Forging Paths of Integrity

Atheopaganism, Opinion, Pagan Community

There has been a lot of talk online lately about the Pagan (or neopagan, if you prefer) community* and integrity, or lack thereof. Stuff about “fakelore” traditions and lineages: pretense of ancient roots that aren’t, and people using this pretense to dangle “ancient secrets” before naive seekers to leverage sexual favors .  Stuff about lousy sexual … Continue reading Forging Paths of Integrity

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Reflections on the FFRF Conference 2018

Atheist community, Atheopaganism, Pagan Community, Pantheacon

So…the Freedom From Religion Foundation conference was…interesting. It’s a great organization. Lobbying and legal work to prevent religious incursion into governmental and public spaces. Very important stuff. I got the sense that most of the attendees felt a deep relief at being in a place where they could admit their atheism. And that seemed to … Continue reading Reflections on the FFRF Conference 2018

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Paganism, Gothic Aesthetic, and the Sensibility of Darkness: An Observation

Atheopaganism, Opinion, Pagan Community, Personal Reflection

‘Tis the season, so let’s talk about it: it’s a thing, among us Pagans. Cemeteries, bones, skulls, ravens. Vampires and absinthe and Ye Olde Occulte Symboles. Dark. Spooky. Sexy. It scares some people. Particularly non-Pagan, white-light-obsessed Christians and New Age folks. At this time of year, the Pagan community leaps with particular gusto into the seasonal … Continue reading Paganism, Gothic Aesthetic, and the Sensibility of Darkness: An Observation

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Naturalism, Monism, and the Philosophy of Atheopaganism

Atheology, Atheopaganism, Pagan Community

Atheopaganism is a naturalistic religion: that is, we believe that all that exists is a part of the natural, material Universe, and is subject to its laws. We revere this material Universe—the Cosmos—as Sacred and magnificent. As naturalistic Pagans, we do not subscribe to the idea that there is an Otherworld within which reside magical and/or disembodied … Continue reading Naturalism, Monism, and the Philosophy of Atheopaganism

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Innovation Versus Tradition in Paganism

Atheology, Atheopaganism, Pagan Community

The mainstream current of modern Paganism has made much of celebrating “Ancient Ways” and “Old Gods”. This creates an inherent tension between old (or putatively old) practices and beliefs and the innovations and achievements of modernity. Elements of the broad Pagan umbrella range widely across this expanse. At one pole, you have Reconstructionists, for whom … Continue reading Innovation Versus Tradition in Paganism

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Does Truth Matter?

Atheology, Atheopaganism, Opinion, Pagan Community, Science

Eppur si muove. —Galileo Galilei   Recently. a friend posted to the Atheopaganism Facebook group, describing a conversation she was having elsewhere in which accusations of “classism” and “colonialism” were being leveled at those who express what is almost certainly the truth: that gods and magic do not exist, except as ideas. And you know? … Continue reading Does Truth Matter?

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Beyond Faith. Beyond Fundamentalism.

Atheology, Atheopaganism, Opinion, Pagan Community

Let’s start by acknowledging that the definitions are fuzzy. There is no universally agreed-to definition of what a “religion” even is. “Spirituality” is just as indeterminate. So all we can do is look at religions of the world and try to identify the elements that compose them. When I do that, I conclude that a … Continue reading Beyond Faith. Beyond Fundamentalism.

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