Jake Stratton-Kent wrote:
Contemporary Pagans sometimes beat themselves up about being "eclectic" -
but as you say seems like this was a big part of classical Paganism
(a synthesis of Greek, Babylonian & Egyptian magical religion) -
i'm guessing its not the only religion that synthesizes what came before
- perhaps a universal of all religions,
even when ideologically they claim "purity".
Mogg
> Hi Mogg, Nagasiva and all,
>
> not meaning to distract from the conversation, but this topic is
> convergent with one I've been discussing lately elsewhere, and more
> importantly perhaps, thinking and writing about. That is, the
> prevalence of syncretism in ancient Mediterranean and Middle Eastern
> paganism.
>
> Syncretism has a very bad reputation is some quarters of the modern
> occult scene; sometimes with good reasons (Erzulie does not =
> Aphrodite). There is also a marked tendency for this antagonism to
> spill over into areas where it is out of place.
>
> When writing about ancient religion where syncretism was a long
> standing tradition, this antagonism virtually demands a reiterated
> justification whenever syncretic features arise in the discussion.
> This is perhaps less the case in some quarters of the neo-pagan scene,
> and in the UK especially - but there is still a definite speed-bump to
> be negotiated where historical syncretism is involved.
>
> ALWays
>
> Jake
>
>
>
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