The Birth of Human-Pig Hybrids

ancestors, Ancient and Modern Paganism, HP, Kansas Stanton, Latest Posts, naturalistic pagan, Practice

Now, the reason they’ve chosen pigs is due to the similar size and appearance of organs we share, even though there’s a bit of a gap between our evolutionary history. But there’s more we share with pigs than just anatomical organs. Throughout world mythology, we have deities that either depicts pigs, are associated with them, ride them, or are partially pig themselves like Varahi from Nepal. In Greek mythology, Hercules captured the Erymanthian Boar for Eurystheus, as his Fourth Labour. Pigs were also a favorite sacrificial animal of various cultures and are used as a main festive dish for several religious holidays.

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Naturalistic Animism: Seeing the Trees for the Ents

animism, David Abram, HP, John Halstead, Latest Posts, Martin Buber, naturalism, naturalistic pagan, Nature, perception, reciprocity, The Naturalistic Pagan Toolbox, trees

It takes an artist’s eyes—or a lover’s—to really see. It takes a willingness to get our hands dirty, to get up close and personal with messy nature, and to use all of our senses. But most of all, it requires a willingness to be open to receiving, as well as perceiving—an openness to being “touched back” when we touch nature.

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Spirituality Without Politics Is Lame

Activism, HP, John Halstead, Latest Posts, naturalistic pagan, partisanship, Politics, Religious Naturalism, Spiritual Naturalism, Spiritual Naturalist Society, spirituality

A politics without spirituality is blind, but a spirituality without politics is lame.  And that is why I worry about an apolitical spirituality.  I worry that individual spiritual practice in isolation from engagement with the world will never lead to real personal development and thus never lead to positive social change. And I worry about an apolitical spirituality which tells us that we need to accept the world as it is because we are powerless to change it.  Finally, sitting back and practicing equanimity and a contemplative attitude is a privilege that many people do not have.  It is not a option for many people of color.  It is not a option for many gay, lesbian, queer or transgendered people have.  It is not an option for many poor people or for many women.

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Potok and the Hundred-Thousand Year Fire—A Campfire Tale, by Mark Green [an Atheopagan Life]

An Atheopagan Life, ancestors, Big History, evolution, HP, Latest Posts, Mark Green, naturalistic pagan, Practice, ritual, Science

One night, meat was plentiful. A man named Potok had killed a cave bear after a fierce battle. Our bellies were full and grease hissed in the fire, and when we had eaten, Potok stood and told his tale: how he had lured the bear and crept upon it, how his spear went deep, and then he leapt upon the bear with his flint knife. The bear’s fangs hung, fresh and bloody, from a thong about his neck.

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Book Review Special: Malala Yousafzai and Maajid Nawaz by Megan Manson

Emotion, evolution, experience, HP, inspiration, Latest Posts, Megan Manson, naturalistic pagan, Nature, Nature/Stoicism, Practice

“Extremists have shown what frightens them the most: a girl with a book.” – Malala Yousafzai On May 22nd, Salman Ramadan Abedi bombed the Manchester Arena following a concert by Ariana Grande. He used a nail bomb, designed to maim and mutilate….

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This Historic Moment (Part I), by [Starstuff, Contemplating]

atheism, belief, HP, Jon Cleland Host, Latest Posts, naturalistic pagan, Non-Theistic Religion, Responsibility, Starstuff, Contemplating, Superstition and Reason

As so many people, of all ages and in all areas of the country, flee a literal Bible, they will still have many of the very human needs supplied by traditional religions. How many of them will work to build naturalistic religions of various kinds? As Naturalistic Paganism and other naturalistic approaches to religion grow, I hope that they find fulfilling spiritualities that enhance their lives and build a better world for all.

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