Although the term pagan does seem to have a lot of currency among the US
pagans I know, I don't know that this extends into the Christian
community in any useful way, many of who simply see the pejorative sense
of the term. For example when reading this article,
http://community.nytimes.com/comments/www.nytimes.com/2010/03/21/world/europe/21pope.html?sort=oldest&offset=2&scp=2&sq=pagan&st=cse
on the Catholic Pope's recent statement about sexually abuse by the
clergy I encountered this...

"Back when pagan priests were recruited and allowed to bring along pagan
rites, rituals and festivals, e.g. Christmas, Easter, All Saints Day,
All Souls day, Relics, Purgatory, Transubstantiation, Indulgences, 7
Sacraments, Celibacy, etc., they also brought along a darkness with them
that haunts us to this day. Under the leadership of a litany of corrupt
Pontiffs, who ordered the slaughter of millions during the 9 Crusades
and Inquisitions, not to mention the annihilation of the Aztec people
robbing them of their precious gold in the name of God, leading up to
this present day where countless thousands of children around the world
have been sexually raped and abused by cruel pagan pedophile priests,
who rest securely behind the sacrosanct walls of the Vatican, only to
repeat their crimes over and over again without reprisal, has to tell
you something."

Regards,

Morgan Leigh
PhD Candidate
School of Sociology and Social Work
University of Tasmania

James John Bell wrote:
> On 3/21/10 7:11 AM, "Caduceus Books" <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> 
>> Another, perhaps unexpected, truth; and one which, perhaps, should be
>> noted. In modern times, in which western country has the government most
>> embraced paganism and occultism?
> 
> I think the verdict is still out on this question. "Paganism" loosely
> defined is enshrined everywhere in the United States. The attempt to change
> the face of America¹s pagan inspired governmental architecture with a
> monotheistic monument of the Ten Commandments didn't succeed. There are
> about two dozen very large Zodiacs in public government buildings in
> Washington, D.C. and many more Zodiacs on monuments and room interiors
> honoring pagan deities all over the capitol.
> 
> Author Jonathan Kirsch in God Against the Gods points out that from a
> cultural perspective, paganism still holds a lot of ground here:
> 
> "ŒClassical paganism,¹ then, was the official religion of a civilization
> that is recalled and honored today in classical texts that are studied in
> our universities, the statuary that fills our museums and the architectural
> styles that grace our monuments and public buildings."
> 
> Even our seemingly benign daily rituals and customs, in America at least,
> like making a wish by tossing a coin in a well or a fountain, give homage to
> pagan gods. Though arguably the honoring of water deities and spirits is not
> on most folk's mind.
> 
> Also would need to consider the modern native nations in North America that
> celebrate their old beliefs and have incorporated them into their modern
> sovereign governmental systems, especially when it comes to their official
> holidays and festivals.
> 
> James
> 
> 
> James John Bell
> http://www.smartmeme.com

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