reason for choosing that name for their brand of humanism. Satan, in many ways, personifies the values these people embrace. Throughout history it has been very difficult, in fact, to identify Satan by "his" acts, as they are indistinguishable from any being of power and self-will.
"If the metaphysics they discuss is more in-tuned with your path then I suppose you'd want to support it, but a Heathen like myself probably wouldn't get much out of it."
Agreed, AT. The Wild Hunt is adequate for a general overview of pagan news, and it's free. I wouldn't pay money for a universalist pagan magazine when I have so damn much still to learn along my own path.
Siegfried wrote,"The comparative Indo-European material gives a foundation for the claim." He has a good point.
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